Transcript: Tablet PC, March 02, 2005
Published: March 8, 2005
Please note: Portions of this transcript have been edited for clarity
Introduction
Andrew [MSFT] (Moderator):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Tablet PC chat!
Today we are answering your questions about Tablet PCs.
Now, I'll have our hosts for the chat today introduce themselves:
Andrew [MSFT] (Moderator):
I'm Andrew Brown, and I'm the MVP Lead for Tablet PC, and the moderator for this chat.
Chris H Tablet MVP (Expert):
Hi. I'm Chris Hassler, one of the Tablet PC MVPs. Welcome.
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
I'm a Program Manager on the Mobile PC team. Welcome to the chat!
Lora Heiny (Expert):
My name is Lora Heiny and I work with Microsoft's Tablet PC software partners. You can learn about the program at www.TabletPCPartners.com.
MS_Michelle (Expert):
Hi, I'm Michelle, I'm a Tablet/Mobile PC ISV Evangelist
Sears Young [MS] (Expert):
Hi, I'm Sears Young, a Program Manager on the Mobile PC team.
Andrew [MSFT] (Moderator):
Go ahead and begin sending us your questions, and we'll get the chat underway.
Start of Chat
Robert (Expert):
Q: We have found one key aspect of tablet pc use that has apparently been overlooked by the tablet OS, tablet vendors (specifically the convertible models), and graphics chip makers. That aspect is using the convertible as a pen input device with the desktop
A: That's an interesting statement. Is there a question here?
Chris H Tablet MVP (Expert):
Q: I Do have one. I wonder if anyone else has seen the issue of slow response in the top inch of the screen in all orientations with the latest Wacom drivers. Dan T. of Wacom says they haven't seen it.
A: I haven't seen the issue either. Perhaps you have an issue with the recognizer and should be contacting the OEM for your Tablet PC.
Robert (Expert):
Q: Is "Mira" considered as a tablet Pc?
A: Mira is the code name used for the Smart Displays product. That program has been discontinued by MS. The devices were not tablet pcs. They were WinCE devices operating as a terminal services client attached to a Windows XP PC. This architecture has many implications. 1) the devices were not usable when disconnected from the XP PC; 2) performance via terminal services was compromised along several vectors so end user scenarios were limited; 3) tablet type ink and reco were one of the scenarios that could not be implemented, full motion video was another, etc
Lora Heiny (Expert):
Q: Is there tablets coming this year with 915PM or newer chipset in sub 2k range. What you'd think of desktop computer which had a lightweight TFT that could also act as 'tablet'.. I'd like that
A: You might be interested in looking at HP's upcoming TC4200 Tablet PC. Spec sheet: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/tabletpc/tc4200/. Some retailers are already advertising pricing. The base unit is expected to be around $1599.
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Q: Will there be any student versions of Tablet PCs? I'm planning to buy one in the near future :)
A: Of course we think the Tablet PC is great for students. Til recently, Tablets have priced a little higher than the average student laptop though. As prices come down, we'll see a lot more students using Tablets. Are there particular features that you're looking for in a student Tablet PC?
Lora Heiny (Expert):
Q: Any of you guys work with the hospital case studies? I'm getting more and more paranoid about how germy my TPC must be getting. Manual says no solvents, so not sure what I can do to disinfect. I'd like to know what others are doing (have searched)
A: It's a good suggestion to look at cleaning models. It depends on the hardware design. You might check with the hardware vendor about cleaning solvents. You can find Microsoft healthcare case studies at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/evaluation/casestudies/default.mspx#EGAA
Robert (Expert):
Q: about how much would a decent tablet pc cost?
A: The cheapest one is the Averatec at $999 after rebates at Circuit City in last Sunday's newspaper circular. You can go up to almost $3000 for a fully tricked out Motion or Tosh with all the accessories.
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Q: would you be able to get a more powerful tablet pc than desktop if you have the money. i mean like a nuclear power factory power...
A: The size and battery life are a bigger factor than the cost - a Tablet PC that's as powerful as a top-of-the-line desktop might weigh 15 lbs and have a battery life of about 15 minutes. It would probably be bigger than a bread box too.
Robert (Expert):
Q: Hi, I'm not sure if I should get a Tablet PC w/built in keyboard or not. Is it that important when I can just write on it with the pen?
A: That depends on your usage style. Bert Keely, our tablet architect, lives only on the pen, so he's a slate guy. Most people like the flexibility of having both KB and pen so they prefer convertibles or slates with a detachable KB like HP or Motion. I like slates b/c I can keep the weight to a minimum for going to meetings and travelling around the MS campus, and always hook up a KB when I need one at my desk or at home.
ArinG [MS] (Expert):
Q: Could someone please explain why the MSFT Tablet team chose to make"wisptis.exe" http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/wisptis.exe.html a mandatory install with every single Office and Office related application (Adobe does also does this).
1) Wisptis.exe is a stubborn process that loads at start. It takes CPU time and is not needed if you don't have a tablet. If you use uninstall methods on the web, then you will run into Setup Problems to overcome if you reinstall Office because it will balk because wisptis.exe has been blocked. It is a pen input device tool for the Microsoft Tablet PC Platform. I don't know the percent of Tablet PC saturation currently on the planet, but most people do not need the pen input device toolin Windows or MOS
A: The WispTis.exe process is the process responsible for collecting ink data from a digitizer/mouse on or off a tablet PC, it's up to the software developer to decide if they want to support this functionality on non-Tablet PCs. Off Tablet, wisptis should not start untill an application starts its ink collection code.
Andrew [MSFT] (Moderator):
Q: I would like to keep Outlook synced between my desktop, TPC and iPaq 4705 PPC. Is this difficult to accomplish? Right now, I only sync my desktop & PPC.
A: It depends on your specific scenario. If you can use Exchange ActiveSync with your iPAQ, this should be easy to do. Keeping the Tablet PC and desktop in sync is fairly straightforward, as Outlook works the same on both assuming you're using an Exchange server. Getting the iPAQ into the loop is slightly more complex if you are syncing with both Tablet PC and desktop without using EAS, but since Pocket PCs allow for two ActiveSync desktop partnerships, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Chris H Tablet MVP (Expert):
Q: What does it take to get in on the betas for TPC stuff?
A: You can go to https://beta.microsoft.com/sign-in/signin.asp? and follow the instructions above the Sign In button.
Andrew [MSFT] (Moderator):
This concludes our Tablet PC chat for today. Thanks for coming, everyone!
Sears Young [MS] (Expert):
Thanks everyone!
Andrew [MSFT] (Moderator):
Please feel free to stay and continue to chat about Tablet PCs or other Windows topics.
Chris H Tablet MVP (Expert):
Thanks for all the questions!
VictoriaKruse_MS (Expert):
Thanks for your participation!
