Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
	File:Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.jpg Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Developer	Microsoft
OS family	Windows XP
Working state	Current
Source model	Shared source
Latest release	2005
Kernel type	Hybrid kernel
Default; user interface	Graphical User Interface
License	Proprietary EULA
Official website	Windows XP Tablet PC Home Page

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is an edition of Windows XP intended for specially-designed notebook/laptop computers called tablet PCs. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is compatible with a pen-sensitive screen, supporting handwritten notes and portrait-oriented screens. A retail version cannot be purchased separately from a tablet PC, but is available to Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN) subscribers.

Versions

There are two versions of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition - The original release.
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 - The Tablet PC equivalent to Windows XP Service Pack 2.

The 2005 edition is available as a service pack upgrade, or as a new OEM version.

It is unlikely that there will be new versions, as tablet PC functionality is included in the Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.^[1]

System requirements

There are no clear specific system requirements for Windows XP Tablet PC and Tablet PC 2005 editions, as they are provided pre-installed on Tablet PCs. However Windows XP Tablet PC Editions are both based on Windows XP Professional and so the requirements are similar to, if not slightly higher than the requirements for Windows XP Professional. The following is adapted from the Windows XP Professional requirements ^[2] and could be used as guideline requirements.

	Minimum	Recommended
Processor	300 MHz	300 MHz or higher
Memory	128 MB RAM (may limit performance and some features)	256 MB RAM or higher
Video adapter and monitor	Super VGA (800 x 600)	Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
Hard drive disk free space	2.0 GB	2.0 GB or higher
Drives	External CD-ROM drive for installation	Internal CD-ROM drive or higher
Devices	Touch Screen or Active Digitizer	Tablet PC with pressure sensitive pen, rotating screen and Keyboard
Others	Sound card, speakers, and headphones Ethernet Connection	Sound card, speakers, headphones and WiFi

Due to the Nature of Tablet PC Edition it usually comes pre-installed on Tablet PCs. A brief list of a selection of Tablet PCs is available on the Microsoft website and Tablet PCs are also highlighted on the websites of most leading producers of laptops and notebooks.

Included Software

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is based on Windows XP Professional and includes all the software provided in it. In addition it includes some of the following software:

Windows Journal
Sticky Notes
Ink Ball
Experience Pack: Ink Art
Experience Pack: Ink Crossword
Experience Pack: Ink Desktop
Experience Pack: Media Transfer
Experience Pack: Snipping Tool 2.0
Experience Pack: Tablet PC 2005 Edition also includes the Royale/Media Center Theme, renamed Tablet PC Style: Energy Blue.
Education Pack: Equation Writer
Education Pack: GoBinder Lite
Education Pack: Hexic Delux

It is often also bundled with OneNote 2003

Upgrading to Vista

Despite the inclusion of Tablet PC support in Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista, it is only possible to upgrade to Business and Ultimate editions. This is because Tablet PC edition is based on Windows XP Professional, and so moving to Home Premium would cause a downgrade and loss of features. However, an upgrade version can be legally used to perform a clean install of Windows Vista as a replacement for Tablet PC Edition.

Many of the 'new' features boasted in Windows Vista have already been launched as part of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. Some of these features include:

Windows Journal
Ink Ball
Sticky Notes

Technology

File:TabletPC 2004.jpg

A Typical Tablet PC Screenshot, showing a docked TIP from Tablet PC Edition 2005

Ink: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition may utilize the Ink object as a means of data input and storage. This is a data type created as part of the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition API that allows one to manipulate and process handwritten data, including recognition results and, in some cases, the pressure information for each part of the stroke. Properties of Ink can be changed in much the same way as properties of other objects, and the data can be saved to allow future reference. Many applications referencing the Ink object also allow handwritten notes to be filtered and searched through, based on the recognition results stored when Ink is saved.

Handwriting Recognition: Integrated with the operating system is a Tablet PC Input Panel which allows handwriting to be converted into text for use in most non-full-screen applications. The integrated handwriting recognition in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 can recognize print, cursive, or mixed writing. Accuracy can be increased by configuring the recognizer to expect left-handed writing or right-handed writing. Recognition in a variety of languages is available with the install of a recognizer pack. Unfortunately the handwriting engine cannot be trained to recocnise a particular handwriting style so the user must modify their handwriting to be better recognized by the system in order to use this feature effectively.

References

^ "Windows Vista: Editions". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2007-01-22.
^ "System requirements for Windows XP operating systems". April 28, 2005. Retrieved 2007-03-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

[1] "Windows Vista: Editions". Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved 2007-01-22.

[2] "System requirements for Windows XP operating systems". April 28, 2005. Retrieved 2007-03-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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