Tablet PCs - Stealing Comdex 2002

As always, there are one or two key products which have visitors buzzing at Comdex this year. Last year you may recall that NVIDIA's NV17M and Intel's 845DDR chipset were received with the most enthusiasm at the show, gaining attention not only on AnandTech but on most hardware review sites. So, what has been the big story this year at Comdex thus far? Well, Tablet PCs for one.

Mockup systems based on Microsoft Windows XP Tablet Edition have been attention getters at past trade shows (including past Comdexes) but this year is the first time we have seen manufacturers demonstrating products in full force. Launched earlier this month, Windows XP Tablet Edition brings handwriting and other tablet capabilities to Windows XP Professional. Judging from public reaction, and our own personal experience, the tablet PC devices are worth of the attention.

You could clearly tell where tablet PCs were being demonstrated; at the center of most large crowds rested a tablet PC of some sorts. The directions that manufacturers have taken in designing tablet PCs are wildly varied. Some tablet solutions consist of only a display and computer while others more resemble classic notebook systems. Regardless of the design, tablet PCs are one of the key products at this year's Comdex. Let's take a quick look at some of the solutions we saw on the main hall today.