First, with the recommended tablet PCs there are some advantages:
- It is lighter and easier to carry around campus than most other laptops
- You can easily take notes using the stylus like you had a pencil and paper – especially in classes like math or business where you need to put down special symbols or diagrams that are not easy to type
- The handwriting recognition tool works well – you can write out words and it converts them to text
But it does have a few disadvantages:
- It has integrated video (shares RAM)
- The screen is smaller than the other models
- The stylus can be easy to lose
There are some very interesting tablet software applications that are free that help a lot with your college work. Here are just a few of them:
Microsoft Education Pack
GoBinder Lite
Keep track of your schedule with this planner. Use your tablet pen to jot down quick reminders about class schedules, project deadlines, and extracurricular activities.
Equation Writer
Now it’s easy to add mathematical expressions to your papers. Handwrite a math equation, and then convert it into a neatly typewritten image to paste into a report or a presentation.
Ink Flash Cards
Create flash cards to help you learn facts or study for an exam. Handwrite a question on the front of a card and put an answer on the back. Draw, insert graphics, and add text too. After you build a set, you can review the cards to test your knowledge and flag which ones you need to review again.
Microsoft Experience Pack
Ink Desktop
With Ink Desktop, you can write down notes directly on your desktop for quick and easy access - like a phone number, address, or top priorities for the day. It's like one big sticky note that won't get lost.
Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool allows you to select and capture a portion of your screen - part of a web site or document - then add handwritten comments and save.
Ink Art
A really nice art program. Here is a sample done by a student while just 'playing' for a few minutes:
MS Windows XP Tablet Operating System
The tablet operating system is actually a little slower to load than Windows XP. But it includes some nice little accessories:
Sticky Notes
You can use the Sticky Notes accessory to write and store short notes, phone numbers, and other reminders. You can place sticky notes directly on your desktop as quick reminders or in any OLE-enabled program, such as Word, to add electronic comments or reminders to your documents.
Windows Journal
It looks like a sheet of notebook paper - and you can hand write or draw on it - and/or change the pen to an eraser or highlighter.
Microsoft One Note
OneNote is an application for better note taking and research gathering. From meeting notes to Web content, sound bites to action points, simply collate all the information you need in one place for easy access. OneNote helps with organizing and storing notes in classes. It is the only application listed here that works both on traditional computer and tablets – but it is especially recommended for tablets.
