When you have a hammer (laptop) everything looks like a nail (tabletpc)
The TabletPC continues to get lack luster reviews. Everyone complains about the poor handwriting recognition. If you look at the history of film you'll see it took a long while for people to realize that movies were not the same as what came before them (theater) and that you could move the camera. Similarly I think people are missing the new opportunities the tablet gives us.
Sketching
When I want to understand a new concept, algorithm, process I draw a picture. Later that picture may be translated into words, symbols, or code but it is the picture that most closely represents my idea. That's why businesses love white boards.
A tablet offers the best way yet to capture and reuse that knowledge. What does it mean to 'transcribe' my figure? Nothing, I think that's why Microsoft has been saying people will use Ink by itself without worrying about translating to text.
1 on 1 Presentations
A second opportunity for Tablets is as a presentation tool. Have you tried doing a 2 minute 'elevator pitch' with videos and pictures in an actual elevator or in a busy convention hall with a laptop? It's impossible. The tablet is easier to carry, more inviting, and reduces the number of steps to share a display from 1) remove laptop from carrying case 2) open it up 3) Tilt toward viewer to just tilt and go. Don't under estimate this. My prediction, once the sales channels figure this out tablet sales will do very well.
11:32:21 AM 
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