One of the more interesting Tablet PCs comes from HP, which offers a special, rugged version, the Tablet PC tr3000. It costs a hefty $3,449, but it's as close to indestructible as any computer gets. It's also totable and versatile, making it appealing to mobile workers.
The 3.7-pound machine's magnesium case can withstand a 3-foot drop onto a hard floor, function in temperatures from 4 degrees below zero to 140 degrees and withstand a dousing in a rainstorm. You wouldn't want to subject other computers to such conditions.
Its 8.4-inch screen is viewable indoors and out -- a rarity for laptops, which often become invisible in bright sunlight. It can go online wirelessly and run for about 31/2 hours on its rechargeable battery.
The main device for inputting data and moving around the screen is a plastic stylus, but the tablet also accepts a detachable keyboard that connects through a USB cable.
The Tablet PC isn't likely to be more than a niche player in the portable computer market, but its durability and old-fashioned text entry set it apart in a field of look-alike devices.
06-19-2004, 09:16 AM
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