Microsoft and partners launch Tablet PC

7th November 2002
Microsoft and partners launch Tablet PC

In November 2002, manufacturers released the first Tablet PCs with pen-sensitive screens, designed to Microsoft's Tablet PC specification and running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

Bill Gates demonstrated a prototype of a Tablet PC in Las Vegas on 13th November 2000 in his Comdex/Fall 2000 keynote address.

Windows XP Tablet Edition was a fully functional version of Windows XP that included additional tools and accessories for use with a pen and touch-sensitive screen. These included Windows Journal, InkBall, Sticky Notes, and Tablet PC Input Panel.

Manufacturers producing Tablet PCs included Dell, Acer, Fujitsu and HP.

Related information:

• Centre for Computing History: HP Compaq TC1100
• Microsoft: Tablet PC Brings the Simplicity of Pen and Paper to Computing

Image:

• Prototype Microsoft Tablet PC demonstrated by Bill Gates in 2000
  Credit: Microsoft. Images remain the copyright of the original copyright holder. Used under fair use policy for educational purposes only.