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Definition
Key Features
Recommended Models
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Definition
Pen computing offers the most flexibility, blending traditional notebook computing models as well as the power and flexibility of pen driving applications and electronic ink. What used to be strictly vertical technology, used primarily in healthcare and insurance, is becoming more horizontal and finding a home in education, sales force automation, and a host of other applications.
Pen-Enabled Systems offer:
- Simplified information entry and error reduction through drop down items in forms
- Decreased redundancy or re-keying of information
- Allows annotation of drawings, photos, and documents
- Environmentally friendly – reducing the need for paper-based forms
- Ability to capture electronic-ink signatures on forms or purchase orders
Unlike pen computing platforms of the past, these newer systems are efficient, powerful and give users all the features and benefits of a standard notebook PC.
Pen-enabled systems come primarily in three form factors:
- Pen-enabled notebook – This form factor computers provide traditional notebook functionality with pen capability to navigate drop downs found on forms or capture electronic signatures
- Convertibles – These notebooks can be transformed into a tablet PC to meet the needs of both forms-based tasks and more traditional notebook tasks. Compared to keyboard-less slates, convertibles have traditionally delivered mainstream processor performance with slightly more weight, but at a lower cost
- Slates – These tablet devices are best for repetitive tasks such as forms-based computing where a keyboard is not needed on the job. Examples include inventory, insurance, reference applications, and electronic order-tasking. Slates can also be docked with a keyboard for more traditional office applications. Compared to convertibles, they generally weight less and can be more easily carried
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