The earlier (failed) tablet revolution

When Apple debuted the iPad in 2010, the tablet revolution was launched. However, an earlier

tablet revolution led by Microsoft and Windows XP Tablet Edition had failed to find much

traction. Let’s look back at some pre-iPad tablets.

By Jeff Jedras

Microsoft Tablet PC

Microsoft coined the term Microsoft Tablet PC in 2001 to refer to a pen-enabled x86 PC

meeting certain hardware specifications and running Windows XP Tablet Edition. The first OEM

devices appeared in the market in 2002.

Compaq TC1000

In 2002, Compaq launched the TC1000. It was pitched as three devices – a slate, a tablet and a

laptop – in one. The small keyboard detached to make it a true tablet, and an optional docking

station added an optical drive.

Fujitsu Stylistic ST5000

Designed primarily for business, 2004’s Fujitsu Stylistic ST5000 was a pure tablet device,

although an optional keyboard and docking station could be purchased. It had a 12.1” display

and a speedy 1GHz Pentium M processor.

Motion M1400 Tablet PC

Also debuting in 2004, the Motion

M1400 had enterprise security in mind

with a fingerprint scanner.

It had a 12.1” display and weighed in at

4.1 pounds; travel-friendly for its time, if

considered a bit bulky today.

HP Compaq TC4200

The year 2005 brought us the HP Compaq TC4200, an Intel Pentium M-powered convertible

tablet PC. It had the same specs as a comparable notebook, but the screen swiveled into tablet

mode and a stylus was built in.

Lenovo X61Launched in 2007, Lenovo’s

ThinkPad X61 was a convertible

that could run in laptop or tablet

mode by swinging the screen

around.

It ran Windows Vista Ultimate and

was powered by an Intel Core 2

Duo chipset, and used Wacom

active pen technology.