Microsoft is planning to hand out Tablet PCs to attendees at its CEO Summit on Wednesday, giving top-level executives a chance to test-drive the new technology.
With its Tablet PC software, the tech titan is aiming to boost the appeal of pen-based devices by making them more in keeping with full-fledged notebook computers. The latest version combines Microsoft"s Windows XP operating system with a pen interface and handwriting-recognition software. Devices using the software will have special displays but otherwise use standard notebook processors and other PC components, which will help to cut down on costs.
At Microsoft"s CEO conference, the more than 100 attendees will receive beta versions of tablet devices, a Microsoft representative said. The Tablet PCs will be used in conjunction with smart cards, that will identify each CEO with his or her specific machine, and will provide access to slides and other presentation materials. The executives will be able to take notes on the devices using the pens, and save the information through a universal serial bus "keychain" storage device, the representative said.
Microsoft said that the tablets being handed out Wednesday are made by Acer, which is calling them the TravelMate 100.