Compaq to Bring Simplicity of Pen and Paper to New Generation of PCs
Compaq to Be a Lead Partner With Microsoft in Developing New Tablet PC For Windows XP Software
HOUSTON, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ - news), today announced plans to develop a tablet-based PC based on Microsoft Corporation's (Nasdaq: MSFT - news) Windows XP software platform.
Comparable in size to a standard sheet of paper and expected to weigh less than current notebook designs, the new Compaq Tablet PC will be a full-function Windows based PC that combines the productivity and access that users expect in a notebook with the simplicity of a pen interface.
``The Tablet PC gives you the all the power of a full-function PC to create, store and access information, but adds the convenience of a notepad,'' said Jeri Callaway, Vice President of Commercial PC Products, Compaq Access Business Group. ``You will now be able to make changes and add notes to existing documents while on the go using a new intuitive interface, and then wirelessly transmit those documents to those who need the updated materials.''
Mobile users will be able to access and input their information much like reading and writing on a piece of paper. Because you can write on the screen, it's optimized for tasks that are very common in business computing -- like taking notes at a meeting, making changes to an existing document or presentation, or easily reading documents.
In addition to the business computer user who spends some part of their day in meetings or away from their desks, the Compaq Tablet PC is also designed for users in industries such as the healthcare, sales, and educational fields where simple, pen-based interfaces can be used to enter and access information.
Compaq will be a strategic partner in working with Microsoft to developing the Tablet PC for Windows XP. The two companies have entered into an agreement to work together to define the platform, and evaluate customer needs. Microsoft will also use Compaq Tablet PCs to test and develop the Tablet PC for the Windows XP operating system.
``Compaq is known worldwide as a leader in delivering innovative technology and solutions to the marketplace,'' said Jeff Raikes, group vice president of productivity and business services at Microsoft. ``We are pleased to be have Compaq as a lead partner on this project as we work together to evolve and extend the PC platform in an exciting new direction.''
Compaq expects to ship its Tablet PC when the Windows XP version for Tablet PC is released in 2002. Pricing is not yet available.
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