Five years ago, on November 7 2002, Microsoft launched Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Bill Gates himself was on-hand to launch the new platform at a large press event.

"The launch of the Tablet PC marks an exciting new era of mobile computing that is limited only by the imagination of its users," Gates said. "The Tablet PC is a great example of how computers are adapting to how people really work, whether they're taking notes in a meeting, collaborating wirelessly with colleagues or reading on screen. We're just scratching the surface of what is possible."

As it comes time to celebrate the 5 Year Anniversary of Tablet PCs, it's only natural to look at how far we've come since that first operating system release. So let's take a brief walk down the dusty paths of Tablet PC history and look at how far the OS has evolved in five short years.

Better watch out - Thoughtfix is drinking coffee again. In this episode he tackles Linux and Windows as an embedded architecture. By the way, check out his modded Nokia N800.

Hi there! I am Daniel Gentleman, better known as ThoughtFix. I've been using handhelds, portable Internet devices, and the like since the first Windows CE devices. In addition, I've been blogging about mobile technology since December of 05. Recently, I decided to shift gears with my writing and distance myself from Windows based UMPCs and systems in favor for other systems with either Linux or custom embedded operating systems. With over ten years of experience in Linux and in the company of so many good Windows tablet bloggers, I decided my energy would be best focused on these devices. That's enough about me for now. If you want more, check out thoughtfix.com.

The question of the day: Why should Linux matter to GottaBeMobile readers?

The mobility landscape seems to be in a constant state of flux as of late, as software companies and OEMs are listening to consumer feedback. Just look at this story from today from Mozilla, Arm, and MontaVista regarding their Linux based UMPC news as a prime example.

As the MID / Linux UMPC scene continues to expand, we want to bring the community the best and most exhaustive coverage possible. To help us do just that, Daniel Gentleman, better known as Thoughtfix of Nokia / TabletBlog.com fame, will be guest blogging over the next month to two months covering that new scene for us. Daniel knows that world well, so it should be very insightful and thorough.

To begin with, he'll be giving us a primer on Linux on ultra-mobile devices, and then laying out the case for why it is a good thing, as well as addressing some of the challenges it faces. Linux on a UMPC is not without its concerns. As the next month to two unfolds, expect him to build upon that looking forward at what CES and the future will bring us all in terms of devices and sofware.

Join me in welcoming Daniel as a guest blogger to GBM!

This ought to shake things up a bit in the UMPC space

According to Nancy Gohring of InfoWorld:

"A group of seven companies including Mozilla, Arm, and MontaVista Software are hoping to grow the market for a relatively new device category that sits between a smartphone and a laptop. The companies are collaborating on a Linux-based open source platform that encompasses chip design, operating system, and some applications. They hope that the platform will make it easier for hardware developers to build devices similar to Nokia's N800 tablet. That Linux-based device is bigger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop and includes Wi-Fi but not cellular capabilities."

Stay tuned to GBM over the next day for some news along this route on how we will be working to bring more MID and Linux news.

Looking for an "out-of-the-box experience" tablet with Linux pre-installed? EmperorLinux.com is offering two tablet models from Lenovo, the X60T and X61T; and one tablet model from Panasonic, the Tough Book CF-19 series. Each is customizable and available with dual Windows XP/Vista and Linux configurations. They also come with one year of tech support. Being an IT professional that is not "married" to a particular OS,  I have to think that this is a very welcome sight. Now if only Apple would hurry up and join the Tablet PC/Touch revolution!

I'm gonna have to file this one under "below the radar", I mean even Warner did not pick up on it.

"The Raven" X60/X61 Tablet

• up to 12.1" SXGA+ w/ X @ 1400x1050
• 1500 - 2000 MHz Core 2 Duo,
     or 1500 - 1833 MHz Core Duo
• 512 - 2 G RAM, expands to 4 G
• 40 - 120 GB Hard Drive
• CDRW/DVD Drive, or DVD+/-RW Drive
• only 2.7 - 3.8 pounds
• 10/100/1000 Mbps ethernet
• 802.11a/b/g (54Mbps) WiFi
• Linux Pre-Configured (dual boot available)
• EmperorLinux user's manual
• Three year warranty & One year tech support

From EmperorLinux.com...

"The only "out-of-the-box" Linux laptop experience.

Yes, many of our customers have installed their own Linux laptops in the past. They come to us to save the time and frustration. Even Linux experts can spend weeks getting a modern laptop to play nice with Linux. EmperorLinux systems have full hardware support under Linux and are ready to use out-of-the-box. For our customers, the value of their saved time significantly outweighs the cost of our service.

EmperorLinux is the source for professional grade Linux laptops.

EmperorLinux provides Linux Laptops with full hardware support under Linux. Since 1999, we have supplied systems to a wide range of customers, including engineers, physicists, mathematicians, and astronomers at over 50 different government labs and over 200 universities. We have supplied hundreds of corporate clients, as well.

If you use Linux in these environments, EmperorLinux is your sole source."

 

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