HP Compaq TC1100
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The HP Compaq TC1100 is a tablet PC and was the follow up to the Compaq TC1000, this version had either an Intel Celeron or an Intel Pentium M chip set and it could go up to a maximum amount of 2 gigabytes of memory, these upgrades from the TC1000 where much welcomed after numerous complaints about the slowness of the TC1000. The TC1100 was the last version from HP in this style of tablet, it was replaced by the HP Compaq TC4200.
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[edit] Design
The TC1100 shares the same basic design as the TC1000. It has a unique design that has been coined by many as a hybrid tablet. This refers to the fact that it has the properties of both a convertible and slate tablet. All the necessary hardware components are stored within the casing of the display and digitizer. This allows it to work with or without a keyboard attached. With they keyboard attached it can either be used in the same fashion as a laptop, with the keyboard supporting the rest of the tablet, or with the back of the tablet folded into the keyboard allowing the user to write on the screen easily. This sort of design gives much versatility and has gathered a cult-like following due to the lack of similar designs on the market.
The ability to upgrade hardware is key to extending a computer's life and the TC1100 allows for easy access to its memory, hard drive, and wireless card. The memory comes standard as either 256MB or 512MB and can be upgraded to 2GB. The hard drive is also easily upgradeable and most 2.5 inch hard drives are compatible with it. The wireless card can be accessed from the same area as the memory, but some tablets that did not originally have a wireless card installed may not have the antenna installed either making a new installation either hard or impossible.[1]
To help with the lack of interface utilities when writing on a tablet, HP implemented 6 customizable buttons, 3 external and 3 ingrained in the edge of the display, as well as a "jog dial" below the 3 external buttons. The jog dial allows the user to scroll up and down and can be pushed in to call the Enter command equivalent on the keyboard. The 3 buttons located on the display can only be accessed using the tablet's digitizer pen.
Small "feet" were also included on the back on the tablet, allowing for an angled writing surface when extended. Unlike the corners of the tablet, the feet are not rubber tipped and therefore can lead to movement of the tablet on smooth surfaces.
[edit] Discontinued
By the end of 2005, HP had discontinued the TC1100. There has been much debate and discussion on the Web as to why the tablet was discontinued. It has also gained an almost cult-like following and can still be bought through certain retailers and eBay. HP's official response to questions asked about the TC1100's discontinuation is that "HP remains committed to the Tablet PC platform".[2]
[edit] Trivia
- The TC1100 was used by Tom Cruise's character, Vincent, in Collateral.
- The TC1100 was also seen in the movie Alien vs. Predator (film).
- The TC1100 was also used by Dr. Cameron in a episode of House MD
- The TC1100 can also been seen in the film 'The Island' starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johannson.
[edit] Further reading
[edit] External links
- Save the TC1x00 Line Petition to HP Petition to restore this discontinued tablet.
- HP Compaq Tablet PC TC1100
[edit] References
- ^ Christopher J. James (2005). TC Upgrades. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
- ^ Mark Payton (2005). What is HP Thinking. Vermont Slate. Retrieved on 2006-11-26.
