While Tablet computers are the logical next step after laptops, are their advantages really anything groundbreaking or necessary? They do the same things computers can do.

New touch screen technology has replaced the mouse and keyboard so they don’t need buttons or cords. We’ll look at a few of these devices from the angle of a few different occupations and hobbies and compare.

UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computer) is a broad category. Are smartphones UMPCs? Are laptops? It’s certainly debatable. They get online, call and message, watch media and run programs. UMPC’s generally are small and touch screen. The interesting thing about these is the way their software is developing. Along with being ultra mobile, many are going ultra compatible. Some can dock into different ports and work as a GPS, video phone and portable media player in one device. 

Some of the first devices that could have been coined UMPCs were iPAQ handheld computers made by Compaq in 2000. Windows took the next few steps and developed their Origami operating system in 2006 and Origami 2.0 in summer 2008 but once again Apple computers is expected to blow Window’s sales of tablets out of the water.

Dozens of different companies are marketing UMPCs with Window’s capability for their sturdy portability. They’re small, about the size of a paperback book. Traveling writers might enjoy using the stylus to simulate a pen and paper while still having the computer to arrange and send files. They’re programmable and portable. A solid state hard drive is crucial for traveling with it because jarring motion can shut down a hard drive’s moving parts.

Like a high watt lightbulb in a low watt fixture, rumors are buzzing about Apple’s new tablet expected to come out in 2010. Although Window’s Origami operating system has gotten favorable reviews, the combined efforts of Dell, Intel, HP, etc. has failed to grab the market with a sleek handheld device. With what is rumored to be named the iSlate, Apple computers may dominate the UMPC market as they dominated the media player market and the smart phone market.

Some of Apple’s success may stem from their project secrecy. Although they haven’t revealed what the product will look like it seems safe to assume it will look like a big iPhone. What can we expect from the “iSlate?” Even if it sales go through the roof and Apple’s stockholders make insane amounts of money, it is difficult to believe that this will revolutionize technology. Despite its utilitarian design and large screen it seems incapable of bridging the gap between the industrial age and a new technutopia. It seems likely that tapping on a rectangular screen will become very trendy on subways. Shall we discuss the potential of this device?

The keypad will be part of the screen and there are rumors (courtesy of appleinsider.com) the device could have little bumps that pop up on the screen to guide your fingers onto the keys when the keypad is up. Apple insider, Kaifu Lee revealed on his blog that there will be a camera on it. Also the device may be able to talk with your Apple computer and function as a wireless keyboard, mouse, camera or screen. Tablets are priced between 800 and 1600 USD. There are other options, more affordable options if all you want to do is connect with somebody on the video phone, or pull up applications on the go.

Epoq Multimedia sells a line of smart phones that strap to your wrist. The function follows the design and priced around $150 USD, they aren’t a bad buy for runners. In 2006 Nintendo DS featured Email. When Nintendo’s Gameboy came out 20 years earlier there was no such thing as Email. Features are often a matter of programming and hardware. Even the most inexpensive cell phones have camera’s digital voice recorders and a hard drive.

 A gadget’s capability catches up with its competitor’s as fast as it takes for me to figure out how to use it. For me the difference is about reliable and affordable rather then bells and whistles. That’s why I’m recommending a simple affordable Skype phone. It costs about 75 USD and, coupled with an internet connection, it allows you unlimited free video phone calls to other Skype users. Need to connect with that uncle in Europe or have a chat with your business partner in Australia? Dial them on your Skype phones. It has the futuristic notion of a Jetson’s episode without having to worry about your robotic maid kicking you out the front door.