IBM's ThinkPad Tablet PC
By Peter Rojas 
posted July 16th 2004 1:55PM
posted July 16th 2004 1:55PM
We just got a tip that IBM's first Tablet PC has been spotted in the wild. We have one of our best big game hunters
hot on the trail for some pics (if you've got some, send 'em in), but in the meantime we do know that it'll basically
be a convertible-style of the ThinkPad X40 (pictured at right), which means it'll probably look just like a regular
non-Tablet X40 just with a screen that swivels around and folds down so you can write on it. Oh, and that it might be
called the X50.
[Thanks, Christopher]
http://www.nottes.com/tabletpc/main.aspx?series=lt20
The IBM is called XnoteLT20... :)
[Editor's note: That's not it, we're talking about the ThinkPad Tablet. Thanks!]
Ah uh oh...
That was the only "IBM" tablet I knew. Indeed LGIBM is IBM... But anyway sorry!
No problem, we always appreciate the extra knowledge!
Perhaps I should send in pictures of my 2001 IBM TransNote with a pivoting touchscreen that runs Tablet XP? It is/was IBM's first tablet PC, even if it's not a certified "Tablet PC". But I suppose the gadget appeal isn't as strong for it after three years...
The touchscreen Transnote didn't run Tablet XP, rather plain XP or 2000. Tablet XP requires an Active Digitzer and is OEM-only. The LG Electronics deal was an odd IBM experiment, only in Korea. But experiment was all it was, for IBM views Lucky Goldstar quality, as well not so lucky. The Transnote was super expensive without much in the way of use, and/or applications, but the situtation is greatly differing now with a real focus on a Pen Computing OS and lots of applications for it. IBM was simply too early, and without a market. Shame that such early blunder, has made them gunshy and taken this long, as an IBM ThinkPad Tablet PC would knock down Corporate America. But everyone is also in waiting for the next version of the Tablet PC OS and the next round of price reductions.
Also a Dell Tablet PC is not a rumor, it be reality, been worked on for nearly 10 months, self-branded Convertible. Plus the NEC, the prototype of which has been shown around for months upon months and talked about at last years Comdex, is slated. The NEC is thinner, lighter, under 2 lbs, battery life being the weak point. So IBM, Dell and NEC with all the Dothan upgrades from all other OEMs. And then the long-rumored HP Convertible still a play. Once Tablet 2005 OS/SP2 hits, Christmas time flood. Buckle seat-belts...the ride is on. About time. :)
Not trying to be snarky, as my original comment was meant to be taken lightly, but while the TransNote did come with 98/2K (XP came out 8 months later), it certainly runs Tablet XP quite well, even with a resistive digitizer. You're right about the lack of focus on a Pen-centric OS at the time, though. The TransNote was a bit of an odd experiment, a mix of laptop, tablet, and CrossPad. It's been a very good machine, and a true IBM Tablet PC would be worth the upgrade. I'll be quiet now. =)
The digitizer in the IBM Transnote, was an active digitizer.
Pardon my French, but aren't you at risk of being a joke (at least with the high tech crowd) by defining the "Tablet PC" as something Microsoft invented with its Tablet PC OS?
IBM has made a lot of tablet PCs. In fact, I have one of the original laptop/tablet convertibles, the IBM 360PE, which was made by IBM.
I have a (four actually) IBM 730TE Tablet PC loaded with Pen for OS/2 that I used as a PDA. The IBM 9103 is a color version of the monochrome 730TE.
I realize that you focus is on NEW products for sell, but I don't think it makes you look good to ignore what came before Microsoft decided to "INVENT" the Tablet PC (about 5 or 10 afters after people had already been making them).
PS: While the IBM 730TE is monochrome and a little heavy, the IBM 730TE with Pen for OS/2 rocks and there is absolutely nothing else like it. http://www.tempcity.com/dramanyc/index.php?showtopic=738 . Oh, and EBAY is as good a sponsor to stuck up to any some PC mag
I'm not sure what you're talking about. We've always been very clear in drawing a distinction between "Tablet PCs" which run on Microsoft's software, and the wider category of "tablet PCs" and pen-based tablet computers that "Tablet PCs" are a subset of. Where do we imply that Microsoft invented the tablet PC?
The first sentence of this entry "implies" that there aren't already IBM Tablet PCs out there.
I haven't ready every blog entry, but I haven't seen any reference to the first generation of Tablet PCs.
That's true, there aren't any IBM Tablet PCs out yet, because by "Tablet PC", we mean a PC running on Microsoft's Tablet PC OS. It's not meant as a generic term, which is why we capitalize it to make the distinction and make it clear that we are discussing what is essentially a brand name. Yes, it's frustrating that Microsoft co-opted the term, but we ALWAYS make this distinction, and when we talk about other pen-based computers that aren't running on Microsoft's OS we use the generic term "tablet PC". Does that make sense?
When is the IBM tablet coming out? I've got a x40 sitting in a box, wondering if I should open it or return it and wait for the tablet...
I would also like to know if the minidrives for the X40 are going to be available soon in 60 GB. Having the 40 GB limitation in the X40 might hamper performance for an X40 Tablet PC, don't you think? So, when might we expect Hitachi or Toshiba to offer the 60 GB minidrive?
hi. is this just a roomer or do you know for a fact that this poduct will be produced? does it run any kind of streaming software and do you have any other links to it? better photos?
I held an IBM tablet last week. It was the first UK model issued. It was only an engineering version, but it was excellent. Looked just like the X40 laptop except that the screen twisted and that the finder print reader was on the screen as well. Can't wait to have a serious play with one.
What I would like to know (just like a lot of my clients) is why IBM is waiting so long to release their Tablet PC. The MS Tablet PC O/S has been out for several years now, and many other brands like HP/Toshiba/Fujitsu had all jumped on the wagon years ago. But IBM, the "leader" in mobile computing still has yet to provide a contender to the showroom floor?!? Why?
Full circle...naming convention wasn't upkicked, but soon enough. But the Lenovo deal was an issue not seen last year. ;) But yes, it's real, yes, yes.
http://news.com.com/First+ThinkPad+tablet+set+for+debut/2100-1041_3-5731322.html?tag=nefd.top
"China's Lenovo Group is expected to announce its new X41 Tablet Series (X41T) in coordination with IBM, which developed the convertible laptop. This is the first computer released by China's Lenovo Group following its purchase of IBM's legendary PC business earlier this year."
Any one heard anything about the new t4x tablet pc? I love my t40p but I'm really getting into the idea of drawing on my laptop
http://www-131.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=-840&storeId=10000001&langId=-1&dualCurrId=1000073&categoryId=4611686018425021052