Actually, some of the smaller tablets (less than 10" screens) have passive digitizers.
MSFT used to require that all tablets have active digitizers before they were allowed to run XP Tablet Ed. but MSFT waived that requirement for small tablets.
I would definitely recommend getting active over passive if you have a choice. One advantage is that the active digitizer knows where the pen is when it's hovering over the screen, even before you press down at all. The second advantage is that the active digitizer can tell at what angle you've got the pen, and adjust the cursor accordingly. The third advantage is that you can rest your hand on the screen while writing. The fourth advantage is that you can hold a button down on the side of the active digitizer to "right-click"--I don't think you can do that on passive digitizer models.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
trev @ May 8th 2007 1:43PM
Fujitsu uses the wacom active digitiser, so does almost everyone except Gateway (with the exception of Gateways latest tablet).
Fujitsu make some of the most reliable tablets out there, thier 4215 has met with alot of praise for its build quality and high res display.
check out the forums on www.tabletpcreview.com
Daryl Herbert @ May 8th 2007 4:31PM
Actually, some of the smaller tablets (less than 10" screens) have passive digitizers.
MSFT used to require that all tablets have active digitizers before they were allowed to run XP Tablet Ed. but MSFT waived that requirement for small tablets.
I would definitely recommend getting active over passive if you have a choice. One advantage is that the active digitizer knows where the pen is when it's hovering over the screen, even before you press down at all. The second advantage is that the active digitizer can tell at what angle you've got the pen, and adjust the cursor accordingly. The third advantage is that you can rest your hand on the screen while writing. The fourth advantage is that you can hold a button down on the side of the active digitizer to "right-click"--I don't think you can do that on passive digitizer models.