Converter turns laptop into tablet PC

Adding a cheap, simple and portable new dimensionto your laptop, clever Korean company Navisis is preparing to launchits "Laptop Tablet" unit, which clips onto the side of your laptop'sLCD screen and gives you the ability to write directly onto your screenwith a stylus.

The Laptop Tablet attaches to your laptop (orany LCD screen, I imagine) via a clear plastic clip and a USB plug.Inbuilt software is used to calibrate the stylus points to your screen,and you're away. It reads the position of the stylus through acombination of untrasonic and infrared waves.

Since the stylus is battery powered, it appearsyou won't be able to use it as a touch screen, per se - and it remainsto be seen how well the average laptop screen will take to constantstylus usage, but at an anticipated retail of around US$130, it'scertainly an affordable way to build in tablet PC abilities to anexisting laptop.

It's the sort of item that would be very usefulfor part-time/hobby designers and artists - if it works well and isaccurate enough. Either way, it's a clever solution and one to keep aneye on.

Source: gizmag.comAdded: 31 May 2007