When Apple launched the iPad in 2010, the tablet revolution was launched. However, an earlier tablet revolution led by Microsoft and Windows XP Tablet Edition had failed to find much traction. Lets look back at some pre-iPad tablets.

1. The earlier (failed) tablet revolution
When Apple debuted the iPad in 2010, the tablet revolution was launched.
However, an earlier tablet revolution led by Microsoft and Windows XP Tablet
Edition had failed to find much traction. Let’s look back at some pre-iPad tablets.
By Jeff Jedras

2. Microsoft Tablet PC
Microsoft coined the term Microsoft Tablet PC in 2001 to refer to a pen-enabled
x86 PC meeting certain hardware specifications and running Windows XP Tablet
Edition. The first OEM devices appeared in the market in 2002.

3. Compaq TC1000
In 2002, Compaq launched the TC1000. It was pitched as three devices – a slate, a
tablet and a laptop – in one. The small keyboard detached to make it a true
tablet, and an optional docking station added an optical drive.

4. Fujitsu Stylistic ST5000
Designed primarily for business, 2004’s Fujitsu Stylistic ST5000 was a pure tablet
device, although an optional keyboard and docking station could be purchased. It
had a 12.1” display and a speedy 1GHz Pentium M processor.

5. Motion M1400 Tablet PC
Also debuting in 2004, the Motion
M1400 had enterprise security in
mind with a fingerprint scanner.
It had a 12.1” display and weighed
in at 4.1 pounds; travel-friendly for
its time, if considered a bit bulky
today.

6. HP Compaq TC4200
The year 2005 brought us the HP Compaq TC4200, an Intel Pentium M-powered
convertible tablet PC. It had the same specs as a comparable notebook, but the
screen swiveled into tablet mode and a stylus was built in.

7. Lenovo X61
Launched in 2007, Lenovo’s
ThinkPad X61 was a
convertible that could run in
laptop or tablet mode by
swinging the screen around.
It ran Windows Vista Ultimate
and was powered by an Intel
Core 2 Duo chipset, and used
Wacom active pen
technology.