Tablet PCs on the rise

Those portable PCs that are more writing- than keyboard-oriented have been around for a while, but the New York Times reports that now they're finally coming into their own. "The two main types of tablet PCs are the slate model, a book-shaped computer with a pen, and the convertible model, which includes a keyboard and closely resembles a laptop," the Times reports. "Both types run the same programs as other Windows-based computers, but all of the mouse actions can be performed by touching the pen to the screen." Soon touchscreens will be an option too. Though prices are coming down, they're not a cheap solution, though. The lowest cost one among the products the Times mentions is $1,100. It also discusses software that runs on these PCs.