Tablet-PC Interface

Dell™ Latitude™ XT2 Service Manual

  Microsoft™ Windows Vista™ /XP Tablet-PC Interface Comparison

  Windows Vista

  Windows™ XP

Windows Vista/XP Tablet-PC Interface Comparison

Depending on the configuration you ordered, your Tablet-PC shipped with either the Windows Vista or Windows XP operating system. There are several differences in the Tablet PC-interfaces between the two. Listed below are the primary differences.

*_{Available as a separate download from Microsoft.}

Windows Vista

Pen Usage

Using the Pen as a Mouse

You can use the pen the same way you use a mouse or touch pad with a notebook computer. Holding the pen near the display makes a small cursor appear. Moving the pen moves the cursor.

The table below describes how to use the pen.

Electrostatic Pen Usage
Appearance	Action	Function
	Gently tap the pen tip on the screen of your Tablet PC.	Same as a single-click on a mouse.
	Gently tap the pen tip twice in quick succession on the screen of your Tablet-PC.	Same as a double-click on a mouse.
	Touch the pen on the screen and hold it in place momentarily until Windows draws a complete circle around the cursor.	Same as a right-click on a mouse.

Working With Files

You can open, delete, or move many files or folders at one time by selecting multiple items from a list. Using a tablet pen, hover over one item at a time and select the check box that appears to the left of each item.

To turn check boxes on:

1. Go to Folder Options.
2. Click on the View tab.
3. Under Advanced settings, select the Use check boxes to select items check box, and then click OK.

Using the Pen as a Pen

The Windows Vista handwriting recognition software makes it easy to enter text into your applications with the pen. Some applications, such as Windows Journal, allow you to write with the pen directly into the application window.

Tablet-PC Input Panel

When an application does not directly support pen input, you can use the Tablet PC Input Panel to enter text into your application. If you tap in an editable area, the Tablet PC Input Panel icon appears. Tapping the icon makes Input Panel slide out from the edge of the display.

You can also open the Input Panel by tapping the Input Panel tab, which is docked at the edge of the screen when the Input Panel is hidden.

You can move the Input Panel tab by dragging it up or down along the edge of the screen. Then, when you tap it, the Input Panel opens at the same horizontal location on the screen that the tab appears.

You can use the writing pad, the character pad, or the on-screen keyboard to enter text. The writing pad and the character pad convert your handwriting into typed text. The on-screen keyboard works just like a standard keyboard except that you enter text by tapping keys with your tablet pen. The following table describes the different choices for using the Input Panel.

Input Panel Icons
Icon	Name	Function
	Writing Pad	With the writing pad, you can write continuously as if you were writing on a lined piece of paper.
	Character Pad	The character pad converts your handwriting to typed text, one letter, number, or symbol at a time.
	On-screen Keyboard	The on-screen keyboard is similar to a standard keyboard.

The writing pad and character pad have a number pad, a symbol pad, and web quick keys to help you quickly and accurately enter these types of text. These quick keys are hidden when you start to write, but appear after you insert or delete your writing.

Pen Flicks

Pen flicks enable you to use the pen to perform actions that normally require a keyboard, such as pressing <Page Up> or using the directional arrow keys. Pen flicks are quick, directional gestures. You simply quickly draw a short line in one of eight directions. When a pen flick is recognized, the Tablet-PC performs the action assigned. The image below depicts the default pen flick settings. These can be customized by going to Start>Control Panel>Pen and Input Devices and clicking on the Flicks tab.

Touch Usage

One of the key advantages of the Latitude XT2 Tablet PC is the ability to easily switch from pen input to touch input.

When you use Touch Mode, a translucent image of a computer mouse, called the touch pointer, floats beneath your finger. The touch pointer has left and right mouse buttons that you can tap with your finger. You use the area beneath the buttons to drag the touch pointer.

Windows XP

Pen Usage

Using the Pen as a Mouse

You can use the pen the same way you use a mouse or touch pad with a notebook computer. Holding the pen near the display makes a small cursor appear. Moving the pen moves the cursor.

Tapping on the screen once is the same as clicking with a mouse. A double-tap constitutes a double-click.

Right-clicking with the pen is accomplished by holding the pen tip down on the screen until a red circle surrounds the pointer as illustrated to the right. Lifting the pen from here opens up the corresponding submenu.

Using the Pen as a Pen

The native handwriting recognition software makes it easy to enter text into your applications with the pen. Some applications, such as Windows Journal, allow you to write with the pen directly into the application window.

Tablet PC Input Panel

When an application does not directly support pen input, you can use the Tablet PC Input Panel to enter text into your application. If you tap in an editable area, the Tablet PC Input Panel icon appears. Tapping the icon makes Input Panel appear.

You can move the Input Panel tab by dragging it up or down along the edge of the screen. Then, when you tap it, the Input Panel opens at the same horizontal location on the screen that the tab appears.

You can use the writing pad, the character pad, or the on-screen keyboard to enter text. The writing pad and the character pad convert your handwriting into typed text. The on-screen keyboard works just like a standard keyboard except that you enter text by tapping keys with your tablet pen. The following table describes the different choices for using the Input Panel.

Input Panel Icons
Icon	Name	Function
	Writing Pad	With the writing pad, you can write continuously as if you were writing on a lined piece of paper.
	Character Pad	The character pad converts your handwriting to typed text, one letter, number, or symbol at a time.
	On-screen Keyboard	The on-screen keyboard is similar to a standard keyboard.

The writing pad and character pad have a number pad, a symbol pad, and web quick keys to help you quickly and accurately enter these types of text. These quick keys are hidden when you start to write, but appear after you insert or delete your writing.

Touch Usage

One of the key advantages of your Tablet-PC is the ability to easily switch from pen input to touch input. Similar to how the pen works, tapping with your finger on the screen once is the same as clicking with a mouse. A double-tap constitutes a double-click.

Right-clicking in Touch Mode is accomplished by holding your finger tip down on the screen until a red circle surrounds the pointer. This can be difficult to see as often times user's fingers cover the pointer. Lifting your finger from this point opens up the corresponding submenu.

Tablet and Pen Settings

Most of the settings for the tablet and pen are located in Control Panel under Tablet and Pen Settings. These are also accessed through Dell Control Point System Manager.