Term that has been coined with recent technology that is specific - Essay Example

A term that has been coined with recent technology that is specific. [tablet; also known as tablet computer] The primary meaning of the word “tablet” in modern English is that of a medical pill, designed for swallowing. In ancient times it meant “a flat slab or plaque suited for or bearing an inscription,” (Merriam-Webster, p. 1271), and the first ones were made of clay or wax. Later many important ancient texts such as Biblical laws were inscribed on stone tablets. In modern technology, however, the word “tablet” is connected to a very specific and new type of computing.

The definition of a “tablet computer” is, according to Parsons and Oja, “A portable computing device featuring a touch-sensitive screen that can be used as a writing or drawing pad.” (p. 59) This definition is similar to terms like portable computer, personal computer, notebook computer , netbook or laptop. The distinguishing feature of this device is in the fact that it is designed to be touched directly with the human hand, rather than equipped with a keyboard for typing. Not only that, it is designed to be held in the hand, rather than to sit on a desk, and it is all set up with internet function.

They first came on to the market in 2002, when they were very expensive, but in the last year there have been popular mass market models such as the apple iPad. This model boasts more than 65,000 additional applications (called “aps”) which are especially designed for the tablet format, and claims to be “highly secure, stable, and responsive”. (Apple website) It is important that an average person should understand the meaning of this term in its specific usage in connection with computers so that he or she can choose which kind of computer is best suited to their purposes.

For some people, typing is the preferred way of entering data, but others prefer handwriting or even sketching and drawing. As tablet technology becomes more widespread it is likely to displace existing technology like laptops because the concept is much simpler and less cumbersome, arguably taking technology back to the most user-friendly shape that it is possible to design. References Apple iPad website: http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary.

Merriam-Webster, Inc, 2003. Parsons, June Jamrich and Oja, Dan. New Perspectives on Computer Concepts, 2011. Cengage learning, 2010.