While the price point for tablet PCs has yet reached student-deployment level, an increasing number of administrators and other educators are finding them helpful. As Guhlin writes, “ Lightweight, fully functional computing devices with operating systems that are designed for handwriting recognition, tablets can be easily carried in one hand, and written on like a clipboard with an accompanying stylus.”

He explains that tablet fans cite the ability to "write in the margins" of digital "textbook" content and the draw/sketch capability as major advantages over laptops. He identifies five considerations in determining whether a tablet is for you:

1. Do you prefer a pen-like stylus to a keyboard?
2. Do you spend time in meetings or situations where the click-n-clack of a keyboard would be disruptive?
3. Do you need light equipment?
4. How big of a screen do you need?
5. Does your school or district already have a vendor relationship with clear support?

For more details and charts of what is on the market, check out the Technology and Learning article, Tablets Dispensed.