Absolute Beginners Guide to Tablet PCs

Bluetooth is a wireless communication standard that allows devices in close proximity to communicate. Cell phones, headsets, PDAs, computers, cameras, mice, keyboards, printers, and many other devices are beginning to use Bluetooth to communicate. The service range is 10 meters, or 30 feet, so it is not good over long distances (Wi-Fi can connect over 100 meters).

Some Tablet PCs include Bluetooth, while others require a Bluetooth adapter. These adapters can be PC card, USB, CF card, and other form factors. If you have several of devices that you would like to connect easily, consider Bluetooth. If your current devices don't have Bluetooth, you can replace them over time when you consider upgrades.

Note that Bluetooth technology is based upon the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band, so it has the potential to conflict with other devices such as microwave ovens, baby monitors, cordless phones, and more. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi work together, but may experience some interference issues with each other.

One great use for Bluetooth is having a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard; You do not have to physically connect them, and they can be several feet away from your Tablet PC. Likewise, a Bluetooth phone can allow you to connect to the Internet or to your office from a remote location.

One limitation of Bluetooth is that each device has its own profile, or way of communicating with other devices. As of this writing, I have not been able to get a Bluetooth headset to connect to my Tablet PC, while it will easily connect to a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. That's because the phones include the headset profile, while the Tablet PC does not.

There are numerous Bluetooth products on the market, and more are coming out each quarter. If you want to be as mobile as possible, use Bluetooth to gain freedom from wires. Now they just need to come up with wireless power...