Vista could prompt Dell to launch tablet PC

Dell chairman Michael Dell is reportedly opposed to selling a tablet PC

Rumours have resurfaced among bloggers that Dell is preparing to launch a tablet PC in spring 2007, despite reported internal resistance from boss Michael Dell. 

Blog postings at GottaBeMobile and eWeek Channel Insider indicate that Dell reps are putting information out into the market that a tablet PC is on the cards. 

Dell is famously resistant to moving into the tablet PC market. Rumours of an imminent launch using the 2005 edition of Microsoft's Windows XP Tablet software surfaced online in 2004 but products did not materialise.

The integrated handwriting recognition software in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 has been enhanced in the forthcoming Windows Vista, which allows the PC to be "trained" to recognise the user's writing.

The tablet features will also be integrated into the main operating system.

Dell has always allowed Toshiba, IBM, HP, Fujitsu and NEC to make headway in this market, especially in the education space where single source procurement can still hold sway.

Tablet PCs, which come in 'convertible' and 'hybrid' form factors, would mean significant changes to assembly patterns for Dell, which would have to absorb extra costs in making this move.