User:EvertR25/GRiD Pad

GRiDPad

The GRiDPad was a tablet computer that was developed by Jeff Hawkins at GRiD Systems in 1989. It is regarded as the first tablet computer directed towards consumers. It was so successful that even the United States Army used them. Hawkins went on to use the GRiDPad as a predecessor for his best known-invention, the Palm Pilot.

Specifications
The GRiDPad measured only 9 x 12 x1.4 inches and weighed 4.5 pounds. The main distinguishing aspect was its touch-screen interface with a stylus, a pen-like tool to aid with precision in a touchscreen device. The stylus was able to use hand writing recognition software. The GRiDPad also included these features:

•10MHz 80C86 processors

•MS-DOS operating system by IBM – the popular operating system used by IBM PC compatible personal computers

• a monochromatic Colour Graphics Adapter(CGA) display of (640x400) pixels

•256 or 512KB battery-backed RAM cards

•1 or 2 MB of system memory – in contrast to current tablets which have up to 64 GB

•One serial port, two ATA-FLASH slots, and an expansion buss connector

Because of its use for inventory, the United States Army specified more durable versions of the tablet to be made out of magnesium that were not sold to civilians. The Army specially ordered magnesium because it is a strong yet light metal, making it ideal to be used in combat.

According to a patent submitted in 1992 by an engineer at GRiD Systems, the touch screen in the GRiDPad works by magnifying an internal Cartesian plane (x-y coordinate system) and calculating the displacement.

Reception
Because of its text recognition interface, the GRiDPad was marketed targeted specialist consumers who would use the tablet for bookkeeping. The GRiDPad was “designed to streamline the chores of workers such as route delivery drivers and claims adjusters, who typically record date on paper forms.” Some of the agencies that used the GRiDPad include, Chrysler, San Jose Police Department, and even the United States Army.

The average selling price for one unit was US$2,370 without software, and $3,000 with software. It was so successfult that it sold approximatly $30 million in its best year.

Legacy
Although the GriDPad had the same operating system as personal computers, it was not designed to be a replacement for computers. Hawkins once said “I never saw pen computers as a replacement for a full PC…” Although it did not replace computers, it did pave the way for other companies to invest more into tablet computers, eventually leading up to the current most popular tablet, the iPad form Apple Inc.

Not only did the GRiDPad start paving the way for tablet computers, it also help propel Jeff Hawkins career. Hawkins used the same stylus technology to develop his most commercially successful product, the Palm Pilot, making the GRiDPad its predecessor.