You're interested in a UMPC, but don't understand the difference between all of the UMPCs on the market. Hopefully this video from GeekSet can shed a little light on one aspect of UMPCs that can be confusing: The Digitizer.

There are two kinds of digitizers: active and passive (also called resistive). Active digitizers require a stylus to use, while passive digitizers allow you to give input by simply touching the screen. There are positive and negative aspects to both types of digitizers and this video should help you to understand the difference.

Most UMPCs on the market today have only a passive digitizer. For example, the Samsung Q1B and the TabletKiosk eo UMPC v7110 both have passive digitizers. The OQO model 02 has an active digitizer and you'll need a stylus if you want to write on the screen. In general, you should determine what you plan on doing with the device and choose the method of input that suits you.

Visitor

Tuesday, 22 May 2007

I've been a PocketPC power user for years now, and I can't even imagine losing finger touch functionality. I wish that darned OQO was passive. Oh well.

Visitor

Friday, 23 November 2007

Excuse My ignorance, but does anyone know the name of the applet/gadget shown toward the end of the video? - The image viewer shown at about -3:00... TIA

Visitor

Saturday, 27 September 2008

i think active is much better! Well, my laptop has both ( tx2550) so that is GREAT!