My favorite TabletPC Web sites: TabletPCTalk; TabletPCBuzz; TabletPC Corner (French site); TabletPC 2.

The big debate this fall? Whether the "true Tablet" or "convertible Tablet" design will win after Microsoft releases its TabletPC OS on November 7.

Bill Gates himself started this debate. The first TabletPC he showed the press was a "true Tablet" design. (True Tablets don't have built in keyboards) but then he switched to an Acer design that "converts" between a Tablet and a regular old laptop.

Now, you might think that "convertible" is the way to go, right? Well, my thesis is that Tablets will be interesting to mainly one class of computer user: those who compute while standing up. Have you met any of those types lately? I have. They are doctors. Retail salespeople. Port workers. Football coaches. Lawyers. Actors. TV news people. Ministers.

Think about it. There are tons of people who work while standing up. Why shouldn't they have a computer too? Note: laptops are horrible for people who are standing up while trying to compute. Ever try it? I have. It just doesn't work.

So, since I think the Tablet will be considered a success only if it expands the computer market, it must go after people who stand up.

What's the one thing you don't want if you are standing up? That's right. A heavy computer. What's the one thing that convertibles bring to the table? That's right. More weight. So, my thesis is that the Tablet PC will only be considered a success if Microsoft succeeds in selling "true Tablets."

Now, don't get it wrong. True Tablets can still use a keyboard. Just plug one into the USB port. So, what's the disadvantage of a "True Tablet?" Well, if you are mostly a keyboard user (like me) you'll want to carry a keyboard almost everywhere anyway. So, now you'll need to lug around a keyboard which will increase the weight.

The Tablet isn't for me, though. It's for folks who work standing up. Microsoft's marketing must focus on these people. They are the key market for the Tablet. They are the ones who are gonna buy Tablets. People like me will buy them just to have a new toy to show our friends. People who work standing up NEED a Tablet.

Is weight really that big a deal? Yes, it is. Try holding a 10 oz. fishing weight in your hand for a few hours. You'll be pretty tired of holding it, believe me.

Now, the other interesting question in front of analysts is: why haven't these folks bought a PocketPC yet and are there enough people who stand up while working who will fork out $2000 to $3000 for a Tablet PC?

What do you all think?