What exactly is a stylus on a Tablet p.c.?

[techs]

I was wondering how the stylus works on a tablet. Does it have a battery? Is it just a piece of plastice? Does it have an internal magnet?
Thanks

 

[bharatwaja]

The term stylus often refers to an input method usually used in PDAs, graphics tablets, Tablet PCs, and UMPCs. In this method, a stylus that secretes no ink touches a touch screen instead of a finger to avoid getting the natural oil from one's hands on the screen. It also improves precision of touch, allowing use of smaller interface elements.
Source: Wiki

So, yeah, pretty much just a simple piece of plastic. The Touch Screen is where all the magic is.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: bharatwaja
The term stylus often refers to an input method usually used in PDAs, graphics tablets, Tablet PCs, and UMPCs. In this method, a stylus that secretes no ink touches a touch screen instead of a finger to avoid getting the natural oil from one's hands on the screen. It also improves precision of touch, allowing use of smaller interface elements.
Source: Wiki

So, yeah, pretty much just a simple piece of plastic. The Touch Screen is where all the magic is.

Thanks, I was wondering if you could use any stylus on any tablet?
Would you happen to know?

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: techs


Thanks, I was wondering if you could use any stylus on any tablet?
Would you happen to know?

Sure, it'll work on any touchscreen. It doesn't have to be anything special either. If you lose one, just get the cheapest Chinese knockoff you can find. All it is is a plastic stick, generally with a softer tip to prevent scratching the screen.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: bharatwaja
The term stylus often refers to an input method usually used in PDAs, graphics tablets, Tablet PCs, and UMPCs. In this method, a stylus that secretes no ink touches a touch screen instead of a finger to avoid getting the natural oil from one's hands on the screen. It also improves precision of touch, allowing use of smaller interface elements.
Source: Wiki

So, yeah, pretty much just a simple piece of plastic. The Touch Screen is where all the magic is.

Thanks, I was wondering if you could use any stylus on any tablet?
Would you happen to know?

Some touch screens are capacitive, meaning that the stylus usually has a metal tip, and your finger would work just as well.

Others are magnetic, so the stylus has a little magnet in the tip. The advantage here is that you can then rest your arm on the screen while using the stylus and nothing will happen.

 

[corkyg]

The Wacom digitizing tablet comes with a stylus - and only that stylus will work. It is capactive and also supp[orts a cordless mouse. Lenovo now has such a pad available on the new W700 laptop.

Other than that, Wacom pads connect via USB. The older ones were serial port connectors.

I have used them since about 1997 or so. The stylus tip is replaceable, and is conductive nylon, not metal.

Wacom

Touchscreens are not very accurate and not good for precision graphics work. Compare the width of your finger tip to a pencil point and you get the idea.