This section contains information on the various operating systems that can be used with the colibri and information on general software compatibility.
One question that is always asked again and again in connection with this: what software or programs can be installed and run on the colibri? The answer is simple: any software that is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7 can be run on the colibri.
The Mettenmeier colibri Tablet PC is a complete PC! It meets all the requirements and has all the functions of a modern PC workstation. The only difference to conventional notebooks is the missing keyboard. In the colibri this is replaced by a software keyboard with handwriting recognition. An external keyboard is also available as an accessory.
The Linux operating system has become very popular in recent years. The graphical user interfaces such as KDE and Gnome are much easier to use compared to earlier versions. However, there are still problems with the availability of drivers and connection to common hardware components. The increased administration work in most application areas compared to the established Microsoft Windows system must also not be underestimated. The appropriate Linux software is also not available for all applications. The user may be forced to used other operating systems or pay to have software programmed for Linux.
Linux is still in its infancy in the market for Tablet PCs. Currently there are only a very few distributions (different Linux compilations) that can meet the special requirements of Tablet PC users. However, this should not be an obstacle to installing Linux on the colibri. Mettenmeier offers this option to customers who want a Linux installation and ensures that the active pen system and the software keyboard will operate correctly.
Note: more and more Linux distributions for Tablet PCs are becoming available in the market, which means that applications on the Tablet PC are better supported and the advantages of the operating system can be fully exploited.
