Lust after a Tablet, but can't quite afford one? Check out our guide to upgrading what you've got, and, in the worst case, outright faking it.

While many people will debate the real benefits of Microsoft's Tablet PC initiative, it certainly can't be debated that they're objects of geek lust. The problem is that unless you're capable of faking Bill Gates' signature, it's likely that you can't in fact afford one. Despair not, as we present our guide to upgrading what you've already got to be as tablet-like as possible.

Don't fret if your funds are severely limited either, as we've also prepared a guide to comprehensively faking it. Sure, you won't get tablet functionality, but you will be able to show off some funky new technology that nobody needs to know isn't quite kosher.

Upgrading Part One: Digital Ink
Without a doubt, the single most appealing part of the Tablet initiative is the ability to write directly onto a laptop screen. You could go your laptop with some kind of etching implement, but we won't vouch for the life of your laptop -- or your ability to erase what you've written.

You've essentially got three options for pen-based data entry. You could opt for a graphics tablet, which would get you closest to the Tablet experience -- the Toshiba Portégé Tablet 3500 uses a modified Wacom Tablet behind its screen. Using a digital tablet won't give you handwriting recognition, but it would allow you to scribble in meetings in the way that Microsoft claims is so handy. In a similar vein is Logitech's digital io pen, but Australian release dates for that technology remain unclear.

You could move slightly back in Tablet PC history with IBM's Transnote laptop. While IBM no longer makes the genuinely innovative notepad/notebook combo systems, you could hunt around to find a secondhand unit -- a quick ebay search found us more than a dozen at around US$500-$1000.

Your third option would be to purchase a bluetooth capable PDA. Sync that continously with a notebook, and you've got not-quite-instantaneous digital writing, including handwriting recognition.

Faking It Part One: Digital Ink
It's much easier if you're just looking to fake it for the visual appeal. Simply pick up an etch-a-sketch -- or a cheap clone thereof. Instant slate-style Tablet. Don't forget to remove the product badge, and if anyone challenges you, remember phrases like "exceptional battery life" and "Innovative Japanese design -- won't be out here for a few years"

Upgrading Part Two: Flip top head
While individual users will be able to choose between full slates and convertible models like the ViewSonic Tablet PC V1100 and the HP Compaq Tablet PC TC1000, convertible laptops are few and far between. Keeping to our PDA model, you could opt for the flip-top Sony CLIE PEG-NR70VG, which has the same flippable functionality. If you were feeling particularly adventurous, you could detach your mobile screen and attempt to extend the monitor cables that bind it to the laptop body, although that's not a route we'd be keen on.

Faking It Part Two: Flip top head
If you just want the visual appeal, you could try to find a dead laptop -- no problems with breaking the monitor cable there -- or simply screwing a smaller keyboard, perhaps from a child's toy to your previously acquired etch-a-sketch. Remember to match the colour of the keyboard to that of the etch-a-sketch.

Upgrading Part Three: Voice recognition
Probably the least lauded aspect of Windows XP Tablet Edition is voice recognition. Speaking at the Australian press launch, Microsoft VIP Dick Brass commented that the voice recognition capabilities of Tablet PC were "only as good as our competitor's products", which is hardly a ringing endorsement. This does make voice recognition the easiest part of Tablet PC to emulate -- packages such as ViaVoice and Dragon Naturally Speaking have long product histories behind them. We suspect most Tablet PC users won't even realise that voice recognition is part of the package.

Faking It Part Three: Voice Recognition
Faking voice recogniton's a doddle. Simply talk loudly to your now-modified etch-a-sketch when people are looking at you. Remember to insert lots of punctuation -- so say "The meeting will be at 3pm full stop can all team members please bring samples for purview question mark" and to repeat words that are likely to be interpreted incorrectly. Passers-by will either be impressed with your high-tech toy or think you're dangerously insane. Either way, you'll be the center of attention.