Pen computers in form factor are essentially laptops with screens you can draw on. However unless 2-in-1 laptops, pen computers are TRUE drawing tablets. You don't need them to be connected up to a separate computer to work. Because pen computers have a CPU, they are running an operating system and all current pen computers use Microsoft Windows.
The reality of pen computers
Some people love using pen computers, but The case against pen computers. Instead, I recommend you choose a mobile computer with pen support.
Origin of term "pen computer"
Wacom uses the term "pen computer" so I've adapted that terminology in my documentation.
