Steve Jobs Calls 7-Inch Tablets 'Dead on Arrival', Says 10-Inches Minimum - Page 2

Crowl · 10-19-2010, 11:23 AM

People can discuss whether or not a 7" screen would fit in their pockets, suit them better than a 10", but the main reason for Steve Jobs to say such a thing is the simple fact that a number of their rivals are about to release devices that size that otherwise have superior hardware specs.

Personally, I find my ipad is fine to use at home, but it is a little too big for me to take it everywhere in a jacket pocket like I can do with my ebook reader, my ebook reader is also more comfortable to hold one-handed as well.

In time we will probably have a wide range of tablets filling all the gaps up from smartphones and past the size of the ipad as the market grows in niches all become worth filling.

simplyparticular · 10-19-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmdahler

This is just what Jobs always says right before Apple brings out the very product Jobs was disparaging. If you look back through Apple's history since Jobs returned to the company, this has happened every single time Apple has come out with a new product.

That is exactly what I was thinking. In fact, I'm hoping for it. I really like the iPad as an e-reading device, but the heft is problematic for me. I'd be happy to cut it in half, if it meant it would weigh ~12 oz like the the Nook.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowl

Personally, I find my ipad is fine to use at home, but it is a little too big for me to take it everywhere in a jacket pocket like I can do with my ebook reader, my ebook reader is also more comfortable to hold one-handed as well.

I find the iPad a bit heavy to lug around - especially once you add a case for protection. It's living on my nightstand at the moment, which limits its usefulness compared to the other reading devices I've tried. I can carry my iPhone, but since it isn't on iOS 4, I lose the syncing feature.

tubemonkey · 10-19-2010, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlowRain

I envision a world where 3.5-4" phones, 6-7" tablets, and 9-10" tablets can all co-exist peacefully, and it'll be up to the consumer to decide which one suits their needs best. If people want 7" tablets, but Steve Almighty isn't willing to produce one, perhaps those people can just by an Android one.

I'd like to have two Android tablets - 4" and 7".

Too bad they're not making 4" ones and a shame most manufacturers are treating their tablets like cellphones by partnering with wireless carriers. I don't want to be forced into a data plan. That's why I don't have a smartphone.

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-19-2010, 11:36 AM

I would much rather have a 10" netbook than a 10" tablet. In fact, I do have a 10" netbook.

tubemonkey · 10-19-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

In fact, I do have a 10" netbook.

So do I; but it's not as portable.

Lady Fitzgerald · 10-19-2010, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

So do I; but it's not as portable.

Curious. I can't see a netbook being any less portable than a tablet of the same size unless you are referring to the weight. The only other difference would be the thickness, the disadvantage of which would be more than offset by the convenience of having a real keyboard, a screen that has a built in kickstand, more storage, etc. I doubt my luggage would really notice the difference in thickness.

Penforhire · 10-19-2010, 11:58 AM

I have a nice netbook but I still have a hankering for something iPad-ish for the living room. There are a couple of ways that the iPad is more instantly accessible for the sort of thing I use around the house (e.g. to look something up on the internet, check my e-mail or write a quick one). For travel, the total volume and weight on my netbook (MSI Wind U123) is substantially more than an iPad.

My netbook has to be opened. It has to be woken from sleep/hibernation or (gasp) cold-booted. iOS devices, like my iPhone, wake up instantly. For whatever reason, they also connect to my home wireless network much faster after wake-up. The form factor of a clamshell, keyboard bottom & screen top, is not as casual as a flat touchscreen. The downside is they are not as much fun to type on but no big deal for short messages or browsing. I also see a keyboard dock that resolves that complaint.

susan_cassidy · 10-19-2010, 12:00 PM

I want a tablet approximately the size of my Kindle, that will fit in my purse, and not be too heavy. That is what I was actually looking for, and ended up buying an iPod Touch, and an iPad. I can't carry the iPad around though, because it is too big and heavy. I would carry it on vacation, to be able to use maps and things, but not every day.

I tried a Viliv S5 UMPC, but the screen resolution was too high for the screen size, and my bad eyes couldn't cope. The next size up was too heavy (for me, at least).

tubemonkey · 10-19-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

Curious. I can't see a netbook being any less portable than a tablet of the same size unless you are referring to the weight. The only other difference would be the thickness, the disadvantage of which would be more than offset by the convenience of having a real keyboard, a screen that has a built in kickstand, more storage, etc. I doubt my luggage would really notice the difference in thickness.

I'm comparing a 10" netbook with a 7" tablet. I see no need to get a 10" tablet since I already have a netbook.

Logseman · 10-19-2010, 12:09 PM

What I'd like to see are tablets with attachable keyboards. If you need a netbook, you have it, and if you don't, you just resort to the touchscreen.

delphidb96 · 10-19-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonist

Steve Jobs Calls 7-Inch Tablets 'Dead on Arrival', Says 10-Inches Minimum

"...Commenting on avalanche of tablets heading to market. Just a handful of credible entrants. Almost all use 7" screen, compared to iPad at nearly 10" screen. 7" screen is only 45% as large as iPad's screen. Hold an iPad in portrait view and draw a horizontal line halfway down. What's left is a 7" screen...too small. There are clear limits to how close elements can be on the screen before users can't touch accurately. We believe 10-inch screen is minimum necessary."

I wholeheartedly agree.

I hope the next iPad bumps the screen size by an inch or inch and a half. Or somebody else comes out with 10"+, but not the 16x9 cheepo screens.

Then finally we'll have a great PDF reader

Yeah well... Steve Jobs, for years, pooh-poohed the idea that Apple would ever deign to release a tablet - went so far as to call proponents crazy. Today, the iPad is one if Apple's hottest products. So I always assume that the more he denigrates an idea, the harder Apple is working on it.

Derek

ManosHandsOfFate · 10-19-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delphidb96

Yeah well... Steve Jobs, for years, pooh-poohed the idea that Apple would ever deign to release a tablet - went so far as to call proponents crazy. Today, the iPad is one if Apple's hottest products. So I always assume that the more he denigrates an idea, the harder Apple is working on it.

He's sort of a reverse seer.

wodin · 10-19-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'd like to have two Android tablets - 4" and 7".

Too bad they're not making 4" ones and a shame most manufacturers are treating their tablets like cellphones by partnering with wireless carriers. I don't want to be forced into a data plan. That's why I don't have a smartphone.

But they are making 4" (4.3 actually) ones. I do a great deal of reading on my HTC EVO 4G, and it's with me ALWAYS. I understand that the Droid X and several other high end smarphones also have 4.3 inch screens. You can probably get one on eBay without a data plan and just use WiFi.

As for a 7" Android tablet, when one comes out with the price/specs that suit me, I'll probably get one.

tubemonkey · 10-19-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wodin

You can probably get one on eBay without a data plan and just use WiFi.

Can you get a new one for $300-$400?

GlennD · 10-19-2010, 02:24 PM

If you gotta have a device that fits in your pocket and you want an ipad, you may as well buy clothing with big enough pockets to carry it.

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10-19-2010, 11:23 AM	#16
Crowl Wizard Posts: 1,340 Karma: 1160346 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Southport, GB Device: Kindle Voyage, PW Signature edition	People can discuss whether or not a 7" screen would fit in their pockets, suit them better than a 10", but the main reason for Steve Jobs to say such a thing is the simple fact that a number of their rivals are about to release devices that size that otherwise have superior hardware specs. Personally, I find my ipad is fine to use at home, but it is a little too big for me to take it everywhere in a jacket pocket like I can do with my ebook reader, my ebook reader is also more comfortable to hold one-handed as well. In time we will probably have a wide range of tablets filling all the gaps up from smartphones and past the size of the ipad as the market grows in niches all become worth filling.

10-19-2010, 11:36 AM	#19
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	I would much rather have a 10" netbook than a 10" tablet. In fact, I do have a 10" netbook.

10-19-2010, 11:58 AM	#22
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I have a nice netbook but I still have a hankering for something iPad-ish for the living room. There are a couple of ways that the iPad is more instantly accessible for the sort of thing I use around the house (e.g. to look something up on the internet, check my e-mail or write a quick one). For travel, the total volume and weight on my netbook (MSI Wind U123) is substantially more than an iPad. My netbook has to be opened. It has to be woken from sleep/hibernation or (gasp) cold-booted. iOS devices, like my iPhone, wake up instantly. For whatever reason, they also connect to my home wireless network much faster after wake-up. The form factor of a clamshell, keyboard bottom & screen top, is not as casual as a flat touchscreen. The downside is they are not as much fun to type on but no big deal for short messages or browsing. I also see a keyboard dock that resolves that complaint.

10-19-2010, 12:00 PM	#23
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I want a tablet approximately the size of my Kindle, that will fit in my purse, and not be too heavy. That is what I was actually looking for, and ended up buying an iPod Touch, and an iPad. I can't carry the iPad around though, because it is too big and heavy. I would carry it on vacation, to be able to use maps and things, but not every day. I tried a Viliv S5 UMPC, but the screen resolution was too high for the screen size, and my bad eyes couldn't cope. The next size up was too heavy (for me, at least).

10-19-2010, 12:09 PM	#25
Logseman Orisa Posts: 1,999 Karma: 1035571 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ireland Device: Onyx Poke 5	What I'd like to see are tablets with attachable keyboards. If you need a netbook, you have it, and if you don't, you just resort to the touchscreen.

10-19-2010, 02:24 PM	#30
GlennD Wizard Posts: 2,101 Karma: 17249026 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Pacific NW Device: sony PRS350, iPhone, iPad	If you gotta have a device that fits in your pocket and you want an ipad, you may as well buy clothing with big enough pockets to carry it.

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