Just a Touch Away, the Elusive Tablet PC - NYT article

sforce · 10-04-2009, 10:49 PM

I think the main point is, tablets are coming, and this time they will "do" something. I think we can thank, in a large part, the hype generated by the Kindle to the coming stampede, even thought it is not a "tablet" per most definitions (not that the Kindle couldn't morph into a tablet, over time).

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/te.../05tablet.html

carlobee · 10-04-2009, 10:59 PM

been eager to have these tablets out in the market already. it would really be great.

i believe it's gonna be released very soon and they are working on it.. truly it's just a touch away.

WillAdams · 10-05-2009, 08:08 AM

For my part, I've been using pen computers since the NCR-3125, and am simply not willing to use a machine which I can't write and draw on.

William

dmaul1114 · 10-05-2009, 09:00 AM

Definitely looking forward to a variety of tablets coming out and seeing where the technology goes.

JeremyZ · 10-05-2009, 11:29 AM

One question on these tablet PCs: How are they going to replace a proper QWERTY keyboard? They can be used for fun, but for any kind of word processing except light edits, they won't be any good.

To me, that means there'll be quite an overlap between this and iPhone. What could a tablet PC do that an iPhone couldn't? I guess maybe surf faster, with a proper WiFi connection instead of 3G.

We'll see. Even Apple isn't immune to the occasional strike-out. Some would say that Macs haven't even caught on yet. (artists disagree) It was iPod and iPhone that really made Apple strong again.

I don't think folks have much faith in Microsoft any more. I know I don't. Word and Excel are pretty great. But aside from that?

kenmark · 10-05-2009, 11:42 AM

On a related article from PC World:

Apple Tablet Most-Watched Product of 2010, But By Whom?

Quote:

Apple tablet hype is beginning to spin out of control. If the company is concerned the new device will not live up to incredible expectations, it has not shown it. Maybe it will be perfect, but if it isn't, Apple needs to start telling us what to expect.

dmaul1114 · 10-05-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyZ

One question on these tablet PCs: How are they going to replace a proper QWERTY keyboard? They can be used for fun, but for any kind of word processing except light edits, they won't be any good.

They're not meant to replace a PC or Laptop.

They'll replace an e-reader, PDA, paper/legal pad for note taking etc. While also being able to do web browsing, viewing e-mail, playing videos, games etc.

I want one as current readers are useless for my academic work. I need to be able to highlight passages, scribble notes in the margins, etc. just as quickly and easily as I can paper for it to be functional. Being able to flip pages quickly (see the MS Courier concept videos) would be a huge plus as well.

The i-phone can't do that with it's tiny screen and no stylus support.

But yeah, they won't replace a PC or laptop for word processing etc. Though I suppose you could put it on a little stand on a desk and plug a usb keyboard into it--but still wouldn't be useful for that function on the go.

And I do think they'll be a fairly niche item. If you're not an academic or business professional with the need to do the stuff I outlined above, it probably doesn't make much since over having a reader and a laptop/netbook.

WillAdams · 10-05-2009, 11:57 AM

For any sort of extended text entry, just use a keyboard (most Fujitsu units use IR wireless keyboards, many have an option for a docking station, or just plug in a keyboard or use a bluetooth one).

A Tablet PC can view large amounts of text w/o scrolling, or a figure or chart or photo w/o shrinking it to illegibility, or requiring endless scrolling, and it can run the same applications one uses on one's desktop.

Editing is incredibly powerful on a Tablet PC / pen slate, esp. if one uses software which supports traditional editing gestures.

William

10-04-2009, 10:49 PM	#1
sforce Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 184 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Plastic Logic (?)	Just a Touch Away, the Elusive Tablet PC - NYT article I think the main point is, tablets are coming, and this time they will "do" something. I think we can thank, in a large part, the hype generated by the Kindle to the coming stampede, even thought it is not a "tablet" per most definitions (not that the Kindle couldn't morph into a tablet, over time). http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/te.../05tablet.html

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10-04-2009, 10:59 PM	#2
carlobee Fanatic Posts: 535 Karma: 972 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: The new iPad	been eager to have these tablets out in the market already. it would really be great. i believe it's gonna be released very soon and they are working on it.. truly it's just a touch away.

10-05-2009, 08:08 AM	#3
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 3350652 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	For my part, I've been using pen computers since the NCR-3125, and am simply not willing to use a machine which I can't write and draw on. William

10-05-2009, 09:00 AM	#4
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	Definitely looking forward to a variety of tablets coming out and seeing where the technology goes.

10-05-2009, 11:29 AM	#5
JeremyZ Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 1000702 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chicago Device: Nook ST, Kindle 2, Samsung Galaxy Stellar phone	One question on these tablet PCs: How are they going to replace a proper QWERTY keyboard? They can be used for fun, but for any kind of word processing except light edits, they won't be any good. To me, that means there'll be quite an overlap between this and iPhone. What could a tablet PC do that an iPhone couldn't? I guess maybe surf faster, with a proper WiFi connection instead of 3G. We'll see. Even Apple isn't immune to the occasional strike-out. Some would say that Macs haven't even caught on yet. (artists disagree) It was iPod and iPhone that really made Apple strong again. I don't think folks have much faith in Microsoft any more. I know I don't. Word and Excel are pretty great. But aside from that?

10-05-2009, 11:57 AM	#8
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 3350652 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	For any sort of extended text entry, just use a keyboard (most Fujitsu units use IR wireless keyboards, many have an option for a docking station, or just plug in a keyboard or use a bluetooth one). A Tablet PC can view large amounts of text w/o scrolling, or a figure or chart or photo w/o shrinking it to illegibility, or requiring endless scrolling, and it can run the same applications one uses on one's desktop. Editing is incredibly powerful on a Tablet PC / pen slate, esp. if one uses software which supports traditional editing gestures. William

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