Quote:
Originally Posted by Bremen Cole
I would wager it will be pretty easy to replace Android/Windows tablets with Linux. I am not a Linux fan, (tried it and IMHO it is useless) but in a tablet I would prefer it to Windows. Android/WebOS/iOS are in my opinion the REAL mainstream tablet choices..... but a Linux techie will soon have their wish with all the tablets coming out  |
Useless is probably a little harsh given the amount of useful things that run linux, including the other OS's you mentioned. iOS is after all *nix based in part so shares quite a few similarities under the hood. Android is the linux kernel with a bunch of bits and a software stack. WebOS is again the linux kernel plus some fancy front end stuff.
The important thing is not so much the OS but the window manager and apps running on top. Nokia built very usable linux tablets years ago with the maemo distribution which is now morphing into meego and looks set to be a great tablet OS.
Windows 7 works quite well on a tablet though it would work better if explorer could be dumped for a better front-end. It really isn't as bloated as everyone suggests, though I tend to agree the GUI isn't as suited as something specifically designed.
The new version of Windows 7 Embedded looks like a good tablet choice though.
People who want full access to the OS are always going to be the minority. Most people want ease of use and reliability which is partly why the ipad is the success it is. It's just a shame they don't allow a community led linux project on the hardware for people who like hacking about, it would certainly gain them more customers and some of the development could be used for their benefit no doubt.