Apple Tablet -- Who needs it?

[mikemc2]

Originally Posted by mores

It's amazing to see how many people rejoice the "freedom" they have with MS-based systems. I wonder what that "freedom" is when I think about what I call "freedom": free of hickups, restarts, quirks, nasty interfaces, virii, trojans etc.

I dunno. Freedom to choose my hardware vendor(s)? The freedom to run hundreds of thousands of pieces of software without having to buy 2 operating systems (OS X and Windows). Freedom to create a streaming home entertainment system (laptop,PS3 and HDTV) for less than the cost of a decently configured 15" MBP? As for the virii, trojans etc., well, if you're having those types of problems you're doing something very wrong.

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by mikemc2

I dunno. Freedom to choose my hardware vendor(s)? The freedom to run hundreds of thousands of pieces of software without having to buy 2 operating systems (OS X and Windows). Freedom to create a streaming home entertainment system (laptop,PS3 and HDTV) for less than the cost of a decently configured 15" MBP? As for the virii, trojans etc., well, if you're having those types of problems you're doing something very wrong.

I agree with the first point and dont understand why anyone would disagree but I dont understand why you imply that is happening anywhere?

On the second point well you can run hundreds of thousands of software on a mac and why do you have to buy 2 operating systems? OSX comes with the hardware and even if you count that as one OS then use Ubuntu or one of the other free Os's as your second so then you have even more choice.

my streaming APPLE system cost less than your set up, HDTV, Mac Mini... job done oh and install Plex of course for a front end that is miles ahead of the ps3 media viewing software(think auto downloads of titles, dvd covers, actors, synopsis, bacground and cover art, trailers etc). I can also add an xbox to my system if i want games and still be at the same cost as you.

Try telling my parents that , whilst I understand Virii etc arent a MS only issue or even something that happens on every system it is LESS likely to happen to an inexperienced user on a mac compared to a windows system.

At the end of the day its about choices and the points you make are valid and 100% correct for you, but not for everyone, and certainly not for me I prefer the cheaper apple option.

yeh I said it cheaper apple option but come on ps3 and laptop is more expensive than a mini and not as good a solution as you arent free to install whatever OS or media server you want on your PS3, in fact your sony media option provides much less freedom than my apple option

[mikemc2]

Originally Posted by stustaff

you arent free to install whatever OS or media server you want on your PS3, in fact your sony media option provides much less freedom than my apple option

Well, I could install Linux and XBMC on my PS3...

[David Munch]

I assume that the tablet has a wide array of 5-finger based multi-touch commands that you can use, and other than that, nothing really new...

I'm still at a lack for the use of tablets.

[stustaff]

Originally Posted by mikemc2

Well, I could install Linux and XBMC on my PS3...

i like that the one thing you can dispute is pretty much a non issue...

PS can you really? i'd be interested in that does Blu Ray still work ok?

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by David Munch

I assume that the tablet has a wide array of 5-finger based multi-touch commands that you can use, and other than that, nothing really new...

I'm still at a lack for the use of tablets.

Why only 5 fingers! I use 9 fingers if I type... (my left thumb doesn't see any use...)

[mores]

I agree with there being a LOT more software available for Windows than Os X and the *nixes combined
But my job requires nothing that I can't get done with OS X, except for Testing with various flavors of windows, browsers etc. I used to have an old machine standing around, now I run Parallels to get that done.

I never had problems with virii and trojans, but there is a lot more work involved keeping them out of your windows machine than out of your mac or linux box. "dialer.exe" will just download to my desktop and not get launched. Toolbars don't get autoinstalled (Did I mention my father in law's browser with enough toolbars to cover up exactly HALF of his available screen? :faint: )

But I must also admit that I'm too lazy, now, to try installing something on a PS3, or tinker around to get a good home theatre system going. I want something that I can just buy, hook up and that will work. I guess switching to Mac is to blame in my being more and more reluctant to do things myself - which can be argued for and against, I know.

To get back to topic, an Apple tablet would be of no immediate interest for me. I don't see how I would use it. I have an iPhone and a MBP.
But I could immagine someone buying a tablet instead of a laptop to complement his or her desktop computer.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by mores

To get back to topic, an Apple tablet would be of no immediate interest for me. I don't see how I would use it. I have an iPhone and a MBP.
But I could immagine someone buying a tablet instead of a laptop to complement his or her desktop computer.

Which is why I want a tablet. But just not an Apple tablet.

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Which is why I want a tablet. But just not an Apple tablet.

...and me too (though in my case an Apple tablet *is* of interest).

Cheers,
Marc

[yvanleterrible]

Although I like the iPod Touch, I refrained from buying it, especially after being stuck with several first gen aPple products. This tablet though, if it's pretty much like the Touch, will replace the EEEPC in the livingroom. The EEE is first gen obviously and is not big enough for the tasks we need it for; mainly a complement to the news, weather and stats when we watch the telly, and the dreaded "Who's that actor, I've seen him before but I don't remember where".

This Slate/Tablet will join a pile of Sony remotes, or maybe replace them, on the coffee table in the living room.

Only thing is, It's an other first gen...

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Although I like the iPod Touch, I refrained from buying it, especially after being stuck with several first gen aPple products. This tablet though, if it's pretty much like the Touch, will replace the EEEPC in the livingroom. The EEE is first gen obviously and is not big enough for the tasks we need it for; mainly a complement to the news, weather and stats when we watch the telly, and the dreaded "Who's that actor, I've seen him before but I don't remember where".

That media center pc in the livingroom is handy for more than just playing media

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Only thing is, It's an other first gen...

The disadvantage of wanting to be first in line!

[TallMomof2]

Originally Posted by petermillard

Really? I'd be amazed if the mythical slate/tablet (stablet?) had a user-replaceable battery - every other current portable Apple device (laptops, phones and iPods) have non-user-replaceable batteries and I don't see it cutting down on sales. Again, I just don't think this is much of an issue for most people... <shrug>

Cheers, Pete

p.s. Like the new Avatar BTW

I have a MacBook Pro and the battery is user replaceable. It's a very solid device but I still mostly run Win7 on it.

[WillAdams]

Interesting collection of links in this Gizmodo page:

http://gizmodo.com/5434566/the-exhau...yline=true&s=x

I need a replacement for my Newton MessagePad and Sony didn't come through when they made the PRS-600 (no hand-writing recognition, no ink as ink, inability to be faithful to curves &c.).

Big issue is which side of the aisle it'll be on --- will it be a big iPod Touch and only allow apps from the App store, or will it be a tiny MacBook which can run arbitrary OS X apps --- if it's the former, there will need to be some unique features which justify the larger form-factor, if the latter, they'll need to do some amazing technology to make the battery life workable and have some tweaks to the OS X interface which make it much more comfortable to use w/ a stylus.

William

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Which is why I want a tablet. But just not an Apple tablet.

Yeah, i would like a tablet, but more on the cheap range . Don't want to pay $$$ for the use I would have of it.

[CyGuy]

I too am very interested in a tablet like this, but it has to have Win7 installed of course. If the Apple tablet is reasonably priced and can be made to run Win7 natively, I might be on board. It also must have an SDHC card reader built-in.