Doctorow on the iPad

[MovieBird]

Originally Posted by Sonist

One example is MS's upcoming WM7.

Another is the new GNOME shell.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Teyrnon

Judging by the number of people who've actually told me they think Apple's restrictions are a good thing, I think that's answer right there. The impression I get is that they feel warm, fuzzy, and safe with Apple products.



I'm not disputing the claim but could you give a few examples of products where companies have dumbed things down in this manner?

Windows Mobile 7 comes to mind. WM 6.5 may be sometimes a little cumbersome but extremely powerful (multi task capable for many years, offering the utmost in flexibility). WM 7 seems a giant step backwards in anything except a flashier interface (something that was readily available before through add-ons and reflashing) and perhaps video performance.

The iPad's competitors are another example -- everybody is trying to provide low specs. Kind of a race to the bottom.

[DawnFalcon]

Um, really? Because the Tegra 2 (multicore A9)-based devices are going to smoke single-core A8-based chips (like, say, the Apple A4) for battery life and power.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by DawnFalcon

Um, really? Because the Tegra 2 (multicore A9)-based devices are going to smoke single-core A8-based chips (like, say, the Apple A4) for battery life and power.

That is what I hope for, but it seems those will be delayed as they still have problems. But most of those tablets are with Atom processors, little RAM, etc. Just good enough for most users is the new "revolutionary".

[DawnFalcon]

The major players allways targeted Q3 for Tegra 2-based devices. What issues would you be refering to? (And no, I don't count "hey, we're a small company and can rush them to market! ... crap, issues!" as a "problem")

[dmaul1114]

I don't really mind the "dumbing down" most of the time. Having flashy, intuitive and simple to use interface is my main concern in a phone and tablet--I'm not looking for full computing ability in these kind of devices. I'll have desktops and laptops to my deathbed for real computing work (as long as they're around anyway).

The iPad just goes too far with not having a file system, drag and drop etc. The interface for using the device is damn good. Just too much hassle to get files on it, have them accessible to all programs that support those file types etc.

Give me a tablet with an interface that's just as snazzy, fast and responsive, but I can hook it up and drag and drop and arrange files just like on a pc and that company will get my money.

[DawnFalcon]

"flashy"

...

No, no, I will NOT make that joke about Apple here.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

That is what I hope for, but it seems those will be delayed as they still have problems. But most of those tablets are with Atom processors, little RAM, etc. Just good enough for most users is the new "revolutionary".

The tablets you mention are clearly aimed at people that are happy with current netbooks, but would prefer another form factor, that is just going to be one part of the market with others options being along similar lines as the ipad with os and hardware owing more to mobile phones than to normal computers, neither approach is actually wrong it is simply a reflection of the fact that form factors like sub-notebooks and tablets have to get the right balance of performance, battery life and price. As consumers we should be grateful that the compromises are much less than they used to in the past and thats one reason why the tablet form factor is now making a return because we can now get devices that aren't too heavy, too expensive and too low battery life.

[rollercoaster]

nice article. thanks for sharing

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Crowl

The tablets you mention are clearly aimed at people that are happy with current netbooks, but would prefer another form factor, that is just going to be one part of the market with others options being along similar lines as the ipad with os and hardware owing more to mobile phones than to normal computers, neither approach is actually wrong it is simply a reflection of the fact that form factors like sub-notebooks and tablets have to get the right balance of performance, battery life and price. As consumers we should be grateful that the compromises are much less than they used to in the past and thats one reason why the tablet form factor is now making a return because we can now get devices that aren't too heavy, too expensive and too low battery life.

I would argue that we are still at least 2 years away from a really good tablet, the current crop demand too many compromises. I have everything more than covered with a big screen phone, reader, laptop. When we will have tablets which are more than just big screen ipods but offer the same form factor and battery life with a better screen, then I would consider it worth it getting one. The current generation seems more like a money making scheme to get people to buy yet another gadget that is convenient, but really not necessary.

[DawnFalcon]

The Tegra 2 tablets haven't hit yet, you're calling this prematurely.

[dmaul1114]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

The current generation seems more like a money making scheme to get people to buy yet another gadget that is convenient, but really not necessary.

While I generally agree, and am waiting for a slightly better tablet, the fact is about all gadgets are not necessary.

Most of the people I know with Blackberries, iPhones etc. seldom travel and spend most of their time near a PC or laptop with internet access for instance.

I could live to be 300 years old and a tablet would never be necessary for me. I can go on with my laptop, office desktop and paper books, printouts of PDFS etc.

That said, I don't think it will take 2 years to get the tablet that's convenient for my needs. If the iPad had a file system, easy drag and drop for getting my files on it I'd already own one. An inch bigger screen would be nice as well, but not a deal breaker.

I don't think it will take 2 years for someone match the ipad on form factor, battery life etc. and add those features.

But probably will take 2 years for those wanting all that, but with full computing power and OS etc.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

But probably will take 2 years for those wanting all that, but with full computing power and OS etc.

I am one of those. So once the time comes to replace my laptop I can get a tablet instead. Meaning not an additional device, but a device that can replace my laptop in every way AND be more convenient to use for reading, browsing, etc.

[dmaul1114]

Yeah, I could never replace my laptop as I do a lot of work at home (lots of writing) and don't like having a desktop at home. So I need a laptop for writing, statistical analysis software and other things I would never want to do on a tablet.

So for me I'll always have my office desktop and my home laptop. Any tablet would just be to supplement those, and be used for reading both work (PDFs and academic books) and leisure (novels, newspapers, magazines, comics etc.) along with some light net surfing, streaming video in bed every once in a great while etc.

So I don't need the full PC power, OS etc. Something like the iPad, but more open and with a file management system and drag and drop is all I personally need. But definitely not good enough for those of you truly looking to replace laptops.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by dmaul1114

Yeah, I could never replace my laptop as I do a lot of work at home (lots of writing) and don't like having a desktop at home. So I need a laptop for writing, statistical analysis software and other things I would never want to do on a tablet.

So for me I'll always have my office desktop and my home laptop. Any tablet would just be to supplement those, and be used for reading both work (PDFs and academic books) and leisure (novels, newspapers, magazines, comics etc.) along with some light net surfing, streaming video in bed every once in a great while etc.

So I don't need the full PC power, OS etc. Something like the iPad, but more open and with a file management system and drag and drop is all I personally need. But definitely not good enough for those of you truly looking to replace laptops.

If the tablet has expansion possibilities (USB, SD slot, VGA or HDMI) couldn't you turn it into a full desktop? Keyboard and stand like the iPad, mouse, and if necessary, hook it up to a monitor. Storage space could be added. The best of both worlds. That Lenovo is another great concept, though seriously underpowered.