Apple Tablet Rumblings (again)...

[MacRumors]

Several readers have noted that Gizmodo.com (http://www.gizmodo.com/) has posted a small blurb that TaiwanHighTech.com (http://www.taiwanhightech.com/thtnews/bringontheorders.html):

Apple has contracted Quanta to make its 15-inch tablet PC. This is larger than most tablet PCs.

While Gizmodo's story is dated today (June 30, 2003), it's unclear when TaiwanHighTech's story was posted. The story is similar to an old (April, 2003) (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030414003542.shtml) rumor originally reported by a Chinese news article (udn.com).

[g30ffr3y]

not the tablet again...

[Bettista]

I don't really see the point in Apple doing this unless they can introduce something remotely interesting that separates them from every other tablet - handwriting recognition and the like. Doesn't seem very useful to me...

[Chef Ramen]

and this is on the main page because....?:confused:

[gopher]

Steve said the market isn't right for tablet PCs.

The problems are two fold...handwriting of some people is not
consistant. The screen that is readable is usually not the one that will fit in your pocket.

Until OLED replaces LCD completely in most environments, don't expect tablet PCs from Apple. OLED offers the ability to fold the screen. Now that would be something to see. Apple started the market with the Newton, and we all know how that ended.

[MattG]

Originally posted by Macrumors
Several readers have noted that Gizmodo.com (http://www.gizmodo.com/) has posted a small blurb that TaiwanHighTech.com (http://www.taiwanhightech.com/thtnews/bringontheorders.html):



While Gizmodo's story is dated today (June 30, 2003), it's unclear when TaiwanHighTech's story was posted. The story is similar to an old (April, 2003) (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/04/20030414003542.shtml) rumor originally reported by a Chinese news article (udn.com).

Uggggh. :(

I hope this is just a rumor.

Apple, quit ********** with me already and make my 15" Aluminum PB.

[syntax]

jizz-modo's "reporting" is notoriously sloppy -- which accusation its writers seem to feel insulated from on account of the site's being a blog. lame.

[gwuMACaddict]

i would MUCH prefer to see a 15in. powerbook upgrade. i'm not putting much stock in the rumor.

:p

[Pete_Hoover]

I surely dont have any use for an Apple tablet. That is, unless it had an attatched keyboard(which would pretty much make it a notebook). My handwriting isn't very good, so I doubt if it had handwriting recognition software it could recognize my handwriting. Apple doesn't need to make a tablet. It already has alot of mobile machines. Maybe this is one of those monitors that you can dock and undock. Undock it and take it to bed and do some work, then dock it, and the information that you just entered is saved. There are already some PC monitors that can do this. That would be cool.

[dswoodley]

Looks like someone is smoking crack again...

[JohnStrass]

Originally posted by gopher
Steve said the market isn't right for tablet PCs.

The problems are two fold...handwriting of some people is not
consistant. The screen that is readable is usually not the one that will fit in your pocket.

Until OLED replaces LCD completely in most environments, don't expect tablet PCs from Apple. OLED offers the ability to fold the screen. Now that would be something to see. Apple started the market with the Newton, and we all know how that ended.
Yes, if I recall, it ended with Jobs announcing in Christmas the opening of the Apple on line store and gleefully buying 2 Newtons because they were so "terrific". Then he axed it 2 months later (right after I bought mine). I dont believe a word he says. There is still a potential market for another gadget/videoiPod/homeAVor whatnot, because it will not compete with either Palm or laptop. Just another "must have" gadget.

[Abstract]

Hmmm.....maybe its a tablet with a keyboard attached!! Yeah, that's right!! Hey, then Jobs can call it the 15" Powerbook!!! ;)

[JoeRadar]

Originally posted by Bettista
separates them from every other tablet

What I would like is a bare minimum system: an LCD screen, a small CPU, small memory, a wireless card, and a stripped down OS that supported a TCP/IP protocol stack and code to draw to the screen. The price should be relatively low too.

It would essentially be a wireless X terminal (for those who remember those). The applications would actually run on a regular macintosh, and display information would be sent over the wireless connection to the MacPad.

Target audiences: (1) home users who would keep the MacPad in their living room and their mac in the den; (2) professionals (executives, researchers, sys-admins) who need to look up something quickly while away from their desk.

In short, it replaces the laptop for activity while you are still "in the building" with your desktop machine.

[Das]

Dang I wish this were true, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. The PC tablets are expensive and underpowered. It would make sense for it to come out this year since they aren't coming out with any G5 pbs yet and apple is gimmickless. Heck, maybe for once I could actually use Ink.

[P-Worm]

I think these tablets are a terrible idea. i mean the keyboard was invented so we didn't have to write. And paper was invented so we can draw. So why don't you you just take a powerbook and glue a pad of paper to the back of the screen? <In the voice of comic book guy> Best Tablet EVER! :cool:

P-Worm

[Nosidda]

JoeRadar I think your on the right track, but you missed the best target audience of all: Education.

The cost of putting these things into schools would be much cheaper than laptops. Then you just buy a couple Xserves to do all the data crunching via Airport Extreme.

[Pete_Hoover]

Originally posted by Abstract
Hmmm.....maybe its a tablet with a keyboard attached!! Yeah, that's right!! Hey, then Jobs can call it the 15" Powerbook!!! ;)

Ya, only if it was a tablet with a keyboard attached, you would still have to use a stylus(it wouldnt have a mouse), thus making it ........ a tablet. This has been doen on the PC side for people with bad handwriting. Maybe he could call it the 15 inch touchscreen powerbook with no mouse.

[arainert]

... because that would be stoopid.


How about this:

. Assume that the previous thread re: the Powerbook ID #s is based in sort sort of reality and there is no plan for a 15 inch Pbook.

. Apple has 15 inch screens in production.

. If there are two versions of the 12 and the 17, where the high 12 and low 17 approximate the performance of the 15 everyone's been looking for.

. A tablet doesn't necessarily mean "a screen you can write on" and nothing else.

. There are a couple of Tablet PCs that are implemented in a pretty slick way that can function as a notebook, as a tablet (and even as a desktop) - there's an HP one that was in the most recent I-D magazine.

So...

Could Apple release a notebook with a 15 inch screen that can flip around, etc... and be used to sketch/write on, detached to use as a standalone screen.

And it could be touted as an ideal machine for the Creative Professional in 2 weeks in NY?

... ok we can all wake up now ...

[Nosidda]

JoeRadar I think your on the right track, but you missed the best target audience of all: Education.

The cost of putting these things into schools would be much cheaper than laptops. Then you just buy a couple G5 Xserves (hopefully soon) to do all the data crunching via Airport Extreme.

[Macpoops]

I see the tablet taking off only in places where people are still filling out tons of forms on a daily bases and access to information is critical. A doctors office, hospital, and possibly a shipping company (All the major shipping companies are already using some form of it)

[dongmin]

Originally posted by Chef Ramen
and this is on the main page because....?:confused:

I'm pretty sure the someone on this forum...ahem...who will remain anonymous...has a tablet fixation.

[JoeRadar]

Originally posted by Macpoops
I see the tablet taking off only in places where people are still filling out tons of forms on a daily bases and access to information is critical. A doctors office, hospital, and possibly a shipping company (All the major shipping companies are already using some form of it)

For a great treatment on this, read "startup" by Jerry Kaplan. While the book is about 8 years old, and the period of time it covers is over a decade old, it still seems relevant to the discussion of tablet PCs. Kaplan's GO Corporation looked at markets very similar to what you describe.

[NNO-Stephen]

good lord. just make the damn PowerBook and be done with it Apple. dont need no stinkin' tablet. if I want a tablet, i'll reach for the advil.

[jimthorn]

Originally posted by Chef Ramen
and this is on the main page because....?:confused:

Slow news day. Next up, something from MacWhispers! :D

[Jerry Spoon]

Just as the buzz from WWDC starts to die down a bit, here come the tablet rumors again:D
I'll put money that by the end of July we'll hear a pda rumor too:rolleyes:

[Nite]

Sorry for the coming ramble, and hello to all. (I've been looking over your shoulders for awhile, but just now registered to this forum.)

I think I've just about had enough of these Apple PDA/Tablet rumors. The PDA market is *OWNED* by Palm, and unless Apple buys it, we won't see an Apple PDA. Everyone sees what the PC Tablets do/sell. I'd sooner eat my socks than to believe Jobs going that way without some *very* ingenious plan.

That said, there is a market for a Tablet/PDA/Notebook/Whatever... hybrid. Yes. Let me speak first, then you can flame me :)

I've been thinking about this awhile and I'm more and more confirmed that people and companies would want to use something like this.

The device (I call it the iGo :).

*low-MHz G4 <800MHz, maybe 500 would be enough, preferably dual if possible. Main point: NO active cooling. (backplate of device can act as a heatsink.)

*enough memory to run "lite" version of OS X, maybe 128/256Mb.

* 6 / 8 inch display (two models?), about the size of an average book, small enough to carry comfortably in a bag or the like, but large enough that at least 800x600 resolution is achieved. (landscape/portrait rotation with the push of a button.) The whole device not much larger than display, maybe inch at other end and 1/2 inch borders.

* small 1.8 inch hdd (same as in iPod.)
(10Gb to 30Gb should be enough, again two models and BTO?)

*Bluetooth, AirPort, FW400/800, USB1/2. (GPRS/EDGE (with SyncML) as option?)

the reason for existance:
People buy desktops (PowerMacs, i/eMacs...), but travel occasionally, and want to keep working while on the go. Do they buy a full-fledged laptop just for these occasions (and go thru the hassle of syncing everything with their desktops)? No. They buy the desktop and iGo. iGo is like the "dockable" PC displays that you can keep with you, and they sync when docked, but iGo takes this a bit further. It has three "modes" (Constant, Small Updates and Full. With Bluetooth/GPRS, AirPort/Ethernet/USB and FireWire800/USB2 connections.)

In "Constant" mode, you can keep working on iGo as you move, and everything updates real-time on your desktop machine (obviously, no video-editing :). Bluetooth/GPRS is just fast enough for updating documents/webpages on the background. AirPort fast enough for normal files and FW800 for "first time" sync.
iGo also has "offilne" mode, where you can take the thing with you, do your stuff and it updates as soon as it's in range of Bluetooth/AirPort, or is connected via Ethernet/FW.

iGo includes a software keyboard and has a touch screen (operatable with fingers) so you can type almost as with normal keyboard and don't have to use any stylus for a mouse.

I know, without much thinking, at least a dozen company employees who would sell their left hand, if iGo was reality. Desktop-Laptop syncing is too much hassle for the "normal" person.

Again, sorry for the rant, but I'm puzzled that nobody has come up with a similiar idea before. Is it somehow impossible to do? I don't think so. I don't know about OLEDs, but have they more DPI than LCDs? (that way you could fit 1024x768 in a 6 or 8 inch display), also with Exposé-like technic, iGo could "zoom" the interface as the user wanted.

OK. *now* I must stop, but please either email me, or post here what are your opinions of the kind of device.

[matttichenor]

I was using the new iChat AV yesterday over a wireless network with an iBook. I was thinking about how cool it would be to use iChat with a juicy, smallish 7-8" Tablet. Instant portable video phone. Don't tell me people wouldn't be interested in such a device.

And this is just one of the features. We have gone over this on these threads dozens of times, the point is that Apple keeps introducing cool new technologies that would fit & work seemlessly with a Tablet.

Rendezvous, Video / Audio Chat, Remote Desktop, iTunes sharing, Address Book, Mail, Calendar, iPhoto, QuickTime lite, Safari, Inkwell, Bluetooth, iSync... etc.


These things would be awesome in a small tablet.

m

[Freg3000]

Originally posted by jimthorn
Slow news day. Next up, something from MacWhispers! :D

lol. Go MacWhispers!

[fred]

In my book what Apple really needs (despite Steve Jobs' well-known dislike of them) is a kick-ass PDA . Every major computer manufacturer now has one (Gateway was lone holdout and they just announced one) . Apple's should have the following specs:

- strong audio and video integration (like new JVC Pocket PC....but feed it some steroids)

- hard drive based ( à la iPod)

- WiFi and Bluetooth built-in along with GSM phone capability (Texas Instruments has this on one chip called the WANDA)... it should be first and foremost a PDA however and not a phone (à la Palm Tungsten W)


- TV Tuner built-in (Sony has a CF card with TV Tuner in the works...that should definitely wrock)

- 2 megapixel camera

- 320 x 320 TFT screen

[gunb0y]

I would kill for an ibook that acts as a tablet when the keyboard is detached. I played around with

[zephc]

why dont they just add a touch screen to the PB? (you can buy those 3rd party already) It'd be nice to draw right on the screen while doing photoshop work, etc. The rotating screen thing some TabletPCs have is really nice (where it swivels to become a tablet, then back to be a laptop); it'd make it all less awkward while trying to draw

[MattG]

Originally posted by fred
In my book what Apple really needs (despite Steve Jobs' well-known dislike of them) is a kick-ass PDA . Every major computer manufacturer now has one (Gateway was lone holdout and they just announced one) . Apple's should have the following specs:

- strong audio and video integration (like new JVC Pocket PC....but feed it some steroids)

- hard drive based ( à la iPod)

- WiFi and Bluetooth built-in along with GSM phone capability (Texas Instruments has this on one chip called the WANDA)... it should be first and foremost a PDA however and not a phone (à la Palm Tungsten W)


- TV Tuner built-in (Sony has a CF card with TV Tuner in the works...that should definitely wrock)

- 2 megapixel camera

- 320 x 320 TFT screen

Wouldn't all of that make for a HUGE PDA? I can't imagine them doing something like that. I already laugh at the fact that Apple suggests storing contacts on the iPod--why would I want to use something as big as that as a PDA, let alone something bigger than that?

[fred]

Originally posted by MattG
Wouldn't all of that make for a HUGE PDA? I can't imagine them doing something like that. I already laugh at the fact that Apple suggests storing contacts on the iPod--why would I want to use something as big as that as a PDA, let alone something bigger than that?

Why need it be huge ?? The only thing I can see adding a little bulk would be the hard drive ...but Apple has recently slimmed those down quite a bit on their new iPods.....no reason all of the specs I mentioned couldn't be shoehorned into a 6-7 oz package

[madrobby]

The Problem with the detachable keyboard is that all the components have to go into the screen of the notebook. But if they say, put one G4 processor in in the screen, added a iPod-1,8"/30GB harddisk, an Airport card and add a lithium-polymer battery - that could work.

Then, you can snap-on the keyboard, adding a second G4, a second litium-polymer battery, a pc card slot and a superdrive.

The keyboard part could be sold optionally, if allowing usb keyboard and mouse connections to the screen part.

Life is good, but is Apple?

[Pete_Hoover]

Originally posted by MattG
Wouldn't all of that make for a HUGE PDA? I can't imagine them doing something like that. I already laugh at the fact that Apple suggests storing contacts on the iPod--why would I want to use something as big as that as a PDA, let alone something bigger than that?

That would make the PDA big and clunky. I don't think apple will make a PDA. It would dig into the iPod market. That is, if the PDA could play MP3s, and it probably would. Most PocketPCs play MP3s. I dont think Apple would make an inferior PDA that doesnt play MP3s so as not to dig into the iPod market.

[iLilana]

Originally posted by dongmin
I'm pretty sure the someone on this forum...ahem...who will remain anonymous...has a tablet fixation.


:rolleyes: I don't have to be anonymous. My obsession is not quite at the unhealthy stage... my shrink tells me. PLease be true. Please become real. That would also satisfy my obsession over the iPod's lack of ability to sync with a palm pilot. Tablet tablet tablet tablet... ramble ramble ramble I think I have had too many Cokes today.

Here's my left hand.... just leave my writing hand and a ping pong paddle strapped to my left wrist stump so I can hold my new tablet while writing on it.

[fred]

a tablet is a solution waiting for a problem to solve...

totally useless

[mangoman]

Did I just hear someone say that a PDA is coming from Apple? Right ON!

:rolleyes:

[fred]

Originally posted by mangoman
Did I just hear someone say that a PDA is coming from Apple? Right ON!

:rolleyes:

No you didn't....but that flapping sound you heard is opportunity flying away.... Lord knows how many dollars Apple leaves on the table by NOT producing a PDA.... Jobs' semi-fanatical obsession of not producing a PDA is quite silly.... is he really that more intelligent than all the CEOs of all the computer companies ? I think not.... The world is going mobile...and Apple is being left behind.. I don't buy his idea that Apple wants to facilitate things for wireless devices (iSync, Rebdezvous etc) but not build a PDA themselves... Apple is first and foremost a hardware company

[gunb0y]

Nite brought something up that i think deserves a mention, even if it doesn't pertain to tablet computers...

Why don't laptops auto-sync with their desktop counter parts? Couldn't their be a program that syncs certain files whenever one computer comes onto the same network as another?

I would love to be able to bring my ibook to work and have it synch everything i did on my imac at home and my ibook during the commute. No buttons, no commands... just have it done automatically.

[ennerseed]

and about 399,998 more would probably go towards buying one.

[wirewyrm]

This is on the front page for a reason, and arn is usually pretty accurate about such things. And to add to the discussion, what is Q6 and the Blackrider branch of Mac OS X (reported on thinksecret). Is it so unbelievable that the "special feature" that Q6 needs is handwriting recognition??? Black-"RIDER" also makes me wonder if this is a further inication of its mobile capabilities!!

[Nite]

Originally posted by wirewyrm
This is on the front page for a reason, and arn is usually pretty accurate about such things. And to add to the discussion, what is Q6 and the Blackrider branch of Mac OS X (reported on thinksecret). Is it so unbelievable that the "special feature" that Q6 needs is handwriting recognition??? Black-"RIDER" also makes me wonder if this is a further inication of its mobile capabilities!!

Maybe, sounds real enough. But. *please* not 15-incher tablet! How do you carry such a thing comfortably... 6-8 inches would be great...

[chmorley]

Pretty well echoes my thought. This is on page 1 for a reason. Any enlightenment on that one, arn?

Chris

[iLilana]

Originally posted by Nite
Maybe, sounds real enough. But. *please* not 15-incher tablet! How do you carry such a thing comfortably... 6-8 inches would be great...

12 inch would suffice...

[zim]

i don't see this fitting in, a apple tablet, just seems to be an extra something that i do not need (i said the same about digital music players, then apple made one and i now i can't live without it).

as for the pda, i am about to smash my palm if it crashes one more time on me. i think that the iPod will grow and develop into something better then a pda. look at where it is now, 2nd generation and already has dynamic features suc as you can do playlist on the fly and open text files, i bet that we see video playback in the near future, i also bet we see it work more with ical and other iApps otherwise why call it the iPod?

[arn]

Originally posted by chmorley
Pretty well echoes my thought. This is on page 1 for a reason. Any enlightenment on that one, arn?

Chris

no... sorry... this is on the front page for no particular good reason. :)

beyond the usual ones (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/02/20030221004455.shtml)

arn

[iLilana]

If they do release this as a tablet type device, the perfect name would be:

iCan'tbelieveittookusthislongtofigureoutwecanbeacompetitorinthismarketwhilestilltryingtoinnovateoura ssesoff

[fred]

A tablet produced by Apple with Apple's penchant for high prices would be Apple Cube revisited....for as you will recall the cube also had no clearly defined market segment

[iLilana]

Originally posted by fred
A tablet produced by Apple with Apple's penchant for high prices would be Apple Cube revisited....for as you will recall the cube also had no clearly defined market segment

pricing aside

The Cube was Steve's pretty baby from his NeXT days. The Tablet is an easily implementable device that artists and office workers could utilize in countless ways. Maybe even improve handwriting legability for those of us who avoid pens at all costs. I would buy one in a second.

[fred]

Originally posted by iLilana
pricing aside

The Cube was Steve's pretty baby from his NeXT days. The Tablet is an easily implementable device that artists and office workers could utilize in countless ways. Maybe even improve handwriting legability for those of us who avoid pens at all costs. I would buy one in a second.

a market of one :D

[zim]

i agree with fred, who is the tablet marked for? i teach in the field of design, my students would not get use out of these, nor would pros and wouldn't they just confuse the consumers? there needs to be a market for it and i can't see who that is.

has there been research published that shows who is buying the pc tablets? i thought that i had read that the pc tablets were not showing promise.

also, i don't know about everyone else but i am sick of add ons, such as add on keyboards. like did anyone even use the add on keyboard for the palms? did they work? or were they more of a hassle to take out and set up?

[gunb0y]

"also, i don't know about everyone else but i am sick of add ons, such as add on keyboards. like did anyone even use the add on keyboard for the palms? did they work? or were they more of a hassle to take out and set up?"

I used a folding keyboard every day in highschool. My dad uses one for his job (when hes on break he likes to use it). If an add-on keyboard was designed right i think it would work wonderfully.

[mangoman]

Palm's folding keyboard was a fine piece of work. Really. For what it's worth...

[Websnapx2]

Tablet PC's are not being marketed properly. Right now they are aimed at High-end business. The reason they are not selling is that they cost WAY too much for an item business people aren't familiar with.

If apple aimed this for the home user and blended it in with all of the consumer level apps (iPhoto, iTunes, safari, mail, ect.) they could make a killing making more homes tech savy. Add to this that panther can support multi user logins, the idea that this is a communication device that stays in close proximity to the home (more importantly, the main prossessing computer) and is used for the light stuff you dont want to sit at a desk (or table), this is perfect.

If I can could lean back on the couch and check my email, maybe do some surfing, even video chat in the kittchen, it could be the perfect home apliance that doesn't require you to be sitting anywhare particular (a laptop still needsto be resting on something to be typed into). It's not for everyone, but like the iPod, you don't know what your missing untill steve does a keynote.

[ouketii]

i'd like apple to pump out a cheep little tablet thingi that is dependant on a desktop or notebook (itunes streaming and stuff). not like one of those stupid "windows powered remote displays" (mira) things that noone bought, but just an airport extention of yourdesktop. you could do ichat av video confrencing whereever you wanted to in your house. however, they would have to work on speach recognition, because typing w/o a keyboard is hellish

[Websnapx2]

ouketii - that is exactly what i ment.

[Frozone]

Apple could make Tablet sell if they think it out and it's done right. Personally I wished apple would have already released a Tablet because I want one.

They could make two different models.
10" Model:
15gig HD (The one the iPod uses)
128megs of Ram
700 MHz Processor
DVD Player
A slimmed down version of OS X
Airport Extreme, Bluetooth...etc..etc...

12" Model:
30gig HD(The one the iPod uses)
256megs of Ram
800 MHz Processor
DVD Player
A slimmed down version of OS X
Airport Extreme, Bluetooth...etc..etc...

Something like this could become really useful if you just think about all the possiblities.

[iLilana]

Originally posted by fred
a market of one :D

Maybe but why the heck did they go to all that trouble of Ink? Also I appear to not be the only person here who would like to have it. Maybe you don't want one but there is a market for them. Specifically those who use wacom tablet technology. I'm getting a wacom tab for my eMac but it would be fantastic to have this feature already built in to the computer. Hell, tablets should ship with the computer so people would actually use the friggin technology provided in Jaguar. OLED would be nice but the reality behind that one is far far away. If it is cheaper and apple was able to do it first, they would be able to blast the market with ultra inexpensive PB's and iBooks and once again become rulers of the world...


Before they cart me off let me say one thing

G5 Super Book

[Websnapx2]

I have been using wacom tablets for the last 5 years and I have yet to really use the Ink functionality. Not needed with a keyboard infront of you. However. the pen input has been absolutely indespensable. The stylus input has been shown in an odd light through PDA's. Using a tablet on something bigger than the size of a cassette tape is enough to make you want to throw your mouse against the wall. It's natural and it makes sense. If you havent tried it, your missing out. And it is SOOOO mush healthier for you. The tablet is the future, I'm just waiting for the present to catch up.

[Darrin Bell]

Originally posted by NNO-Stephen
good lord. just make the damn PowerBook and be done with it Apple. dont need no stinkin' tablet. if I want a tablet, i'll reach for the advil. I, for one, sure could use a tablet. As a creative professional, the thought of sitting under a tree, or at a bench at the Emeryville Marina, and drawing a week of cartoons is very appealing to me. I'd rather not stay tethered to my desktop 18 hours per day, and I'd rather not have to tote a Wacom tablet along with a laptop everywhere I go.

I think the graphic arts market would be a substantial niche for a pressure-sensitive Apple tablet.

[Websnapx2]

I was just at the emeryville store two weeks ago!! It was a 40 hour drive (i live in Winnipeg, Canada. I was visiting friends, it wasn't just for the apple store, well not really...). With a view like that I wouldn't want to be inside either.

[mproud]

Didn't Quanta get contracted to produce the new 15.4"? PowerBook screens that have been rumored about? Or was that the other company?

[jlegun21]

willing to bet that it is a rev of the 15" powerbook, maybe all 3. my guess is that we will see all 3 as g5 albooks with some kind of swivel touch/pressure sensitive screens. consider that the powerbooks are already thinner than most tablet pc's.
this could satisfy those of us who want a tablet and those who don't. aplle loves new stuff, and why not change the boring old standard portable computer into something more useful for everyone. having said that, don't expect anything like this at least until christmas

[Chilton]

The Tablet Mac is the best thing Apple could ever build, and I will be first in line to buy one.

Anyone who used a later design of the Newton knows that Apple finally got handwriting recognition 'right', just before Steve axed the project. HW Recognition itself is something that has NEVER been done since.

For those who think the concept of a tablet is to allow you to enter text with a pen, that ain't it. It's everything else. That's why a 15" PowerBook that allowed you to write on the screen would be perfect.

I have $4,000 that I will GLADLY drop on a 15" PowerBook with the ability to draw on the screen.

For those who think it would be a bad idea, consider this-- I have no use for a 17" PowerBook. So should I consider the 17" PowerBook to be a bad idea? No, definitely not. It is obviously very good for a lot of people. Ditto with the G5, since I'm on the go more than I'm at a desk. Does that mean the G5 is a bad idea? Of course not. Both are excellent products that fit certain users' needs very well.

Now consider that most graphic artists are artists away from the computer as well. Some paint, some draw, many do both. The tablet, while a nice input device, is a world away from useful to many of them, as that immediate feedback under the pen is paramount to the work itself. The Cintiq is very appealing, for that very reason. But if the Cintiq's abilities were *in* a PowerBook, right there on the screen, that would be many artists' dream.

-Chilton

[utilizer]

I told you so, or at least, my source told me so.
PB 15.4" laptop/tablet hybrid model. It might still be a special edition iBook though, that was likely and the PB wasn't due to the cost factor in these economic times. Do indeed look for it before Christmas.
I'm still skeptical nonetheless, after Steve bashed this industry so much, but as someone said, he also said it would be the death of the CRT display at Apple when the iMac 2nd generation was introduced, but the eMac is still here! :D

[cubist]

Originally posted by Websnapx2
Tablet PC's are not being marketed properly. Right now they are aimed at High-end business. The reason they are not selling is that they cost WAY too much for an item business people aren't familiar with. ...

EXACTLY RIGHT! I'm amazed it took three pages before this point came up. The present tablet PCs would sell like hotcakes if they cost less than $1000. The busy manager who can read his email in the middle of a meeting, take notes, etc., he'd love this thing - but not at Motion Computing's price of over $2K. And, as another poster mentioned, the laptop-desktop syncing problem has to be addressed.

To sync a Palm, you put it in a cradle and you press one button. That's it. I couldn't believe it when I tried a PocketPC years ago and it wasn't like that. It was clunky and cumbersome. True, the Newton isn't one-button-sync either, and never was. The Newton is quirky and incompatible with everything on earth.

The tablet, to be successful, has to have one-button syncing, and it has to be cheap and simple. It doesn't need an optical drive or a G5. It needs to have very, very long battery life. It needs to have a USB connection for a keyboard and a Firewire or Ethernet connection for syncing. It should work as an MP3 player. It needs a small hard drive. It needs to run a standard OS, though, and standard applications. I suggest a G3 and Mac OS X, but sell it as a big iPod.

We've been through all of this before, though, haven't we?

[e-coli]

what we DO need is a tablet type e-book reader. How great would it be to be able to dl the NY Times, the Tribune, some BBC headline stories, and the book you're reading to take on the train in the morning.

Seems like we should have this in 2003.

As it is, I would never cary two hulking newspapers and a book onto the subway every day. No way. A small device that served as a reader would sell like hot-cakes in urban areas.

[Toe]

Here's a different take, though admittedly complete speculation.

What if Apple produced three (or more) new products:

- iServe: a server for the home. Just a nice little G5 that sits in the closet, connects to the net, and runs WiFi and Bluetooth.

- iTuner: a docking station for the iPod that has a big amplifier, nice speakers, a CD burner, and an iTunes-looking display. Basically just a stereo that plays MP3s, connects to the Music Store, burns CDs, etc..

- iTablet: a screen, a WiFi connection, and an iBook motherboard.

Now think of all these things together. Your home now contains ONE real computer, and it sits in the closet. When you want to look something up, grab a tablet and start surfing. If you need to type something, pull a bluetooth keyboard up next to it and start typing.

Keep thinking about it. With multiple GUI logins and/or netboot, why run multiple full computers? Why not one big mama in the closet and a bunch of specialized clients?

The tablet doesn't necessarily even need much of a motherboard... it just needs to have enough computer to be a client of the home server.

And of course, you can always use your PDA, cellphone, iPod, etc. to talk to the server. And if home appliances finally get brains (like from Sun's Jini), it could talk to them too.

Once you start thinking this way, it seems like a no-brainer. And it gives Apple a good reason to produce a tablet that has nothing to do with the PDA/TabletPC market.

[Toe]

Originally posted by e-coli
what we DO need is a tablet type e-book reader. How great would it be to be able to dl the NY Times, the Tribune, some BBC headline stories, and the book you're reading to take on the train in the morning. You mean like this?

http://www.franklin.com/ebookman/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004WHFN/102-1813942-2779306

along with this...
http://www.ebooks.com/

Seems like for $100, plus some subscriptions/ebook purchases, you're set.

[GregA]

Originally posted by JoeRadar
What I would like is a bare minimum system: an LCD screen, a small CPU, small memory, a wireless card, and a stripped down OS that supported a TCP/IP protocol stack and code to draw to the screen. The price should be relatively low too.

It would essentially be a wireless X terminal (for those who remember those). The applications would actually run on a regular macintosh, and display information would be sent over the wireless connection to the MacPad. <snip>

In short, it replaces the laptop for activity while you are still "in the building" with your desktop machine. I agree with this! Cheap, portable, & powerful. And Panther's multi-user switching already keeps running the other screens in the background... so can we take over one of those background screens? (has anyone ALREADY tried taking over a background screen running Timbuktu?).

It isn't just tablets necessarily either - there are several places where a remote device would be useful. A keyboard/screen/mouse in another room? web etc on your TV (via Tivo?)?
Originally posted by Nosidda
JoeRadar I think your on the right track, but you missed the best target audience of all: Education.

The cost of putting these things into schools would be much cheaper than laptops. Then you just buy a couple Xserves to do all the data crunching via Airport Extreme. Yep... Apple could take something from history and redefine PCs... - one Xserve (without screen etc), a switch(airport?), and a bunch of low cost terminals (wired or wireless).

Back to tablet-terminals - the only thing I'd add to it would be an extended iPod functionality when away - music, iCal, emails?, pdfs & cached web.

edit: you beat me to it Toe!

[JohnStrass]

Originally posted by zim
i agree with fred, who is the tablet marked for? i teach in the field of design, my students would not get use out of these, nor would pros and wouldn't they just confuse the consumers? there needs to be a market for it and i can't see who that is.

has there been research published that shows who is buying the pc tablets? i thought that i had read that the pc tablets were not showing promise.

also, i don't know about everyone else but i am sick of add ons, such as add on keyboards. like did anyone even use the add on keyboard for the palms? did they work? or were they more of a hassle to take out and set up?
The add-on keyboard for my newton MP2100 made it a laptop replacement. Even sticking 2 things in my bag was still less th carry aroud than even a ultra small laptop,like the sony vaio we use now (piece of crap that it is...).
The iPod, with a full-face LCD in horizontal mode, would have eenought real estate to do word processing. No, I dont use one on my palm ,cus it just isnt as good.
JS

[dongmin]

Originally posted by iLilana
:rolleyes: I don't have to be anonymous. My obsession is not quite at the unhealthy stage... my shrink tells me. PLease be true. Please become real. That would also satisfy my obsession over the iPod's lack of ability to sync with a palm pilot. Tablet tablet tablet tablet... ramble ramble ramble I think I have had too many Cokes today.

Here's my left hand.... just leave my writing hand and a ping pong paddle strapped to my left wrist stump so I can hold my new tablet while writing on it.

actually I was referring to one (or more) of the Admins. It's pretty obvious that there are a plenty of people craving this tablet/pda/iphone/TiVo/iWalk/thin-client/super-pod thing.

But seriously, Arn, why do we even bother with these tablet rumors? They have been so ALL OVER THE PLACE. I think the rumors have covered just about every imaginable iGadget angle there is. Now, a 15-incher? There's so much noise. Can you filter it out some?

[jayscheuerle]

Originally posted by fred
No you didn't....but that flapping sound you heard is opportunity flying away.... Lord knows how many dollars Apple leaves on the table by NOT producing a PDA.... Jobs' semi-fanatical obsession of not producing a PDA is quite silly.... is he really that more intelligent than all the CEOs of all the computer companies ? I think not.... The world is going mobile...and Apple is being left behind.. I don't buy his idea that Apple wants to facilitate things for wireless devices (iSync, Rebdezvous etc) but not build a PDA themselves... Apple is first and foremost a hardware company

I don't know... I've never "got" PDAs and only know 4 people who have them (1 of which carries it around with him). Most people who want one have gotten it.

Of course, I don't know anybody with an iPod...

Maybe it's just my friends! :D

[wmsjb]

There are those of us who find the laptop form factor less than desireable. Not everyone wants to compute in a keyboard centric universe. There are so many scenarios where a tablet is preferable to a laptop, it's just plain stupid not to develope it. Give me a Touchscreen Apple Tablet that is every bit as powerful as the PowerBook and I'll buy it and every update thereafter. This market is real and it is the future. If you must have your precious detacheable keyboard, okay, fine, but when detached, it must become the ultimate sleek form factor: a pure slate tablet.

I have cash to spend on an Apple tablet, Steve. No compromises please. Make it kick the ass of my Fujitsu TabletPC.

YEAH!

[MattG]

The reason I bought a computer in the first place was so I didn't have to write. What would I want a tablet for?

[mangoman]

But, if you're an artist/designer who wants to flesh-out ideas quickly...

I'd be all over an Apple tablet like a fly on stink.

[jayscheuerle]

Originally posted by mangoman
But, if you're an artist/designer who wants to flesh-out ideas quickly...


There's this invention called a note-pad...:D

[mangoman]

Funny you mention that... I'm fanatical about carrying my good ol' Moleskine notebook with me. Wouldn't leave it behind any day of the week. But I'd ALSO love to carry a tablet/PDA combo (I know some of you reading this are already glazing over...).

* sigh * The tired old rant continues.

Bah! :rolleyes:

[PyroTurtle]

if it could pretty much be a remote display as well, kinda like a multi graphical login that's wireless...that's what I really want, and give the ability to switch between several computers...that would be cool...and nice pda features so i can get rid of my stupid powerbook, well, give it to my girlfriend at least....

[Ikash]

what would we do on a tablet draw, i see if your in graphics design that would be ok but otherwise i don't think so.

Will the new 15"al powerbooks come out already it seems like there taking forever. and whats this i hear steve jobs isn't gona be at macworld

[iSegway]

Originally posted by Ikash
what would we do on a tablet draw, i see if your in graphics design that would be ok but otherwise i don't think so.

Will the new 15"al powerbooks come out already it seems like there taking forever. and whats this i hear steve jobs isn't gona be at macworld

It could be an Ebook reader. Art pad, and means of inputing hand drawn notes and drawings while in class or at work.

Because you don't have easy access to a mouse and/or scanner on the go, I think this feature is a no-brainer for laptops. I would much rather navigate with a pen input that a stick or touchpad.

[Websnapx2]

Originally posted by iSegway
... I would much rather navigate with a pen input that a stick or touchpad.
couldn't have said it better myself :D

[ColoJohnBoy]

What about a 13" Widescreen Tablet? Bigger than most Tabs out there, and small enough to be easily portable. Oh well...... here's to hoping.