Apple Tablet Rumblings (again)...

MacRumors · 01:58 PM

Several readers have noted that Gizmodo.com has posted a small blurb that TaiwanHighTech.com:

Quote:

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) rumor originally reported by a Chinese news article (udn.com).

g30ffr3y · Jun 30, 2003, 01:55 PM

not the tablet again...

Bettista · Jun 30, 2003, 01:58 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:02 PM

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

gopher · Jun 30, 2003, 02:04 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Macrumors
Several readers have noted that Gizmodo.com has posted a small blurb that TaiwanHighTech.com:

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) rumor originally reported by a Chinese news article (udn.com).

Uggggh.

I hope this is just a rumor.

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

syntax · Jun 30, 2003, 02:13 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:14 PM

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

Pete_Hoover · Jun 30, 2003, 02:14 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:14 PM

Looks like someone is smoking crack again...

JohnStrass · Jun 30, 2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:17 PM

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

JoeRadar · Jun 30, 2003, 02:19 PM

Quote:

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:20 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:22 PM

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!

P-Worm

Nosidda · Jun 30, 2003, 02:29 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:29 PM

Quote:

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:33 PM

... 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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:33 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:35 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:36 PM

Quote:

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

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

JoeRadar · Jun 30, 2003, 02:47 PM

Quote:

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:47 PM

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 · Jun 30, 2003, 02:49 PM

Quote:

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

Slow news day. Next up, something from MacWhispers!

Jerry Spoon · Jun 30, 2003, 02:53 PM

Just as the buzz from WWDC starts to die down a bit, here come the tablet rumors again

I'll put money that by the end of July we'll hear a pda rumor too

Jun 30, 2003, 01:55 PM	#2
g30ffr3y macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: buffalo ny	not the tablet again... __________________ 933 quicksilver gig ram gig tibook gig ram 01.29.04 begin 01.29.07 engage 05.17.08 forever

Jun 30, 2003, 02:04 PM	#5
gopher macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Maryland, USA	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. __________________ [url=http://www.macmaps.com/mac.html]http://www.macmaps.com/mac.html [url]

Jun 30, 2003, 02:14 PM	#8
gwuMACaddict macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: washington dc	boooooo! hissssss! i would MUCH prefer to see a 15in. powerbook upgrade. i'm not putting much stock in the rumor. __________________ *"if everyone is thinking alike, then someone isn't thinking"*

Jun 30, 2003, 02:14 PM	#9
Pete_Hoover macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2003	Apple Tablet? 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. __________________ -Pete You need an adapter.

Jun 30, 2003, 02:17 PM	#12
Abstract macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: It's classified.	Hmmm.....maybe its a tablet with a keyboard attached!! Yeah, that's right!! Hey, then Jobs can call it the 15" Powerbook!!! __________________ "Oh, I've always wanted to touch Stanley," signs teacher Fran Zakoor, embracing the kids… ESPN Article, 04/09/2008

Jun 30, 2003, 01:58 PM	#3
Bettista macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2003	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...

Jun 30, 2003, 02:02 PM	#4
Chef Ramen macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2002	and this is on the main page because....?

Jun 30, 2003, 02:13 PM	#7
syntax macrumors newbie Join Date: May 2002	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.

Jun 30, 2003, 02:14 PM	#10
dswoodley macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002	Looks like someone is smoking crack again...

Jun 30, 2003, 02:20 PM	#14
Das macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2003	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.

Jun 30, 2003, 02:22 PM	#15
P-Worm macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Salt Lake City, UT	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! P-Worm __________________ Follow my show The Movie Audit as well as watch my other videos on my YouTube Channel!

Jun 30, 2003, 02:29 PM	#16
Nosidda macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2003	RE: JoeRadar 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.

Jun 30, 2003, 02:33 PM	#18
arainert macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Brooklyn, NY	*Maybe it isn't just* a tablet...** ... 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 ...

Jun 30, 2003, 02:35 PM	#20
Macpoops macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: PA	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)

Jun 30, 2003, 02:47 PM	#23
NNO-Stephen macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma	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. __________________ ~Stephen~ My GamerCard

Jun 30, 2003, 02:53 PM	#25
Jerry Spoon macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Historic St. Charles	Just as the buzz from WWDC starts to die down a bit, here come the tablet rumors again I'll put money that by the end of July we'll hear a pda rumor too

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