Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Mac Tablet with Docking Station in 2007?

Negative

There's way to many naysayers on this site. I've been a MacRumors reader for many years. It's because of this forum that I had finally switched to the Mac.

There are possibilities for a tablet that your standard notebook can not serve. Ever get an email that requires a document to be signed and sent back? Not a problem if you're near a printer and fax/scanner. I get dozens of those a day. Granted that might be a niche requirement because I work in the Real Estate and Mortgage industry.

There are countless applications though where writting is more natural than typing. Where touching is better suited than point and click.

I'm a techie. Always have been and always will be. I switched to the Mac because it allows me to do more and worry less! Simple.

I want a device that I can check email on the go, sign documents, sketch a quick idea, circle an interesting part of an article for someone to look over, browse the web with ease, control my other computers/servers, take a picture and write some notes on it so that someone can get a better idea of what I'm thinking and countless other possibilities I haven't thought of.

The reality is that what makes technology great isn't just the hardware. It's the software that compliments it! TabletPC's to date haven't done well because you have two companies working on different visions. There's the hardware manufacturer and then there's the software developer. Apple could bring it together with a complimentary OS and application bundle.

Oh and I haven't read anyone else bring up this method for keyboard entry for those neccessary moments when it just feels better.

http://www.itechdynamic.com/en/products_spec.asp?cid=7&pid=07020
 
BRLawyer said:
find me a Tablet that costs less than a small notebook. No, you won't find it, sorry...
<snip>
And where are the tablets? NOWHERE, because they only fit the bills of us freaks desiring a nice pen-based Mac...
<snip>
Construction companies have used PDAs for years, including the Newton...and that's why a mere evolution of such products is more than enough.
Click to expand...
You may have to consider that when there's a rumour "Apple is making a tablet".... that they may be making something that is not a pen-based Mac, and hence is cheaper than a small notebook. It may even be an evolution of the Newton.

You seem to spew a lot of reasons that tablets haven't worked in the past. I agree if Apple does the same as other tablet makers have in the past, it won't work. But I think we all agree with that don't we?

ps. No point abusing others' ideas.
 
iGuess said:
I want a device that I can check email on the go, sign documents, sketch a quick idea, circle an interesting part of an article for someone to look over, browse the web with ease, control my other computers/servers, take a picture and write some notes on it so that someone can get a better idea of what I'm thinking and countless other possibilities I haven't thought of.
Click to expand...

I feel like this is the sort of market Apple would go for if they do consider going into some kind of 'tablet' machine. It doesn't have to move mountains, but be simplistic in form and function. I love the portability of my laptop, but would consider buying something like this if it let me do basic web surfing, play my iTunes music/videos, check email, and write with a slide-out style keyboard. But the challenge will be if they can get it at a $499 price point; that's my limit, at any rate. :(
 
I am sure that a tablet is coming at some point. The windows based tablets appeared too soon IMHO, were over priced and the one I used was atrocious. Maybe that made Apple hold off?

Still, it's a great idea and who better to exploit it and make it work?
 
I just really haven't seen a compelling reason to spend the money for a tablet PC/Mac.

"You can write on it! And Take Notes!" Yeah...and? I can also spend 50 cents on a notebook and write on that too! Besides, I can type faster than I can write.

"Home automation!" Maybe, if I made over $300,000 a year and could afford the smugness of turning my lights on and off with a computer as opposed to a light switch.

I feel that a tablet to most people is just a giant PDA, and I really don't see myself using it for any other reason than that. I know there are business reasons to have tablets, like for nurses, or production people, etc., but for the average person, what's the revolution? Too much money for too little IMO.

An Apple PDA with a mobile OSX? Now we're talkin'.
 
BRLawyer said:
Sorry, Silicon, but your "If Apple does it, it works" argument is weak in this case...the Tablet market is simply tiny, period.

And why so? Because, instead of facing a constrained demand for music players or video players (as in the case of the iPod market), the Tablet faces NOTHING which is not already dealt with under other segments.

We have, on one hand, desktops, laptops and notebooks which fit the bill for everyone, notably if we consider the small-sub note market (10"-13").

On the other hand, we have full-fledged mobile phones and PDAs which cover the needs of those preferring portability over sheer power.

And where are the tablets? NOWHERE, because they only fit the bills of us freaks desiring a nice pen-based Mac...sorry, it's not enough for a big company like Apple to base its products on such a small audience...and I am sure their market analysis team has already done its homework.
Click to expand...

Wrong. Tablets will never exist on their own as slate devices. Again as I stated previously slate devices are vertical market devices only. Convertibles on the other hand take the best of both worlds and contain both a touchscreen AND a keyboard. As for use. Think back to college. How many drawings did you do in class? In the traditional model notebook its difficult at best to do this. Or how about business meetings? I've done more scribbling then I can count as we work out network topology designs.
Again I've used Microsoft's implementation of a tablet PC. To be blunt its a Bill G's pet project. That is all. Its XP with a few tweaked apps designed to work better on a tablet. No one has come because MS hasn't put ANY real resources into the project. Hell they let a memory leak languish in the tablet PC for over 6 months even though they were fully aware of it. That had TPC users screeching like mad.
People will come if someone does it right and with the patents that Apple has made over the last 2 years that do pertain to a tablet interface I believe that Apple is on the right track. Much more so then Microsoft who is tied up in Vista development.

iGuess said:
Oh and I haven't read anyone else bring up this method for keyboard entry for those neccessary moments when it just feels better.

http://www.itechdynamic.com/en/products_spec.asp?cid=7&pid=07020
Click to expand...


I used one of those with my Pocket PC (See sig.) It is overhyped tech. In even moderate sunlight the keyboard gets washed out. Also for anyone who is used to touch typing is pretty much screwed since well there is no feedback. I di figure a way around this by taking the membrane out of a dead keyboard and placing it under the light. Worked a bit better, albeit the keys were still a little off, but that would be another thing you need to take with you.
 
bigandy said:
i don't think it would appeal to that many people, to have an apple tablet.

i mean, the PC/Win versions aren't great sellers...
Click to expand...

Probably used more for medical infomatics applications than anything else. Here at the nursing college I work for we are always evaluating Windoze tablet computers for medical applications. Sure would be nice to see a Mac alternative out there.
 
It does seem like wishful thinking...

I would love one and would buy a tablet from apple if they came out with one. I take notes on all sorts of stuff, and its not efficient to scan my scribbles into a computer. I'm not a fast typer and frankly typing is harder on my hands than writing. As far as PDA's go they are not bad but the screens are too small for me and dont seem powerful enough (my experience with a dell axim).

I've been tempted by PC tablets, but they are often underpowered, limited to 14" screens, and fragile. I think if you got rid of these issues they would be a good all in one solution as opposed to the hybrid laptop/handheld that tablets are now which seems to combine the worst of both worlds.

Will apple release this? Only if they can find an angle, to convince consumers to buy it. It does seem like wishful thinking...:(
 
Since Apple is now doing more form factor differentiation than chip differentiation, they should come out with a tablet product line (3 sizes) and see where it goes. They will likely sell more copies than 17 inch MacBookPros so it should be economical.

By simply offering the product line, they wil get user feedback and increased capability versions year after year.

The Windows equivalent devices seem to start from scratch every year.

Rocketman
 
Personal Portable Tablet

I see the tablet as a convergence between a PDA, Video iPod and Remote Mac.
It should connected through Wifi to your desktop computer and have the most up to date info available. You would be able to view everything you have on your Mac and stream it to your iTV or beamers (with the help of a dongle).
It would be great if you could wirelesly connect it to your camera so the metadate is immediately copied to the handheld and you could do some realtime editing of it (by voice perhaps?).

I would love it being made in the shape of a pocket book. The thick part would be a touch screen and you could have a flat keyboard on the inside of the flap for the occational text entry

The 2 most important things for this to succeed would be the power life and effortless connection to other appliances. I don't want to specify each time when I connect something what the appliance is - Cell phone, camera, printer etc - I don't even want to know it is connecting to something - anything of mine that is in the neighborhood should be there and used.
 
justflie said:
Interesting I guess. But is there really a home/consumer market for this? I could see it working for artists and other professionals of that nature, but I know more than a few people that own PC tablets that hardly ever use them as such.
Click to expand...

Excluding the pro and business market is what puzzles me. I can see photographers, artists and others taking advantage of a light pen to draw, anotate, and edit photos. I can see all sorts of people bringing them into meetings to write notes and do presentations connected to a projector. I do not see it being that useful in the home market (other than as a standard computer), but what the heck do I know.

If it provids full laptop functionality (-minus keyboard) and a light pen with solid hand writting recognition, I would certainly consider purchasing. But don't skimp on power, needs those 2GH Core2 duo's) and a decent 3d video card. Great on the airplane also.

Most home authomation if I remeber correctly is based on X10 or something like that. If it is different than X10, then they would need to also sell little devices that connects to lights and other electical devices so they can be remotely controlled.

I just want it as a hacking device...... Full power.
 
Fantastic - Apple has to make a rugged version with handles! Or even design a few different cases to put the Mac Tablet in!
 
I would sell my Macbook in an instant to buy a MacTablet.

It'd be the perfect tool for Illustrators and CG artists.
 
BRLawyer said:
Sorry, your argument is also insufficient. Construction companies have used PDAs for years, including the Newton...and that's why a mere evolution of such products is more than enough. If you think ONE anecdotal evidence of a company adopting advanced technologies is enough, think again.

For 99% of the market needing portability (including construction, engineering, delivery companies, logistics integrators and the like), people will go either "notebook" or "advanced PDA"...the Tablet is right in-between, squeezed among 2 MUCH clearer choices. "Footprint" and "technology" are pretty much covered by both poles...and not by a vaporware Tablet.

Origami = Tablet = Flop...never forget this.
Click to expand...

It is always so refreshing to meet someone who knows more about your business than you do. I was going to respond to this, but have decided to just accept you do not like tablets, and nothing is going to change your mind. :mad:
 
SMM said:
It is always so refreshing to meet someone who knows more about your business than you do. I was going to respond to this, but have decided to just accept you do not like tablets, and nothing is going to change your mind. :mad:
Click to expand...

Nope. Tablets are indeed interesting, and I am sure Apple would do a great job at relaunching them...I just think there is no real market for them, as they are just squeezed between powerful notes and powerful PDAs/cellphones...not to mention that handwriting recognition is still NOT up to par.

Besides, most mock-ups here show a rather enhanced iPod, than a REAL tablet...so this means most people want/need only a grown-up PDA, instead of a tablet as such...and I couldn't agree more.
 
zac4mac said:
Just to add a little fuel to the fire - I found this on MacSurfer - likely another source, sounded a little different. The plot thickens...

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Automation/Display_Panels?Article=/Automation/Display Panels/H9R6N2M2
Click to expand...
The original article here is based on this smarthouse article, and has a link to it :) So unfortunately, the plot stays the same :)

EagerDragon said:
Excluding the pro and business market is what puzzles me. I can see photographers, artists and others taking advantage of a light pen to draw, anotate, and edit photos. I can see all sorts of people bringing them into meetings to write notes and do presentations connected to a projector. I do not see it being that useful in the home market (other than as a standard computer), but what the heck do I know.
Click to expand...
What the hell do any of us know :). Interesting to speculate though.

I'll have to ask my partner about the graphics stuff - she's a high end graphic designer and a painter. My first thought is "the touch screen can't mimic her hand tools"... I figure that the accuracy of where she's touching the screen, the pressure she's exerting etc, will not be enough for real work

EagerDragon said:
If it provids full laptop functionality (-minus keyboard) and a light pen with solid hand writting recognition, I would certainly consider purchasing. But don't skimp on power, needs those 2GH Core2 duo's) and a decent 3d video card. Great on the airplane also.
Click to expand...
There is a market for this (not for me), but if they do this then developers will write for it as if it's a laptop... they'll keep thinking inside the box. And if the software is written for a laptop but works on a tablet, many people will simply buy a laptop.

I can't forsee the other applications possible, but if Apple forces a shift in user and developers thinking then there's room for some great stuff. So far I've assumed the way to do this is to not be full power but fill a different niche (at least to start)... I may be wrong.

EagerDragon said:
Most home authomation if I remeber correctly is based on X10 or something like that. If it is different than X10, then they would need to also sell little devices that connects to lights and other electical devices so they can be remotely controlled.
Click to expand...
Yeah, hopefully Apple would pick one of the standards and work with that - even if they also sell little devices to plug into lights etc. It's useful to be able to put a different brand in occassionally.
 
SiliconAddict said:
Wrong. Tablets will never exist on their own as slate devices. Again as I stated previously slate devices are vertical market devices only. Convertibles on the other hand take the best of both worlds and contain both a touchscreen AND a keyboard. As for use. Think back to college. How many drawings did you do in class? In the traditional model notebook its difficult at best to do this. Or how about business meetings? I've done more scribbling then I can count as we work out network topology designs.
Click to expand...

HP's TC1100, a tablet PC I had for about 2 years is a slate with a removable keyboard that also acts a convertible. I think it is the best design of both worlds. I use it for art and just love it in slate mode. My main gripe is the lack of fat buttons on the side for hot keys. I think this tablet (in slate mode) is the best looking portable anywhere...PC or Macs. But I would pick (big buttons) function over looks.

Again I've used Microsoft's implementation of a tablet PC. To be blunt its a Bill G's pet project. That is all. Its XP with a few tweaked apps designed to work better on a tablet. No one has come because MS hasn't put ANY real resources into the project. Hell they let a memory leak languish in the tablet PC for over 6 months even though they were fully aware of it. That had TPC users screeching like mad.
People will come if someone does it right and with the patents that Apple has made over the last 2 years that do pertain to a tablet interface I believe that Apple is on the right track. Much more so then Microsoft who is tied up in Vista development.
Click to expand...

MS heavily implemented tablet function into Vista. From login, explorer, writing, etc. I upgraded my HD to 7200rpm and installed Vista RC2 and it ran better than when it had XP. For long docs, I heavily relied on a keyboard, but with Vista, it's very easy to write long docs. Before, I wouldn't recommend tablet to anybody doing long docs, but Vista change my mind.

Why, it don't sell well? There's a lot of good reasons. Power, weak video card, and onother reason is I feel Tablet pc weren't displayed correctly. I would go to an Electronic store and they would have them displayed like normal laptops with weak spec and heavy price. One has to look very carefully to realize they're looking at a tablet...very easily to by pass. I think UMPC is also going through the same problem. I can't find one, how can I buy one?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back