Apple Tablet Computer?

[jonhoffm]

portable video & music?

Perhaps since Apple has become the recognized market leader in the portable music player market with the ipod as well as the market leader with the itunes music store, they are going after the video market as well.

They already know how to market this type of product and would be sure to implement it with the style we all expect from Apple. Others are entering the market with PVPs - Apple may perceive these devices as a threat or successor the the MP3 player.

Some question the attraction of a portable video player, but with the recent FCC approval of TiVo sharing, these devices could become a commuters dream - movies, broadcast television, your iphoto library, imovie clips with you all the time. This seems to me like a natural extension of the MP3 player and would provide Apple an opportunity to introduce Windows users to more of the ilife suite.

As a footnote, the inclusion of H.264/AVC in Tiger would work well with such a device.

 

[Les Kern]

As my first post on these forums, I know this may draw some fire, but I have found my Toshiba M200 tablet to be a great tool. Not only do I carry my entire music collection on my iPod. I carry the notes for every meeting and phone call I have ever taken since adopting the Tablet.

Is it perfect - no. Could a better platform for a tablet be developed by Apple using OS X - definitely. It always amazes me when Apple lovers (which I am as well) site poor sales as proof the MSFT failed and that the idea is inherently flawed - by that measure, one must conclude that OS X is a terrible operating system since it has under 5% of the OS market. Where MSFT has come up short is with a killer app - they need one badly for the Tablet and are getting closer with OneNote.

I would guess at least 95% of those critical of the MS Tablet have never touched a working tablet let alone applied one to their daily professional life.

Those who conclude regarding the viability and usefulness of products they have never used become pretty quiet once they find themselves using the technology and touting it as great. Then, ironically, they criticize others who don't see the technology as valuable.

Well said. And don't worry about "drawing fire". You post was well thought out, and has no holes as far as I can see. (I still hate tablets after usng one, however!)

 

[apple juice]

tablet- or iPhoto frame?

Hmmm, based on the dimensions described so far, it almost sounds like it could be a digital picture frame. Imagine an apple picture frame! It could be the "ipod" of iPhoto! It could be an 802.11g connection to your home computer. I could run slideshows automatically over wi-fi, based on pix in your Pictures Folder. That would be another huge step into apple's home integration plan. talk about iLife. That would be sexy! And it would work beautifully with Airport Express! I'm getting psyched already! I don't think Apple is going to venture into the tablet market, but this woulld be something different wouldn't it? What do you guys think? I haven't read ALL of the posts on this thread, I don't have that kind of time, so this is my guess/hope for this product.

-apple juice

 

[salmon]

Hmmm, based on the dimensions described so far, it almost sounds like it could be a digital picture frame. Imagine an apple picture frame! It could be the "ipod" of iPhoto! It could be an 802.11g connection to your home computer. I could run slideshows automatically over wi-fi, based on pix in your Pictures Folder. That would be another huge step into apple's home integration plan. talk about iLife. That would be sexy! And it would work beautifully with Airport Express! I'm getting psyched already! I don't think Apple is going to venture into the tablet market, but this woulld be something different wouldn't it? What do you guys think? I haven't read ALL of the posts on this thread, I don't have that kind of time, so this is my guess/hope for this product.

-apple juice

I don't know, I think that if Apple is going to make something like this, they'll try to make it as versatile as possible (but without trying to be all things to all people). I can't imagine it just being a digital picture frame/personal video player, I think it would be some type of full-fledged computing device that could be used at home or away (but probably optimized for at home).

While I'm sure it would INCLUDE the functionality you describe, I doubt it would be limited to it.

 

[zelmo]

I don't know, I think that if Apple is going to make something like this, they'll try to make it as versatile as possible (but without trying to be all things to all people). I can't imagine it just being a digital picture frame/personal video player, I think it would be some type of full-fledged computing device that could be used at home or away (but probably optimized for at home).

While I'm sure it would INCLUDE the functionality you describe, I doubt it would be limited to it.

I don't know if this will be a real product anytime soon, but if it does come to market, count on this:
1 - Apple will not make it a Swiss army knife solution. It willl do two or three things really, really well [iPhoto frame, iTunes remote, maybe light duty email access a la PDA).
2 - It won't step on the toes of Apple's 'Book sales much at all. These are very profitable lines, and they won't sacrifice sales here voluntarily.
3 - No high quality streaming video. It won't magically solve the bandwidth issue that others [who know far, far more than I] have discussed at length on this thread. Maybe it would have that 60gig drive and a FW port.

Say, maybe this will be that "one more thing" in Paris? yeah, right.

 

[iMan]

I don't know if this will be a real product anytime soon, but if it does come to market, count on this:
1 - Apple will not make it a Swiss army knife solution. It willl do two or three things really, really well [iPhoto frame, iTunes remote, maybe light duty email access a la PDA).
2 - It won't step on the toes of Apple's 'Book sales much at all. These are very profitable lines, and they won't sacrifice sales here voluntarily.
3 - No high quality streaming video. It won't magically solve the bandwidth issue that others [who know far, far more than I] have discussed at length on this thread. Maybe it would have that 60gig drive and a FW port.

Say, maybe this will be that "one more thing" in Paris? yeah, right.

Agreed! Probably it will be an extension of the computer you already have. My guess it might as well be crossplatform (as AX and iTunes/iPod). I am not sure it will feature a large harddrive though... I believe rather in wireless connection - streaming content from the computer - or rather just controlling the computer for some features (like music and video). I suspect the AX is soon going to also support video (as iTunes as well...). Also internet access and mail functions - only working like some kind of remote desktop...

 

[dahacouk]

Apple 8 Inch PowerBook

All this talk of an 8 inch device got me thinking. Could Apple build an 8 inch PowerBook running full blown OS X? And if they could would people want it? From a brief investigation I reckon Apple could build such a unit and from reading people's comments I reckon there's a market for it. Heck, I'd buy one like a shot!

So, I put down some specifications for what I'd like in the hope that Apple will sort it out for me:
http://www.daha.co.uk/daha/Apple_8_Inch_PowerBook

Cheers Daniel

 

[Chomolungma]

practical use?

I don't know if this will be a real product anytime soon, but if it does come to market, count on this:
1 - Apple will not make it a Swiss army knife solution. It willl do two or three things really, really well [iPhoto frame, iTunes remote, maybe light duty email access a la PDA).
2 - It won't step on the toes of Apple's 'Book sales much at all. These are very profitable lines, and they won't sacrifice sales here voluntarily.
3 - No high quality streaming video. It won't magically solve the bandwidth issue that others [who know far, far more than I] have discussed at length on this thread. Maybe it would have that 60gig drive and a FW port.

Say, maybe this will be that "one more thing" in Paris? yeah, right.

the device that you are describing here has virtually no practical use. I can't imagine carrying a iPhoto frame around with me. prints in a traditional album is still the prefer way. iTunes remote? what does this function solve? If I can't think of a way to use it immediately, it is a bad sign. Light email access? Just go to your desk or laptop for this. How hard can this be? Okay, if you have a weight problem, and find it difficult to get off the couch.

I think sometime we forget the one rule in invention i.e. if a machine or device fails to make our life easier; it will never make it off the drawing board.

 

[iMan]

the device that you are describing here has virtually no practical use. I can't imagine carrying a iPhoto frame around with me. prints in a traditional album is still the prefer way. iTunes remote? what does this function solve? If I can't think of a way to use it immediately, it is a bad sign. Light email access? Just go to your desk or laptop for this. How hard can this be? Okay, if you have a weight problem, and find it difficult to get off the couch.

I think sometime we forget the one rule in invention i.e. if a machine or device fails to make our life easier; it will never make it off the drawing board.

So you are the one proofing new inventions?
I think most certainly a device like this has a lot to it! You will - in time - have a lot of digital pictures (maybe even movies) that is not going to make prints. Still it would be nice to show friends sometime - especially if it is readily available. If your computer is located in the basement or another room it is not as easy as if you can still sit in the couch. Also, iTunes remote is the one thing I miss after AX (and I have my PB in the living room!). If I could have a lighteight device that somehow featured controlling iTunes could show pictures from my iPhoto library, could access my mail and also the net - and maybe a couple other associated features (at a decent pricepoint) I would buy it. I could actually really use it right now!

 

[salmon]

2 - It won't step on the toes of Apple's 'Book sales much at all. These are very profitable lines, and they won't sacrifice sales here voluntarily.

You're right, I don't think it would be a replacement for a 'book or desktop - it would have to complement it. So something that can be used for general, light-duty computing, probably a bit more than current PDAs are capable of. Maybe something like a G3-500, single active app (a la PalmOS), 1 USB, 1 FW, 40GB HD, Wifi, 6-8" touch screen, ~500g (1lb) weight, MP3 player abilities, and some type of pull down or fold out keyboard. This wouldn't challenge an iBook or Powerbook, IMO. It could be used around the house, and if you didn't mind carrying it around, you could take it with you out around.

How about some thoughts on use-cases of a devices like above?

BTW, I really don't understand the continuing mention of an iTunes remote control - I'm sure a company could put together something simple (a USB IR device, with a remote, for $50cdn or less) and it would be great, but isn't a device that would cost multi hundreds WAY overkill? Could someone who believes in this idea give me a better understanding as to why they think it is a marketable product? Or am I just misunderstanding...

 

[iMan]

BTW, I really don't understand the continuing mention of an iTunes remote control - I'm sure a company could put together something simple (a USB IR device, with a remote, for $50cdn or less) and it would be great, but isn't a device that would cost multi hundreds WAY overkill? Could someone who believes in this idea give me a better understanding as to why they think it is a marketable product? Or am I just misunderstanding...

Oh yes.. and there are already devices out there (like what you can do with Salling). The thing is that it is not supposed to ONLY be the iTunes remote (besides the fact that iTunes interface take a pretty advenced remote to get full feature). What about when iTunes (or something like it) also incorporates movies - how great would it be to controll it from your chair rather than walk over to the computer? And if using your Mac as a "video recorder"?
Other uses:
- iChat AV (including some kind of link to your doorcam)
- accessing mail / web / Web TV conveniently from odd places (kitchen, bathroom, garage, pool...)
- showing off you iPhoto collection like a digital album (or even controlling it for TV viewing)
- remote desktop for you other computer (you need to e-mail a file on the computer in the den when sitting by the pool - convenient if you have a really large house
- making quick notes / sketches wherever you are (and of course sending to others..)

...

more?

 

[Squire]

BTW, I really don't understand the continuing mention of an iTunes remote control - I'm sure a company could put together something simple (a USB IR device, with a remote, for $50cdn or less) and it would be great, but isn't a device that would cost multi hundreds WAY overkill? Could someone who believes in this idea give me a better understanding as to why they think it is a marketable product? Or am I just misunderstanding...

Good point. Every time I think of this, I wonder if Apple will simply release a truly amazing PDA that controls iTunes. Of course, they'd have to call it something other than a PDA.

Squire

 

[salmon]

- iChat AV (including some kind of link to your doorcam)

Now THAT's a cool idea Of course, a control for the gate and door locks would be needed too...

 

[iMan]

Now THAT's a cool idea Of course, a control for the gate and door locks would be needed too...

Sure it will. And it will also have a personal message if not at home (obviously the doorcam has a face recognition feature that will know if it is a friend calling...) and the possibility for the visitor to leave a videomsg to you.
In fact - this kind of device already exist as part of a homesystem (besides the recog thingie), so it is not that far fetched...

 

[thatwendigo]

You're right, I don't think it would be a replacement for a 'book or desktop - it would have to complement it. So something that can be used for general, light-duty computing, probably a bit more than current PDAs are capable of. Maybe something like a G3-500, single active app (a la PalmOS), 1 USB, 1 FW, 40GB HD, Wifi, 6-8" touch screen, ~500g (1lb) weight, MP3 player abilities, and some type of pull down or fold out keyboard. This wouldn't challenge an iBook or Powerbook, IMO. It could be used around the house, and if you didn't mind carrying it around, you could take it with you out around.

Well, if you look back a ways:

No, this is ultracompact,. It's 4.9" x 3.4" x .9" and a svelte 14 ounces. The display is 800x400 native WVGA, with an optional external video link to another, larger display, FireWire 400, 802.11b. headphone jacks, pen input, removable battery (2-6 hour life), a docking station (USB 2.0, FireWire, Ethernet, DC power, Audio Out). The HD has an autodetect for when it falls, so that the platters park to prevent head crash. The screen slides to reveal a keyboard beneath, and a smart light-detector keeps the backlight at a steady level based on your environment.

The reason I won't use one: It runs Windows.

Were Apple to offer something like this, I would sell my laptop and desktop and buy one, along with an external FireWire drive and an LCD to use at home. It's so close to what I consider the perfect ideal for modern computing that I would gladly pay PowerBook prices for one, G4 or not.

So, I give you my true wish for what Apple ought to replace the iMac with:

Apple iMac II
1.5ghz FreeScale MPC7447A or 2.0ghz single-core e600/VX
896x600 WXGA LCD
512 MB PC2700 RAM (expandable to 2GB)
40GB 7200 RPM shock-mounted drive
802.11g
BlueTooth
FireWire 400 & 800 (1 port each)
USB 2.0 (1 port)
3.5mm audio out jack
Built-in mic
Pen entry
Lithium polymer battery (3-4 hours of life)
6" x 4" x 1" and less than 2 pounds

Docking Station
2x 3.5" bays with SATA controller (1 80GB drive installed)
1x IDE optical (1 8x SuperDrive installed)
AGP 8x and/or PCI-Extreme to drive external monitor (Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB installed)
4 USB 2.0
2 FireWire 400
2 FireWire 800
ADC & DVI connectors
Built-in 802.11g transmitter
Gigabit Ethernet
Charging Cradle/Interface Dock
1' x 2' x 6"

Total cost: $1,500-2,000 base model, with BTO options.

The docking station would hold the screen up so that the unit is usable in that mode, or you can press a button to close it down and output all video to the external monitor. The interface would be a modified version of rackmount C-PCI blade backplanes, which allow incredible, hot-swappable I/O speeds and power throughput. It wouldn't increase overhead on the portable unit because all it needs is the pathways to allow transfer, since power and controllers would be on the dock and not in it.​

 

[zelmo]

the device that you are describing here has virtually no practical use. I can't imagine carrying a iPhoto frame around with me. prints in a traditional album is still the prefer way. iTunes remote? what does this function solve? If I can't think of a way to use it immediately, it is a bad sign. Light email access? Just go to your desk or laptop for this. How hard can this be? Okay, if you have a weight problem, and find it difficult to get off the couch.

I think sometime we forget the one rule in invention i.e. if a machine or device fails to make our life easier; it will never make it off the drawing board.

I have tons of digital pictures in iPhoto. When I visit my Mom [who has no computer at her house] to show her the latest pics of her grandson, I have a couple of options. I can take the time/expense to print out photo's [and will do this for the really good ones], or I can let her view them on the camera viewer [ewww!] or on my Palm T3, or I can lug my laptop [which is what I do]. My mom is not even a little computer savvy, nor is she inclined to become so at this stage of her life. Handling the laptop makes her nervous. A $600 device with a small screen, which can hold a few photo's and be used as a digital photo album or frame, would be easier to tote for me, and simpler to interface with for her. Sure, I can organize the images and burn a dvd for her, but something simpler to put together would be handy.
An iTunes controller? I'd love to able to sit on my deck and control what is playing through the speakers without getting up and going to the computer, and sometimes I don't want to leave my laptop laying on the picnic table around tall sticky drinks and the kids who spill them.
Ligtht computing and email? working with spreadsheets and Word docs on my Palm is a pain, and I sure don't like walking around the printing plant taking inventory with my PB. Something in the middle wwould be helpful.
Seems to me like this kind of device would play well for introducing the potential of a digital hub to those who don't already buy into the dream, while affording those of who are there with a simple means to accomplish common tasks.

 

[firestarter]

All this talk of an 8 inch device got me thinking. Could Apple build an 8 inch PowerBook running full blown OS X? And if they could would people want it? From a brief investigation I reckon Apple could build such a unit and from reading people's comments I reckon there's a market for it. Heck, I'd buy one like a shot!

So, I put down some specifications for what I'd like in the hope that Apple will sort it out for me:
http://www.daha.co.uk/daha/Apple_8_Inch_PowerBook

Cheers Daniel

I sure hope so!!! Apple are really missing a small laptop from their range - over 2kg for the lightest is just too much. They'd sell a load in the Japanese market too - I'm sure it would be worth their while.

I'd really like a lighter laptop to take on holiday (for WiFi email and digital photography). The thought of buying a Windows machine is too depressing.

 

[dahacouk]

Apple 8 Inch PowerBook update...

Hi thatwendigo,

I've added in some of your ideas and clarified some of the specifications for an Apple 8 Inch PowerBook. One place where you and I really differ is on the idea of a docking station - not into it personally - would prefer to have an all-in-one unit.

Were Apple to offer something like this, I would sell my laptop and desktop and buy one, along with an external FireWire drive and an LCD to use at home. It's so close to what I consider the perfect ideal for modern computing that I would gladly pay PowerBook prices for one, G4 or not.

Agreed! ;-)

1.5ghz FreeScale MPC7447A or 2.0ghz single-core e600/VX

Not sure if we need to specify but I've added them in anyway.

896x600 WXGA LCD

I want a slightly bigger screen than this:

Diagonal: 8 inches
Horizontal Resolution: 1440 pixels
Vertical Resolution: 900 pixels
Width: 6.78 inches - 172.31 mm
Height: 4.24 inches - 107.70 mm
Dots Per Inch: 212.26
Dot Pitch: 0.12 mm
Total Pixels: 1296000
Aspect Ratio: 16:10

512 MB PC2700 RAM (expandable to 2GB)

Cool. Added that in too.

FireWire 400 & 800 (1 port each)

I've just said 2 x 800 ports as they are backwards compatible.

USB 2.0 (1 port)

I've said 2 ports.

3.5mm audio out jack

I've rather gone to town with audio:

Audio input: microphone (plug in power)/optical digital/line (stereo 3.5 mm mini-jack)
Audio output: headphone/optical digital/line (stereo 3.5 mm mini-jack)

Built-in mic

Added that in.

Lithium polymer battery (3-4 hours of life)

I also want to be able to swap in AAs just in case there is no mains to recharge from.

6" x 4" x 1" and less than 2 pounds

I'm saying slightly larger:

Width: 6.78 inches - 172.31 mm
Length: 4.24 inches - 107.70 mm
Height: Less than 1.5 inches - 38.1 mm

Docking Station

I reckon you could get all the functionality you want by either bringing more connectors into the PowerBook or just plugging in separate devices. Doing it this way you have more options, me thinks.

2x 3.5" bays with SATA controller (1 80GB drive installed)
1x IDE optical (1 8x SuperDrive installed)

Could plug in external drives via Firewire to the PowerBook.

AGP 8x and/or PCI-Extreme to drive external monitor (Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB installed)

I'm sure you could drive a 1920 x 1200 screen using the chip set built-in to the PowerBook.

4 USB 2.0
2 FireWire 400
2 FireWire 800

Could do this with hubs as required.

ADC & DVI connectors

Just need a DVI-I connector as current PowerBooks. Allows you to drive 1920 x 1200 LCD and, with a converter, VGA. I've got a feeling ADC is on the way out as a connector

Built-in 802.11g transmitter

I'm guessing you mean AirPort Extreme Base Station here, yes? In which case I don't see the need for it to be built in.

Gigabit Ethernet

Built-in.

Total cost: $1,500-2,000 base model, with BTO options.

Sounds good to me.

Now, where's that red phone direct to Steve Jobs gone?!?!?!? ;-)

Cheers Daniel

 

[Chomolungma]

Stolen PowerBook

No coincident, but I got my PowerBook stolen from my truck 3 days ago. Mistakenly lefted unlock for an hour at home. All my pictures and music were on it. My roommate notice that I seem to take this casually. Sure, it is a loss, but I think it is an opportunity to generate new pictures and start a new music library. However, I'm not eager to rush out and get a new PowerBook. Work provides computers for me even while traveling. I'm thinking about going retro! Pencil, paper and snail mail anyone?

-Chomo

 

[thatwendigo]

Hi thatwendigo,

I've added in some of your ideas and clarified some of the specifications for an Apple 8 Inch PowerBook. One place where you and I really differ is on the idea of a docking station - not into it personally - would prefer to have an all-in-one unit.

I've seen your ideas since I originally posted that idea (several months ago), and I can understand where you're coming from. However, I disagree on things as fundamental as purpose and target market, so I think that our ideas are going to not entirely mesh.

In the spirit of friendly discussion, though, I'm going to modify my idea. My dream:

Apple FlexMac (the name I originally applied to this concept)
FreeScale dual-core 1.5-2.0ghz e600
8" diagonal EM LCD (1200x900 max resoltion, 4:3 aspect)
512MB PC2700 DDR RAM (2 slots open and installed in pairs, 2x256 soldered onboard, 2.5GB max)
40GB 7200RPM 2.5" accelerometer-locking HD (the largest 7200RPM drives are 60GB, and the 2.5" format is JUST getting to 100GB at this point)
ATI Radeon 9700 Mobile 128MB
Built-in 802.11g and Bluetooth (disablable, for security)
FireWire 400 x1, FireWire 800 x1
USB 2.0 x1
Analog Audio in/out
Built-in mic
Built-in video pickup (possibly an iSight, sans the need for FireWire?)
Built-in gigabit ethernet (using the e600's interface instead of other controllers)
Built-in sheathe/cradle for the pointer, which is EM instead of touch and helps preserve the screen surface.
Lithium-Polymer Battery with at least 4 hours of life, even with WiFi active.

Dimensions: 8" w x 5" h x 1.5" d
Weight: Less than three pounds.

Software to be included as a special package:

-Apple VoIP app to remove any complaint about phone, bundled with a special rate from a major carrier that signs on to support Apple in exchange for customer.
-Auto-detecting security that locks the screen and interface at a predetermined time without a presence in front of the camera, optionally active or disabled.
-Voiceprint passwords, optional.
-Light version of Apple Remote Desktop that's limited to only 2 clients, allowing for full VNC.
-Remote control functions and easy networking to iTunes, iPhoto, DVD Player, Quicktime, and other media apps. This requires new Apple iSafe technology be enabled, using 1024-bit transparent encryption to keep the content locked while between machines. DVDs and digital movies would be pre-cached on the FlexMac's harddrive or loaded before watching, not streamed realtime.​

Hardware options:

-Docking station - CPCI interface slot under covered port on unit provides interface to internal drive bays (2x SATA), DVI and VGA out to drive a monitor, four more USB 2.0 ports, 2 more FireWire ports (one of each), optical SPDIF in/out.​

There's probably more, but I work third shift now and it's getting "late" for me.

Base cost: $1,899

 

[Blackguard]

I wrote to Apple a short while ago, passing them on some links from an emerging segment of the market for portable PCs, the handtops.

The idea is a fully functional PC, with a standard version of the OS, that is at or slightly larger than your typical Palm device. You have a dock at home to which you attach all your peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.) to give you a fully functional PC and on the road you use the screen itself (6-7" diagonal would be perfect, IMO) as a touchscreen with a pen. It is WiFi capable, sports USB 2.0, Firewire and all the toys.

It gives you the opportunity to combine everything (iPod, computer, PDA) except your cell phone, and if I could get my toys down to those two ... I would be a *very* happy camper.

In the Windoze PC world, my favourite is the OQO, and if they can make something this sexy, imagine what Apple could do with the concept.

 

[macmatt]

what would i use in a tablet form-factor?

this is something i see as a possibility . . .

Not a Computer Replacement !

Think peripheral or digital lifestyle device (the obvious comparison would be the ipod)

ok here goes,

A "tablet" that 8x10ish by maybe .5 inches thick, or as thin as is technically feasible to include the following specs/capabilities :

1 . colour screen - of comparable quality/resolution to ibook/powerbook

2 . touch sensitivity - probably via stylus, pen-like input a-la Wacom

3 . ability to utilize inkwell (hand-writing recognition)

4 . airport/wireless network connectivity

5 . ability to run a Web Browser and possibly some light "view only" versions of iApps (ie no editing or "heavy lifting" just accessing info over a network to your desktop machine)

6. resonable battery life - 2 to 3 hrs would be enough for what i'm thinking


THAT'S IT !

No Huge Hard drive (probably a small drive for temporary storage)
No Speakers (though it could be used as a remote for AirTunes)
No Blazing Processor

Nothing But a Lightweight, nicely viewable "Internet Conduit"

I can only speak for myself, but the majority of the leisure time that I spend on my computer is internet browsing with minimal textual input
(ie I mostly click and scroll)

Even my laptop seems "bulky" and a bit overkill when i'm "arrowing" down through 6 pages of text about some obscure but interesting page that i've just "googled" my way to. Those with desktop machines would surely welcome the freedom that would normally require the price of a laptop to enjoy.

This you could pick up and wander around your house with, flop on tha couch and do what i use my powerbook to do 80% of the time - browse the internet - write a few key-words into google, check e-mail, skim the news, watch the newest movie trailers, check tomorrow's weather, lurk the mac-forums etc.

! AND ! you could do all this while someone else was utilizing the full power of your desktop machine to do photoshop or whatever. It would almost be like getting a second computer . . .

Plus, when not in use, it could perch on a small stand/dock to charge, and display an iPhoto slideshow via airport. Digital Picture Frame anyone?

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Not a Computer Replacement !

Most of your comments were right on. Such a device would not be a replacement, but an augment. As such it requires some CPU power. For me i need something that allowa access to all the programs that I need for work (in my case it is Safari, Mail, Word, Excel, InDesign, and Photoshop. In the case of InDesign and Photoshop, I need a system near my 1ghz PB 12" so that I can preview to my manger and make subtle changes as he requires.

Speed in "preview" can be handled by PDF's. I would like "reasonable" speed for changes to the ad content. I have BIG hopes for the Toshiba 60gb HDD's. Since they did not show up on the new iPod releases.

 

[aswitcher]

. I have BIG hopes for the Toshiba 60gb HDD's. Since they did not show up on the new iPod releases.

Yep, same here.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Yep, same here.

Thank You! I was hoping that I was not alone here.

I di play with Inkwell and found it to be much better than the PocketPC.