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Apple Tablet to Launch in Early 2010 Using Chip Platform From P.A. Semi?
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That would be me. I travel a lot, usually every fourth week, and I employ a no-work rule when traveling. Therefore, I bought a Touch so that I can watch movies, read books and access the Internet. A MacBook would be a pain to haul around for what I need, and a 7 inch screen would be perfect.
If this came out at a 699 price point, I'd by one immediately.
Tablet = Bad
Screen will not stand up like a clam shell design
You will be forced to lay it flat on your lap, palm, or table
Typing on a virtual keyboard will suck
iPhone is too small for web and you can't type on it
MBP = Too big and heavy
10" Apple Air = Sweet Spot
Screen will not stand up like a clam shell design
You will be forced to lay it flat on your lap, palm, or table
Typing on a virtual keyboard will suck
iPhone is too small for web and you can't type on it
MBP = Too big and heavy
10" Apple Air = Sweet Spot
I think the "MacBook" moniker will be retired with the white MB. The tablet will be under the MacBook Air line. There will be MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs. The MacBook name will get a first class one-way ticket to visit Mac Cube.
My prediction is that this rumoured product, if its released at all, will be a game-changer. I have no idea what its going to be good at, or who the target market is..... but I do know this. Apple wouldn't have spent 24 months, built numerous prototypes, and bought a whole chip company, just to put out something evolutionary. The tablet may not be a commercial success, it may be pulled quickly (like the Cube), but it will definitely be a game changer (just like the Cube was - it may not have been a commercial success but it did change how many people and computer makers thought about computer design).
I doubt the tablet will sell huge numbers. But I think its designed to dominate a niche market. Apple is usually more comfortable in the niche markets. It likes to design a product that does one thing, and does it so well that there really is only one choice if you are in their target market.
If this is really is released, it will be interesting to see what it actually does. I probably won't buy one.... but I'd love to see what it does.
I doubt the tablet will sell huge numbers. But I think its designed to dominate a niche market. Apple is usually more comfortable in the niche markets. It likes to design a product that does one thing, and does it so well that there really is only one choice if you are in their target market.
If this is really is released, it will be interesting to see what it actually does. I probably won't buy one.... but I'd love to see what it does.
Can't wait to see the finished article. I think it will be a whole lot better than that mock up - won't simply be a big iPod Touch.
I suppose in years past this would have been a Macworld launch product, maybe there will be a special event around Jan/Feb.
I suppose in years past this would have been a Macworld launch product, maybe there will be a special event around Jan/Feb.
Yeah that's pretty funny. I really don't know what I would need it for. I think without keys it would be a deal breaker for me. I would love a netbook at times but I can't imagine typing papers without keys. Maybe it will have a mini bluetooth keyboard for when you need it?
That mock-up is horrible.
I used to be intrigued by this concept, but as a regular MR reader, I'll just be glad to hear the speculation stop!The iPhone was less fan-hyped.
I don't Think so!
This device is perfect for:
1. Anyone that uses an Ipod Touch for surfing the net, checking e-mail who would love a bigger screen.
2. People who use netboosk for surfing, e-mail, etc, who love the Ipod Touch/Osx experience.
3. Medical Field, perfect for doctors, medical students and physicians who currently use slow, sluggish, bulky tablets with horrible battery life.
4. The military, as it is they are using the Ipod Touch more and more for custom apps, and im sure they would love to have something similar with a bigger screen.
5. Education. Who wouldnt love to carry all of their textbooks electronically on one small device thats booklike? (Think Kindle, but in color, tat could offer more interactive textbooks)
As with the Macbook Air, if Apple makes it people will buy it, wether or not you personally see a need for it or not.
1. Anyone that uses an Ipod Touch for surfing the net, checking e-mail who would love a bigger screen.
2. People who use netboosk for surfing, e-mail, etc, who love the Ipod Touch/Osx experience.
3. Medical Field, perfect for doctors, medical students and physicians who currently use slow, sluggish, bulky tablets with horrible battery life.
4. The military, as it is they are using the Ipod Touch more and more for custom apps, and im sure they would love to have something similar with a bigger screen.
5. Education. Who wouldnt love to carry all of their textbooks electronically on one small device thats booklike? (Think Kindle, but in color, tat could offer more interactive textbooks)
As with the Macbook Air, if Apple makes it people will buy it, wether or not you personally see a need for it or not.
What problem does it solve?
Good question. I'm wondering if I should use my iPhone for ultimate mobility, and compact size, a MacPro or iMac for screen real estate or a MacBook Pro and external monitor, and an Apple Tablet for travel or web browsing around the house. I've been leaving my MacBook Pro at home and relying on the iPhone when traveling because I don't like lugging the laptop.
What is it for?
iPhone/iPod Touch = Small
MB/MBP = Good size
Who wants something too big for a pocket? If you are going to carry a bag, use your MB/MBP.
Can someone explain how it fits in and who the target market is?
Good question. I'm wondering if I should use my iPhone for ultimate mobility, and compact size, a MacPro or iMac for screen real estate or a MacBook Pro and external monitor, and an Apple Tablet for travel or web browsing around the house. I've been leaving my MacBook Pro at home and relying on the iPhone when traveling because I don't like lugging the laptop.
You hit the nail on the head. One of these would be PERFECT for my Mom, who has no computer. A full laptop with trackpad would be overkill for her. Trust me, she barely can use a mouse.
However, a 10 inch Tablet running the iPhone OS would meet every need she has. Email, photos, music, tv shows, movies, Amazon app, Ebay app, Ambiance app, etc... All on a screen she can actually read.
Lots of boomers are retiring or getting ready too. Some are very tech, like my Dad, and some aren't, like my Mom. There is a huge market here just for that age group, to say nothing about younger people that like it in these forums.
The amount of jackass-ery and narcissism in these forums never ceases to amaze me. If you don't have something positive to contribute to this conversation, then this product isn't for you. Move along.
needs to be able to pair with foldable BT keyboards, have a stylus and handwriting recognition for note-taking, Wi-Fi, and at least 8 hr battery life and it would be pretty awesome
That is pretty right on and kinda funny.
I'm generally fine with the size of my graphing calculator, which doesn't fit in a pocket (well it sorta does but it's really uncomfortable). I wouldn't carry my MBP around everywhere I would carry my calculator around (not to mention the computer is more fragile and fits into less bags), and there is no way I am settling for a smaller display on the calculator.
Many times, many people say product/update X will be some sort of failure, when in the end the opposite happens.
on a plane they suck because they take up too much space. on a bus, it's even worse
it both cases, you need to have more space to open and use a screen/keyboard combo. with a tablet-style, you wouldn't need to do this, which would increase your flexibility immensely.
if the pricepoint is between the 32GiB iTouch and the low-end MacBook/MacBookPro it would sell quite well in Europe (maybe not so much in the states because of the lower public transport usage).
Ugh, if the real thing looks anything remotely like that - no thank you. I can't wait to see what they've been cooking up for the past few years, I hope it doesn't disappoint.
First off I highly doubt it is just an oversized iphone. If it was, why would it take dozens of redesigns to meet Steve Jobs satisfaction? It has to be good, since Jobs has consistently made brilliant products, and takes into account all aspects of how and why people use products. He's not going to put out an oversized iphone that no one will need or want to use. I'm not sure exactly what the tablet will look or be like, but I'm sure it will have amazing features that no one can anticipate, and will be something useful and likely lots of people will want to buy and use on a daily basis. I just can't see Jobs making some useless tablet that no one will want to use, its not in his nature. He wants a product that is on the forefront and that everyone will adapt easily into their daily life, and I fully expect the tablet to be that. So anyone speculating that it will be some useless jumbo iphone, I would hold off until you actually see the device, because I expect it will be much, much greater than you imagine.
Tablet with Leopard
I wonder if this is part of the reason that Leopard is slimmer? I'm REALLY excited for this tablet PC. I'm hoping that this will run all the regular programs that a mac would run (nothing too technical like FCP). But it would be cool to have a ebook reader. I would like a wireless keyboard and mouse option with a dock. I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it.
I wonder if this is part of the reason that Leopard is slimmer? I'm REALLY excited for this tablet PC.
I'm hoping that this will run all the regular programs that a mac would run (nothing too technical like FCP). But it would be cool to have a ebook reader. I would like a wireless keyboard and mouse option with a dock. I'm so excited. And I just can't hide it.
Please, please, please let it have a built-in HSPDA modem card so that all it takes is to slip in SIM card! I don't want to fumble around with external devices (dongles).