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Apple Working on a Tablet Mac?
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Makes perfect sense.
Technology has finally caught up and the iPod Touch and iPhones are a success.
I had one of those Compaq TabletPC's. It was okay, but slow and my handwriting is horrible so I had to use the on-screen keyboard. The special stylus you needed made it cumbersom and the Windows Tablet GUI blows...
I love my iPhone. If they come out with a Mac OS X Touch Tablet, I'm getting one to replace my iBook...
Technology has finally caught up and the iPod Touch and iPhones are a success.
I had one of those Compaq TabletPC's. It was okay, but slow and my handwriting is horrible so I had to use the on-screen keyboard. The special stylus you needed made it cumbersom and the Windows Tablet GUI blows...
I love my iPhone. If they come out with a Mac OS X Touch Tablet, I'm getting one to replace my iBook...
The device I would buy in a second would be have the form factor of an iPhone, but with a 6 or 7 inch screen. Hopefully, overall thickness would be very close to the iPhone's. It would a light version of OSX with instant-on capability. 8GB or so of flash memory; maybe a hard drive option.
I would use it as a (i) PDA (assuming the inclusion of versions of iCal, Address Book, Mail, etc.); (ii) internet surfing device/Blackberry (when near WiFi); and (iii) media player. It would replace my iPod and my paper calendar. Maybe -- just maybe -- it could be a phone too (by using a Bluetooth headset).
Tons of bonus points if it runs Yojimbo.
I would use it as a (i) PDA (assuming the inclusion of versions of iCal, Address Book, Mail, etc.); (ii) internet surfing device/Blackberry (when near WiFi); and (iii) media player. It would replace my iPod and my paper calendar. Maybe -- just maybe -- it could be a phone too (by using a Bluetooth headset).
Tons of bonus points if it runs Yojimbo.
The tablet, dubbed "powerbook" will feature a G5 processor
Beat me to it... you think it will come out next Tuesday??
This is all starting to feel very familiar.
what about the ModBook?
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook
I thought
introduced it a year ago, at the last MacWorld Expo..or maybe some other company??I'm pretty sorry if someone else stated this earlier..
anyway, I understand someone would be waiting for a 1.5x size iPhone,I am personally waiting for MacBooks to have LEDs,talkin about 13.3",I have already owned a MacBook so it would be nice to have something slightly different from the external hardware point of view, could it become lighter without eliminating the keyboard? I'm afraid a tablet would be less useful and more expensive...less of a consumer product maybe?
cheerz
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook
I thought
introduced it a year ago, at the last MacWorld Expo..or maybe some other company??I'm pretty sorry if someone else stated this earlier..anyway, I understand someone would be waiting for a 1.5x size iPhone,I am personally waiting for MacBooks to have LEDs,talkin about 13.3",I have already owned a MacBook so it would be nice to have something slightly different from the external hardware point of view, could it become lighter without eliminating the keyboard? I'm afraid a tablet would be less useful and more expensive...less of a consumer product maybe?
cheerz
I put my money on Apple releasing a tablet in the next year. 1.5 times the size of the iPhone seems small and too close in size. I would bet on something a bit smaller than 1/2 sheet of paper.
A lot of the latest OS features tell me that Apple is prepping to release a tablet. - Finder and Quicklook are perfectly suited for 'finger' navigation of your file system.
- Back to My Mac is an excellent feature when you are out and about with a thin tablet that doesn't have the storage capacity to carry around all your files.
- Sync Dashboard Widgets makes more sense to me if I am working with a portable Mac tablet than syncing to a desktop or laptop Mac
- Stacks nice feature to keep my desktop clear of clutter, even more important on a 7 inch screen (tablet?)
I know this tablet rumor has been out there a while, but every other tablet struggles because a GUI designed for a mouse and keyboard combinations just doesn't work well on a tablet. Apple with their multi-touch interface is now in a position to produce a tablet where the GUI interface doesn't get in the way and can actually be enjoyable to use --- iPhone?
Will Apple produce a tablet? Yes, the only question is when and what size.
A lot of the latest OS features tell me that Apple is prepping to release a tablet. - Finder and Quicklook are perfectly suited for 'finger' navigation of your file system.
- Back to My Mac is an excellent feature when you are out and about with a thin tablet that doesn't have the storage capacity to carry around all your files.
- Sync Dashboard Widgets makes more sense to me if I am working with a portable Mac tablet than syncing to a desktop or laptop Mac
- Stacks nice feature to keep my desktop clear of clutter, even more important on a 7 inch screen (tablet?)
I know this tablet rumor has been out there a while, but every other tablet struggles because a GUI designed for a mouse and keyboard combinations just doesn't work well on a tablet. Apple with their multi-touch interface is now in a position to produce a tablet where the GUI interface doesn't get in the way and can actually be enjoyable to use --- iPhone?
Will Apple produce a tablet? Yes, the only question is when and what size.
I'd love this if it came in a decent sized screen like 10-12". Would be so incredibly light, easy to carry, mountable on stands, portable. I'd buy this over a full laptop for sure. IDK about a 7". Depends on the price.
This is a no-brainer IMO. Just make a big version of the iPhone. Bet it'll happen very soon.
This is a no-brainer IMO. Just make a big version of the iPhone. Bet it'll happen very soon.
I'm sure Apple is working on tablet tech, but I don't have any faith in these kinds of rumors. They've been circulating for far too long. I'll believe it when I see it.
From where I sit, there are two key problems. One is that virtual keyboards are annoying to type on, even if they're large, due to a total lack of tactile feedback. Apple's recent patent filing shows that they're working on a possible solution to the problem, but it's anybody's guess how long it will be before this solution can become practical (assuming it ever does.)
The second issue is that traditional tablet designs are unnatural for most people. Pens and styli can get lost or broken, and a lot of people (myself included) can type much faster than they can write. A good tablet, IMO, would have to be multi-touch, but with the ability to also use a stylus (since handwriting with your fingers would be extremely unnatural.) This can definitely be done, but it will require designing a whole new UI metaphor for the OS. And (hopefully) there will be a way to let existing apps simply pick up on the most important multi-touch UI features without needing to be updated by the developer.
These aren't insurmountable problems, but they are very hard. I don't think Apple would ship a new Mac system running a potentially-app-breaking OS release, without letting developers test against it first (possibly via a WWDC announcement.)
From where I sit, there are two key problems. One is that virtual keyboards are annoying to type on, even if they're large, due to a total lack of tactile feedback. Apple's recent patent filing shows that they're working on a possible solution to the problem, but it's anybody's guess how long it will be before this solution can become practical (assuming it ever does.)
The second issue is that traditional tablet designs are unnatural for most people. Pens and styli can get lost or broken, and a lot of people (myself included) can type much faster than they can write. A good tablet, IMO, would have to be multi-touch, but with the ability to also use a stylus (since handwriting with your fingers would be extremely unnatural.) This can definitely be done, but it will require designing a whole new UI metaphor for the OS. And (hopefully) there will be a way to let existing apps simply pick up on the most important multi-touch UI features without needing to be updated by the developer.
These aren't insurmountable problems, but they are very hard. I don't think Apple would ship a new Mac system running a potentially-app-breaking OS release, without letting developers test against it first (possibly via a WWDC announcement.)
I know the Asus Eee is underpowered and not a good full-time computer. That's exactly what I want. Not exactly underpowered, but it doesn't need to be full powered either. Basically what I want is a satellite machine. Something I would use only when I don't have my desktop in front of me. And OS X is the ideal OS for a machine like that. Why? Back to my Mac. I don't need lots of storage or lots of applications or power. I have my iDisk and Back to my Mac for that. All I need is network access and enough power to not be frustrated. (Dual core would be really really good, even if it's the slowest dual core out there.) The chance to run OS X on an ultra-portable is the only reason I'm going to hold out for a few more months on buying anything.
I dunno I just can't see this being useful. Surely you'd have to pair up a bluetooth keyboard and mouse to get any real work done, and what about propping up the device so you can easily read the screen (I guess it could have a kick stand).
For a college student, wouldn't it be easier to stick with a small laptop like the macbook? If it had handwriting recognition, it could be useful in lectures I suppose, but then you'd have to pull out a keyboard/mouse to write a paper which becomes cumbersome.
Personally I'm hoping Apple makes a sub-notebook, 12 or 13 inch widescreen in a smaller footprint than the macbook, external optical drive, 64gb SSD, much lighter and thinner than a macbook. Now imagine if this could be converted into a tablet by swivelling the screen, you'd have a great multitouch input system too. Mmmm I'd pay a lot for that.
For a college student, wouldn't it be easier to stick with a small laptop like the macbook? If it had handwriting recognition, it could be useful in lectures I suppose, but then you'd have to pull out a keyboard/mouse to write a paper which becomes cumbersome.
Personally I'm hoping Apple makes a sub-notebook, 12 or 13 inch widescreen in a smaller footprint than the macbook, external optical drive, 64gb SSD, much lighter and thinner than a macbook. Now imagine if this could be converted into a tablet by swivelling the screen, you'd have a great multitouch input system too. Mmmm I'd pay a lot for that.
I always have trouble seeing the market for such a device.
Touch Screens are the direction we are heading. A Touch Screen portable would be the first step to a touch screen desktop.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ModBook
I thought
i was wondering this same thing.
Make it so I can shove an iPhone into it to get inet access everywhere and Ill buy that and another iPhone.
tablets won't happen.
Jobs has always said that people want to use a keyboard and a mouse/similar input device.
Imagine typing out a document on a touch screen. I'm not sure the technology is there yet to provide a decent solution to a keyboardless computer.
from 2003: http://www.macobserver.com/article/2003/06/05.9.shtml
M [Walt Mossberg]: A lot of people think given the success you've had with portable devices, you should be making a tablet or a PDA.
J [Steve Jobs]: There are no plans to make a tablet. It turns out people want keyboards. When Apple first started out, "People couldn't type. We realized: Death would eventually take care of this." "We look at the tablet and we think it's going to fail." Tablets appeal to rich guys with plenty of other PCs and devices already. "And people accuse us of niche markets." I get a lot of pressure to do a PDA. What people really seem to want to do with these is get the data out . We believe cell phones are going to carry this information. We didn't think we'd do well in the cell phone business. What we've done instead is we've written what we think is some of the best software in the world to start syncing information between devices. We believe that mode is what cell phones need to get to. We chose to do the iPod instead of a PDA.
Jobs has always said that people want to use a keyboard and a mouse/similar input device.
Imagine typing out a document on a touch screen. I'm not sure the technology is there yet to provide a decent solution to a keyboardless computer.
from 2003: http://www.macobserver.com/article/2003/06/05.9.shtml
M [Walt Mossberg]: A lot of people think given the success you've had with portable devices, you should be making a tablet or a PDA.
J [Steve Jobs]: There are no plans to make a tablet. It turns out people want keyboards. When Apple first started out, "People couldn't type. We realized: Death would eventually take care of this." "We look at the tablet and we think it's going to fail." Tablets appeal to rich guys with plenty of other PCs and devices already. "And people accuse us of niche markets." I get a lot of pressure to do a PDA. What people really seem to want to do with these is get the data out . We believe cell phones are going to carry this information. We didn't think we'd do well in the cell phone business. What we've done instead is we've written what we think is some of the best software in the world to start syncing information between devices. We believe that mode is what cell phones need to get to. We chose to do the iPod instead of a PDA.
I don't believe a thing of it, I don't think Apple will come with something like a tablet. Way too big.
doubt
i hate to give in to doubt but... a tablet computer would be too much to love. however, the stage is indeed set with the iphone and itouch which are low-level tablets or pda. for the size, 1.5 phone woudl make room for more storage etc at a wonderful size. typical tablets have been too big and without keyboard to make them practical.
i love my macbook pro and ipod touch but would love something a little more practical in between. i cannot wait. cheers.
i hate to give in to doubt but... a tablet computer would be too much to love. however, the stage is indeed set with the iphone and itouch which are low-level tablets or pda. for the size, 1.5 phone woudl make room for more storage etc at a wonderful size. typical tablets have been too big and without keyboard to make them practical.
i love my macbook pro and ipod touch but would love something a little more practical in between. i cannot wait. cheers.
The artist market
I'm not sure what other markets would be interested, but I know the artist market, at least, has been waiting years for this.
I don't. It wouldn't be the size of the i-Pod or iPhone markets, probably, but it would be profitable. Every artist, art house and studio on the waiting list for Cintiqs and Modbooks could tell you that. I waited months for my Cintiq and I'd sell a year of my life (preferably year 97) for an iTablet.I always have trouble seeing the market for such a device.
I'm not sure what other markets would be interested, but I know the artist market, at least, has been waiting years for this.