Axon Logic Debuts $750 Mac OS X-Capable Tablet

[wizard]

That may have been the original intention but in practice they are used differently.

I really wish Apple would do more to explain to users that the storage space in the iPad/Pod/Phone is intended as temporary storage, and not a place to keep your movie collection.

You might have been right with respect to the original concept but Apple didn't expect the runaway success of the app store. Once you start to seriously run apps on these devices storage needs to be more computer like.

To that end memory is a big issue on the iPad. It is basically short of both flash and RAM.

As to this device it is an interesting idea but comes up short storage wise simply because mechanical storage doesn't belong in tablets. Personally tablets get really interesting when storage hits 128GB.

Dave

 

[wizard]

Funny but the whole reason i switched to iPhone was Apple "getting it".

I was actually looking at Nokias little tablets before deciding to get an iPhone 3G. The big problem was Nokia not getting it with respect to device configuration, especially secondary storage.

So what does iPhone 3G have to do with this tablet. Well it is all about not getting it. First and probably worst is the mechanical drive which doesn't belong in a tablet. Then there is the issue of the screen, which is terrible resolution wise and the touch technology.

As to ATOM it isn't perfect but then again niether is Apples A4. What is good here though is the ability to run Linux. Ideally a Linux distro with minimal reconfiguration. It would certainly be nicer to see a more modern processor but im not convinced Linux would be that bad on the device. I suspect OS/X would suck though, mainly due to the GPU.

All the whining aside I do wish a more capable company would build an open high quality device in this size. That means solid state storage, a decent screen and touch surface. I'd be running Linux on it so OS/X compatibility is moot.


Dave

 

[subsonix]

Ok, so it's basically a laptop without a keyboard. Why would I want that now? The i/o's are from the last decade, vga?

 

[Winni]

No computer can run an unmodified copy of MacOS X unless the manufacturer is intentionally circumventing Apple's copy protection. That makes it a DMCA violation, and the going rate for that is $2,250 _per computer_ as Psystar found out. It doesn't matter who does the installing.

You don't have a clue what you're talking about. There is no copy protection in Mac OS X. OS X just requires EFI instead of BIOS to boot, and not even in the United States you can make a legal claim that installing EFI on a PC and then booting into Mac OS X is in any way illegal.

Maybe you are violating the terms of Apple's EULA, but we're still waiting for a court decision whether that EULA itself is legal and binding. You can bet your house that in Europe Apple's EULA terms are NOT entirely legal and binding, especially not the part that forces you to only use that software on Apple hardware. Microsoft's tried the same thing and they lost big time in Germany.

Apple suing another company is a completely different story, and even here they were only successful in the US. They're still selling Mac clones in Germany and other countries and Apple still hasn't sued any of those companies. Why? Because our laws are still designed to protect the interests of consumers and customers, and not those of some corporations.

 

[Fraaaa]

A programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of a computer are:
It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.
It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).
Modern computers are electronic and digital. The actual machinery -- wires, transistors, and circuits -- is called hardware; the instructions and data are called software.

All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:

memory : Enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs.
mass storage device : Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives.
input device : Usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer.
output device : A display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished.
central processing unit (CPU): The heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions.
In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires a bus that transmits data from one part of the computer to another.

Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:

personal computer : A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Ugh. If anyone could get OSX running on a Motion LE1600 or 1700, & simply use minimalist on-screen keyboard, we'd all shut up about tablets already. No shortage of good hardware available cheap on eBay, and all the functionality everybody wants. ...just, not pretty, but, slip it in a rubberized case and forget about that too.

Good money could be made offering this as a service.

 

[TorontoLRT]

^Except that most people don't want halfway-there, non-Apple-approved workarounds. They want something that works, that's optimized, and, most importantly, that doesn't cost $750. In other words, they want an iPad.

 

[Burger Thing]

^Except that most people don't want halfway-there, non-Apple-approved workarounds. They want something that works, that's optimized, and, most importantly, that doesn't cost $750. In other words, they want an iPad.

Agreed. Looking at the Hardware specs, one can assume that this *thing* will run like a turd. Maybe someone can use it as a garlic muncher - for stabilizing a rockin' table, which has one of its legs a bit short, it is just too thick...

But 750$? LMAO

 

[chris200x9]

Really. iBoot was probably the tool you used to circumvent Apple's copy protection.

If you would actually read what I quoted the person sayed the computer manufacturer had to somehow alter the hardware to make it compatible, I was just saying he is wrong.

 

[ten-oak-druid]

Take two tablets and call me in the morning.

 

[pmz]

OS X 10.6.4 runs very well on my Dell Mini 9. There's no reason to believe that this tablet couldn't run 10.6.4 and do so well, especially if it's just for stuff one would do on the iPad.

Other than the Atom processor which has a bad rap, isn't this the device everyone wanted Apple to release in January?

You can't say that something like this is just a big iPod Touch. It's a real computer compared to the iPad.

LOLOL. No. This is a piece of **** compared to the iPad. What the hell are you going to do with this thing? Besides the exact same things you use an iPad for?

Ultra portables are meant to be good at certain things. This thing is a disaster, and will not be "good" at anything. Who the hell wants a 1.6 GHz Mac in 2010?

You'd need at least a 2.4 GHz machine with 4 gb of RAM to even pretend to have a similarly fast and smooth experience, as with an iPad (with far lower specs).

This type of machine is an absolute joke. If it weren't, there would be one with an Apple logo at everyone's house.

 

[pmz]

You don't have a clue what you're talking about. There is no copy protection in Mac OS X. OS X just requires EFI instead of BIOS to boot, and not even in the United States you can make a legal claim that installing EFI on a PC and then booting into Mac OS X is in any way illegal.

Maybe you are violating the terms of Apple's EULA, but we're still waiting for a court decision whether that EULA itself is legal and binding. You can bet your house that in Europe Apple's EULA terms are NOT entirely legal and binding, especially not the part that forces you to only use that software on Apple hardware. Microsoft's tried the same thing and they lost big time in Germany.

Apple suing another company is a completely different story, and even here they were only successful in the US. They're still selling Mac clones in Germany and other countries and Apple still hasn't sued any of those companies. Why? Because our laws are still designed to protect the interests of consumers and customers, and not those of some corporations.

Not to mention the fact that Apple could not care less what people (customers) do with their Mac OSX install discs. As long as they're not selling built-to-order PCs with OSX illegally duplicated on them.

 

[pmz]

You might have been right with respect to the original concept but Apple didn't expect the runaway success of the app store. Once you start to seriously run apps on these devices storage needs to be more computer like.

To that end memory is a big issue on the iPad. It is basically short of both flash and RAM.

As to this device it is an interesting idea but comes up short storage wise simply because mechanical storage doesn't belong in tablets. Personally tablets get really interesting when storage hits 128GB.

Dave

It's already just as interesting. I have a 16 gb iPad and storage becomes an issue maybe once a week.

Big deal.

So I swap some content, and the world doesn't end. Keeps things interesting in fact.

Convenience factor will go up as future models use more and more storage. Until then, and even then, not a big deal.

(RAM however is another story. iPad needs 512mb & iOS4 like there's no tomorrow)

 

[meatballs]

No computer can run an unmodified copy of MacOS X unless the manufacturer is intentionally circumventing Apple's copy protection. That makes it a DMCA violation, and the going rate for that is $2,250 _per computer_ as Psystar found out. It doesn't matter who does the installing.

Apple lets you do the exact same thing with Windows, it's called Boot Camp. It's also called hypocrisy.

 

[nelmat]

Apple lets you do the exact same thing with Windows, it's called Boot Camp. It's also called hypocrisy.

What? of course it isn't hypocritical. Psystar were giving away illegally duplicated copies of Mac OS, the intention of Bootcamp is to allow you to install a purchased, license copy of windows on your apple hardware. No one is missing out, Microsoft are making money. Where is the hypocrisy? Apple are entitled to their EULA, as are any company.

 

[Burger Thing]

Apple lets you do the exact same thing with Windows, it's called Boot Camp. It's also called hypocrisy.

What? Ha Ha... Oh, man...

 

[OGDaniel]

Who the hell wants to run OS X on anything not built by Apple? And the device looks stupid, imo.

 

[OGDaniel]

Apple lets you do the exact same thing with Windows, it's called Boot Camp. It's also called hypocrisy.

You sound bitter, friend. And Steve Jobs is no crook.

 

[meatballs]

What? of course it isn't hypocritical. Psystar were giving away illegally duplicated copies of Mac OS, the intention of Bootcamp is to allow you to install a purchased, license copy of windows on your apple hardware. No one is missing out, Microsoft are making money. Where is the hypocrisy? Apple are entitled to their EULA, as are any company.

Forget about Psystar and distros, you can use a boot-loader (which Boot Camp is) to install a retail copy of OS X on a PC. Not allowing this but at the same time providing users with Boot Camp is hypocrisy.

 

[BlackMax]

One beauty of the iPad is its near instant on and off. This unit will not have that because it is running a regular OS. Also in running a regular OS with an Atom processor I imagine you may notice a performance hit and with a real HD battery life may also suffer as compared to the iPad. But time will tell. I'll definitely look at it when it comes out to get a first experience.

 

[Fraaaa]

Forget about Psystar and distros, you can use a boot-loader (which Boot Camp is) to install a retail copy of OS X on a PC. Not allowing this but at the same time providing users with Boot Camp is hypocrisy.

Microsoft sells software for any hardware, and Apple sells hardware with their own software. Two different business approach.

You are being a bit narrow minded.

 

[Deelron]

Ok, so it's basically a laptop without a keyboard. Why would I want that now? The i/o's are from the last decade, vga?

Most of the businesses/public operations I've been to that have projectors typically have VGA available, not exclusively mind you but it's far more consistent then either a DVI or HDMI (or other) port.

 

[subsonix]

Most of the businesses/public operations I've been to that have projectors typically have VGA available, not exclusively mind you but it's far more consistent then either a DVI or HDMI (or other) port.

That may be the case, that doesn't change what I said. Quality wise there is no discussion IMO.

 

[Deelron]

That may be the case, that doesn't change what I said. Quality wise there is no discussion IMO.

For sure the quality looks lousy, it was merely in relation to the VGA comment.

 

[z4n3]

An image speaks a thousand words.....