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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Officially Opens CES, Briefly Demos Forthcoming HP Slate

SactoGuy18 said:
It was only a matter of time before we saw a Windows 7-based "slate" computer. Anyone who's looked "under the hood" of Windows 7 Home Premium/Professional notes that the OS has a LOT of support for touchscreen functionality.

If HP can keep use as much "off the shelf" hardware as possible they could actually underprice the rumored Apple "iSlate." My guess is that HP will offer an optional keyboard that will essentially this new device into a quasi laptop computer.
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Most of the Touch videos I can find involve Windows Media Center. I was amazed how well it worked on a remote but it does just as well with Touch.

I can imagine a media extender slate from Apple but then it ends up falling flat like the Apple TV. At least with the HP slate models you aren't limited to the barebones and are running a full desktop OS. Get a network based TV tuner and you're set.

I only have time to play with the standup TouchSmart. Do you have any videos of tablets? I haven't seen one of those around here.
 
Could be a smart move by Ballmer, if he's devious enough.
He's just turned the high level of expectancy about "Slates" into a damp squib.
All the build up about what's in store from Apple later this month has been deflated somewhat by a competitor letting the air out of the balloon with a bland, unenthusiastic presentation of...nothing special.
Apple will need to have something dynamic up their sleeves to make the media and potential customers get excited again. In the meantime, people talking about what Microsoft showed will be asking "what was all the fuss about tablets for?"
 
it has full OS because HP sells machines to a group of people who need it - I for one cant leave home with something that can only surf the web or run some 3 dollar apps - and if I could, I would take my iphone not a 10inch tablet

My Air is no Macbook pro but when i get that "sorry, but we really need this done - see attached" email I can defend myself. I'm not saying you going to do a project on the thing - but minor edits to a presentation does not need a keyboard and a pad to get done... you do need the software you made it on to launch.

why do you think netbooks ended up with XP and not the open source and quick launch lite OS they started with... For some, even the mobile computer needs to be just that - a computer.
 
Sir Cecil said:
Could be a smart move by Ballmer, if he's devious enough.
He's just turned the high level of expectancy about "Slates" into a damp squib.
All the build up about what's in store from Apple later this month has been deflated somewhat by a competitor letting the air out of the balloon with a bland, unenthusiastic presentation of...nothing special.
Apple will need to have something dynamic up their sleeves to make the media and potential customers get excited again. In the meantime, people talking about what Microsoft showed will be asking "what was all the fuss about tablets for?"
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Thats like saying Sony's pathetic attempts at a walkman just before the iPod was released sullied the name of MP3 players. No one but people who read tech blogs care about CES let alone even know what CES is. Go an ask a normal person what CES is and you'll be lucky to get a description of the show let alone them acknowledge Ballmer making a fool of himself with the Windows 7 "slates" (I don't know if I even feel sorry for the man at this point).
 
JAT said:
Where is this tablet? Did I miss something? Every comment you've made in this thread implies you have one in your pocket. I was under the impression there is no such beast. Currently.
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I should start taking bets on what niggle is going be a problem later. I knew this was going to come around but I still didn't edit it.

I don't think speculation is going to hurt you or anyone else. It's going to be alright.
 
canucksfan88 said:
im just going to say that i personally think all these tablet computers are going to fail

seriously what the hell do they do and what's the practicality?

does society really need a device inbetween smartphones and laptops

i dont know, i smell failure. apple tv anyone?
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Read some of the threads about the Slate or whatever it is called here and you get an indication of the to be expected features and uses. In whatever nature it comes, it will be of use to some people.

We are living in a consumer society, meaning not all products are necessary to "society". Do we really need Hummers, 3D TV's and Foie Gras?
 
a.gomez said:
it has full OS because HP sells machines to a group of people who need it - I for one cant leave home with something that can only surf the web or run some 3 dollar apps - and if I could, I would take my iphone not a 10inch tablet.
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Take your iPhone, but have your data and apps available on a VM (Citrix, VMWare, Terminal Services, etc.) server somewhere. Then use an Remote Desktop app to get into the VM from your phone, and do whatever minor edits are needed.
 
a.gomez said:
it has full OS because HP sells machines to a group of people who need it - I for one cant leave home with something that can only surf the web or run some 3 dollar apps - and if I could, I would take my iphone not a 10inch tablet
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So what are you going to do on this HP slate? Are you serious going to try to use Word or Photoshop on a device like that? Come on now. Lets stop with this fallacy of "full" os on a multitouch device magically means it is awesome. A "full" os just means it was designed for a keyboard and mouse, which these multitouch devices lack.

a.gomez said:
My Air is no Macbook pro but when i get that "sorry, but we really need this done - see attached" email I can defend myself. I'm not saying you going to do a project on the thing - but minor edits to a presentation does not need a keyboard and a pad to get done... you do need the software you made it on to launch.
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You've been able to make those minor edits with everything from a Palm III up to an iPhone then by that definition. Yes, the iPhone can edit quite a few things. It doesn't do them very well though due to obvious device limitations that you seem to be letting slide for the HP slate device due to the mythical "full" os.

a.gomez said:
why do you think netbooks ended up with XP and not the open source and quick launch lite OS they started with... For some, even the mobile computer needs to be just that - a computer.
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They did put versions of linux on them but it confused the heck out of people because linux is a second rate Windows clone with very few apps. You might as well ask why people ride bikes and not plastic tricycles to work instead of cars.
 
jimmyjoemccrow said:
Yeah you should be sorry. Microsoft are not selling them as if they are their own, Ballmer said "Look at the great things our partners are doing" or words to that effect.

And really you can tell very little about Steve Ballmer from these presentations, just like you can't tell what an actor is like from watching a movie. I bet you think you know Steve Jobs because you've seen some videos of him.
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Well, at a keynote you usually sell your products and show your innovations. Most of the innovations they had to display were realized by hardware that is not manufactured by them.

When Apple's partners bring something to their product line they are usually allowed to present their contributions at the keynote addresses.

I know nothing about Steve Ballmer. But it is painfully apparent that he is out of touch with what his employer produces and is more fittingly a businessman.

And sorry, I am not a leg humping Steve Jobs fan. However, Steve knows his product line and you can tell that he is very focused and passionate about not allowing something to make it to market that does not fit within the vision of the company. Yeah, they have had some stumbles in the last couple of years but overall their track record has been very good at not only refining but also innovating.
 
I've used touch-based Windows 7. It was on an older Fujitsu laptop with a swivel-screen Wacom tablet interface and pen.

It was really nice.

Can't wait to see what they do with touchscreen tablets.

This means that Apple will have to pretty much include a full OS, because anything else will be regarded as incredibly handicapped.
 
I knew there was NO WAY they would have the Courrier or anything like it. All the people in that forum before freaking out. :rolleyes:

GeekLawyer said:
I guess black is the new blue. :)

But in seriousness, a couple of interesting offerings. Microsoft is really going after the living room in a way Apple has yet to do.
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I agree. I am starting to get PISSED that Apple hasn't pushed harder. :mad: Do you realize the leverage and opportunity they have had? If they would just add the SDK to the Apple TV and App Store WOW could you imagine? Couple that with the new iSlate as the media controller and game controller, and iTunes TV subscriptions BOOM! Now that would be HUGE! :eek:

They should have done that at LEAST a year ago if not 2. And now every company at CES has TVs with apps and connectivity and so on. They are seriously missing the boat! :(

I am very excited for the 27th. Hopefully they surprise me!
 
zarusoba said:
I installed Silverlight for that?
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Hey don't knock it too much it's actually pretty good. Just as good ,if not better than Flash.

JAT said:
Where is this tablet? Did I miss something? Every comment you've made in this thread implies you have one in your pocket. I was under the impression there is no such beast. Currently.
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There is none currently. That's what made this keynote so darn funny. All these companies falling all over themselves to compete with a rumored product.

It's silly.
 
Apple is going to have a hell of a time...

Yes, a hell of a time to decide which part of that train wreck keynote to create a dialog for a John Hodge's "I'm a PC" skit at the beginning of Steve's Jan. 27th announcement. My personal favorite is the power failure just at the beginning of the event and all the PC Window 7's were rebooting... :rolleyes:
 
Peace said:
There is none currently. That's what made this keynote so darn funny. All these companies falling all over themselves to compete with a rumored product.

It's silly.
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Whats silly is how CES has kind of become the warm up/pregame for Apple's events as far as the press is concerned. Look at the coverage and count how many times Apple is mentioned when they're not even showing anything off there. Sad.
 
Its gonna be funny to see Steve clown keynote and this this "slate" running this desktop OS. Guarantee he starts it out with a fake recovery mode with black screen.:D
 
interesting presentation

unfortunately for hp and ms, it's not 1990, but 2010.

just because you can take a pc and sandwich it into a tablet does not make it useful or usable.

apple, for all their faults, understands that a different form factor requires a different ui and that the device needs to be useful.

the hp slate demo was short on substance - as if hp just slapped it together while microsoft is expecting developers to take up the charge and develop useful software for this latest generation of tablet pc.

god forbid, they or hp, develop some innovative software for the slate.

i've used hp's touch computer...it operated life a half-baked ipod.

if anything, what we'll see from apple is a balanced hardware architecture, a thoughtful ui, and excellent battery life - all built upon an enhanced version of mobile os x.

interesting that hp will be shipping this slate "later in the year" - that gives them time to see what apple has put together for their slate and copy what they can.

i bet apple's stock hits $220 on Thursday.
 
MacFly123 said:
Do you realize the leverage and opportunity they have had? If they would just add the SDK to the Apple TV and App Store WOW could you imagine? Couple that with the new iSlate as the media controller and game controller, and iTunes TV subscriptions BOOM! Now that would be HUGE! :eek:
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Agreed SDKing the Apple TV and allowing the ipod/iphone/islate to be the controller is the best idea I've heard in a while and could actually make Apple compete with game consoles as well as add huge interest in the Apple TV generally (just think of the possibilities). I wonder to what extent their distribution contracts with the movie and tv studios is what has prevented that from happening so far.

Make it happen by pestering Apple to do so. Go to and tell them you want it:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/appletv.html
 
Eidorian said:
Natal and Surface are starting to look Star Trek to me.
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Natal and windows 7 is the best products they have right now. But I don't give a damn about Natal for xbox.
If they had showed off Natal as an interface for windows 7 with a Minority Report type of demo then announce that Natal for windows was coming by June then that would have stole the show in my opinion.
But Natal stuck on xbox which won't be out till Christmas and a very boring and dumb slate pc (non courier) demo made for a poor poor keynote.
 
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