Tablet Mac Coming in Fall 2008?

[granex]

pod people

I'd like to see Apple get back to (or continue developing) the original "pod" idea of distributed personal digital equipment. Imagine this tablet being aware and seamlessly integrated with the other network appliances available around you -- your computers, iphone, AppleTV, ipod, Time Capsule. You can use it as a remote while watching TV, to control your AirTunes, to get email. Away from home you use it to watch movies on the plane, take notes, etc. The whole point is to "whip it out and go" (just like the iPhone) as opposed to having to open up a laptop and find a surface to operate it on (try using a laptop with one hand while standing). This approach has always stood in contrast to Microsoft's MediaCenter approach to the problem.

Also, if Apple does it correctly, then having one of these purchased by every doctor and hospital worker in the country would not be a bad market. My doctor currently brings a clunky laptop into the exam room. Even my dental hygienist uses a computer to record the condition of my teeth and schedule the next appointment. The market here is huge (although very competitive).

 

[tgildred]

I don't think so.

Apple is focusing on iPhone. I don't think they have more energy on Mac.

haha, right... why make more money when you can continue making some money?

 

[MacFly123]

Nobody needs a laptop and a tablet and a desktop. It's more like either or.

Haha, just like we never needed more than one TV or computer???

If it will do home automation and control an Apple Centered Media Center/Home Theatre then you can count on me buying a few of them for my house, and thats while still owning an Apple desktop, laptop, and iPhone!

 

[tgildred]

I wish the illustration had a black turtle neck sweater on the person.

Awesome. They should do that in all their patent drawings. Throw in some bad drawings of Steve Jobs using the devices...

 

[Umbongo]

Why no Core 2 Duo processor?

I wouldn't read anything in to the author not using Core 2.

 

[twoodcc]

can't wait to see what happens at WWDC. we'll see if that PDA thing really comes out.

 

[theheadguy]

What does O'Grady's track record consist of when it comes to rumors?

 

[Xfujinon]

This would be huge in the healthcare market. Absolutely huge.

I'm planning on using an iPod touch during my rotations for medical school. Once the SDK comes out, all sorts of handy medical applications will replace those clunky paperbacks that interns and residents carry around.

It will be nothing less than huge. Trust me.

 

[punkybadhip]

Gomi Gomi Gomi

If true, then that sucks. I plan on selling my iMac next month (since its when I believe the Ipod touch/pda to be announced)

I'm thinking this is not true. First, a tablet does not need full Mac OSX, or even a superdrive. Furthermore, what would be the point of the Macbook Air?

I find the Mac OSX to be mostly superficial junk, as the only thing I need and most other urban nomads need is email, a web-browser, and some basic everyday applications, along with a music/video player.

All I use my iMac for is to email my friends in Japan, and import some CD's and clothing. Don't need a computer for that!

The iPhone/pod OS is perfect, especially for multinational use. All it needs is some updating to copy/paste, ect. Along with the ability to not need a computer to activate it, ect. An independant product!!

However I guess the youtube/myspace/porn addicts provide more income. I check this website regularly for the last few months, waiting... every new "rumour" makes it looks like I will be disappointed. What else is there? A Sony Mylo or whatever? god damn it.

 

[dukishdary]

this will come but not this year. earliest macworld 2009

 

[macFanDave]

I wish the illustration had a black turtle neck sweater on the person.

It was that fact that made me thing the patent was a fake!

Isn't an "iPhone-type" GPS chip like a iPod Shuffle LCD screen?

 

[tgildred]

Because you don't want to reveal too much of the actual design and give your competition a heads up. It's not marketing - it's disclosure you have to begrudgingly make. You want to make your product look as unappealing as possible - hence the ugly anatomy of people and the early 1980s look of the whole thing.

That's actually a good point. I don't know the whole iPhone development timeline, but might that 2005 patent be an iPhone related patent with a misleading drawing of a tablet computer? (which, in small sense, the iPhone is). I know the patent drawing is shown here in the context of this rumor for illustration only, but still I wonder.

 

[azdude]

I don't doubt that Apple has something like this planned, but I don't particularly believe this rumor in particular:

Something like this will *NOT* have a SuperDrive. Anyone who thinks Apple developed Remote Disc and an external USB SuperDrive solely for the MacBook Air is a bozo.

Remote Disc gives them the freedom to make devices like this (full Mac OS X tablet) without the need for a SuperDrive. Optical drives are terribly humongous to work into a design of something you're trying to keep elegant, portable, and ergonomic.

 

[cnote678]

If Apple makes a tablet that costs about as much as a MacBook(maybe a bit more?) I'd buy it. Just because it would be freaking sweet.

 

[mac jones]

Consulting Future man (who is a friend of mine)

He says there's no need for a tablet this large

He sees a HUGE need (ok, HIS need ) for one about iPhonex2.

So this can't be true.

 

[ricg]

The Real killer product

With the iPhone and Touch Apple has pretty much nailed the neoNewton PDA people have been waiting for (when the next iPhone hits the stores, my old Clie will finally be going into retirement). The Axiotron Modbook and Apple's Ink has the iTablet market under control.

To date, nobody has produced *the* killer eBook device. Amazon and Sony have made some improvements to the basic concept, but they are sadly lacking in many other respects. Right now, only Apple possesses the kind of outside-the-box design genius to do the eBook right. If they can provide ability to highlight text, add handwritten notes, perform Google-like searching, display high resolution color graphics and offer massive (SuperDrive-size) removable storage, they may have something that has a chance of supplanting paper textbooks and field manuals. This would not only open up a huge market, but the opportunity to (once again) introduce a lifestyle-changing technology.
-Ric
P.S. - Nice composite notjustjay--an iTriCorder would be pretty cool, too!

 

[zombitronic]

The whole point is to "whip it out and go"

But where could you "whip" something like this out from? Your marsupial pouch? The whole touch-tablet idea does seem very cool except for the problem of protecting it. An iPhone fits nicely into your cotton lined pockets. A laptop folds in half like a clamshell, protecting its screen, keyboard and trackpad.

I wouldn't want an unprotected tablet in my backpack, for fears that the unprotected screen would get scratched on something inside. Even just carrying a tablet around in your arm leaves the screen a bit more exposed than most would be comfortable with, considering what they'd probably spend on it. I suppose you could get a protective sleeve (or pouch), which may be the best bet, but that somehow takes away from the "instant access" appeal that the iPhone has.

I suppose sacrifices must be made.

 

[big_malk]

To everyone saying that there isn't a market for a tablet PC like this, would it be just appletastic and very Steve Jobs-esc to just invent the market for it?
About the medical practice comments before, a tablet PC would be waaay more hygienic as you could wipe it clean much more easily and affectively than a keyboard, which are renowned for being great a trapping dirt and germs etc.

They have everything ready to release this, remote disc and the MBA external super drive, inkwell hand writing recognition, the iPhone is 'based' on OS X, I wouldn't be too surprised if the OS on this was somewhere in between the iPhone OS and the full features OS X.

I wouldn't say this isn't a real rumour just because it mentions a super drive and we don't want one... Chinese whispers anyone?

I personally love the idea of a tablet, I'm not expecting it to be released anytime soon, but I wouldn't rule it out and I'd definitely consider buying one if Apple did release one now.

If any company is in the right situation to break open the tablet market, and to do it with elegance and style, it's our friend Apple Inc.

 

[pmoeser]

Who really has a use for one?

I'm not a big fan of tablet PCs - I don't have any use for them - but it is an up-and-coming market, so I wouldn't be surprised if Apple comes out with one in the speculated timeframe.

My same old opinion.

Tablets would be suitable for a very small niche of people. I doubt Apple would waste any time putting them into full production.

It would be fantastic of course and I'd buy one...

 

[Marx55]

Whatever it is, we need a full Mac OS X inside to open NATIVE Keynote and PowerPoint presentations. With full wired and wireless video out. And as small and light as possible. We do not want a MacBook but a much smaller and lighter device. With true FireWire and Ethernet ports. And we need thousands for our University. Something like this, but with Mac OS X inside:

OQO model e2
http://www.oqo.com

 

[kkat69]

Maybe he should have gotten some screenshot from http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbook and scaled them down.

Although the modbook uses a stylus this one very might use the iPhone technology but somehow I see it a mid level between the modbook and iPhone. The modbook is nice, we pitched an idea to use one as a wall mounted control center for lights, etc for a business. The one thing they didn't like was the stylus.

If this comes true, it could make a pitch turn into a project for us. We did pitch the idea of a touch screen and a mini but we wanted to go for total portability not being tied with wires, etc. The only wire being a power cord for recharging.

 

[creativecatalys]

Axiotron has already developed a mactablet

I saw the Modbook at MWSF 2008

http://axiotron.com/

 

[Stately]

Sounds cool but I don't see why they would put a superdrive into a tablet if they didn't have one for the MBA...

Wonder what gestures they'll integrate into OSX, can't wait

Cause the Macbook Air stiiiiinks. LOL, sorry. .

 

[daneoni]

I dont see it happening. There's no market besides healthcare and possibly education, this should be evident from failure of the Tablet PC/UMPC in general. Also why would Apple put a SuperDrive in a tablet mac but not the MacBook Air?

There is already a tablet mac on the market...the Modbook

 

[Rot'nApple]

He ran/runs PowerPage.org, and has had both ups and downs regarding rumors. He was targeted in Apple's Asteroid lawsuit, but also the source of the Plasma TV rumor which wasn't true.

In the end, I trust him that if he says he has a reliable source, I believe him. (vs some random blog who says the same, I would not necessarily believe it)

arn

Sources on Asteroid - TRUE, Sources on Plasma TV - NOT TRUE...

So what you are saying is that he's got a 50% chance of being right and 50% chance of being wrong.