The Evidence for the Mac Tablet

[ncbill]

The only user of a TabletPC I know is...

a pilot who has bought it for charting.

Loading a CD-ROM full of charts on the TabletPC saves him having to carry nearly a linear foot of paper charts.

He flies from east coast to Vegas several times a year, a grueling all-day flight.

With TabletPCs at $2000 (and not selling) and PocketPCs at $500 (and not selling like the <$150 Palm-based PDAs), where does Apple fit in?

The biggest hope people seem to have for the next iteration of the iPod is that Apple prices it cheaper - forget new features, price the 5GB iPod at $199 and watch it fly off the shelves.

Maybe, just maybe you could take the iBook and add a swivel hinge like the Toshiba to flip the screen outward.

But Apple has so much trouble with the current iBook hinge I truly wonder if it is within their current technical capabilities (my 4 month old iBook is at Applecare with total video failure, which usually means the video cable has broken as a result of the poor routing/strain relief through the hinge)

 

[yzedf]

Originally posted by mcrain
Plus, something with that amount of data might need the FW800 bandwidth.

You got a hdd that pushes data out that fast??? Much less a small form factor hdd that could write that fast? That is why there will be no FW800 for the iPod. The hdd can't keep up.

 

[Das]

Dang, as an artist, I would use the literal crap outta an apple tablet. If they managed to keep the heat (and price) down, I'd get one in a sec.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Hey Arn...

Can I read anything into the idea that you made this a page 1 rumor instead of a page 2 rumor?

 

[pyrotoaster]

Originally posted by Gus
...The Newton was more successful than the books or articles would have you believe, and I know for a fact that hospitals, wharehouses, embassies and other large-volume corporate areas purchased the newton for all of the reasons you stated above. I imagine they would still be using the Newton if support had not been discontinued from Apple. It was the Newton's hybrid identification (Tablet or PDA?) that made it attractive to such a wide range of users. The price tag, however, especially at the $1199 that it sold for (the 2100) would not fly today. Of course, a Powerbook in 1997 would have set you back a cool $4500 for the bottom line machine-Powerbook 3400, anyone?

I think in order for Apple to be successsful in this area, they have to do what they always have done--make something that we need/want/will make life easier that we haven't realized that we need/want/will make our lives easier. The Macintosh, iMac, the iPod, heck even the QuickTake (for those that remember) were all along these veins. they sold/sell because they provide something that was already there, but filled a gap that existed.

Exactly! This is a great point. The Newton was more successful than most think (the eMate and MP2x00, in particular), and they were in the exact hybrid market Apple should be looking at now.
With today's new technology and lower prices, a new Newton would actually have a chance at being a major success.
And yes, I remember the QuickTakes (even though I never owned one). 😉

 

[railthinner]

interesting

From an article on MacObserver discussing a Lindows laptop:

http://www.macobserver.com/article/2003/02/21.7.shtml

"What many Mac users have found interesting, however, is the comparison Lindows made to both the "Apple iNote," and an interesting iBook. In the original press release issued by the company, the MobilePC is compared to four other portables. Included in that comparison was a US$1799 867 MHz Apple iBook, and verbiage in the PR said:

At only 2.9 pounds, the Lindows Mobile PC is the most affordable ultra-light laptop on the market today. Despite its small size, the 933 MHz Lindows Mobile PC features a 12.1" TFT screen, 256 MB RAM, USB 2.0, FireWire, Ethernet and a PCMCIA slot that allows consumers to add a range of features, like wireless networking. The Lindows Mobile PC has a similar shape, size and power as the new Apple iNote [emphasis TMO's] but costs less than half the price.

Mac users, and many other Observers, have noted that the specs and the price of the iBook actually referred to the US$1799 867 MHz 12" PowerBook G4, and not an iBook, and that there is, of course, no Apple iNote, at least not yet. Fortunately, Lindows corrected its Web site late yesterday to properly reference the PowerBook, and all references to "iNote" have also been deleted.'

 

[dongmin]

nay nay nay

Apple definietly should not get into the Tablet market. Why? Because everyone has a different idea of what they want to do with it.

-Some people just want a laptop without the keyboard. What's the point? Others want a detachable screen, but is it even possible to send video signals wirelessly?

-Some people want a PDA with all the useless software that PDAs come with. There's a reason the PDA market is shrinking.

-Some people want a tablet for drawing on, for which they have a thing called the wacom tablet.

-Some people want something cheap, in the $500-800 range. Others are willing to shell out $1200-2000.

There is simply no clear and defined demand. The reason the iPod is so successful is because it addressed a very specific need and addressed it very well. People want to add all these extra features to the iPod--like a color screen, video playback, touch-screen, etc.--but those extra features will add a level of complexity, bulk, and cost that will compromise the design and useability of the iPod.

 

[rmac]

Photoshop

So I can definitely understand why artists would find this intriguing. I got a 9 x 12" Wacom tablet a few years ago for some studio art classes I was taking, but ended up using it very little. I'd imagine it'd be much easier and more natural to be drawing on the same surface that the image is coming from.

But for things like Photoshop, I always have one hand on the keyboard to change tools and settings. Then I can hide palletes and the like most of the time and use the screen for just the image.

This would seem to be even more important on a small screen. But then you almost need an external keyboard. Anyone have any ideas about another solution? Would need to be able to enter any key and simulate holding down modifier keys in various combinations.

 

[Grae]

think education market

Hey, this is just my thought, but what about making a PDA/Tablet hybrid type of device that is marketed toward the education sector? Students are, I think, more willing than business types to make the switch to Mac in the first place. Plus they need to take a lot of notes. Imagine a device with an attachable keyboard, for taking notes in English classes, but also the option for Inkwell/free writing input for math classes, where keyboards are impractical. Load it up with Wi-Fi and Rendezvous (for teachers to distribute worksheets and collect homework) and you've got something that would probably sell even BETTER to schools than the iBook already does. This would be a type of device that schools cannot get from Apple's rivals like Dell. So, if they want it, they would likely switch their lab computers to Apples too.

And, like the eMac, if it catches on they can easily open it up to anybody who wants one. Personally, I think this sounds like a good strategy for Apple, given their dedication to Wi-Fi, Rendezvous, and the education market. Anybody else have thoughts on this possibility?

 

[dongmin]

OK on second thought, I do see some possibilities for a tablet.

I can see Apple making some sort of slimmed-down version of the iBook. Take out the optical drive, keyboard, track pad, speakers, modem, ethernet, and 2nd usb port. Replace the hinged 12" screen with a smaller 800x600 LCD (not touch-sensitive) and put in a smaller battery and HD. And finally, include a bluetooth optical pen that you can write on any surface. And voila, you have an 7" x 8.5" x .75" iTablet that should cost less and require minimal R&D.

The main advantage with this model is that they'd be recyling an existing hardware design. I don't think they should start from scratch to fill a very undefined market.

 

[gweedo]

Product without a clear market...

I don't know. I think the whole tablet thing is just a product looking for a market. Can you think of a few people that could make use of it? Yes. Are any of those people in dire need to have it? I doubt it. It is a neat idea, but not a must have imho.

I just don't think it would be wise of Apple to devote resources to this right now. Maybe in time, when people have more mad-money to spend... but now? Come on.

 

[pkradd]

Education? no.

The tablet is not an possible education device, the iBook is. Also, think small, think different and think "maybe".

 

[yzedf]

Re: Product without a clear market...

Originally posted by gweedo
I don't know. I think the whole tablet thing is just a product looking for a market. Can you think of a few people that could make use of it? Yes. Are any of those people in dire need to have it? I doubt it. It is a neat idea, but not a must have imho.

I just don't think it would be wise of Apple to devote resources to this right now. Maybe in time, when people have more mad-money to spend... but now? Come on.

Tablet is a business product. A real one, ala the xserve.

At home, I see no uses at all. At work, I can't help but drool over the possibilities for meetings, conferences, road trips, sales calls etc. Cell phone and a tablet that could be docked in the office with a real mouse/keyboard/optical drive/speakers would be sweet. No more pda silliness.

IMHO, YMMV 😉

 

[Toe]

Current Mobile Products

Folks, check these out, please:
http://t-mobile.com/products/handhelds/

If Apple produced something like any of those, but that ran OS X and that had a USB port, a firewire port, and a VGA port (meaning I could plug in a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, and that I could transfer files to other computers), I would pay $1500 for it. Even if it weighed twice as much.

It's stupid to have a laptop, a cellphone, and a PDA. What kind of portability is that? Why not combine all three? And if you want the luxuries of a desktop computer, why not have a cradle that you plug your iPad (or whatever) into and that then docks you to your keyboard, mouse, monitor, superdrive, etc.?

Why not have it all?

What would be really, really cool would be an iMac, where you press the Undock button, and the iPad slides out (or clicks out or something). All it contains then is the motherboard and the hard drive (or one of the hard drives). But it also has its own screen and cellphone.

How hard does that sound?

 

[cshapiro]

Re: Mac OS X on tablet Mac means more switchers

Originally posted by jaykk
If Apple can fit in a slimmed down version of Mac OS X, it will attract a lot of corp. users for sure. I am very saddened to see that not many people in IT field didnt even know that Mac is now Unix based, and these programers/IT people spend their day and night on Unix..So if apple can catch imagination of a few more users with a slimmed down version of OS X, we will see more switchers.

I am also disturbed that programers/IT people don't know that Mac OS X is Unix based. I showed my uncle who is a programmer OS X for the first time. He was impressed. I think that what apple needs to do is introduce people in the IT industry about OS X and what it can do.

I think everyone needs to stop thinking of the new product as fancily. Apple products always turn out to be simple, refined an beatiful.

Stop acting like PC users!

 

[blakespot]

Even CNet posted an item reporting that Apple was planning on introducing something portable aimed towards home entertainment... ranging from tablet to portable video pod.

Even CNet... Indeed. They have shown their intelligence with this recent article:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/ptech/02/21/lindows.notebook.reut/index.html

Where they refer to an Apple iNote (???) and then refer to the iBook, citing PowerBook specs and prices. It seem they're run by a group of 16-year-olds.


blakespot

 

[jgp]

Transformable or nothing

If the rumor is true that the Apple tablet is just a big fat iPod, then I do not think that it will be successful. I sure do not want one! HOWEVER, I will snap up a 15 inch PowerBook that transforms into a tablet and can run a large external monitor. I really want to flip from horizonal to vertical as I do a great deal of document processing (best in vertical). The handwritting aspect is only maginally useful for me, perhaps for navigation. I still hold out hope that Apple will release something like this.

 

[MacFan25]

Re: The only user of a TabletPC I know is...

Originally posted by ncbill
a pilot who has bought it for charting.

What about doctors? They could probably use them for medical records, right?

 

[Gus]

Re: think education market

Originally posted by Grae
Hey, this is just my thought, but what about making a PDA/Tablet hybrid type of device that is marketed toward the education sector? Students are, I think, more willing than business types to make the switch to Mac in the first place. Plus they need to take a lot of notes. Imagine a device with an attachable keyboard, for taking notes in English classes, but also the option for Inkwell/free writing input for math classes, where keyboards are impractical. Load it up with Wi-Fi and Rendezvous (for teachers to distribute worksheets and collect homework) and you've got something that would probably sell even BETTER to schools than the iBook already does. This would be a type of device that schools cannot get from Apple's rivals like Dell. So, if they want it, they would likely switch their lab computers to Apples too.

And, like the eMac, if it catches on they can easily open it up to anybody who wants one. Personally, I think this sounds like a good strategy for Apple, given their dedication to Wi-Fi, Rendezvous, and the education market. Anybody else have thoughts on this possibility?

While a good idea, focusing on the education market can be dangerous. The eMate was Apple's first attempt at what you are suggesting. It was, from the beginning, an education product (thus the name, eMate-education). It might have had a future if not for a few problems the eMate had:
1. Geared towards students-public schools-but priced in the range of an old used car-$799 (well, a used car back in the mid-90's)
2. Underpowered. The eMate actually was slower than its older cousin the Newton 2100.
3. Lack of expansion.
4. Difficulty in networking
5. Other such issues

Now, of course, all of these problems can easily be solved today, but the price point I think would still be an issue. As much as I love all things Apple, I really believe that they need to launch an all-out assault on the education market with DEEP discounts. Take a small hit in profit now to avoid a huge hit later.

By the way, I LOVED the eMate. Go rent Batman Returns. Silverstone has one scene where she uses one.

Regards,
Gus

 

[Centris 650]

I personally don't see a use for a tablet. I teach and do presentations as well as putting my undergrad degree to work with some graphics work. I barely have the need for a PDA. (Though if Apple released a PDA I'd snatch it up.) What I need is the 12" powerbook. Small, portable, powerful. Apple seems to have shifted from a finding niche markets to reaching as many people as possible. (Think about the iPod. It's for everyone. It was even mentioned on SNL.)

IF Apple is planning a Tablet I think they've got something up their sleeve.

 

[bigizzy]

Ipod OS

Originally posted by dstorey
People seem to keep mentioning using a OS X light or whatever. I don't think Apple would ever develop this, for one reason: look at the iPop, they have already developed a new OS for that, which far exceeds the needs of the iPod. The only reason for this is surely so it can be used in more devices to do more things. Having said that I dunno much about the OS on iPod. Any one got any info on it, what's it's name, capabilities etc. I wonder if its unix based as this would make sense.

The OS used in Ipod is made by PIXO software and licenced by Apple. This is not owned by apple and from what I hear the two companies are not having the best of relationships at the moment.

Also this OS is not Unix based.

 

[dstorey]

Re: iPop?

Originally posted by davy the bunny
iPop? It seems that I'm uninformed again, do you know where I can find out something about this iPop thing? I've never even heard of it. . .

did you not know, its Apples reality tv, pop stars the rivals clone. People have to vote via email or iChat messages for their favorite singing and dancing iMac's to form a new manufactured pop group called iPop. The favorite iMac at the moment is the one with Holly from Red Drawf loaded on it. It's belived that their first tour will debute at Mac World Boston and will tour round the 52 mac stores later this fall. the first single will be a cover of 'It's a wonderfull world; by louis armstrong.....

or maybe it was a typo 🙄

 

[yzedf]

Originally posted by Centris 650
What I need is the 12" powerbook. Small, portable, powerful.

12" PB is not powerful. Faster than the iBook, barely. No L3 cache, no zoom zoom.

 

[ogun7]

Originally posted by Das
Dang, as an artist, I would use the literal crap outta an apple tablet. If they managed to keep the heat (and price) down, I'd get one in a sec.

ME TOO!!! Alias Wavefront's Sketchbook would be the killer app for a proposed Apple Tablet (iPad? PowerPad anyone?)
AliasWavefront's Sketchbook page

I'd pay $1500 - $2000 for this and I'm pretty sure most professional Mac-using artists would also.

 

[Centris 650]

Originally posted by yzedf
12" PB is not powerful. Faster than the iBook, barely. No L3 cache, no zoom zoom.

Ok let me make an adendum, "& affordable". The 12" PB is a great machine.