Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The Evidence for the Mac Tablet
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Thanatoast
macrumors 65816
Of course, you couldn't hold it with your thumb like that, how hard is it to hold in the palm of your hand? Is it comfortable? That'll be a big issue.
about the prototype...
The picture shows one of the factors I was faced with, which is the Border of the item, it can be somewhat wider in order not to get the fingers on the screen, holding or touching the screen too much just to hold it will cause problems over time and the sensitivity may diminish?
but I do like the size, I was at circuit city and saw the Latest Sony Clie, with a digital camera and flip screen mounted (4x(.75)x6) an amazing item with features to compliment its classical Sony design ideology. The only thing that deppreciated this product was the garish Windows OS, that distanced me right away from the PDA.
But keep on designing, someone eventually will get it close enough. kindly Mario
The picture shows one of the factors I was faced with, which is the Border of the item, it can be somewhat wider in order not to get the fingers on the screen, holding or touching the screen too much just to hold it will cause problems over time and the sensitivity may diminish?
but I do like the size, I was at circuit city and saw the Latest Sony Clie, with a digital camera and flip screen mounted (4x(.75)x6) an amazing item with features to compliment its classical Sony design ideology. The only thing that deppreciated this product was the garish Windows OS, that distanced me right away from the PDA.
But keep on designing, someone eventually will get it close enough. kindly Mario
Re: about the prototype...
According to Sony's website their Clie devices use Palm OS. Now, it's a more vibrant/garish version than what my Handspring uses, but it is Palm.
According to Sony's website their Clie devices use Palm OS. Now, it's a more vibrant/garish version than what my Handspring uses, but it is Palm.
about the prototype...
I think its great to see it in 3D, Can you try and connect a wire to the false ports on the side, even if its with tape to see how it feels while its connected? And do you think the port can be at the bottom using the position you are holding
the prototype? or on the other side? and see how it handles or looks? I think you may have started a trend, I may build one and post my observations, but I will look out for yours.
About the Palm OS; it looks fiendishly like XP
so I didnt look at it closely, I never delt with Palm but the colors need to be toned down a bit.
One thing about the Pdas width is that they are narrow enough that you can hold them by the edges in the standard portrait mode, thats why touching the screens is kept to a minimal, on a 5 or 7 inch width plus 1 inch depth, its necessary to hold it using your thumb or if you keep the thumb on the border being narrow, would it be akward? I think if its kept in Horizontal mode like you have in the pic + adding half an inch to just that side making a total of 1 inch on that side alone, that would keep the screen large enough and you would only loose about 3/5 of an inch diagonally and you would get a better hold on it? thanks for all Mario
I think its great to see it in 3D, Can you try and connect a wire to the false ports on the side, even if its with tape to see how it feels while its connected? And do you think the port can be at the bottom using the position you are holding
the prototype? or on the other side? and see how it handles or looks? I think you may have started a trend, I may build one and post my observations, but I will look out for yours.
About the Palm OS; it looks fiendishly like XP
so I didnt look at it closely, I never delt with Palm but the colors need to be toned down a bit.
One thing about the Pdas width is that they are narrow enough that you can hold them by the edges in the standard portrait mode, thats why touching the screens is kept to a minimal, on a 5 or 7 inch width plus 1 inch depth, its necessary to hold it using your thumb or if you keep the thumb on the border being narrow, would it be akward? I think if its kept in Horizontal mode like you have in the pic + adding half an inch to just that side making a total of 1 inch on that side alone, that would keep the screen large enough and you would only loose about 3/5 of an inch diagonally and you would get a better hold on it? thanks for all Mario
My $.02: Tablet is a BAD IDEA
The whole tablet thing is a *bad idea*. The fact that Microsoft came out with this first should tell us something. Its roughly laptop sized, yet without a keyboard?! That would be like Ford coming out with a car without a steering wheel, breaks, or accelerator....you can call that bold and innovative, or you can call it stupid. Tablet might still be somewhat functional for a small number of people that don't know how to type and don't care to learn, but I'd never use it, nor would anybody who routinely does things such as: e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, graphic design/typography, etc. I might understand if it was meant to be a carry-along, portable device that fits easily in your pocket, but the tablets I've seen don't have the portability of the Palm, so just what is the purpose? Its just a bad idea! Leave it to MicroShaft to come up with this crap. Let them get the shaft on this one. We don't need laptops without keyboards.
The whole tablet thing is a *bad idea*. The fact that Microsoft came out with this first should tell us something. Its roughly laptop sized, yet without a keyboard?! That would be like Ford coming out with a car without a steering wheel, breaks, or accelerator....you can call that bold and innovative, or you can call it stupid. Tablet might still be somewhat functional for a small number of people that don't know how to type and don't care to learn, but I'd never use it, nor would anybody who routinely does things such as: e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, graphic design/typography, etc. I might understand if it was meant to be a carry-along, portable device that fits easily in your pocket, but the tablets I've seen don't have the portability of the Palm, so just what is the purpose? Its just a bad idea! Leave it to MicroShaft to come up with this crap. Let them get the shaft on this one. We don't need laptops without keyboards.
it maybe so but...
the idea here is to get a notion of what Apple might develop if they decide to go forth on any type of tablet product and not whether its a good one or not, anyone can say any product is not a good idea until they find an use for it then they are the firsts ones buying it, the winning factor in any product Apple develops will always be the superior OS and the apps that will come with it, Apple doesnt have that resistance
to any idea, for example;with the fruit colored iMacs 2 years ago they re-invented the desktop and many are still trying to follow up ( the all-in-one concept ) Im sure someone said at the time;"that will never work, its this and that", in the end its hard to determine what will be a hit or miss. we are just fans speculating on a possibility, which in itself is fun. I dont do product development but doing sketches on photoshop and sharing ideas has made me learn something, whether its about sculpture,drawing, science etc. It has shifted my perspective somewhat. Any pda out there has all the features we've discussed here, you can go out there and obtain it today, but what would the Apple tablet have that will make me and you go buy it beside the apparent OS etc?and whether to use it as a tool or a toy, I think thats one of the directions of this thread. A really good question would be; should Apple not pursue this concept because the Insipids at MS came up with a big PDA re-named the Tablet and miss out on a hit like the iPod? OR should Apple try and in the end make something outstanding?
They do that everyday! just look at iTunes, can someone really say" I prefer Windows Media Player! after experiencing clarity, functionality and elegance?. Im sure if Apple develops this Tablet it will be a Phenomenal product! they have always surprised everyone and brought innovation to the table at the same time. We are curious as to how they will solve some of the knick knacks we've been addressing here.
Peace Mario
the idea here is to get a notion of what Apple might develop if they decide to go forth on any type of tablet product and not whether its a good one or not, anyone can say any product is not a good idea until they find an use for it then they are the firsts ones buying it, the winning factor in any product Apple develops will always be the superior OS and the apps that will come with it, Apple doesnt have that resistance
to any idea, for example;with the fruit colored iMacs 2 years ago they re-invented the desktop and many are still trying to follow up ( the all-in-one concept ) Im sure someone said at the time;"that will never work, its this and that", in the end its hard to determine what will be a hit or miss. we are just fans speculating on a possibility, which in itself is fun. I dont do product development but doing sketches on photoshop and sharing ideas has made me learn something, whether its about sculpture,drawing, science etc. It has shifted my perspective somewhat. Any pda out there has all the features we've discussed here, you can go out there and obtain it today, but what would the Apple tablet have that will make me and you go buy it beside the apparent OS etc?and whether to use it as a tool or a toy, I think thats one of the directions of this thread. A really good question would be; should Apple not pursue this concept because the Insipids at MS came up with a big PDA re-named the Tablet and miss out on a hit like the iPod? OR should Apple try and in the end make something outstanding?
They do that everyday! just look at iTunes, can someone really say" I prefer Windows Media Player! after experiencing clarity, functionality and elegance?. Im sure if Apple develops this Tablet it will be a Phenomenal product! they have always surprised everyone and brought innovation to the table at the same time. We are curious as to how they will solve some of the knick knacks we've been addressing here.
Peace Mario
jethroted
macrumors 6502a
Re: My $.02: Tablet is a BAD IDEA
I don't think this item is going to be for typing kind of apps. I would bet this will be a web browsing/music listening/movie watching device. things that don't really need typing skills. It will probably come with a dock with a keyboard anyway.
I don't think this item is going to be for typing kind of apps. I would bet this will be a web browsing/music listening/movie watching device. things that don't really need typing skills. It will probably come with a dock with a keyboard anyway.
have you considered a docking station?
http://www.spymac.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18331&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
Portrait mode, but still can be made horizontal way. less center of gravity! and thanks for the wire view. Mario
http://www.spymac.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=18331&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
Portrait mode, but still can be made horizontal way. less center of gravity! and thanks for the wire view. Mario
Well on the article about Lindows laptop it compared it to the Apple iNote but they took all references to "Apple iNote" down from the article that was posted previously.
Rather than comparing to the 'other' tablets why not do an 'Apple' type solution:
- 8.5 x 11 screen (or that dimension less printer margins)
- have it display a touch sensitive keyboard in data entry mode
- pressure sensitive for painting and the like
- bluetooth for external keyboard and mouse (along with a stand so you can use it as your desktop machine too!)
- wifi networking
- all features and functionality of a notebook except keyboard
Really all a tablet should be is something properly proportioned to replace a writing pad that allows multiple forms of entry, storage, and networking. In other words the bottom half of a notebook with the keyboard replaced by the screen.
Even better, from Apple's standpoint, other than the touch sensitive screen and some trivial programming for the touch sensitive keyboard application, they're just doing another notebook!
And in tune with their current naming scheme call the thing something like "iPad"
- 8.5 x 11 screen (or that dimension less printer margins)
- have it display a touch sensitive keyboard in data entry mode
- pressure sensitive for painting and the like
- bluetooth for external keyboard and mouse (along with a stand so you can use it as your desktop machine too!)
- wifi networking
- all features and functionality of a notebook except keyboard
Really all a tablet should be is something properly proportioned to replace a writing pad that allows multiple forms of entry, storage, and networking. In other words the bottom half of a notebook with the keyboard replaced by the screen.
Even better, from Apple's standpoint, other than the touch sensitive screen and some trivial programming for the touch sensitive keyboard application, they're just doing another notebook!
And in tune with their current naming scheme call the thing something like "iPad"
Toe
macrumors 65816
Foldable LCD?
Is there such a thing as a foldable LCD? I know it has been conceived, but don't know if any are in production.
It seems like that'd be a great way to get a big screen into a small package.
As an alternative, how about two screens, one on each side of a clamshell? That way you could view on both screens (with a small gap for border), or the top could be a screen and the bottom a touch-keyboard. You could minimize the border gap by doing a fold-under like the iBook and latest PowerBooks.
Is there such a thing as a foldable LCD? I know it has been conceived, but don't know if any are in production.
It seems like that'd be a great way to get a big screen into a small package.
As an alternative, how about two screens, one on each side of a clamshell? That way you could view on both screens (with a small gap for border), or the top could be a screen and the bottom a touch-keyboard. You could minimize the border gap by doing a fold-under like the iBook and latest PowerBooks.
If I were Apple...
I recently bought an ipaq. And then took it back due to pocket windows being bad to the point of unusable. There are two problems which plague the Palm/PocketPC.
1) They need an ugly screen protector
2) The OSs suck
To answer point 2 first; a possible "OSX-lite" metioned earlier could fly on a cheap, low-power underclocked G3, and adding a 1.8" Tosh HD would push the boundaries of the PDA market.
There was once a small British PDA manufacturer called Psion. Sadly they are no more, but that is another story... They made clam-shells which were highly robust, opening out to have a 16:9 aspect wide screen on one side of the hinge and a small-but-just-about-useable keyboard on the other. Apple could easily adopt this type of design; no ugly screen protector, and a built-in keyboard. The keyb is a bit small for typing large quantities, but foldables exist: adding bluetooth to them is no big deal.
To sell in viable quantities, it would (of course) sport everything the top-of-the-range ipaq/palm/whatevers have (802.11; bluetooth; IrDA, etc, etc) and more (firewire, HD, more RAM to name but a few) and cost $1000 or less. It would also have impeccable Windoze support, so that the M$ victims using them would stop and think "Hey, my PDA is easier to use than my PC. Next time I get a new computer, I'll consider a Mac."
I think it's feasable (mainly 'cos I want one), but the chances are pretty low. It'd be nice though, and very Apple. They could even have the glowing apple on the outside of the case 🙂
I recently bought an ipaq. And then took it back due to pocket windows being bad to the point of unusable. There are two problems which plague the Palm/PocketPC.
1) They need an ugly screen protector
2) The OSs suck
To answer point 2 first; a possible "OSX-lite" metioned earlier could fly on a cheap, low-power underclocked G3, and adding a 1.8" Tosh HD would push the boundaries of the PDA market.
There was once a small British PDA manufacturer called Psion. Sadly they are no more, but that is another story... They made clam-shells which were highly robust, opening out to have a 16:9 aspect wide screen on one side of the hinge and a small-but-just-about-useable keyboard on the other. Apple could easily adopt this type of design; no ugly screen protector, and a built-in keyboard. The keyb is a bit small for typing large quantities, but foldables exist: adding bluetooth to them is no big deal.
To sell in viable quantities, it would (of course) sport everything the top-of-the-range ipaq/palm/whatevers have (802.11; bluetooth; IrDA, etc, etc) and more (firewire, HD, more RAM to name but a few) and cost $1000 or less. It would also have impeccable Windoze support, so that the M$ victims using them would stop and think "Hey, my PDA is easier to use than my PC. Next time I get a new computer, I'll consider a Mac."
I think it's feasable (mainly 'cos I want one), but the chances are pretty low. It'd be nice though, and very Apple. They could even have the glowing apple on the outside of the case 🙂
tablet Rendering...
This was done on photoshop 7.0 and its a combo of the different ideas presented on this thread
The left side of the tablet is slightly wider than the rest of the sides so you an hold on to it well,
independent Trash, so its out of the Dock, simple up and down volume or brightness control, I have a portrait mode too that i will post later. this size is not 5x7x1 as you can see by the size of the CD, but i think they can do a slot loading item, and using the drive usually found in iPods, or if its tray loading it will save mechanical issues. peace Mario
This was done on photoshop 7.0 and its a combo of the different ideas presented on this thread
The left side of the tablet is slightly wider than the rest of the sides so you an hold on to it well,
independent Trash, so its out of the Dock, simple up and down volume or brightness control, I have a portrait mode too that i will post later. this size is not 5x7x1 as you can see by the size of the CD, but i think they can do a slot loading item, and using the drive usually found in iPods, or if its tray loading it will save mechanical issues. peace Mario
Attachments
Portrait Mode
This docking station is for the portrait mode, i think that if its connected to the computer its always more convinient to just drop it on the docking station, than to always look for the wire,
it keeps the workplace organized and like the iPod it can recharge at the same time, also it can be designed so this docking station has speakers or more ports, the tablet can have 2 input jacks like the fruit colored iMacs in case you wanna share music via headphones. Mario
This docking station is for the portrait mode, i think that if its connected to the computer its always more convinient to just drop it on the docking station, than to always look for the wire,
it keeps the workplace organized and like the iPod it can recharge at the same time, also it can be designed so this docking station has speakers or more ports, the tablet can have 2 input jacks like the fruit colored iMacs in case you wanna share music via headphones. Mario
