We want a tablet that can run OS X

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

There is more than one advantage than just changing scribbles to text. It could also change crooked lines to straight, it could very easily convert boxes in diagrams to square up, and it could also be made to recognize mathematical symbols and the Greek alphabet. Now all of my notes are cleaned up and searchable.

I wouldn't be opposed to text based input provided I could do something like

integrate from -infinity to +infinity (f(x)*exp(-j*2*pi*k*x)*dx)

and have it show up like the second picture, of course it would require me to learn another input language but it wouldn't be that hard.

Greek alphabet could be covered using unicode... maybe along with Mac OS X' own Character Palette...

For heavy Math notes I would go with something like Lyx, a WYSIWYG tetex editor...

But, hey... it boils down to taste and business: I just don't like tablets, and I don't think there's a viable marked for tablets in general, and especially for a marginal actor like Apple...

 

[atszyman]

Greek alphabet could be covered using unicode... maybe along with Mac OS X' own Character Palette...

For heavy Math notes I would go with something like Lyx, a WYSIWYG tetex editor...

But, hey... it boils down to taste and business: I just don't like tablets, and I don't think there's a viable marked for tablets in general, and especially for a marginal actor like Apple...

I'll give LyX a shot. It might change my mind.

But for now I still believe that Apple could make a killing if the PowerBook or iBook line would evolve to have a "flipping" touchscreen to allow for tablet use when applicable.

 

[Westside guy]

Given how tiny the PC tablet market has been, I'd be surprised if Apple would ever do this.

I've seen exactly one tablet PC in our entire department - it was owned by the professor who always buys the latest stuff. That was about 18 months ago, and still no one else seems to have one.

It really seems like a niche market.

 

[dongmin]

Once bitten, twice shy

BTW, Apple has had a 'tablet.' It was called the Newton. It bombed, at least commercially. Apple is not getting back into that market unless they're convinced that they've got a home run on their hands a la the iPod. There is simply not a 'killer app' to go along with the hardware. Occassional note-taking doesn't justify creating a whole new form factor.

 

[madrobby]

BTW, Apple has had a 'tablet.' It was called the Newton. It bombed, at least commercially. Apple is not getting back into that market unless they're convinced that they've got a home run on their hands a la the iPod. There is simply not a 'killer app' to go along with the hardware. Occassional note-taking doesn't justify creating a whole new form factor.

That's why the PCs tablet don't sell: We have chairs and tables in our offices. And no one likes to walk around with some 2kg-3kg $2000 "tablet" hold with one arm, just waiting to hit the floor... It's only good for some very specialized uses.

Tablets will only enter wide usage if the have the form factor and weight of a PowerBook screen. I'd say 5 yrs. from now (if ever).

 

[LaMerVipere]

Do we?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm certainly not clamouring for one. I'd be happy with an ultralight 'book of some type though.

 

[mischief]

Well I'm often in a position where it would be very helpful to be able to sketch on my screen, either over an existing drawing (ie when a client wants to see how a certain feature of their house would look if we just changed X) or as the initial conceptual sketch that can then easily be imported without having to scan it.

.

Which CAD package are you using? When I was using ArchiCAD on-the-fly changes were so easy you actually had to dress it up a bit or clients would change the whole house in a few minutes. I kept a Wacom alright, but it was mainly to keep RMI's at bay. I'd switch off between a trackball and the Tablet.

 

[Benj]

If you think you can sell based solely on cool factor, think back the Cube.

Errrm, I thought the point was that the Cube didn't sell. As tablets don't really sell.