All iPads Would you like a MacBook/iPad hybrid?

[skaertus]

I actually think about this a lot. I bought a 15 inch MacBook and to me that's a lot of money. No laptop should ever cost this amounts. But it's so useful and portable. For me people need mobile workstations and then their media device that's not a phone. It used to be an iPod or psp/gameboy but now as we grow we want a tablet that can do what laptops can. And tablets are just an intermediate phase. They will soon die out once any laptop can have the screen detach Yet remain light, have a USB and micro SD and even have its own ten hour battery life. Were not far from it and I don't want to buy anything just yet

I don't know if tablets will die out or not.

Tablets were a forgotten thing until Apple released the iPad in 2010. Then they suddenly became hot. But the iPad is the only really successful product in the genre; all the other ones are wannabes. At least some of these other tablets have to prove successful before we can call "tablets" a market segment. Right now, there's iPad, a product from Apple. I am waiting until the offerings from other companies, running Windows and Android gain some market share so the segment is well established.

 

[palpatine]

The tablet has been around for years, and is well-established, but whether we attach a keyboard and call it a clamshell computer or not seems like a minor question to me. In some ways I can do far more on my iPad than I could on a computer five years ago, so what will happen in another five years? It's hard to say, but I don't think hybrids or yogas are it.

Imagine, for example, a 9" color e-ink screen tablet that weighs about as much as an iPod, and has a battery that lasts days or weeks. The tech already exists. It isn't ready for prime time yet, even though e-readers with the potential are floating around.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/09/qualcomm-mirasol-display-video-hands-on-in-glorious-1080p/

I guess what I am saying is that something like the Transformer (detachable keyboard) or Surface with this tech and a Haswell processor will have gone so far beyond what we have now that "hybrid" seems inadequate. I'm guessing that Apple and others will have some pretty exciting stuff for us in the coming years.

 

[skaertus]

The tablet has been around for years, and is well-established, but whether we attach a keyboard and call it a clamshell computer or not seems like a minor question to me. In some ways I can do far more on my iPad than I could on a computer five years ago, so what will happen in another five years? It's hard to say, but I don't think hybrids or yogas are it.

Imagine, for example, a 9" color e-ink screen tablet that weighs about as much as an iPod, and has a battery that lasts days or weeks. The tech already exists. It isn't ready for prime time yet, even though e-readers with the potential are floating around.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/09/qualcomm-mirasol-display-video-hands-on-in-glorious-1080p/

I guess what I am saying is that something like the Transformer (detachable keyboard) or Surface with this tech and a Haswell processor will have gone so far beyond what we have now that "hybrid" seems inadequate. I'm guessing that Apple and others will have some pretty exciting stuff for us in the coming years.

Google Glass, maybe?

The problem I see with several of these hybrid designs is that they employ mechanical parts to make the laptop convert into a tablet and vice-versa. These mechanical parts break and are usually poor-implemented solutions. I think these hybrids/convertibles have some way to go before a great design is reached. Anyway, I guess tablets and laptops will still be around in 5 years, and some hybrids too. While I agree that computers may get even more mobile in the future, large screens are a requirement for some productivity tasks.

 

[53kyle]

Ah man... Apple needs to leave intel architecture and go to ARM... I'd love to have something like the ASUS Transformer where when it's docked I get a more desktop OS look (OS X) and then I pull the screen off and have a total tablet interface (iOS). That would be the best of both worlds, for me at least... and make it look like an Air when docked.

I agree, apple should just make all of their laptops this way and have the docking station with keyboard, trackpad, ports, processor, etc transmit to the screen wirelessly and make an ultra thin tablet that can be a powerful laptop

 

[tensiondeadache]

No, Apple doesn't need to copy Microsoft. Can someone explain why I would buy a $500 Surface when I can get the Asus Vivobook (touch screen/500GB HD) for the SAME PRICE?? I see the novelty of these W8 devices wearing off quickly. I do want a Samsung Chromebook though to complement my MBP.

 

[Uofmtiger]

You have to keep in mind that Microsoft is mostly a software company at heart. Yes the Surface RT and Pro are Microsoft products, but other companies are allowed to take the OS and create their own products.

One of the things I don't like about the Surface is the OS. It has an inelegant way of taking you from "Metro" to "classic" desktop. You click on excel, for example, and you are transported from "Metro" to "Classic". Then when you get ready to type something, you have to click on the keyboard icon rather than just clicking on the cell. I find it clunky.

Until you can click a button for running all apps in Metro or Classic, I think it will have issues. When I am at work, I want classic. When I am on a tablet, I want "Metro". I don't want to see the other desktop unless I ask for it.

The other issue is getting the full experience, which is not possible with RT.

Can someone explain why I would buy a $500 Surface when I can get the Asus Vivobook (touch screen/500GB HD) for the SAME PRICE??

I am not sure what the Asus weighs, but it seems that people are wanting something that weighs the same or less than an iPad and runs a desktop operating system. I have no interest in such a device. The main reason I bought an iPad was because it ran iOS. I had never owned a Mac at that point, but I did have an iPhone.

I have a Remote Desktop app (Splashtop Remote) when I want to see my Mac or PC on my tablet.

 

[skaertus]

One of the things I don't like about the Surface is the OS. It has an inelegant way of taking you from "Metro" to "classic" desktop. You click on excel, for example, and you are transported from "Metro" to "Classic". Then when you get ready to type something, you have to click on the keyboard icon rather than just clicking on the cell. I find it clunky.

Until you can click a button for running all apps in Metro or Classic, I think it will have issues. When I am at work, I want classic. When I am on a tablet, I want "Metro". I don't want to see the other desktop unless I ask for it.

The other issue is getting the full experience, which is not possible with RT.

The thing with the two interfaces is pretty weird indeed, but I think I can get used t it.

However, the fact that Windows RT does not provide the full Windows experience is sort of a deal breaker. It runs Office, though.

I am not sure what the Asus weighs, but it seems that people are wanting something that weighs the same or less than an iPad and runs a desktop operating system. I have no interest in such a device. The main reason I bought an iPad was because it ran iOS. I had never owned a Mac at that point, but I did have an iPhone.

I have a Remote Desktop app (Splashtop Remote) when I want to see my Mac or PC on my tablet.

The Asus Vivo Tab weighs even less than the Microsoft Surface, not considering the keyboard. With the keyboard, the Asus weighs more. A comparison may be found here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411428,00.asp