I may not be the only person thinking this, but apple arent exactly moving into a booming business... I've only ever seen one proper tablet pc and that was used by somebody doing a presentation...

The great thing about laptops is that for the size, you get a full computer, usb ports, disk drive, full keyboard and a large screen which faces towards you when you place it down. Tablets are merely just the screen, meaning that it does not benefit from the protection of being closed, you dont get a full physical keyboard, and its highly unlikely that you will get all the external ports a macbook has.

With the iPhone apple broke into an absolutely huge market, there are more phones than people in this country. However tablet computers are just not a big market at all...

who knows, maybe apple will create the market for tablet computers and we'll see them made by everybody everywhere.

personally i hate the idea of a tablet computer, especially running the crippled version of mac OS X that is iphone OS

not me. thats why im getting a macbook pro and not some stupid tablet.
i agree with you fully. everyone has laptops. i dont ever recall seeing someone using a tablet computer.

I don't know what you mean by "proper", but my laptop's screen folds down so you can use it in tablet form.

I don't know what you mean by "proper", but my laptop's screen folds down so you can use it in tablet form.

i mean a tablet pc that is only a tablet pc, i know that some laptops allow the screen to be used as a tablet but thats not the same thing, its still a laptop

thats why its taken so long to come out
apple knows they're going into a small industry (if they even are making a tablet)
so they do their best to make it the most kick-ass thing anybody will ever see in there entire life untill the next one comes out

That's a great question. I don't know why you would want a Tablet.
I find them useless.

i hope its like the ipod touch...just so awesome that you have to buy it. then ill save on buying an expensive(-er) macbook pro. i doubt itll happen tho...

People in Medicine (Doctors, Nurses, etc), Architects, Military, Business, Government

Btw, the iPod touch and iPhone could be considered Tablet computers.

^well, i dont apply to any of those categories (and i doubt the avg. person does)...and i would imagine that they (said categories) would most likely use pc's.

the laptops that like flip around to a tablet like thing are pretty hardcore.

It was noted that there would be a specialized version for "education". I think a tablet computer would be great for the classrooms at colleges ect, for taking notes, having all your reading materials digitally, instead of having a bunch of books. You could do all of this with a laptop, but I see a tablet being more efficient in that scenario.

^well, i dont apply to any of those categories (and i doubt the avg. person does)...and i would imagine that they (said categories) would most likely use pc's.

Who ever said it would be for the average person?

ok. so that leaves: people in medicine, architects, military, business, and government.

people in medicine will most likely have to have it connected to some sort of network, most likely something that would only work on pc's. so that rules them out. same with military personnel. (ok, so you can run windows, but its a lot easier and cheaper for them to just buy the pc machines they've been using for years)

independant architects can do whatever they want, so ok, they can use it.

most people in the business/high tech world run programs that use lots of computing power, which the tablet will most likely not have.

so government people are left. they prolly all use pc's too, seeing as most patrol car computers are dells (or some other cheap pc brand). it doesnt really make sense for them to buy all the tablets and buy windows for each one and set it all up....specially since they are doing just fine now.

ok so with architects (really, how many are there) wanting one, lets say the 50% of all architects (which we can say are 1% of the population) want one. 25% (.25% of the general population) of them can afford one/want it enough to buy one.

and finally, lets say that 10% of everyone else really wants one. maybe 5% can afford it (more like 2% but whatever).

so all this means that apple will be selling this product to about 5.25% of the population. now does that seem reasonable? everyone wants/has a laptop. or an ipod. or a computer. a tablet....it seems doubtful.

what about artists and graphic designers. having a tablet is alot easier to use than a regular comp or paper.

I would. Should the rumored tablet ever come to life and runs some form of OS X, then they have a definite BUY from me.

My school gave one to every teacher to hook up to the projectors they got. Laptops sucked and the projectors were all networked. It was funny because when they actually worked, and you got connected to your projector and not the Spanish teachers, it was incredibly slow.

People in Medicine (Doctors, Nurses, etc), Architects, Military, Business, Government

Btw, the iPod touch and iPhone could be considered Tablet computers.

why would they use a gimmicky apple iphone OS tablet rather than a top spec windows tablet computer which would probably be like 10x faster than any tablet apple makes. Architects would use professional graphics tablets over a silly multi-touch surface too.

A Tablet PC is incredibly useful for those with some impairment - hands particularly. MUCH easier to use a tablet. Also, certain environments lend themselves to tablet use - where dirt and grime can make a keyboard no more than a debris collection spot just waiting to short circuit a keystroke.

I'm pretty sure when companies like Apple make their products they don't have teens in mind.
Teachers, people who work in construction, business men/women, workers overall use tablets.

I'm pretty sure when companies like Apple make their products they don't have teens in mind.
Teachers, people who work in construction, business men/women, workers overall use tablets.

Through the making of the tablet, I can almost guarantee they haven't thought about teens. iPods? That's a whole different story. They would have to be crazy to not think about teens while making iPods. I'd say 80% of people at my school have an iPod and I'm sure it's not different elsewhere. Apple makes huge profits for this age group for iPods, but like I said, the tablet would not be directed at teens.

I could see architects, people in the medical field, and artists using the tablet so they really would have no need to worry about teens. Also, any random wealthy person who feels like buying one would be another category.

Hmm.. Apple tablet in an aluminum clipboard with a cover.

I was trained in Industrial Design. I think I should be paid for this.

I love how everyone is just assuming that Apple is making the Tablet and moving into some new product range.

There's next to zero evidence, and this rumor has been around for years. Last year people though a Tablet was coming. When it didn't come at the usual iPod event, they said it was coming out at the Macbook event. SHOCKING! It never came out.

It will be the same this year.

i absolutely dont think that apple will make a tablet. all my evidence against it was basically how they would be directing it to what...like 5% of everyone? yeah...that'll sell well.

5% huh ? Well........ America's population is estimated at just over 300 million people. How many own a computer (or at least know how to operate one) ? 80% ? Ok, that's 240 million people ! And 5% of that is 12 million. 12 million at $1000 a pop....... WOW. What is that ? 12 BILLION DOLLARS ?

They'll still make profits, my friend. Not to mention there's also Europe and Asia (especially Asia) and maybe the rest of the world. You may have just pulled that 5% out of your ass. Just like I did with 12 billion dollars.

Holy shit ! I'm rich. :D

My Thinkpad X61 changes into a "tablet"... I use it. I haven't gotten used to it for PS yet although I flip it so I can hold it in the air and it runs cooler...

Edit: It cost $650 too. Excellent condition.

ok, well even if they can make a lot of money off 5% of the population...why wouldn't they invest their time and money into something new and revolutionary, like the ipod touch, just something that'll sell for 1K...and sell one to everyone and their dog...just like the ipod. all im saying is that it doesn't make much sense to make something that'll sell to 5% of the population when they can make something that'll sell to 80%.

I have carpel tunnel so if they were able to have a tablet that was as easy to get around and type that was a tablet, I'd seriously consider it.

My Laptop is suppose to be "touch", but you pretty much have to use your finger nail and well... I'm not down for that even if the screen is more heavy duty.

i absolutely dont think that apple will make a tablet. all my evidence against it was basically how they would be directing it to what...like 5% of everyone? yeah...that'll sell well.
If Apple makes a tablet a lot of the TOTAL Apple fanboys will follow. :p
I wouldn't buy it because I don't have any use for it seeing as how I already have a Macbook Pro and don't have the money.

Maybe their aim isn't to make it big in the Tablet market, but to take a fair share out of the Netbook market?

i'd much rather have an apple netbook than a tablet.

I would use a tablet if I could afford it. It would be sweet to have as a PS pad, and an on the go type thing when I'm away from my mac.

Maybe their aim isn't to make it big in the Tablet market, but to take a fair share out of the Netbook market?

Netbook £100-300

apple tablet will probably be around or over £1000.

What people arent getting is that the rumours are that the tablet will run a form of iphone OS, what serious architect or graphic artist will use the gimmicky iphone os? surely architects and graphic artists would use a top-of-the-range Mac Pro with a top of the range graphics pad, not some stupid little tablet.

a reasonably good netbook is $400. if apple made one, they could prolly sell it for $6-700.

I would buy a tablet IF.... it was cheap. I'm not sure how cheap I would say, but really my only use for it would be to surf the net, play games, or read e-books while in bed. "well that's why they made iPhone and iPod Touch"... true, and that's what I'll most likely end up using, but I could see a benefit with a larger screen for internet use. I get annoyed zooming in and out of a website just so I can read it... about 10 minutes ago, I was reading about the Archos 9pctablet.. its considered a netbook without the keyboard... if it is in fact typical netbook status, with a netbook price, then that would pretty much be my answer... If apple does make a tablet, I have a feeling it would be priced at around $900... just my guess/opinion..

I would use a Apple Tablet. What I invision is something thats kinda like 3-in-1. Like have a add on keyboard frame that plugs into a usb port and you put your tablet in so it could be used as a laptop, or use as a desktop by putting it on a stand and plug in a keyboard and mouse. Does that make since?

Ok, a tablet will be great for e-book reading, watching movies on the go, and normal computing. Tablets are extremely portable, too. With USB ports you can could connect it to your iPod too and sync with iTunes on the go.

nothing you can't do with a £200 netbook. And also the sources say that it will run a version of iPhone OS, meaning that it will probably not be a fully fledged OS X tablet, just a ... toy... like the ipod touch

nothing you can't do with a £200 netbook. And also the sources say that it will run a version of iPhone OS, meaning that it will probably not be a fully fledged OS X tablet, just a ... toy... like the ipod touch
I don't consider my iPod Touch a toy. Its more like a PDA to me. Explain how its a toy.

i'd much rather have an apple netbook than a tablet.

same it would be more useful, to me, and having a more powerful portable device like that would be nice.

I don't understand the point of the tablet? Its a tiny little screen you touch for hours and hours because you can't tap the correct letter -.-

Some art students and people in the design industry / game industry (what i want to do) use tablet laptops... I want a tablet laptop but, yeah, one with good specs costs a lot lol..

Some art students and people in the design industry / game industry (what i want to do) use tablet laptops... I want a tablet laptop but, yeah, one with good specs costs a lot lol..


Oh really. That is interesting. Do the workers draw on the tablet and design characters, weapons, and etc?Hope you become successful in the gaming / designing industry!

u got a good point the tablet might have only half the capabilities of a real macbook but may cost more because its touch screen
BIG DEAL

I don't consider my iPod Touch a toy. Its more like a PDA to me. Explain how its a toy.

most apps are crappy little games or toys that have no actual use, of course there are PDA like apps, but its nothing compared to an actual fully fledged PDA computer. Just like how an apple tablet computer would be nothing to a high spec computer paired with a touch screen, which is what professional graphic artists use.

If apple are aiming at proffesionals then they are going to need to pack this thing full of crap, because if its anything like the iphone, the touch screen will not be accurate enough for professional architects and graphic designers to use, they dont care about a multi-touch screen, a graphic designer would use a 1:1 pixel perfect touch screen for complete accuracy.

I don't understand the point of the tablet? Its a tiny little screen you touch for hours and hours because you can't tap the correct letter -.-

this.

most apps are crappy little games or toys that have no actual use, of course there are PDA like apps, but its nothing compared to an actual fully fledged PDA computer. Just like how an apple tablet computer would be nothing to a high spec computer paired with a touch screen, which is what professional graphic artists use.

If apple are aiming at proffesionals then they are going to need to pack this thing full of crap, because if its anything like the iphone, the touch screen will not be accurate enough for professional architects and graphic designers to use, they dont care about a multi-touch screen, a graphic designer would use a 1:1 pixel perfect touch screen for complete accuracy.

I doubt many people would use all the stupid apps on the App Store, I for one don't. Also, I would think you could pinch and zoom on the tablet. Also the Tablet would probably be a lot bigger than the iPhone. If it does run anything close to iPhone OS I doubt anyone but a fanboi would get it.

You all have definite views on this. There are other ways of looking at it. I travel incessantly and use an iPod Touch to carry a load of books. I want a larger iPod touch so that it will be more like reading a book. I have tried Kindle and Sony and in case the screen is pants. On the iPod Touch it is wonderfully easy to read. Yes, I would like it bigger -- not by that much -- and I would pay quite serious money. And, believe it or not, it is a defined market and is thought well worth catering to.

Gareth Powell in Sydney

Other than fanboys and anyone who is within some sorta art profession, I highly doubt that anyone is going to buy this overpriced tablet when or if it ever comes out. Plus I doubt they would run the iPhone OS on it.

Who used a touch screen phone before the iPhone?
Apple makes things revolutionary.

this.

We get the picture that you don't like the idea of a tablet. So going in every damn that quoting shit saying 'this' etc etc.

its damn annoying.

oh sorry :)

I don't understand the point of the tablet? Its a tiny little screen you touch for hours and hours because you can't tap the correct letter -.-

12in. is tiny to you? Might want to get them eyes checked.

I don't know who uses tablet devices, but it would be nice to have a tablet like device running the Snow Leopard OS. ;)

I do. I use it for drawing.

Im a Graphic designer and i use a Tablet pc all the time.

NOT ME THATS FOR SURE !!

To be honest. Apple dont need new products yet. If they could fix theongoing complaints that forums across the world are filled with, we would be happy clients. Thats where i reckon Sony Ericsson fell on its arse trying all that tablet shit with symbian etc it takes ages to develop. looks crap, does nothing and bam.

Hate on some other products dude, were all apple lovers at heart.

Why is everyone under the idea Designers use tablets and stuff to do their work?

Apple Tablet would be FINGER TOUCH. So fucking useless to a designer who WOULD need a stylus. And for $1000 they could get a better Windows tablet.
Anyway all designers use Mouse and keyboard to design, it's more accurate.

most apps are crappy little games or toys that have no actual use, of course there are PDA like apps, but its nothing compared to an actual fully fledged PDA computer. Just like how an apple tablet computer would be nothing to a high spec computer paired with a touch screen, which is what professional graphic artists use.

If apple are aiming at proffesionals then they are going to need to pack this thing full of crap, because if its anything like the iphone, the touch screen will not be accurate enough for professional architects and graphic designers to use, they dont care about a multi-touch screen, a graphic designer would use a 1:1 pixel perfect touch screen for complete accuracy.

hardly anyone even uses PDA's anymore. most business professionals now use blackberry for light tasks, and netbooks for everything else.

i think the whole tablet thing is over hyped rumor. People want tablets because they are cool and have a touch screen, there isnt much marketability. I have never seen someone with a tablet in their hands. only on display or online..

I have a tablet PC that I got for free but I rarely use the pen, I just keep it in keyboard mode because it's damn annoying to use that stylus.

i would use the tablet.im going for game design and it would be alot easier then using a mouse and keyboard.

and yes they would be able to use a stylus for it if its the same style the touch and iphone are

I remember when tablets came to the market and I wanted one... until I tried one.

The thing about tablets was that they were intended to fill the gap between light but weak PDA and bulky but powerful Laptops.
The idea was that you could use them like a notebook, just take them out of your backpack and start typing. All the convenience of a notebook with computing power

Major Flaws that have never been addressed:
- Weight, they are still not notebooks.
- Input, it looks awesome to start writing again like you used to in first grade, until you remember why we use keyboards and spell checking this days. Hand writing is out of the question, so stylus don't work. Virtual keyboards are lame, a reason why the blackberrys with their full keyboards are still very popular and some people (including myself) prefer them.
- Start up time, notebooks don't load all your crappy software to be ready for input.
- Fragile and expensive

Until those issues are addressed, at least for me, tablet PCs are not an option. Besides I think Smarthphones and netbooks have already filled out all the portability promises that tablets had while not fooling anyone that they could have all the raw computing power without the inconveniences to portability

i would use the tablet.im going for game design and it would be alot easier then using a mouse and keyboard.

and yes they would be able to use a stylus for it if its the same style the touch and iphone are

uhhh, again, people use graphic tablets, http://www.wacom.eu/index2.asp?pid=0&lang=en

I honestly don't think apple will launch a tablet pc.......as it was said before in this thread, it's a very select group of people that would actually buy it and it probably won't be a best selling Apple product.....

The RATIONAL thing to do would be to NOT launch a tablet pc....but then again they did launch a iPod that makes videos but can't take pictures so apple doesn't owe much to logic decisions lol.....not to mention the whole "iPod 3g doesnt have a camera issue"

I honestly don't think apple will launch this tablet pc...I don't think the market has a place or users for a Apple made tablet.....Would it use iPhone-like firmware? or a stripped down version of Mac OS? or maybe they would develop a new kind of OS/Firmware for it......too many variables to say who would use such a device

uhhh, again, people use graphic tablets, http://www.wacom.eu/index2.asp?pid=0&lang=en

If Apple releases a tablet with osx and includes pressure sensitivity and such (or wacom releases a special stylus for this), it would be superior to any graphic tablet on the market.

I would buy it straight away because it would enable me to have my whole workspace right in my bag, one device, and would make graphic/3D/Sculpting work easy to do anywhere. If this stuff would be included in a Apple tablet I would use it more then my Macbook or any other computer.

In the graphic industry there would be a market for this as it is already a industry where Macs are very very common.

apple doesn't make specialised products though, they won't make a tablet computer dedicated to graphic designers, with pressure sensitive touch, with pinpoint stylus accuracy, because they want to be able to reach their whole install base. If they make something that 70% of their users have no practical use for, they won't do well, this tablet will probably some multi-touch "look i can draw with all fingers at the same time" joke.

apple doesn't make specialised products though, they won't make a tablet computer dedicated to graphic designers, with pressure sensitive touch, with pinpoint stylus accuracy, because they want to be able to reach their whole install base. If they make something that 70% of their users have no practical use for, they won't do well, this tablet will probably some multi-touch "look i can draw with all fingers at the same time" joke.
You say that they will only make it for a select portion of people. Isn't the people that have enough money to buy a mac in the first place already a select portion. Many people probably also thought that the iphone was going to be a failure before it came out, but instead it completely revolutionized the phone/computer market. I think that if apple decides to make something like this it will be good.

but going into a market such as cell phones is win-win, cell phones are a booming business with new technology being introduced every month. Tablet computers on the other hand... they are they kind of things i only ever see on gizmodo or engadget.

but going into a market such as cell phones is win-win, cell phones are a booming business with new technology being introduced every month. Tablet computers on the other hand... they are they kind of things i only ever see on gizmodo or engadget.

The MP3 player market was the same as the tablet. Nascent, little known, not much to care about. Then the iPod came in. Look at the world now. Apple can market almost any device and make it successful. Look at the buzz already generated at a Non-existent Apple tablet. Now look at the buzz at Microsoft's Courier tablet book thing. Apple's tablet rumors still crush Microsoft's courier. Even if people don't really use it, they'll want one. It's Apple.

Personal music players had existed for years though in the forms of cassete players, Walkmans, even creative had mp3 players knocking about. Tablet computers are useful for a very select amount of people, a laptop with with physical keyboard would satisfy the needs of anybody needing to use a computer for word processing needs, such as school pupils, college students, use in the world of work. You can't really compare the iPod to something like this.

Even though this is all still hypothetical, I think apple should focus on increasing the functionality and affordability of their current products, because I know a hell of a lot of people that would own a mac if they could afford one.

Personal music players had existed for years though in the forms of cassete players, Walkmans, even creative had mp3 players knocking about.

Theres a difference. Walkmans required you to carry around tapes, of which, each only held a tiny number of songs and required you to rewind and did not allow you to choose which song to play.

CD's were an evolution of that, but were way too big.

Yes, creative had MP3 players knocking about, but then they weren't popular and weren't being sold very well. Until Apple came along with the iPod and that exploded the MP3 market and even made the record companies bend over.

Tablet computers are useful for a very select amount of people, a laptop with with physical keyboard would satisfy the needs of anybody needing to use a computer for word processing needs, such as school pupils, college students, use in the world of work. You can't really compare the iPod to something like this.

I'm not comparing an PMP to a Tablet. I'm comparing the success of a PMP to how the success of Apple's Tablet could work. You've see Microsoft's Courier right? Think if Apple did the same thing. Recording the teacher's lecture, taking pictures of stuff on the blackboard, writing your own notes. Thats what a Student would use a tablet for. And then theres engineers, the medical industry, and more. Tablets are a viable source for computing. No one has just had the smarts to make them popular.

there is still the very large obstacle of comfortable touch (as in without looking) typing. yes you could write stuff with a stylus, but typing is a hell of a lot faster, and you can write on paper.

there is still the very large obstacle of comfortable touch (as in without looking) typing. yes you could write stuff with a stylus, but typing is a hell of a lot faster, and you can write on paper.

Who says you can't type without looking on a touchscreen? You can type without looking on a keyboard. How would it be any different on a touchscreen?

because you can feel the buttons, i find it incredibly difficult to type without looking on my iphone because i can't physically feel where the keys are, i know where each letter is, but you cant be anywhere near as accurate or fast as with a keyboard where you can feel your way around.

I may not be the only person thinking this, but apple arent exactly moving into a booming business... I've only ever seen one proper tablet pc and that was used by somebody doing a presentation...

The great thing about laptops is that for the size, you get a full computer, usb ports, disk drive, full keyboard and a large screen which faces towards you when you place it down. Tablets are merely just the screen, meaning that it does not benefit from the protection of being closed, you dont get a full physical keyboard, and its highly unlikely that you will get all the external ports a macbook has.

With the iPhone apple broke into an absolutely huge market, there are more phones than people in this country. However tablet computers are just not a big market at all...

who knows, maybe apple will create the market for tablet computers and we'll see them made by everybody everywhere.

personally i hate the idea of a tablet computer, especially running the crippled version of mac OS X that is iphone OS

+1 :D

On the other hand, just because they aren't popular doesn't mean Apple can't raise the barand make them popular ;)

I may not be the only person thinking this, but apple arent exactly moving into a booming business... I've only ever seen one proper tablet pc and that was used by somebody doing a presentation...



This is ridiculous.
Get off this website.
Everyone loves tablets, they've revolutionized computer technology.
Think about your wording before you fucking post it on a Mac Fanboy website.

^ you're kidding, right?

I use tablets all the time. I buy size 100 jeans and I fit it into my pocket. I have to wear a huge belt be ehhh I get to carry my tablet around everywhere I go to.

Nah lol I would reather use my iPod Touch the a huge, not very portable, tablet. Also if they do come out it's Apple, so you know its gonna be alot.

My dad brought the HP tablet notebook. It's terrible trust me. The pen it comes with, which uses some special diagnostics to map out what you're writing. But it's usually off.

Even as remarkable the technology is, my dad returned it. It was a pain in the ass.

But that's a notebook, tablet + laptop. I don't think a tablet alone would be any better. But the technology aspect is unbelievable.

;1898474']I don't think a tablet alone would be any better. But the technology aspect is unbelievable.

Look at the iPod touch as it is right now and many of the newer devices coming out. Handwriting recognition has gotten a lot better, Apps that utilize touch have become more developed and refined.

The iPod touch and iPhone are in a sense, Tablet computers. People just want something bigger.

Look at the iPod touch as it is right now and many of the newer devices coming out. Handwriting recognition has gotten a lot better, Apps that utilize touch have become more developed and refined.

The iPod touch and iPhone are in a sense, Tablet computers. People just want something bigger.

I'm just not so found of multi-touch computers(..I can't rant about IDevice's as they're simpler. Not too big, not too small). It'll take forever to complete a simple task. Dragging the cursor to your destination can take a while. And if your hand accidentally slips somewhere on the screen your cursor will follow where your hand dropped. It's just an endless cycle. That's either from me being uncoordinated or just an over-sensitive touch screen. Not sure.

If they can make one fool-proof. It'll be awesome.

and idevices are great tablet computers. if they made it bigger, even if they added more features, they would completely lose the main feature, portability. i'd like to see someone slip a netbook in their pocket and walk around the mall. even if it is relatively portable compared to laptops, it wont be compared to ipods, which currently sell fine.

idk if this makes sense to everyone, but the main thing im trying to say is that a large touch screen device would be super impractical, as it would be hard to take places.

I haven't read any posts before so sorry if I am repeating something that has been said before.

I think not as much people use tablet computer because microsoft's tablet software sucks microA$$.

My math teacher uses tablet and he always struggles to keep his hands off the screen while using the clunky tablet pen to drag down the tiny scroll bow that is now renderd practically obsolete for many desktop users for the use of scroll wheel.

Now imagine, iPod touch/iPhone's interface on a full featured mac OS X and I don't mean springboard. (That could suck hard time) I mean those smooth fluid multitouch gestures to scroll down documents and webpages and virtual keyboard popping up when you touch a text field and even virutal mouse that can distinguish between your index and middle finger to identify left and right click (Apple has patent pending on such techonlogy: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/10/01/evidence_of_apples_tablet_like_input_interface_rea ppears.html )

Jobs had said stylus is no good when he introduced the iPhone, and more and more I have to agree with him. It is true that in speciallized area like digital artists, stylus will be the best touch interface device. but for the masses, using your five digits of fingers is the more natural approach. If apple manage to make this iTablet as user friendly as iPhone but not cripple it and make a gigantic iPod touch, I see no reason why this won't be another hit for apple.


I am worried about the price point though.

;1898499']Dragging the cursor to your destination can take a while.
You're thinking of the Old technology. You don't need to drag a cursor, you can point and click with your finger what you want to point and click.

If they can make one fool-proof. It'll be awesome.

We're basically there already.

You're thinking of the Old technology. You don't need to drag a cursor, you can point and click with your finger what you want to point and click.

The only tablet technology, I've used was an Hp touchsmart notebook.

Runs on windows, uses a pen and hand gestures. Can use either feature.

;1898515']The only tablet technology, I've used was an Hp touchsmart notebook.

Runs on windows, uses a pen and hand gestures. Can use either feature.

You have an iPod touch or iPhone right? That is the direction that Tablet technology is going. Gestures, multi-finger input, and so on.

Beat up Martin ---> Eat up Martha

http://www.ipodtouchfans.com/forums/imgcache3/a9d21bb46be6f29c833e282cca1aa4fd.png?orig_url=http ://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/archive/9/9c/20081007024459!Newton_eat_up_martha.jpg

We've come a long way :D

Tablets are not practical, I don't see apple releasing one.
I could maybe see apple adding touch to one of their laptops, but a tablet pc is NOT practical enough to waste time with.

Its big, unportable, not that usable when it comes to day to day real world application, and depending on where you live... you could look stupid just to get one out. It would be more of a "hey... I got this expensive thing, envy me bitch!" kind of toy. And people would be breaking the damn things left and right.

Like I said, I believe apple will bring touch function to a laptop, but not a single tablet PC.

Tablets are not practical, I don't see apple releasing one.
I could maybe see apple adding touch to one of their laptops, but a tablet pc is NOT practical enough to waste time with.

Look at the iPod touch and iPhone. Those are basically Apple's tablet. I want to know how its not practical. Look at Modern Laptops and Netbooks. They're practical, but why is a tablet not? Watching videos, writing email, web browsing, both can do those very well.

Its big, unportable, not that usable when it comes to day to day real world application, and depending on where you live... you could look stupid just to get one out. It would be more of a "hey... I got this expensive thing, envy me bitch!" kind of toy. And people would be breaking the damn things left and right.

Again, look at the Laptop. Its also big, yet it can still be portable. You do know that people carry bags right and left. OF COURSE you wouldn't use it standing up like an iPod touch or iPhone. You'd use it sitting down, on the table. Like a Laptop.

People, Everyone, you shouldn't be thinking of the Tablet as "The Next Evolution of the iPhone/iPod touch". You should be thinking of it in terms of a Laptop with the interface of an iPhone and iPod touch.

I used a tablet laptop while repairing computers, and it had some uses.

Now, if the iPod Touch can be enlarged to a usable screen size (10 inches or more) then I can see myself touch typing on it.

Personally, I'm waiting for a netbook (sized computer) that has a touch screen so I can avoid using the touchpad.

Look at the iPod touch and iPhone. Those are basically Apple's tablet. I want to know how its not practical. Look at Modern Laptops and Netbooks. They're practical, but why is a tablet not? Watching videos, writing email, web browsing, both can do those very well.



Again, look at the Laptop. Its also big, yet it can still be portable. You do know that people carry bags right and left. OF COURSE you wouldn't use it standing up like an iPod touch or iPhone. You'd use it sitting down, on the table. Like a Laptop.

People, Everyone, you shouldn't be thinking of the Tablet as "The Next Evolution of the iPhone/iPod touch". You should be thinking of it in terms of a Laptop with the interface of an iPhone and iPod touch.

One of the main issues I see with tablet computers is, can I still use disc drives and flash drives? If not, what innovated way will there be?

I don't consider Ipods and Iphones actual computers. I don't think tablet computers are for the average person, more like for businesses and top companies.

not me. thats why im getting a macbook pro and not some stupid tablet.
i agree with you fully. everyone has laptops. i dont ever recall seeing someone using a tablet computer.

I agree with you 100%, I don't believe that when Apple releases the new tablet that people will choose it over a MacBook Pro. I DO however, feel that for those that can afford it, it will be purchased as an add-on to a current Mac "collection". I can't honestly say if I will be tempted to buy an Apple tablet, but I can say that I will be reviewing it's specs/usefulness/user experience quality before I get one, if I get one.

^you brought up a good point. people who already own all of the latest apple stuff just might not be able to resist getting the latest and greatest thing.

using big tablets with big screens means big problems with screen shields.. that is screen protection

I love my Dell Axim X30. I use my old Palm m505 (I know it's outdated) as a remote for my television. Laptops can't go in your pocket, whereas a Pocket PC can. If you really want a full, physical keyboard, you can buy a portable keyboard that plugs into the device.

a pocketPC is not a tablet, a pocketPC is more akin to the iPhone or the iPod touch rather than a tablet PC

rarely see them

My teachers use them all the time.

deleveiry men use tablets. so do some door to door sales men. now you cant say there hardly any uses for them. Also i use a tablet when iv good a head ache

nobody ever said that theres no use for them. they're simply not useful enough, imo, for many people to buy them.

deleveiry men use tablets. so do some door to door sales men. now you cant say there hardly any uses for them. Also i use a tablet when iv good a head ache

I have never seen delivery men with $700+ tablet PCs, but cheaper terminals that look like tablets.

I think we need a redefinition of the term "tablet".
I think many people here showing optimism are really talking of concepts like PDAs, Pocket PCs, Netbooks but not "tablets" in the sense I know.

For me a tablet aims to be a notebook technological replacement, but with enough computing power to be considered a "laptop".

^i agree. a tablet is like a netbook that doesn't open. it has a big touch screen on the front. its not portable at all compared to pocket pc's.

You two are killing me with your logic. Oy.

Don't forget that the iPod touch and iPhone are just as much a computer as this tablet will be.. only difference is for some reason apple doesn't want it to be used to its full potential as a computer, and that's why people jailbreak.

I use a tablet everyday at school as do all the other people and teachers at the school. We don't do anythings on paper and it is great. I really like my tablet and hope apple makes one. I hope it has full OSX and in like a mac computer not a large ipod or iphone.



tmaxx445

I use a tablet everyday at school as do all the other people and teachers at the school. We don't do anythings on paper and it is great. I really like my tablet and hope apple makes one. I hope it has full OSX and in like a mac computer not a large ipod or iphone.


Highly doubtful. This is an opportunity for companies like Microsoft & Apple to create a device that they can 100% control and deliver content and create an experience they want for you. If they have the chance to do so, they'll take it. The iPhone OS and the game consoles are experiences we're used to. They can take it to a new level now that we're used to it.

I agree with Tesla, however... To this thread, my mom bought me a tablet PC with Linux today for 100 dollars, it's quite nice however the Linux on it sucks so I can't use the touchscreen. Overwriting it with just plain Ubuntu tomorrow, currently it has "EEEBUNTU" and it's pissing me off to the N'th degree...

My hospital has a pretty cool tablet sytem set up. Each doctor has their own tablet and its basically all their charts and notes that they can write down whenever, and theres a dock in each room for them that has a mouse and a full keyboard that they can sync their notes and charts to what i would imagine to be a designated server. Thought that was pretty awesome when i saw that.

hey tmaxx, if you only use tablets, dont you have something standard? like if your whole school uses PC tablets, and you buy an apple one, wouldn't it not integrate well with everyone else?

where the hell are these places where things are run by tablet computers. i call bull.

I heard it was gonna be part tablet part eBook reader and eBooks are REALLY handy for High School

four words: digital painters and artists

digital painters and artists would use those incredibly accurate and designed-for-purpose wacom tablets, i tried one in solutions inc and the accuracy on the wacom tablets are absolutele insane, it feels like you're drawing on paper. i cant imagine a glass multi-touch surface having the same effect tbh

Some of them do have good enough accuracy to be worth it for an artist who does it all digitally. I know, I have used one by Dell a while ago, and it had great accuracy.

Recently I was on ISO50 it's a blog of the guy in Tycho(a weird ambient electronica kind of one person band) he does photoshop and many things like that.

He was talking about tablet PC's and how it was harder to do most stuff because of how it tires your hands. Then he showed this video of what they are trying to do and it had like a monitor idk if the monitor was touch screen then they had like a touchscreen right where your keyboard would usually be.
It would be fixing the problem of having to look down at a little tablet and having to stress your hands out
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digital painters and artists would use those incredibly accurate and designed-for-purpose wacom tablets, i tried one in solutions inc and the accuracy on the wacom tablets are absolutele insane, it feels like you're drawing on paper. i cant imagine a glass multi-touch surface having the same effect tbh

once again "Recently I was on ISO50 it's a blog of the guy in Tycho(a weird ambient electronica kind of one person band) he does photoshop and many things like that."

After awhile it can be really tiring on your hands and some stuff is just easier with a mouse.


Heres the blog part where it talks and shows a video explaining the Problem and then the Solution

http://blog.iso50.com/2009/10/14/10gui/

i think the bottom line is that they will be entering a VERY small market with the tablet. everyone uses computers; many, many people have ipod touch's and iphones. VERY FEW use tablets.

Nobody used ipod touches a year ago, and the music player was a very small niche that they entered when it started to come out originally.

music players were small? they were already booming, people had personal CD players, walkmans etc. apple were the first to break through the hard format market with a digital player.

Yes, that's what I meant. They were putting out iPods before almost anyone had hard drives in their media players, it was a very small market when they got into it, and a very new platform, one of hard drives.

tablets are not my thing..

i'm using a tablet atm

i'm using a tablet atm

Just wondering... what tablet are you using?

i once used a tablet computer. Very good for drawing

i have a toughbook and i use it as a tablet

Not a tablet PC, but I have a Bamboo tablet. Pretty nice for drawing.

People in Medicine (Doctors, Nurses, etc), Architects, Military, Business, Government

Btw, the iPod touch and iPhone could be considered Tablet computers.

I sense no one you listed using a tablet that is currently rumored. Very expensive since it's from Apple, and with a buffed up iPhone OS it couldn't possibly compete with other tablets.

I for one hope everyone is wrong and that Apple does NOT make a tablet. What I would love to see however, would be a touchscreen MacBook (with the screen that folds down to convert into a tablet). Honestly, it would appeal to a much wider audience because of not requiring an external keyboard. Typing on a flat surfice will never be easy then physical buttons.

Btw, a touchscreen like the iPhone would be terrible for drawing.

Yes, that's what I meant. They were putting out iPods before almost anyone had hard drives in their media players, it was a very small market when they got into it, and a very new platform, one of hard drives.

Harddrives are much more ideal for music playback then a disk because of skipping and lack of space. It was a small market, but something that eventually would have kicked off because of it's convenience.