See, I'm waiting to see if/when Apple announces its tablet, because I figure Macbook prices will drop like a stone.
I wouldn't count on it - everything I've gathered says that Apple views the tablet as an extention of the iPhone/iPod Touch line, not as part of the laptop family. (It's going to run the iPhone OS and the form factor is basically an iPod Touch the size of a Kindle.)
I can't figure out what the market is for it, other than people who go "Ooh, shiny!" Because it's not practical as a laptop replacement for people who need their laptop for more than surfing the Web, and it's too big to slip into a pocket/purse.
(I also think it's going to tank for the same reasons the Macbook Air did - it's going to be gorgeous and a lot of people will drool over it, but when push comes to shove it's still three times as expensive as the devices it's competing with.)
And also this.
I think it's going to be positioned as an e-reader killer for multimedia stuff - most of the content partners are newspapers or magazines. Basically print media that works better with color and video.
But since it's going to cost A THOUSAND DOLLARS, why wouldn't the person with that kind of money just buy a top of the line netbook and a matching Kindle or Nook? Unless the iSlate does something no rumor site has thought of yet, like print money, it's totally DOA.
Whoot! I've been told I get to take the test that will determine if I can do Level 2 work around here, which means more work but more money! Yay!
And boo for not being able to slack as much. I'm so damned lazy.
We'll see what it does. I know when the announcements on the original iPhone said that it was going to use an onscreen keyboard people clamored to say it would be DOA, that worked out a little differently.
If it is something that I can use to integrate with existing systems for remote control and for custom applications I'll be all over it. If it's got the build quality of the iPhone/MacBook Pros and is light enough to carry for an extended time I'll be using it on most of my job sites.
Good luck on the test, Connie!
Light and convenient is good, but the $1,000 would keep me from using a tablet in a lot of places where it would be useful. I shove my netbook in a shoulder bag and drag it everywhere, because if I accidentally drop-kick it into a ditch I'm only out $200.
If it is something that I can use to integrate with existing systems for remote control and for custom applications I'll be all over it. If it's got the build quality of the iPhone/MacBook Pros and is light enough to carry for an extended time I'll be using it on most of my job sites.
But Joe Average Consumer doesn't have a need for that kind of device, and can't write it off as a business expense. It may well find a niche among audio & video professionals, but that's not the kind of user base that makes something take off the way the iPhone did.
On another note entirely, the pacing and repetitiveness of Super Why may make me want to remove my eyes with a pitchfork, but it's hard to really dislike a kids' show where the heroes' call to action is "To the BOOK CLUB!"
Back to reality. TCG's car was plowed in. Our neighbors borrowed our shovel and didn't put it back, and couldn't be bothered to shovel out the back entrance, which they already use.
ETA: There was no snow at the beach.
I know I adopted an older cat. I can deal with the money. But please - let them figure out what it going on with my cat.
