the answer to the Tablet PC

[malexgreen]

Is Apple planning on releasing in the near future (within 3 months) a notebook that has a touch-sensitive screen that supports "digital ink?"

[kendall]

I think it would be in Apples best interest to wait and see how well the Tablet PC is received. Much like they did with the mp3 player.

Then when they can find a way to totally improve upon it, release their own and take the market by storm.

[KrinkleCut]

Uhm, like the title of the post says, I'm waiting for 'the answer to thte tablet PC'. That is, I don't get it. Why do I want one of these?

Features? No, they're bound to be underpowered just because of the form factor. A touch screen? That's it? So why do I (or any other 'average user') need a touch screen? Sure certain specialized professionals might benefit, but I don't see it.

Flexability? I can take it... where? I don't need to carry my PC around, and if I do, why not get a laptop? Because of the size? Then why not an iPaq or something and leave the real computing to my desktop? These tablets don't seem much smaller than your average laptop anyway.

Wow factor? My local library has had touch screen computers for 10 years. Wow.

I guess I have to side with Apple on this - I don't see why they (or anyone else) need them. Give me features to enhance my computing experience, not just cause you can.

[n4cer]

The Tablet PCs are full fledged PCs/laptops. That's the point. They are supersets of traditional laptops. You get all the benefits of a normal laptop, (Power, all your software runs, etc.) plus the inking capabilities, and the benefits that go along with the platform's portrait (in addition to landscape) display capability (for ebooks, digital periodicals, and planning applications, etc.).

[edX]

"what's wrong with the tablet PC?"

[Trip]

If Apple made something like the tablet PC and sold it for less than $800 I'd be all over that! The drawing capabilities (in photoshop even!) would be absolutly incredible! And I could work at school without having to drag around a heavy peice of platstic!

*wakes up*

Oh, thats right...Apple still hasn't even released a PDA.

[boi]

inkwell seems too random for a tablet mac not to be in the works... but what do i know?

[KrinkleCut]

Originally posted by n4cer
The Tablet PCs are full fledged PCs/laptops. That's the point. They are supersets of traditional laptops. You get all the benefits of a normal laptop, (Power, all your software runs, etc.) plus the inking capabilities, and the benefits that go along with the platform's portrait (in addition to landscape) display capability (for ebooks, digital periodicals, and planning applications, etc.).

Okay, so they're fully fledged laptops with a touch screen and handwriting recognition. Fine. But why would I pay for one over a 'traditional' laptop? Convince me. You've iterated features not benefits.

Maybe I'm a minority, but I would NEVER choose to read in a digital medium over print. Ebooks, digital periodicals? Why is it better for those than an ipaq, other than it's bigger (a hindrance in my opinion)?

Don't get me wrong, they're 'cool' in theory. Just don't see the point.