Will You Buy A Slate or Tablet?

[Guest ryan2552]

It seems the big consumer news from CES is the slate or tablet. I'm not sure what the difference is if there even is one. There are a host of various platforms about to be unleashed this year many running windows 7. Apple is expected to announce the iSlate at the end of the month. So will you be getting one of these thin flat touch screen smallish devices?

 

Here is a quick video of one from CES,

 

[+ deej]

It's amusing to see so much consumer interest in the tablet PC form factor. It was the hot ticket for nerds several years ago. Mine is sitting unused in a box in the garage.

 

For someone who genuinely has a need for the form factor they're really cool and I'm sure the latest models will genuinely improve the niche. But it is a niche.

 

Apple's unannounced entry into the niche has my attention. They've stayed out of it so far, rumor has it they've tried and scrapped several attempts, and they do have a good track record when it comes to carry-around devices (warts and all). It will probably be cool and usable.

 

But I don't EVER need the unique features a tablet brings to the table (or mine wouldn't be in a box in the garage!).

[JackTwist]

I’m having a hard time seeing the void between my iPhone and my Mac laptop for such a "tablet" product. People talk about the portability, but I'm unconvinced. My laptop is portable. Others tout functionality--I have that with my iPhone. Gaming? I can do that on my laptop. On the fly internet– My iPhone got that covered, etc…

 

In the end I won’t say that I couldn’t be sold once Apple rolls it out, but it won’t be an easy sell (though I have considered it as a laptop replacement providing it’s interface is ultra user-friendly).