The Mac Tablet is Coming

This could work… if it is cheap enough, and could double as a laptop.
A large docking station, which basically makes it a laptop? Proper KB and trackpad.
MultiTouch is amazing to type on. I like it better than 9-key T9 style entry, however, it couldn’t replace a keyboard full time. Therefore a dock would be essential!
Otherwise, can’t wait to see how this pans out. Let the MacWorld ‘08 rumours commence!

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A tablet Mac seems so ridiculously natural a product for Apple. I’m a bit amazed they haven’t dropped one on us already but there’s no time like the present or yeah maybe MacWorld ‘08.

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I think you need to rethink that misleading headline. This is all based on one person from Asus saying the tablet exists. That’s hardly confirmed proof. Frankly I doubt Apple will bother with a tablet Mac simply because there’s virtually no market for tablet PCs and if there’s one thing Apple wants to avoid, it’s niche markets.

In other words, I’ll believe it when I see it.

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hmm…I’m not so sure if I’d be interested in a tablet mac…I guess I am a little conservative about that…I don’t really see the advantage of having one and I really doubt that it will be cheap enough for the masses…but on the other hand I just might be wrong and it will be a big hit.

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I can see it now, the size of a Macbook Pro… no, a little thinner, and you know - no keyboard, just a screen on one side and a picture frame-like stand on the back so you can use it as a regular comptuer with a plugged in mouse and keyboard later.

It’s genius. Movie your finger over a dock will be the coolest thing ever. Not to mention coverflow. And movies. So useful on an airplane.

OMG I want one. But I guess I don’t really need it, I guess.

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Let’s see…
Bluetooth keyboard the size of a MBP keyboard
USB Keyboard identical in feel, plus extened keypad

Blue tooth mighty mouse
USB mighty mouse

Blue tooth ipod/iphone
USB ipod/iphone

Wireless storage (iPort)
USB/Firewire/GB ether storage

Wireless iTV
DVD drive

Anyone see a trend in the prep to a UNWIRED COMPTUER?

As I see it an apple tablet needs no doc as they already have the ability to do EVERYTHING wireless. Everything except charge the battery. I predict that we will see a “charge it all” apapter for the Pod/Phone and a rechargable or wall powered (option) for the BT keyboard.

Personally I have been waiting for this, and although I will not stop trying to get a tablet working exactly this way under linux, I welcome the offering. I would also recomend one to every “casual” computer user that I know.

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The Mac Table tis coming, yes, for sure. But the big question is WHEN? If Apple filed original patents in 2005, Macworld 2008 seems like a feasable date.

Macworld has to bring some big surprises, and I hope it’s this.

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@Bruce A:

“if there’s one thing Apple wants to avoid, it’s niche markets.”

I agree with you here. But I think that the Apple TV is a niche market. I think at the time, the iPod, when it first came out, was a niche market (then everyone realized how important the DAP was).

However, where I agree with you is that those products served a need and a purpose. What is the need and purpose of the Mac Tablet? That remains to be seen.

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I’m not sure we’ll see a tablet Mac like we might think. Apple is focusing heavily on the consumer side and content consumption. A properly done tablet would be perfect for this.

I support Windows tablets at work and find them to be something akin to a Newton of tablets. They have their strengths but it’s to a very tiny market. The biggest problem is simply they’re too heavy and bulky especially if you want decent performance or battery life(needing an oversized battery).

Apple could probably use their ipod/iphone R&D combined with another company’s experience to come up with a viable unit for consumers. Essentially it probably wouldn’t be much more than an oversized ipod touch. It actually could turn into a new computing platform like the iphone is considered to be and still running OSX. Accessories could be available to market like wireless mice and keyboards, docks that let you use the tablet almost like a current iMac, and external optical drives. The focus would not be on that though but simply as basic content consumption. Photoshop users will be disappointed.

Those thinking it’d be anything like the current tablets with OSX on it, don’t bet on it. Apple doesn’t operate that way and it wouldn’t be practical marketwise. With all that said would it be a Mac, an oversized ipod touch, or what? Who cares…if it works great and runs OSX, I think a number of people will be quite happy.

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problem is, Apple will make it too thin and slippery, so people will drop them, squashing their toes and smashing their 3k dollar tablet…

iDropped

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What I would really love is for my MacBook Pro to be turned into a convertible tablet mac; ie. the screen spins around so I can still use the computer as a laptop with a keyboard, but also use it as a tablet.

If ModBook supported that, I would do it in the blink of an eye!

-Jack

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Taylor: “What is the need and purpose of the Mac Tablet? That remains to be seen.”

Exactly why we’ll never see one. Until someone apart from hospitals (which are - say it with me - a niche market) comes up with a compelling reason for them, Apple’s not going to touch them. Er, no pun intended.

What I think we might see is a MacBook (probably the Pro) with a swivel screen. Some PC manufacturers offer this. You open the book as normal, turn the screen around on a small pivot in its base and then lay the screen down flat again. Best of both worlds.

But a pure tablet Mac? I’ll not hold my breath.

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Ah, I really should remember to read all the comments so I don’t have to retype what’s already been written! Yes, what I outlined is exactly what Jack wrote about.

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Me again,

Anyone know if you can buy the parts needed to make your own convertible tablet? Like the swivel and such? Because I would love to do it myself if Apple doesn’t make one for me.

The first step would be to modify the screen to a touch screen. I have heard of someone putting a Wacom tablet behind the screen which works well, but it was only positioned in the center of the screen Would it be possible to use two Wacom tablets side by side?

Ideas, ideas… put it eventually comes down to how badly I want it

-Jack

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I heard it will be January. Can’t say who from though.

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I think one of the problems with existing tablets is the screen. The screen in the iPhone is a tough unit but you look at the screens of most tablet PCs and it’s nothing more than a Palm type screen which is flimsy at best.

I like the idea of a Mac Tablet based on the screens of the iPhone and iPod Touch. They are very durable and considering the power and user-friendliness of Leopard I think the other reason we haven’t seen a Mac Tablet (aside from cost) is that Tiger and below just weren’t easy enough to pull this off.

With the screen-independent resolutions of Leopard and the already proven touch capabilities of the iPhone/iPod Touch we’re finally ready for the Mac Tablet.

The only thing I worry about though is the comfort level of pressing glass all day long. How do people find the iPhone and iPod touch for all day use?

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