Computex 2010 Tablet PC Round-Up With Video 174
MojoKid writes "At Computex 2010, devices like the Eee Pad and Eee Tablet were all the rage. Of course the bulk of these were Intel Atom-based systems, but there were a number of NVIDIA Tegra 2-based models in the mix as well. What is glaringly apparent on all of these tablets — and absent on the iPad — are the multitude of connectivity options built into them, like USB ports, flash card readers, and video output ports. Obviously, from a hardware perspective, the iPad is a sexy device; but Apple's true mastery is that of the user interface. The first big player that steps up with something competitive to Apple in that regard will have the pole position in 2010's race for the hot re-emergent tablet market." Reader Raikus adds an opinionated
summary of winners and losers at "Tabletpalooza," i.e. Computex 2010.
Re:iPhad; hardware is sexy? (Score:4, Interesting)
Unfortunately, until some manufacturer comes out with something that is simple (red square = treat) and as good (face it, the iphone/ipad is quality-ish hardware and its interface does work), the apple products will continue. Just because it lacks a few features that 75% of the population doesn't use (only we wish that we could hook up a keyboard or mouse, everyone will continue to be happy jabbing at the screen instead of jabbing at a keyboard), doesn't mean that something that you can be more productive on will dethrone it.
Re:Interesting quote from the summary (Score:1, Interesting)
I think it would be more accurate to say that the competition doesn't have a chance in hell of catching the iPad - they don't have the infrastructure, the advertising budget (I estimate that the average person is now reminded to buy Apple products at least 10 times a day) or the customer base. But go ahead guys, knock yourself out. It'll give Apple a ton of new free publicity as review after review compares each pathetic new offering to the iPad.
So what makes a tablet? (Score:2, Interesting)
TFA talks about additional ports and card slots. Are those defining characteristics? Whether they are or not, what they symbolize is an extension of the PC-centric model of computing that the iPad does not. Many people have said, and I agree, that the iPad is a computing appliance and not a true computer. That's actually its greatest strength. In the sense that Apple has created a market for tablet devices these potential competitors are misreading that market if we see a slew of Windows 7 tablet computers come out of this. Android tablets may or may not be another story. If the market is for a simple computing appliance these vendors would do well to try to do as little as possible, not what it seems they're trying to do.
Never forget that the market for these devices isn't the just technorati. It's Homer Simpson and friends.
Re:Interesting quote from the summary (Score:1, Interesting)
I just looked at the iPad specifications on apple.com and couldn't find any mention of an SD slot. Did I miss something?
I'd really like to know if the iPad does indeed have an SD slot because that might make it worth having. I'm not talking about some kludgey dongle thing that will let me read SD cards, but an actual slot on the side.
Re:NO NO NO! BAD TABLET, BAD! (Score:3, Interesting)
I'll take something useful over something pretty anyday. Useful AND pretty is a bonus. However, like the iPad, pretty and not useful is an epic fail.
For the average person, why get excited about plugging in SD cards? That then require your slick looking device having a permanent gash...
See, in the real world, there are people who have these things called "files". A great way to transfer these "files" from one device to another is either a USB drive or a SD card. It's infinitely better than having to take your iPad, plug it in, load iTunes, and then go through it's horrific sync system that only syncs files for programs Apple chooses to let you sync from (I have an iPod and an iPhone, I'm well aware of the horrible flaws in iTunes sync). It's much easier if you can keep extra songs / pictures / movies / books / whatever on an SD card and just pop it in and read it off the card - that way if you go on a trip, you don't have to lug a laptop with you just to get more files over to the tablet.
iPads sold, 2 million plus, a MILLION a month
Yes, but they have something that no one else has! A bright shiny apple on the back! That means that the average moron MUST have it or be a social outcast, despite the fact that there are other options (well, in the case of the iPad, there soon will be) that cost less and do more - but they don't have the shiny apple on the back, so they're inferior products.
You seem to be confusing "I must have it because the TV tells me I have to have it in order to get attention and popularity" with "I really like device X and it does everything I want".
That's why I'm trading in my iPhone 3GS for an Evo - not only will I save $23 / month with Sprint vs. AT&T, but I'll have better hardware, better software, and the ability to customize my phone however I want. I'll laugh at all the trendy idiots buying the iPhone 4 that isn't even as good as an Evo, despite coming out a month later. I'll especially laugh in 3 months when the next Awesome Android Phone comes out and really embarrasses the Apple fanboys.
Re:NO NO NO! BAD TABLET, BAD! (Score:4, Interesting)
Oh, so you have a bandolier of SD cards strapped around you, and you change "mags" a dozen times a day with your phone/tablet device? Why not just get the storage space you require, INTERNALLY?
Well, your beloved Apple limits the iPad to 64 GB (for way too much money) or a measly 16 GB which stores....well, not much. SD cards would fix that just fine - cell phones have been doing it for years.
If you want a file, why not email or otherwise FTP it to where you want? Rather than carrying things about on little bits of plastic? Or...do it all..."on the cloud"!
Once again, with your "email it" "solution", you're back to needing a second computer just to get a damn file. That's absurd and one of the major failings of the iPad. Secondly, if you want Google / MS / Apple / Other Big Company to have ALL of your personal files (pictures, home videos, word documents, everything) that not only they have access too but a mistake could mean you lose all of your files FOREVER, then to be blunt, you're a damn fool. A little extra convenience is NOT worth losing your privacy or potentially losing all of your files for.
Give me an example of an iPad competitor, thats in the market right now (pretty much worldwide too), that I could have bought instead of my iPad.
Well, you know, there's this thing called "impulse control" - you could start by learning some of that. Then you could wait a few weeks as the Android tablets flood the market. I know - researching before you buy something, it's a crazy idea!
We also have no Apple Stores, those damn attractive, ultra profitable stores, damn them! *shakes fist*
Please, go in one sometime when you're in the US. You'll never want to do business with Apple again. Everything about their stores (from the way the employees talk to customers to the giant displays they have with "tips") tells you blatantly that they think you are a complete moron. It's rather insulting, not to mention that Apple intentionally has about one store per 5 million potential customers, which ensures that you'll always have long waits.
I would personally assume the iPhone 4 is far better than the EVO, but I have actually used neither.
Making decisions about two products you've never used based purely off Lord Jobs' advertising. I can see now why you bought an iPad. I have an iPhone 3GS and I've used phones running Android 2.1. Android not only allows you to run whatever apps you want, to customize whatever apps you want, but it also adds new features at a pace that Apple can't even dream of.
Whats the EVO got? Faster network...actual tethering (although the iPhone can be tethered in basically every OTHER country apart from yours....)....what else?
More memory, expandable storage, higher res cameras (yes, BOTH cameras are higher rest), mini-HDMI port, FM tuner, a kickstand to watching movies / Sprint TV, Flash support, a much bigger screen, and other things I can't think of off the top of my head.
The iPhone 4 will be about the same price (I buy unlocked and run on prepaid plans normally), is slimmer, I think it will have better build quality (my opinion) and definitely a better rear camera, from what we've seen.
Being .1 inches slimmer is an unnoticeable difference. You're basing the "better camera" on what exactly? As for build quality, the Evo has gotten great reviews for build quality, as has just about every HTC phone.
Listen, I know its all cool to hate "the establishment" and all, but judge tech on its own merits, not how your peers feel.
I do buy based off the merits of the technology - that's what my whole disagreement with you has been about. You've been saying people should buy a device because "OMFG it looks cool!" instead of it actually DOING something useful.
Re:Interesting quote from the summary (Score:4, Interesting)