04-16-2003, 08:45 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Tiny Tablet PCs?
Move over, OQO, some competition might be knocking on your door.
"The shape is shifting for tablet PCs as manufacturers test computer buyers' tolerance for offbeat designs. Manufacturers are experimenting with the form and size of tablet PCs, portable computers that let users write on the screen and draw pictures. Toshiba, for instance, is working on a slate-style tablet design that's about the size of a large postcard, while Intel researchers have put together what they call the 'micro tablet,' a full-fledged PC that is about the size of two credit cards."
We're slowly seeing convergence in a variety of devices -- small PCs versus powerful handhelds -- and it's interesting to think about what the effect on the market will be. I have a feeling that these mini tablet PCs will make it to the market before the OQO, which, sadly, is so far an example of the dangers of hyping too early.
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04-16-2003, 09:27 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 56
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Re: Tiny Tablet PCs?
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
Move over, OQO, some competition might be knocking on your door. |
1st post!
Neither the OQO nor the Antelope seem to be available for sale so I don't see how consumers are going to try out this shape factor in the near future.
The Antelope looks initially interesting until I read that the battery life will be (sic) 2 hours! What were they thinking?
There are a few other "super Pocket PCs" like the Viewsonic model, but sadly they all seem to be using 206 MHz processors. Why trade DOWN from a Pocket PC or Palm unit, especially when such units are almost as expensive as current low-end notebooks?
I'd be very keen on a unit with a 5-6" screen, VGA or 800x600 resolution, 1 GB CF card, WiFi and Bluetooth (to connect to my GPRS phone), and USB host port so I can connect an external monitor, keyboard or other device. Such a unit should allow seamless transfer of files from the desktop with NO CONVERSIONS. Maybe I will have to go to a Linux-powered device for that, since most applications on the Palm and PocketPC still insist on format conversion.
BTW, links to two large-size PocketPCs:
The Faucon wireless and Viewsonic SuperPDA .
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04-16-2003, 09:27 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 125
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The OQO machine is still vapour isn't it?
If someone actually does get a small machine out that runs XP Tablet edition, I am sure that it will give the high end PocketPC's some competition. I don't, however, think that it will be the same situation as the WinCE HPC vs full laptop that happened a few years ago.
Remember all those full size HPC's? Once you could get a laptop for only a little more, the market for HPC's evaporated. Who wants a crippled WinCE device when they can have the full desktop versions of things.
But XP is really not friendly with 640x480 screens, let alone smaller screens. And squeezing anything more than 640x480 into a 4" screen and users won't be able to read text without a magnifying glass. And anything much larger than 4" won't fit in your pocket easily, and isn't really competition for a true PDA.
So:
Tablet PC's replacing PocketPC in situations like needing contact info and reminders outside of work (going to dinner and a movie for example)? No.
Tablet PC's getting nice and small so you can walk around the office with them in your hand or throw them in your briefcase without a second thought? Absolutely.
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04-16-2003, 09:54 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by kfluet
Tablet PC's replacing PocketPC in situations like needing contact info and reminders outside of work (going to dinner and a movie for example)? No.
Tablet PC's getting nice and small so you can walk around the office with them in your hand or throw them in your briefcase without a second thought? Absolutely.
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Agreed, absolutely. My point about convergence was more that we're seeing that the size is increasingly less of a factor between different class devices -- rather, it's the basic approach to the device. I won't give up my Pocket PC anytime soon, because I can't resume, run Outlook, look something up, and suspend within 2-3 seconds on a Tablet PC.
--janak
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04-16-2003, 10:16 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 72
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Janak Parekh
I won't give up my Pocket PC anytime soon, because I can't resume, run Outlook, look something up, and suspend within 2-3 seconds on a Tablet PC.
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Hmm, my Tablet PC can resume in about 2-3 seconds, I can use a full featured version of Outlook to look things up, and it can suspend in 2-3 seconds. Seems fast enough for me.
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04-16-2003, 10:25 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 22
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And?!?!? This isn't Slashdot, you know (thank goodness for that).
Quote:
BTW, links to two large-size PocketPCs:
The Faucon wireless and Viewsonic SuperPDA .
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Neither the Faucon nor the ViewSonic units are PocketPCs.
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04-16-2003, 10:42 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 15,171
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by splintercell
Hmm, my Tablet PC can resume in about 2-3 seconds, I can use a full featured version of Outlook to look things up, and it can suspend in 2-3 seconds. Seems fast enough for me.
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You just made my point.  You're taking 5-7 seconds just to resume and open Outlook. A Pocket PC takes a fraction of a second to turn on and open up Contacts. It doesn't sound like a big difference, but put the two side-by-side on a street corner. 
By all means, I wouldn't dismiss the tablet PC as a result of that; I just believe they're for different applications.
--janak
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04-16-2003, 10:51 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 749
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I agree with Janak...the important difference between Pocket PC and Tablet PC O/S is the 'instant' on feature. While I was one of the first in my office to get one of the sub-notebook laptops (weighs less than 2 lbs), it still isn't fast enough in 'turning on' to support me while I'm out in the field. From what I've seen of the Table PC O/S, it seems to be just a version of XP with pen writing support, etc. It still takes a considerable time from blank to usable.
When doing a quick look-up of my schedule, etc. it needs to be very fast. Otherwise, I just won't use it.
What I REALLY want is a Pocket PC with a build in keyboard and a screen which can be physically rotated 90 degrees so you can use in it landscape mode. HP had something neat like this demo'd once, I believe, with a fold-out keyboard.
__________________
/drt
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04-16-2003, 11:21 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 382
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I think something like the Samsung Nexio will do worlds to bridge the gap between the pocket pc and the tablet pc. Instant on with greater to access all the features of the CE .Net environment.
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04-17-2003, 02:51 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 157
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Count me in!
Much as I love my Pocket PC, if someone can come up with a mini-Tablet with USB and monitor-out at a price I can afford, I would go for that over a new Pocket PC any day! Or, conversely, I would be ecstatic to see a more stand-alone and powerful Pocket PC with a higher-resolution display and with standard USB and monitor ports built-in. Either way, I'm looking forward to the convergence!
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Linear Mode
