January 26th, 2010
The System 330: Tablets
For something that hasn’t even come out yet, people have a lot of opinions. Some even have caught glimpses. I personally am waiting until I see the thing. But why should a silly thing like that stop you? Seriously though, post your thoughts in the comments.
For that matter, the comic above is right on. It has been rated too much or “overrated”, accurate considering the review predate the announcement.
For those of you that don’t remember, my previous comics on Apple announcements are as true today as they were then. Updating Technology, the iPhone and The Stages of Grief.
January 26th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
It is either going to be very good or very bad and over-priced (like the MAC Airbook). Regardless, give it two months, it will be obsolete, you won't be able to have it repaired and you will wonder why you bought it in the first place.
But, it is an Apple and one must be all Apple or not "in".
January 26th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
My first question to anyone who shows any interest is "What are you going to do with it?"
The second is "When was the last time you looked at your laptop and said, "If only this didn't have a keyboard or mouse!"
I don't think the world has any use for a tablet. People like the idea of a iPhone with a larger screen, cause they like their iPhones, and they like big screens. But what about when you have to type? With the larger screen you're going to find it acceptable to browse things like forums and such, which generally call for longer text entries. So, what, you lay it on your lap and start typing on the screen? Yes, the iPhone touch keyboard is great for thumbs, but will it translate to full hand typing?
"But the larger screen would be great for media and such!" So you're going to watch movies on it? Are you going to stare at your lap for 1.5 hours, or would you put it on some new stand you bought, that essentially makes it into a monitor.
The benefit of having an iPhone and the like is having the net at your hands when you need it, but most people put the phone down and use their computer when they want to do serious work. The computer is big and immobile, but it's powerful and is easy to look at lots of stuff for a long time. The smartphone is small and mobile, and it's great for keeping tabs on people, finding small bits of info, and short communications. The thing that fits in between those two is so niche I don't think any company can be successful selling them. Apple will probably get away with it because they can sell a million turds with an apple logo on it. But I think this is something we'll see go the way of the AppleTV.
January 26th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
And just to clear the air, this is not so much a rant against Apple, it's a rant against the idea of Tablets as a whole. I just don't think there's any market for them whatsoever.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:52 am
Very well said but while they may not be as flexible as a laptop or as portable as the iPhone there will still be a market for them. Like Rossmom said, "it is an Apple and one must be all Apple or not 'in'." people will buy it simply for that reason. I imagine there will be a lot of people buying these ASAP, discovering they don't have any practical use for them, and then trying to ditch them on eBay.
January 27th, 2010 at 1:50 am
I think the biggest indicator is the fact that CES was flooded with Tablets, and no one cared. yes, you could argue that people were waiting to see what Apple does, but we all know that there are plenty of folks out there who refuse to buy any apple product. So why don't we hear about them buying tablets?
Outside of the Apple lovers, there's simply little to no market for a tablet.
January 27th, 2010 at 6:18 am
I have to agree with that sentiment. The tablet seems to me like it would be less portable than the phone, and if you're not going for portable, a laptop has more function in its form.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:23 am
THE PROPHECY HAS COME TO PASSSSS
January 28th, 2010 at 3:12 am
Isn't that all apple counts on, they sell everything on trend not practicality.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:20 am
Just seems like a bigger screen for an ipod which will have you pay for apps.
Doesn't seem worth it to me, doesn't look very convenient compared to an iphone and I am a big Mac fan.
But if you are a technophile, go for it.
January 28th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
People have an opinion about everything; if the opinion happens to be on the internet, its usually negative.
January 29th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Thanks Jordan for the totally non-informative response! But don't worry you can get away with being vague and not committing to anything…as long as it's on the internet.
April 6th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
yeah, exactly right. Im looking at this comic after the ipad came out and i really dont see a use for it. apple is selling them because people are stupid and if you tell them is the best thing , they will fall for it.
american people are becoming obsess with communication.., is like with twitter "let everyone know what youre doing every second of the day" dont people know they all lead monotonous and boring lives xD let people go out and have something happen to them that they can report back to you … great comic
May 26th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I am in acquiescence with Tony Bullard, the iPad serves no practical purpose and as a portable computer laptops are far more efficient. Love the foresight in the comic, Apple fan boys will have the audacity to instantly proclaim this as a revolutionary technological achievement without any substantial reason.