Simplify your laptop buying
Miscellaneous laptop discussions : What is with Microsoft and this obsession with the tablet
What is with Microsoft and this obsession with the tablet
by rbooz - 5/23/06 7:40 PMTablets, despite what Microsoft has been preaching are not very popular, it has been my opinion and the opinions of others that they only fill a small niche in the overall computing world and tha is all they ever will suceed to do. However if a user was to view the WinHEC live webcast located directly on the Microsoft website you will get a felling that Microsoft is pushing this product onto users. For someone like me who hates the form factor and the device, I'm asking why? Why must Bill Gates and Microsoft talk about the device at every conference and why is Microsoft pushing this device? Any Opinions will be greatly appreciated!
My opinion....
by steve749 - 5/23/06 8:18 PM In reply to: What is with Microsoft and this obsession with the tablet by rboozMicrosoft wants to dominate the O/S world on everything from cell phones to behemoth servers and so this is something to show off that is flashy at least in their view.
Additionally, I don't know if Vista is ready to show yet as it is still over 6 months away so they can't quite roll that out, what else can they show off?
These are just my thoughts and would note to beware of hype.... do you remember the non-event that was Y2K?
Regards,
JB
Agree and Disagree
by jelgert - 5/24/06 1:52 AM In reply to: My opinion.... by steve749First I agree that tablets only fill a small niche of the market place but the thing I thinking you looking over is this. How much money is there in this small niche the small niche as I see it is hospitals and any type of office setting that require dictation over just pure typing. Now if even half of these offices choose to purchase these tablets that's a lot of money put into them and since the first generation of these things are likely to be faulty but capable of showing off glimmers of what they can do these offices are likely to upgrade them as well. But anyways the point is the market is small but rich enough to buy in volume which is what really matters lol but like I think I've said in a previous post and heard echoed by others a smaller laptop is really a better choice now. Ohhh one more thing no one should buy these things to use on planes as opposed to ultra portable of thin and light laptops.
See I think Differently
by rbooz - 5/24/06 6:57 AM In reply to: What is with Microsoft and this obsession with the tablet by rboozThanks for the responses I would like some more to get a broader opinion. To respond to the users that have already left their comments. I sincerly hope that the tablet will soon be dropped by Microsoft. I feel that it will not extend outside the niche it is and this is due to my biased hatred. I feel that a ultraportable laptop will be the better choice then a tablet. If you were to watch any Microsoft webcast specifically any featuring Bill Gates, who fill find that Bill Gates will try to squeeze the tablet into any scenario. It is almost like Microsoft is urgently trying to sell this product with all the slides and explanations.
Lead balloon with new paint job.
by R. Proffitt
- 5/24/06 7:08 AM
In reply to: What is with Microsoft and this obsession with the tablet by rbooz
While tablets have some great niches and will continue to do so for years, as a laptop replacement they fly as well as the subject title in the consumer market (hint, see how many you find at Best Buy, etc.) The latest version is just the new paint job.
Bob
I do not understand
by rbooz - 5/24/06 7:48 PM In reply to: Lead balloon with new paint job. by R. Proffitt
So what are you specifically stating, do you agree with me and belive tablets are not going to succeed as a laptop replacement? I understand your first comment I however do not understand the comment you stated about "subject line." Although from the title of your post I believe you are agreeing, I would just like to make certain, you are saying that the tablet will not replace the laptop, correct.
Yup.
by R. Proffitt - 5/25/06 3:59 AM
In reply to: I do not understand by rbooz
They failed as a laptop replacement. Witness last year as they appeared in stores and now see how many you find.
-> But what about where they make sense?
Yup, where it makes sense, they are super. But do they make enough sense to find space on the store shelves?
Did you buy one?
Bob
No I did not buy One
by rbooz - 5/25/06 5:03 AM In reply to: Yup. by R. Proffitt
My buddy decided to try it out for two months. He used it for one month, hated it gave it to me and told me I would probably hate it. I tried it out anyway, because I'm basically a super computer geek, and like he said I hated it. Then I started to see Microsoft's obssession with it, and it just made me hate the device even more beecause they push it onto customers.
I am in no means a person who hates Microsoft I use and love their products, I just hate this specific division of Microsoft. I feel if they dropped the tablet pc saga, they could do so much more. Then spending their money and time pushing a product that was stated to be the number 1 product in America in the computer world when it was presented. And five years later it's not, and Microsoft knows this and I believe for some strange reason they are worried. I don't know why they are a great company, and have a huge handle on the computer market. Just drop the tablet! It's like Windows Me (a strecthable connection) this OS did succeed and this device isn't succeeding. Thank You for responding to my misunderstanding.
While I am not a fan of Bill Gates
by graham299 - 5/24/06 8:38 AM In reply to: What is with Microsoft and this obsession with the tablet by rboozI one day would like to see the end of the reign of Microsoft. Unix is such a better os.
But the truth of the matter is that Bill is a very shrewd business man. I do see a market for tablets in the very near future brought on by the revolution in the pda department.
I'll give you three examples from my lowly world. And the point is this: if I have recognized the need for it then I am sure that many others have to.
1. My husband is self-employed. He makes tremendous use of his pda which does not meet ALL of his needs therefore wasting alot of time. He's not a touch typist, so he is not the best candidate for toting around a super lite laptop to fill his needs. If he were able to use a much larger pda like instrument, a tablet, he could get alot of work done on-site rather than taking notes on the pda and transfering those notes later on. I believe a tablet would help him out greatly.
2. A relative who is in the construction business asked about tablets and when he explained I could definately see his needs to make onsite edits to cad applications ad-hoc. A tablet and pen device would greatly suite his needs.
3. I have a friend who works in a hospital. They use tablet devices to make quick and accurate notes ad-hoc.
4. I also work in the natural resources industry. The important thing is to have equipment that you can use in adverse physical situations. Speaking from personal experience it is very hard to tote around the litest laptop, prop it open and start typing. It's much easier to use a clipboard with a few sheets of paper.
Don't forget the agricultural industry either.
So, like Bill, I definately see a market for it and the only issue seems to be the ocr environment which should have come a long way by now.
btw - I purchased my husband's first pda as gift. He has since had three and can't do without it. But, in contrast, I don't even use all the features on my Motorola cell phone but I can't do without a laptop. Everyone has different needs. I don't see tablets fulfilling all of them but I do see a change in the industry ahead.
j.
THe PDA is fined but why have a tablet
by rbooz - 5/24/06 2:45 PM In reply to: While I am not a fan of Bill Gates by graham299PDA's are small and they fit into your pocket, you can go one better and have a smartphone. With a wireless enabled laptop you can be able to perfrom heavy duty tasks and for extreme mobility you can utilize the smart phone. I don't think the tablet is an idea that will fit in, and then accoridng to Microsoft replace the laptop. I think that ultimately a laptop will remain the prime choice for mobile computing outside specific markets. Thank You for the opinions they are greatly appreciated, keep them coming.
It depends
by VT808 - 5/24/06 8:26 PM In reply to: What is with Microsoft and this obsession with the tablet by rboozI think that tablet PC usefulness ties into what you do in life. As a college student, I looked into buying a laptop I could use for school and later purchased a Dell. Soon after I learned about a laptop that: not only could you type on, but also write, draw, and include other digital Medias. I rushed to the nearest computer store and tested one out (Toshiba M200) and felt it’s just what I needed. Now I can ink notes using Microsoft OneNote and type at the same time. So from a college student standpoint, I think Tablet PC’s is a necessity. So instead of being annoyed with the thought of a tablet PC, go down to the local computer store and try one out, it’s not for everyone, but if it fits your needs, buy it.
My opinion is based completely on experiance
by rbooz - 5/24/06 8:38 PM In reply to: It depends by VT808I have tried a tablet pc out and after careful consideration have arrived to a point where I can't stand the device, and will prefer a laptop. The issue is that Microsoft see's the tablet as a laptop replacement as one cnet user commented on in this discussion. I am an IT engineer and I feel the need for my clamshell laptop. The convertibles give you the functionality but as of right now the price is greatly increased for features that I do not think are necessary. I feel if a user wanted to utilize writing capabilities a graphics tablet will suit them for a cheaper price. Not to mention battery restraints, monitor stability, and the with the added funcitonailty that it needs to perform tasks, thread execution inside the processor is slowed. Even if these features are increased I still see laptops as the logical selection.
User Opinions
by jelgert - 5/25/06 4:14 PM In reply to: My opinion is based completely on experiance by rboozYour looking at this more from a personal use view than the average consumer view I think. I mean look at the post from people that said they could use it. I understand this isn't a laptop replacement and anyone who thinks that it will furfill all that a laptop could do and more is just being silly but you have to realize this it does have its niche and it can do some things that a PDA can't so it has a unique niche. So what this means is that marketers are going to try to sell it and even gather in some of those outside of its particular niche thus the pitch about the laptop replacement. I still personally think this particular piece of technology needs a bit more fine tuning before it can be greatly used and not as a laptop replacement but an alternative. I mean as the one commenter said there are a couple of areas that could benefit greatly from the use of a touchpad and the relative computing power of a laptop. I still think a hospital is the best area I mean imagine networking these things together and having them carried around like clipboards. Anyways its not a laptop replacement its balky at the moment and has trouble with the software but it has a market and fits that market hate it all you want its going to sell more than likely but also don't worry about it in no way is going to replace the ultraportable or any laptop at the moment and doubt it will out-sell anything but it has its place just as the pda did.
Let Me Clearify
by rbooz - 5/25/06 5:53 PM In reply to: User Opinions by jelgertI understand what you are saying, do not get me wrong. But to clearify you do not believe that the martket is going to go straight for these things, and we have a scenario where everybody goes and buys these devices and uses them like we use regular clamshell laptops today. What you are saying is that they will stay in their niche were they are useful, and that is all.
That's my belief yes
by jelgert - 5/25/06 6:41 PM In reply to: Let Me Clearify by rboozAre you going to buy one?(sarcasm btw) I'm sticking with my laptop but I do understand there are people out there that this product can appeal to and they do have the money to buy it and fill enough of a niche to make its development worth the money. But yes don't worry about it taking over the laptop market like I think R. Proffitt said when you go to best buy or wherever you want to go to look at computer's these thinks aren't exactly dominating the shelf space, they can be nice for their niche but that's it.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
