Good for Transmeta, but.....
by
idiotnot
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
Despite all the recent hype about tablets, I really can't forsee them selling well. I mean, wasn't this tried before? This is especially true when most of the ones I've seen reviewed cost more than a notebook (~$3000). Yeah, you can hang it on a wall, but is the extra grand really worth being able to type on a virtual keyboard with a stylus?
"It's a drug that gives worms to ex-girlfriends!"
Exactly.
Re:Good for Transmeta, but.....
by
nullard
·
· Score: 3, Informative
My tablet PC cost $150 (used) and runs Linux just fine. It may not be very powerful (32mb ram, 2gb hd, 120mhz P1 iirc), but it is a great little machine. Ir's a Fujitsu Stylistic 1200.
I can work on cgi scripting or c programs. I can take notes in class with it. It's great for playing mp3s -- through the speaker or headphones, or miniplug-tape adapter. I can even use it to andmininster my server from the road (pcmcia e-net card).
It even runs Xwindows using a wm designed for PDAs.
Tablets have uses. Mine is cheaper and more powerful than a PDA or an MP3 player, although it it slightly less portable. Plus it gives me an excuse to practice writing pen drivers for Linux.
--
t'nera semordnilap
new pricing structure
by
QuantumRiff
·
· Score: 5, Funny
HP anounced today the the tablet device will sell for $50. Replacement screens, which are good for 1000 page views can be purchased for $85, or $100 for 1500 page views.
--
What are we going to do tonight Brain?
Linux drivers yet?
by
Dark+Paladin
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
Anybody know if we'll need special drivers to put Linux on this thing (probably the biggest thing is a handwriting recognition program, of course)?
I'm assuming we'll be force fed Windows XP, but with a Transmeta processor, you can always hope.
Re:Linux drivers yet?
by
benploni
·
· Score: 4, Informative
The people at www.handhelds.rg have really advanced the state of the art in linux's suitability for tablets. I run Linux + X11 on my Fujistsu pen tablets with great successs. As for handwriting recognition, there is xstroke and xmerlin, among others. xstroke now uses the RENDER extension to get fulllscreen translucent "ink" as youw write over any window.
It's really slick.
All the best for Transmeta
by
jukal
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
I really hope they (and some others) can make the breakthrough, the processor market really needs some fresh new competition. Even though AMD and Intel are "battling", the fight is still, despite of the press - done in Intel's universe. See this article from turn of 2001.
But, when we see real pressure from multiple directions, we might see these companies develop something truly revolutionary, currently they don't have to - they just don't. A market situation in which Intel would have only around 40% slice, would nurture much more speedy development.
Re:So, let me get this straight...
by
tswinzig
·
· Score: 4, Informative
Seriously, isn't this whole idea pretty much useless without handwriting recognition?
No, a tablet already has many uses without handwriting recognition. Aside from the normal PC programs that can be used, you have a great form-factor for a nice webpad, a nice ebook.
I've seen nothing to suggest that anyone has that working yet...
Microsoft is well on the way to introducing hand-writing recognition in one of their upcoming OS's, which is one reason they are rolling these out now. I think there is more information about this technology on research.microsoft.com.
--
"And like that... he's gone."
Pictures here?
by
tswinzig
·
· Score: 5, Informative
(Remember kids, it's not karma-whoring if you're already at 50.)
--
"And like that... he's gone."
Still way out of most people's reach
by
jbarr
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
That's the problem with these types of devices--they are still way out of reach of most users pricewise. Granted, the articles don't mention price, but you can be sure that based on similar products available today, it will probably sell for between $1500 and $2500--way too high for the average user.
All I want is a wireless, tablet-sized device that will allow me to surf the web from anywhere in my house, wirelessly connecting to my LAN, and I would like to see it for below $1000. I don't need Windows XP, I won't be playing games or doing video production on this thing! I just want to surf the web!
-- My mom always said, "Jim, you're 1 in a million." Given the current population, there are 7000 of me. God help us all!
If you want a tiny Transmeta Computer...
by
gdyas
·
· Score: 5, Insightful
...go for Fujitsu's P-2000 Laptop with a 7-hour high capacity battery, DVDROM, and a wireless LAN card.
IMO, pads do and shall always suck, primarily because of the inherent frailty of an exposed screen. Sure, the screens on notebooks fail all the time too, but at least when not used they're folded shut & semi-protected. In this specific comparison, I see no reason to use some frail theoretical webpad when I can rely on existent notebook technology to carry around a computer so fucking small (10.6"(w) x 7"(d) x 1.59"(h)), smaller than the form design for most webpads, that lets me do anything my desktop does.
And everyone seems to bitch about wanting a "more natural" interface. From an anthropological perspective, there is no "more natural", there's just what you're used to -- the human animal can express ideas in multitudes of ways, and when it come to writing what I'm used to is thinking as I type about 90wpm. Writing with a pen on a notepad anymore feels feels like I've got a 25mph governor on a Ferrari. It's infuriating, and it doesn't get any better when you're dealing with some shit handwriting software - I haven't seen a single handwriting recognition program that wasn't a bitch to use and didn't make constant mistakes. Blah blah Graffiti blah blah - Graffiti isn't handwriting recognition software in the true sense of the term. Too many hardware people are obsessed with producing something because they thought of it in a Star Trek wet dream. People LIKE the keyboard. Look at the Blackberry. Look at the new Handspring Treos. How many people still peck at the keyboard with the stylus on their Palm PDAs? We have PDA makers trying to fit keyboards into tiny-ass PDAs & phones, people like them so much. Except for a few niche areas webpads are still a product looking for a market. Except for being bigger and having less battery life, what is a webpad going to do that a good color PDA doesn't? I may be being contrary, but these are serious questions that manufacturers need to consider before going to market with another damned Audrey.
No electronic pad has ever been made so far that didn't suck. Who knows? Maybe I'll be proved wrong, but I think the notebook is always going to be a league ahead of the notepad, and for the reasons above. Until I see a pad that alot of people prefer to notebooks, it's still vapor.
--
The only tool you've got against psychosis is experience.
not a good form factor
by
condour75
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Well i don't know -- i think this is more futurism-wish-fulfillment than actual good design. There are several downsides to the tablet form factor:
1. Suddenly your input area costs beaucoup power, since it's a display.
2. handwriting, at its fastest, is still very slow compared to typing.
3. almost every child knows how to use a qwerty keyboard already -- who are we appeasing by removing the keyboard, except possibly boomers who haven't had to type since college?
4. display is always exposed to elements, rough handling, etc.
5. ergonomics are terrible; this thing will need to be peered down at and then written on. Will the user put it at a diagonal? will it have some sort of stand?
I'm sure y'all can think of others. The prime benefit, i guess, is being able to use a stylus directly on the surface you're viewing. Doesn't sound worth it to me, a Faustian bargain at best.
Slashdot Mirror
Despite all the recent hype about tablets, I really can't forsee them selling well. I mean, wasn't this tried before? This is especially true when most of the ones I've seen reviewed cost more than a notebook (~$3000). Yeah, you can hang it on a wall, but is the extra grand really worth being able to type on a virtual keyboard with a stylus?
"It's a drug that gives worms to ex-girlfriends!"
Exactly.
HP anounced today the the tablet device will sell for $50. Replacement screens, which are good for 1000 page views can be purchased for $85, or $100 for 1500 page views.
What are we going to do tonight Brain?
Anybody know if we'll need special drivers to put Linux on this thing (probably the biggest thing is a handwriting recognition program, of course)?
I'm assuming we'll be force fed Windows XP, but with a Transmeta processor, you can always hope.
52 Weeks, 52 Religions with John Hummel
I really hope they (and some others) can make the breakthrough, the processor market really needs some fresh new competition. Even though AMD and Intel are "battling", the fight is still, despite of the press - done in Intel's universe. See this article from turn of 2001.
But, when we see real pressure from multiple directions, we might see these companies develop something truly revolutionary, currently they don't have to - they just don't. A market situation in which Intel would have only around 40% slice, would nurture much more speedy development.
Seriously, isn't this whole idea pretty much useless without handwriting recognition?
No, a tablet already has many uses without handwriting recognition. Aside from the normal PC programs that can be used, you have a great form-factor for a nice webpad, a nice ebook.
I've seen nothing to suggest that anyone has that working yet...
Microsoft is well on the way to introducing hand-writing recognition in one of their upcoming OS's, which is one reason they are rolling these out now. I think there is more information about this technology on research.microsoft.com.
"And like that
Found this large picture on Microsoft's Tablet PC image gallery:
Compaq Tablet PC Design Concept
Here is Compaq's page which talks about this thing.
(Remember kids, it's not karma-whoring if you're already at 50.)
"And like that
That's the problem with these types of devices--they are still way out of reach of most users pricewise. Granted, the articles don't mention price, but you can be sure that based on similar products available today, it will probably sell for between $1500 and $2500--way too high for the average user.
All I want is a wireless, tablet-sized device that will allow me to surf the web from anywhere in my house, wirelessly connecting to my LAN, and I would like to see it for below $1000. I don't need Windows XP, I won't be playing games or doing video production on this thing! I just want to surf the web!
My mom always said, "Jim, you're 1 in a million." Given the current population, there are 7000 of me. God help us all!
...go for Fujitsu's P-2000 Laptop with a 7-hour high capacity battery, DVDROM, and a wireless LAN card.
IMO, pads do and shall always suck, primarily because of the inherent frailty of an exposed screen. Sure, the screens on notebooks fail all the time too, but at least when not used they're folded shut & semi-protected. In this specific comparison, I see no reason to use some frail theoretical webpad when I can rely on existent notebook technology to carry around a computer so fucking small (10.6"(w) x 7"(d) x 1.59"(h)), smaller than the form design for most webpads, that lets me do anything my desktop does.
And everyone seems to bitch about wanting a "more natural" interface. From an anthropological perspective, there is no "more natural", there's just what you're used to -- the human animal can express ideas in multitudes of ways, and when it come to writing what I'm used to is thinking as I type about 90wpm. Writing with a pen on a notepad anymore feels feels like I've got a 25mph governor on a Ferrari. It's infuriating, and it doesn't get any better when you're dealing with some shit handwriting software - I haven't seen a single handwriting recognition program that wasn't a bitch to use and didn't make constant mistakes. Blah blah Graffiti blah blah - Graffiti isn't handwriting recognition software in the true sense of the term. Too many hardware people are obsessed with producing something because they thought of it in a Star Trek wet dream. People LIKE the keyboard. Look at the Blackberry. Look at the new Handspring Treos. How many people still peck at the keyboard with the stylus on their Palm PDAs? We have PDA makers trying to fit keyboards into tiny-ass PDAs & phones, people like them so much. Except for a few niche areas webpads are still a product looking for a market. Except for being bigger and having less battery life, what is a webpad going to do that a good color PDA doesn't? I may be being contrary, but these are serious questions that manufacturers need to consider before going to market with another damned Audrey.
No electronic pad has ever been made so far that didn't suck. Who knows? Maybe I'll be proved wrong, but I think the notebook is always going to be a league ahead of the notepad, and for the reasons above. Until I see a pad that alot of people prefer to notebooks, it's still vapor.
The only tool you've got against psychosis is experience.
Well i don't know -- i think this is more futurism-wish-fulfillment than actual good design. There are several downsides to the tablet form factor:
1. Suddenly your input area costs beaucoup power, since it's a display.
2. handwriting, at its fastest, is still very slow compared to typing.
3. almost every child knows how to use a qwerty keyboard already -- who are we appeasing by removing the keyboard, except possibly boomers who haven't had to type since college?
4. display is always exposed to elements, rough handling, etc.
5. ergonomics are terrible; this thing will need to be peered down at and then written on. Will the user put it at a diagonal? will it have some sort of stand?
I'm sure y'all can think of others. The prime benefit, i guess, is being able to use a stylus directly on the surface you're viewing. Doesn't sound worth it to me, a Faustian bargain at best.