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FCC Pics of the IBM ThinkPad X41 Tablet PC
jkendrick writes "jkOnTheRun has posted pics of the rumored IBM ThinkPad X41 Tablet PC pulled from the FCC filing. It looks as expected, a nice black ThinkPad with a major exception, the swivel screen and the Tablet OS."
I sold them for many years and while they are, indeed, black, ugly, and heavy, they also tended to be sturdy and very reliable. I sold 76 to NASA for Shuttle missions (they used them onboard for several years but I have no idea what they use now).
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In the early 90's, when Pen for OS/2 was around, I had asked IBM about a ThinkPad where the LCD rotated around and covered the keyboard. A guy from IBM said that IBM had that but discontinued it.
I've never seen a reference to this but supposedly, IBM once had a tablet Thinkpad( heavy as a brick ) over 10 years ago.
LoB
"Anyone who stands out in the middle of a road looks like roadkill to me." --Linus
Tablets have their place -- scribbling pictures, taking notes when space is limited, etc. However, there are some jobs that a keyboard is simply better suited to do.
Don't think of it as half-a-tablet, think of it as a useful hybrid. When you factor in the hard drive, CD burner, and a little space to cool the components inside the case, there's not much space added by the keyboard. May as well leave it there for the jobs that demand it.
The only good reason to remove the keyboard completely is if you want to make a half-tablet PC -- about the size of the cover of a hardcover novel, which would be too small for typing on comfortably but just large enough to be easy to read. Before you do that, OS providers need to improve the handwriting recognition a bit further. And like you said, you'll probably see more of those being designed when and if the tablet form factor is widely embraced.
About two years ago I attended a presentation with one of the heads of IBM's industrial design group, and he had some pretty interesting things to say about why the ThinkPads look the way they do. The one that stuck in my head was that "they're boxy and angular because pretty much all of the interior components are boxy and angular... introducing curves, beveled edges, and round corners would just result in wasted space".
As a long-time PowerBook owner (replete with curves, beveled edges, and round corners) I walked away from the discussion still thinking that the machines were ugly, but recognizing that they were purposely ugly, rather than from trying to look cool and failing miserably.
I'm rather surprised that the "living room palmtop" idea hasn't taken off yet. Here's what I'd buy for sure:
:)
Price range: ~$400
Slate-like Tablet PC (pen-driven) interface
1280x1024 or 1400x1050 resolution (1600x1200 would really be ideal)
802.11b/g wireless networking
Has Windows Pocket PC or similar small OS installed, with some games, etc.
Set up so that I can Remote Desktop into my Windows PC upstairs
This would be a godsend. I'd set the thing on my coffee table and use it to just check my email without having to run upstairs to my desktop.
I know Microsoft had this with Mira a while ago, but Mira devices were costly ($900-$1200) and mostly ran at 800x600 or 1024x768. Now that LCDs have dropped so far in price, I really feel this is a good marketing opportunity. Also, put Pocket PC on it and the thing can play games, etc. without having to be connected to the PC upstairs. Marketed properly and with the right price point, I bet we'd see these in most geek living rooms. It could even double as an interactive photo album with a stand and SD card slots, or a DVD player with a USB hookup. I'd welcome a device like this at $400 or less.
Waiting patiently for the manufacturers to catch up to my imagination...
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I always loved the Transnote, an older Thinkpad with an integrated art tablet. It was designed for architects, engineers, etc., who liked to be able to sketch things.
Sign me up for one of these!