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Are Tablets Just Too Expensive?
An anonymous reader writes "Over at PCWorld they're asking a simple but valid question: Are tablets just too expensive? They point out that, weight-for-weight, pure silver is cheaper than most tablets, and that, like jewelery, tablets are highly thievable. The worst thing might be that the nascent tablet platform gets written-off as a high-priced niche for people with more money than sense."
They point out that, weight-for-weight, pure silver is cheaper than most tablets,
I've also noticed that compared to a microwave oven, tablets are mediocre at thawing frozen dinners.
I'm not sure what the motivation to ask the question "are they too expensive" comes from, when tablets (in generalities) are one of the hottest selling segments of the computing market right now. Can you imagine how long a marketing guy at Apple would have a job if he stood up in a board meeting and suggested that the iPad was too expensive...all while they're selling them by the millions.
Now if the question were different, like "is tablet 'x' too expensive", then it might be an interesting conversation. I've seen several new tablets poised for sale at costs HIGHER than the ipad...which seems like a ridiculously short sighted move. You don't enter a market with a "me too" product priced higher than the established leader (unless you're Apple), unless you have something markedly better to offer. And frankly, "it's android" doesn't rise to that level.
My iPad never leaves my coffee table. I've seen people using them at work, but honestly unless you're planning on doing stuff while walking around, a laptop/netbook will serve better.
That being said though, the tablet format is the ideal couch computing device. Sure, I could use my EVO, and frequently do while my girlfriend has the ipad, but screen real estate really does have value. Hell, try to use an RDP client on the EVO, it's an exercise in masochism, while on the ipad it works great.
Great call, the things are selling like hotcakes. Gartner says sales will quadruple in 2011.
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I say yes but the market may say otherwise.
It may be that many people have uses for computing devices that don't fit into the desktop or laptop or smartphone models. For example, the iPad can be used to review pictures taken on a digital camera, without the need for a heavy laptop. I've seen them used for task training in industrial plants, and as a handy portable process monitor in a similar plant. Something the size and weight of a clipboard is a lot easier to deal with than a laptop. A thin tablet is easy to handle - particularly if you're not sitting at a desk while you're working.
I don't like how some (iPads) are offered as Wifi only or for 100 more you get 3G. I was under the impression you need to sign up for a plan.
I want both WiFi and cell data for later short-term use like a vacation. Price the one model in the middle of the two and be done with it.
I'm not sure what you don't like about giving the customer the choice of not paying for a 3G radio if they don't want one. For example, a company can save a fair amount of money if they buy the Wifi-only model for use in an industrial plant.
The Wifi-only models don't have a 3G radio in them. The 3G radio costs something. Most likely not $100, but certainly not $0. At some point, there has to be a price difference.
The 3G model can be used without 3G service. You don't have to sign up for anything if you want to use a 3G iPad only over wifi.
It sounds like you're not the target market for this type of product, or you simply don't know much about them.
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Yes, I think you missed his point. Laptop form factor is great for being seated at a table. When not at a table, other form factors may be superior for certain tasks. Showing ball players video while standing on a baseball diamond - yes, a tablet form factor is far more appropriate. For my commute, even though I can have a flip down tray to put a laptop on, there isn't enough distance to open it and have a good view of the screen - the tablet form factor is much better for me in that situation - note also that I'm not doing things like typing, I'm reading or watching. I totally agree that if your use of a computer is pounding out text as quick as you can, a tablet would suck - but the convenience and versatility of the tablet form factor gives it a different niche that some people find worth the price. I certainly do!
Right, like the iPhone and iPod. As a shareholder, I can live with these 10-year "fads."
I'm sure you are putting your money where your mouth is and shorting Apple r buying puts, right Nostradamus?
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Tablets are currently closed systems for the most part.
Give me an open system and we'll talk.
What is there to to talk about? You don't seem to be the target demographic of tablets. "Open" brings nothing to the table for an end "user". Absolutely nothing. It also is no substitute for a rich and powerful API with deep access to OS functionality.
Speaking as a developer of enterprise systems, I would always prefer access to a complete API that allows me to do what I need to get done rather than having to rely partially on API calls and partially on direct calls to the internal database/private APIs. The main reason why you want to stick to a public API is that have a much higher chance having your code break when a update or new version comes a long when you access unexposed internals than sticking with the public API.
Open systems tend to encourage programmer laziness on the part of both the third party developers and developers of the platform and end users end up suffering because of it with bugs and incompatibilities when a new update is released.
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Laptops are now the middle-ground, and less needed all the time.
Um no. Laptops are still good for what they've always been good at. portable computing. doing real work when you aren't at your desk.
Tablets are just filling the couch niche that laptops were used for but never were very good at.
Between a laptop and a tablet I need a laptop. Once I already have a laptop, then sure a tablet would be useful but not necessary.
I can't wait for the day I can finally stop carrying my "work computer" back and forth every day.
If your work computer (laptop) can really be replaced by a tablet, then you don't do much real work with it.
Oh my god, a Xeon X5690 weighs only a few grammes and costs $1700, that's 4 or 5 times the price of gold! How dare they make them so expensive!