Stephen Withers
Monday, 28 July 2008 11:33
Opinion and Analysis
Page 2 of 3
A tablet for these purposes should be smaller and lighter - not to mention more convenient - than a conventional notebook design. A multi-touch screen as used on the iPhone and iPod touch would simplify interaction and avoids the need for a space-consuming touchpad. The use of an on-screen keyboard wouldn't be a big deal as the amount of typing needed for the applications likely to be used in this way is relatively minor.
Think of an enlarged iPod touch and you've got something close to what I have in mind in terms of overall appearance and packaging. But audio and video playback would be delivered from a host computer, not from local storage.
This would allow the use of smaller amounts of solid state storage, helping to keep the price down. It also helps to maintain Apple's vision of the Mac as the digital hub.
While it's possible that an Apple tablet would run full Mac OS X, I'm thinking of a device that would use the same OS X system software as the iPhone and iPod touch, along with applications from the App Store.
So you would have a web tablet that could be used wherever you had Wi-Fi access, a portable gaming platform that doesn't make you squint at a tiny screen, and a super remote control when you're back at base.
Why would such a device hurt Apple's margins? Firstly, it could cannibalise some MacBook sales. I know people with an iMac in the study for serious work and play, and a MacBook in the lounge that they use for little more than browsing while watching TV - people like that would be obvious candidates to buy an Apple tablet.
Reason number two is on the
final page, so please read on.
