Lenovo Says Customers Don't Want Slate/Tablets

[Trueno07]

I agree, i could see the slate PC fitting in with the Netbook's.

 

[LORD_ORION]

Hmpphhh... Windows has had accessibility mode for how long now? You don't need a keyboard.

 

[Tomtompiper]

A Slate would be good for media some have said. Just how would you watch it while sitting in a comfortable chair? On your lap? One sore neck coming up... Propped on your knee with your hands either side, or one hand on top or behind? That would get annoying watching Titanic. This is where a Netbook or Laptop wins hands down! Pun intended. A slate may be handy as a remote for a media centre or for some light browsing but it's no where near as good as a decent Netbook.

 

[koga73]

I LOVE my physical keyboard. It gives me instant tactile feedback. Sure I could have a virtual one, but why waste precious screen space?

 

[cjl]

[citation][nom]hakesterman[/nom]You can easily type 50 words a minute on a Ipad or other slate device, all you have to do istry. This perception that a physical keyboard is a must is retarted, it's for those who have mentalblocks about change.[/citation]
Without the physical feedback though, it would be much more difficult. Among other things, it would remove the tactile feedback about where your fingers were relative to each key, which is crucial to fast touch typing.

 

[Miharu]

I don't see any slates PC in classroom.
You'll look stupid just take out of your bag a slate.
Take out your slate for a call ?... really uncommon.
AND IT'S THE REASON I HOPE IPAD WILL FAIL.

What you'll do with a slate, perhaps try to half-surf on internet and slideshow picutes..? The fact is you can already do that on your computer and do REALLY MORE STUFF. Without any usb or keyboard, you just can do nothing except "SHOWOFF" your useless gadget.

 

[mdillenbeck]

Its not that we tablet users don't want a slate - its that most people are not manufacturing anything to the specs we want. They think all we want to do is maybe annotate a types word doc like an editor and then send it back, or sign email.

I take notes in class on my tablet PC, I use digital art programs (Corel Painter, Illustrator, etc), browse the web, read books, etc - often in tablet mode. So why do I use a convertible PC? Better specs... oh, and screen protection when in my bag.

So how do you make a good slate? Better specs, especially in the graphics and CPU size. Better screen size/resolution for digital artists and web designers would be a plus. As for a physical keyboard, how about a hard-shell screen cover with a keyboard inside that connects via USB or bluetooth? How hard would that be? Molded plastic, some means of sliding it on/off, and a low-cost keyboard...

Oh, and when in tablet mode is there anything I can't do that a traditional laptop can? I have a virtual keyboard, though I can just write what I want instead. I can more than "half-surf" on the internet or slideshow pics... believe it or not there are several input methods with a tablet. Okay, I can't touch-type... *sniff* Who cares. IF you use the inking capabilities of a laptop, you have one of the most natural ways of entering information.

 

[drowned]

You have to take polls like this with a grain of salt. How many system admins back in the 80s would say "diskettes? Oh no I'm perfectly satisfied with my punch cards!" Once we get attached to something like the keyboard, it's hard to think of what it would be like without one.

The problem really is that computing as it stands is really a 2 hand operation. That means whatever you're using has to be on a table, which means it might as well have a tactile feedback keyboard. Sure a slate might be brilliant for simple stuff like checking email, but when you want to reply to one the tap tap tap on the screen method will get old very quickly. The iPhone marginally succeeds here because you can hold it in 2 hands and thumb it. A slate would be too big for this.

 

[izzpen]

I use a slate pc in my real estate business and I absolutely love it. The slate is definitely a niche product that most people don't think they have a use for. For the most part I use it to sign contracts and save a ton on printing costs. I also let my kids use it as a coloring book without the mess. It is a very useful tool if you know how to use it. The keyboard isn't a big issue for me but I can see how some people would miss it. I think if the companies making slates did a better job of showing people the benefits of a slates people would start using them more. As much as I dislike Apple I bet they will probably do a great job showing people the benefits and capitalize on this misunderstood piece of the market.

 

[b23h]

huh? Depending on the price I think a slate PC is a great thing. I have some interest in the HP Slate. If I really need a keyboard then I'll plug one in...

 

[anamaniac]

I've been considering a tablet for years now.
I think 10" with a undervolted, 4GB RAM and a 80GB x18-m would do me well.
I can even wish that it's a AMOLED with a 1920x1200 resolution.
It would also need a decent GPU. (5750m maybe?)
=)

I even asked my mathematics teacher (head of the department and had power over the schools budget) to buy all the students in my class tablet PCs, as we were an advanced test group anyways. =) Too bad he thought every student having a iPhone would be better (mac fanatic unfortunately, but he saved the school enough money to make up for it).

 

[bin1127]

[citation][nom]Hothr[/nom]I can see the slate PCs taking over where netbooks are now. Casual couch surfing and media playback.That is what I would want it for.[/citation]

was there ever a need for netbooks to begin with? I always pictured something like a slate pc just to surf the net.

 

[back_by_demand]

OK, I think I see a way for everyone to win here.

These tablets will obviously have protective cases, that fold over the same way a standard laptop would. A wireless keyboard is integrated into one side of the case and the reciever is one of those tiny nano ones that you have seen on Logitech mice. There is a prop stand on the back of the case so to all intents and purposes when the slate is in its case it looks like a standard laptop.

Then you take it out the case and walk away with it like a Tablet.

Everybody wins.

 

[notsleep]

if slate has good multi-touch functionality (i.e. no lag), then i would get it over one with real keyboard. mainly because it'll weigh less, thinner, and easier to carry around.

 

[drksilenc]

what about a clip on keyboard thats a bluetooth keyboard so no wires to worry about? it uses loops and a slide lock to attach and or if by usb it contains an extra battery for flights and what not?

 

[JinxRevelation]

[citation][nom]Miharu[/nom]I don't see any slates PC in classroom.You'll look stupid just take out of your bag a slate.Take out your slate for a call ?... really uncommon.AND IT'S THE REASON I HOPE IPAD WILL FAIL.What you'll do with a slate, perhaps try to half-surf on internet and slideshow picutes..? The fact is you can already do that on your computer and do REALLY MORE STUFF. Without any usb or keyboard, you just can do nothing except "SHOWOFF" your useless gadget.[/citation]

So your argument is completely nullified by the fact that you lack any grammar skills. Plus who would use a slate PC for calls, that's why you have a phone.
People will soon realize the worth of a slate PC, its just a matter of time. The tablet form factor is great for a wide variety of things, there just need to be more apps for the form factor. I personally would rather have a Tablet, than a laptop for daily use at school.

 

[Guest]

Put in a projectable infared keyboard and I'd get one.

 

[branflakes71]

I'd buy a slate PC/iPad before buying a netbook. And if a slate had haptic feedback, I'd probably prefer it over a laptop for many uses.

 

[tikrjee]

One has to stop and think, "there may just be a reason Apple plans to sell a keyboard for the iPad."
There's no getting away from it. Most (if not, all) users at some point in time are going to wish they had an actual keyboard. Trying to "type" on a touchscreen of that size is going to be too awkward and uncomfortable. Even Steve Jobs had difficulty using it during the unveiling (couldn't seem to find a comfortable position). Touchscreens are great for devices that fit in the palm of your hand (i.e. smartphones and PMPs), but anything beyond the 5" mark needs a keyboard to be comfortable.

 

[coolcash1777]

Most of the people aren't thinking outside the box when it come to slates. Is not a computer.. Its not a laptop. Its an entirely new type of device. Think of it like your family photo album that sits on your coffee table. Or your library of books, encyclopedia, etc. Things you just pick up on the go and take with you. Its an information device. No boot times, instant on information. Interesting things would be that at a click of a button you can send all your apps that your working on to the slate or a flick of the mouse and your web page or video you were watching are now displayed on your slate.

 

[coolcash1777]

[citation][nom]tikrjee[/nom]One has to stop and think, "there may just be a reason Apple plans to sell a keyboard for the iPad."There's no getting away from it. Most (if not, all) users at some point in time are going to wish they had an actual keyboard....
[/citation]

You don't have to stop and think about that. They already have a keyboard for the iPad. Problem is every person posting have not done any homework, except for taking out their jump to conclusions mat.

Check out the bottom of the page.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

 

[armandomtnz]

I think it should be oriented more to disigners and architects that can draw sketches standing or something but to normal people its too uncomfortable if you recline it it will bend your wrists if not you have to bend your neck since you dont get touch response for where the keys are thats the main problem and its a no gamer pc i don't like it either if someone gave one to me i would sell it and get something else

 

[noneedformonkeys]

And this is why Lenovo will not be ready to capitolize on this niche market.

**MDillenbeck** you are right on, the manufacturers are not listening to the voice of the customer. I owned a convertable tablet for a couple of years and absolutely loved it, even though the software support tor tablet mode was lousy.

I want the MSI dual screen tablet.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/msis-dual-screen-tablet-video-hands-on-much-more-than-an-ereader
"Booklet" style clam-shell tablet devices are quite appealing.
waiting... waiting... waiting...

About the iPad:
Having to go buy all the Apple accessories for the iPad has the same feel as every other Apple product --> stiff price upfront (for the basic device) with constant nickle and diming for cords/adapters/interfaces/covers things that Apple should have included (at least they are including a wall power adapter with the iPad unlike the ipods, itouch, iphone).

 

[daved1948]

External keyboard or not, what Lenovo's customers really don't want is a slow, delicate, crappy-on-screen-keyboard based model that eats batteries. It won't take much to slap [just] a ultra-thin mechanical keyboard onto a slate and call it a "Kate" (a.k.a. a slate + keyboard). In essence, Lenovo's customers don't want they've been shown by the Lenovo reps.

 

[Guest]

The U1 is coming...best of both worlds.
http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_pages/products/new-product-showcase
Half way down the page. Introduced at CSE this year.