Are companies focusing more on Convertibles or S

[rockut111]

Are companies focusing more on Convertibles or Slates? What will they be focusing on in the future?

New Slates:

Fujitsu 5020
Motion m1400va
HP TC1100
Scribbler
Sarah i213 tablet?

New Convertibles:
Toshiba
Fujitsu t4010
Avertec
Hp

[markpayton]

I think HP's recent release of a convertible and Toshiba's recent prototype of a unit with a removable screen (becoming a slate, like the TC1100) shows that they are beginning to see that there is need for both.

[KenMagel]

I expect the convertible to be a part of every manufacturer's laptop line of products, if the current mass consumer models are sales successes. I expect the slate to be more of a niche product sold by only a few manufacturers.

The hybrid where the screen can be detached as a slate or the screen can be attached to the keyboard and carried around together might be the ultimate form that most companies manufacture.

[Jehtris]

quote:The hybrid where the screen can be detached as a slate or the screen can be attached to the keyboard and carried around together might be the ultimate form that most companies manufacture.

Wouldn't that make the M1400 with it's HTKB a hybrid? What would constitute a slate, the inability to attach any keyboard?

[ra_naes]

quote:Originally posted by Jehtris



Wouldn't that make the M1400 with it's HTKB a hybrid? What would constitute a slate, the inability to attach any keyboard?

I would call the detachable keyboard models a slate, because being able to carry only the screen is what differentiates the types of models.

I can see the tablet becoming the laptop of the future. The convertible will be your more standard form, and the slates will also be available (although I don't think as popular).

[Jaymz]

I think as we see voice and hand-written recognition improve slates will become more popular. But not until they are so good enough my grandma could make it work.

[egylte]

quote:Wouldn't that make the M1400 with it's HTKB a hybrid? What would constitute a slate, the inability to attach any keyboard?

The hybrid, such as Toshiba's recent prototype, is a convertible with a detachable digitizing screen. The ports, CPU, HD etc are still in the keyboard base. While you can use the M1400 without any keyboard you can't use the hybrid as a slate without being within 802.11b range of the "keyboard".

I think the emphasis over the next 12 months will be on convertibles since vendors will have an easier time bringing their price down to a level that is palatable to the general consumer. If they're successful it may also spark a greater interest in pure slates thereby nudging the vendors to do more there also. Either way there will always be vertical markets for slates (I hope ;)).