Entelligence: Why people aren't buying Tablet PCs
posted September 23rd 2004 2:22PM
While Tablet PCs have intrigued the marketplace, there's been a lot of speculation why they haven't sold better
commercially. Conventional wisdom would state that price is the leading issue but as usual, conventional wisdom is
wrong. A recent Jupiter Research survey shows only 32 percent of online consumers planning to purchase a laptop are not
willing to pay anything for Tablet PC functionality, indicating price is not the greatest adoption hurdle. The same
study shows that 61 percent of online consumers interested in using Tablet PCs prize traditional notebook functionality
in a Tablet PC. It's not that the tablet concept doesn't resonate with consumers, or the higher price. It's about
devices that don't live up to consumer expectations in many cases and an under-educated consumer marketplace.
The question posed: "What features would you be interested in using on a Tablet PC (i.e. a notebook computer that
allows you to write on the screen as an alternative to using a keyboard and/or mouse? (Select all that
apply.)"
Source: Jupiter Research/Ipsos-Insight Entertainment Technologies Survey (7/04), n = 1,307 (online consumers
interested in using Tablet PCs, US only). ©2004 JupiterResearch, a division of Jupitermedia Corporation.
Michael Gartenberg is vice president and research director for the Personal Technology & Access and Custom Research groups at Jupiter Research in New York. Contact him at mgartenberg@jupitermedia.com. His weblog and RSS feed are at http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/gartenberg.
Tablet PC's are made for drawing. I'm surprised that they didn't put a "Use as a digital sketchpad / drawing pad etc." on the chart.
After using a Cintiq for almost a year now all I can say is that this is how it's all suposed to work. Trash the mouse, the wacom pad and everything else. Once you've started to click, move around things, interact and draw on the actual screen you simply don't wanna go back. Of course this is not practical on a normal vertically mounted display and therefore works more natural on portable products with a built in display concept.
A Wacom Cintiq weighs like a ton. I'm sure there is a way of trimming down a good Cintiq-like technology to low weight one to put on a tablet computer.
One use for which tablets are perfect, that no one ever mentions: web browsing! More natural to use a stylus than a mouse (and in my experience faster), particularly for people susceptible to carpal tunnel.
And handwritten annotations are completely indispensable.
And people love getting handwritten emails.
Entelligence - great concept. Nice job.
Tablets are viewed as large PDAs that cost more than laptops. Who wants that?
I bought an Acer Travelmate C100 when it first came out and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's small, it's light, it's a notebook, AND it's a tablet.... and it was less than the DELL I was going to buy at the time.
It's no powerhouse... but it's a great portable computer.
Tablet PC's are another great example of technology that might make sense for a niche market or two, but for the general computer using public the technology is a waste of silicon and money.
Arguments I've heard for tablet PCs and why they're stupid:
Pro: I am a slow typer. I'll be faster with a pen computer.
Rebuttal: Riiiight. You'll be faster using a tablet PC to write your emails and important documents. Please make sure to put this on your resume so we can all NOT hire you EVER!
Pro: I can take notes in meetings without all that annoying typing noise.
Rebuttal: You're a retard if you think that you're going to be more efficient with current generation pen computing than you are with a pen and paper.
Pro: artists want to be able to draw with a pen
Rebuttal: Artists use a specialized tablet that is designed to sense pressure, pen direction, speed and other things that your average tablet PC implementation is going to do less well. That tablet PC pen tech is not going to cut it. Plus if you're really doing a lot of drawing you're probably going to be really cheesed off if the screen is all covered in minute scratches after a few months of serious work.
Pro: I want to mark up a document with a pen
Rebuttal: ok, knock yourself out, but when I get that document I'll be sure to throw it out straight away. Maybe you've heard of certain word processing features that let you collaboratively edit documents? and they don't require the use of a tablet PC.
The one niche market where tablets might seem to make sense:
People checking off boxes or multiple choice answers on forms when they are out in the field doing Social Work or similar where it is more efficient to capture the data digitally and then have it automatically load into the database upon return to the office. And the reason i said, "might seem to make sense" is that a PDA would work fine for this, be cheaper to buy and cheaper to replace when it gets lost, stolen or dropped.
so while the notebook manufacturers and Microsoft keep pouring money down this rathole, it isn't going to explode into the next big thing. EVER. make us more cellphones. our junk drawers aren't totally full yet.
It would be beneficial for taking notes in classes that require more than just words, such as advanced math, physics, design, etc.
I'm a designer and had purchased a Fujitsu tablet when they first came out with Windows Tablet PC. A couple of applications really exceeded my expectations: Sketchbook Pro, and Tablet Planner. Everything else worked as expected. I docked at home, stayed connected with Verizon CDMA service, and the thing was light. But switching back and forth between the Mac and the Tablet grew tiring. If Apple delivered a tablet profile device with enough power, I would purchase it in a moment.
slow typer
I don't think I would want to work for you anyway. BTW I an writing this entire response with a pen. No its not as fast as typing, but is very usable.
pen/ paper
Have you tried MS One Note? How about being able to search through all your hard written notes? I used to generate a new spiral notebook full of notes every two months. Now I have all all my notes with me.
artists
Tablet PCs use the same Wacom technology that most artists use.
document markup
I agree with this one. I've not found Word and Excel's ink markup features to be useful.
Vertical markets
What if they need a bigger screen?
What if they need to run real Windows apps as well as their form app?
Good luck with your drawer full of cell phones. I'm enjoying being more productive with my tablet pc.
For most computer users (web, word processing) a tablet PC is great.
The tablet aspect has to be looked at as a complement to what a notebook can be. If your notebook also had a pen capability that took nothing away from its uses at the moment, very few would object.
So, once power issues (if you are taking notes, you need to be near a power source or be sure you're charged), price, and improved pens start improving -- it's almost like notebooks HAVE to go the Tablet route -- why not?
I *finally* got to try out a Tablet PC (an Avratec at Staples) the other day and I was impressed by its character recog. for my bad writing in less than a minute of playing around at the store. I also liked how One Note was very intuitive. And, the Avratec is not even rated that highly.
The theme of early 21st century technology is convergence and the (computer) notebook and, well, the (paper) notebook just gotta do that. Developers have few other places to go. It's just that simple.
For years before Tablet PCs came out, I would constantly follow the developments in graphic tablets waiting for a device with notetaking functionality to come out. While I now have a Tablet PC and appreciate the ink functionality(first Fujitsu slate, later Toshiba convertible), I am still waiting for a practical solution for handwritten notes. Having a two to five pound Windows based computer that has to boot up, load programs, and will only run without power for a couple of hours is not the ideal solution. Someone needs to come out with a practical handwriting dedicated slate running on Palm OS (or other "instantly on" OS) that weighs no more than a pound - and preferably less - and can hold hundreds or thousands of pages of notes. Such a device has not yet been invented. Windows Tablet PC is not "it".
Just about anyone can benefit from a Tablet PC today. Forget handwriting recognition and digital ink for a second -- just the ultra portable full blown PC that you can grab and go on a moments notice. That alone is worth it all.
But digital ink and handwriting recognition are very important technologies too. Tablet PC's have to grow out of the "expensive piece of paper" misconception. Alot of developers just haven't "gotten it". While the Tablet PC is a great note taking/keeping device -- you don't need 30 apps to do it.
Annotation, integration with existing applications -- this is where the main benefit of Tablet PC's are. Applications like MindManager, Word, Visio, Excel, etc... Ink is a welcome supplement and makes using these applications more natural. And Outlook and MapPoint (which I extend with my Tablet Enhancements) are much more useful on a Tablet PC.
People need to stop seeing Tablets as a revolution and more of an evolution.
With all due respect, I was really turned off by seeing that Engaget promoted such "expert" ideas that apparently say bluntly that price is *NOT* the issue! Again, and once more with ALL due respect, I truly beg to differ here. One easy way to determine that the "expert" opinion is false is by setting up an online poll here (if feasible). After all, if the polls that they are referring to are correct then they should be able to recreate similar results if the poll is opened again and if the population is chosen without any major bias involved! However, I am sure it has been done many times all around the internet - and the results almost ALWAYS show that price is certainly THE factor! I myself was looking forward to buy a tablet pc this week, until I realized that the prices have not really gone down...Not only me, but many of my friends feel the same way.
It is really sad to see that the public opinion (kinda like in our political system...ehm ehm) has been bashed and made to look almost completely contrary to what it actually is...
Basically, if I can get a tablet PC for $1,200 I will not even think twice before buying it! Not only that, but I don't even mind if some of the specs aren't as good as a competing normal laptop of same price range. So, my "expert" friends, price DOES matter. :)
I've been watching a classmate take notes with his. DROOOOOL. He adds diagrams and charts to his notes on the fly.
As someone who doesn't even have a laptop, I would definitely get one of these. For me, though, the price is an issue. I live on graduate fellowships, and therefore can't afford to buy any computer that costs more than nothing.
There's only one feature I'm looking for in a Tablet PC computer, and when it's available I'll buy one, sight-unseen: OS X.
Keyboard presence aside (c'mon... it's Mandatory!) is the amazing User Interface that comes with a Tablet PC. What could
be more graceful than seeing what you want and pointing to/moving it with your hand(pen)?
And the technology behind the pen & screen is amazing. The pen has a chip in it so laying your hand across the screen won't interfere. The pen doesn't even need to touch the screen to point, but for drawing there are 8(maybe 16?) pressure levels for some intense effects (like me going "WOW!").
Price = about $500 more than an equally stocked LT. Worth it? For me, yes.
Yes, I can type faster than I handwrite. But it's not about typing - it's about taking notes in my handwriting and with my own annotations. I maybe convert my handwriting 20% of the time, when notes need to be shared for example.
The real Tablet value for me is I have ALL my notes in one spot - searchable with hand drawn graphs, charts, arrows, etc. These types of things I can not easily do while typing.
And yes, I do annotate on documents that are sent to me so they can be referenced and recalled at anytime - not just while I am at my desk searching through my paper files for my notes.
The Tablet PC does not work for all laptop users. College students or project managers are two examples of market segments that I would highly recommend a Tablet PC be purchased.
I am a gadget-lover and closely following up on tablet development (I currently do not have a laptop and planning to buy one). Let me indicate my thoughts on each parameter.
Features : I feel that the current tablet pcs are very compelling in features. And since we are getting all notepad features plus handwriting recognition, we only gain. And the gain is substantial looking at the cool apps like mindmanager, tablet planner etc. I think any average buyer is convinced of the features and would love the tablets for the current feature set.
Price: Looking from the mindset of a normal buyer, price is relatively an unimportant criterion (if the device is good, they will pay). Yes, if the price also comes down, it is more welcoming :) But, my point is the situation will not change dramatically because of price.
Range of tablets: If we look at the range of tablets, it is not healthy. I consider the convertibles as the mainstream tablet as slates are unconventional and will be adopted by geeks or in vertical industry (Another reason for this is tablet however close to notebooks is new device and any new device will have resistance for adoption. So, the convertibles which are close to notebooks have the least resistance and they are the likely ones people may buy. Personally too, I feel this way.)
Currently, the convertibles are from Toshiba, Fujitsu, Avaratec and Compaq each with one convertible model. So, the range is less and also we do not have models from leading players including IBM, Sony and Dell. So a confused buyer will see tens of laptop models from each company and a paltry 4-5 tablet models and attracted by the laptops. Added to this, most customers are brand loyalists and want a Apple or IBM or Sony and absence of the tablets from these companies dampens the adoption.
Summarizing, my case is tablets are new devices (which itself will take time for adoption) and the tablet range is minimal from few companies which is the prime reason for inhibiting people from going tablet way. I see in future that when these companies bring out models and technology improves, tablet pcs will eventually replace laptops.
CBX: by the time that comes around, we could be up to OS XI or XII or X-2 or OS XX #Reload.
Tablet PCs are vastly superior to laptops for those who are motivated to "grok" the tablet experience. And those who don't get it, decry the tablet's features as useless.
This is not a new phenomenon. Perhaps you remember a little computer called Macintosh? Lots of people described a mouse as a waste of time and money for all but niche markets. It took years before Microsoft made GUIs the standard.
And so it will be with tablets. We early adopters love them. It will be years before tablet features are mainstream.
In the interim, price will discourage lots of people from trying tablets. This is as it should be: most people will not consider tablet functionality a potential benefit, so even a penny more is wasted money.
The problem with Tablet PCs is that for most people, they are actually less functional than a laptop while costing more. Consumers aren't stupid.
Besides, I haven't met a handwriting recognition algorithm yet that can deal with the idiosyncratic way I write "O"s (start at 9 o'clock, go counterclockwise).
I think price does matter, especially to smaller companies like ours, or the average consumer.
It's extremly hard to get Upper Management or IT Dept. people to agree to invest in a tablet PC which is generally more costly & a lower preforming machine than the normal laptop.
However, our company invested in 2 tablets and it is changing the way we do business.
We have interactive Engineering info, drawings, sketches and problem solving on the jobsite miles from the office.
Problems that used to take hours or weeks to get answers on are being resolved in minutes.
I'm positive we will be buying more tablet PC's, but it would be a larger quanity and sooner if they were more powerful and reasonably priced.
I think that maybe the tablet pc should consider the digital art community. wacom is great, but its not portable.same with cintiq. The tablet PC is the only way to go for the traveling artist if they want to paint in style (digital artist).
Its not just big companies and such that could use these. and i think that they need to at least consider the artistic comunity. Maybe they might get more customers
I am old enough in computing to remember the lightpen. Why did we drop it in favor of the mouse? Simple: after you have crippled your arm by lifting the lightpen to a screen enough times you suddenly see the sense in a mouse with clickers and wheels running over your desk. Most computer stylii are uncomfortable compared to a real pen and most input surfaces don't feel right.
Roll on rewriteable digital paper books!
i am in lawschool, part-time, and i find my acer c300 to be an invaluable tool. in class, i take handwritten notes using journal. i could just type it, but you can't draw a quick diagram with word. i can cut and paste handwriting and typed text in and out of journal, so if the prof. is using powerpoint, i can go to the twen page, and copy slide content directly into my notes. i can copy and paste handwritten text into my typed briefs, and i can mark them up with ink. I can copy data directly from westlaw into journal. its pretty simple to convert to typed text, and then i use word to organize the data for my outlines. sometinmes, while i'm doing research, i take the tablet with me into the stacks, and in portrait mode, reading and entering text in the stacks is much easier than with a laptop, and more efficient than taking a pad and pen, and then transcribing stuff from there. When i need one, the convertible is a competent notebook, its got integrated wireless, 64 mb video, 512 mb ram, 1.5 mhz centrino, 40 gigs, 6 in 1 card reader (for the SD card i use with my treo 600), cdrrw/dvd combo, smart card security, and my battery lasts long enough to keep me completely untethered for an entire 3 hour class. It can last up to 5 hours. I teach also, and use the c300 almost exclusively in tablet mode there, using its portabiliity and wireless functions to transmit data to wireless projectors or to interact with and monitor individual workstations from anywhere in the classroom. I can even play pool of radiance and a few other games i like 1024x768! all for less than 2g's, even with the extended warranty. the plain laptops i looked at with similar specs were 2g's+, but with lousier battery life. the few things i am not impressed with are the lousy speakers: the sound sucks, but i got a good pair of headphones cause i gotta wear them in the library anyway, it is a little on the heavy side for long tablet excursions, and since i got it last april, i've had to send it all the way to frigg'in texas 2x, and had to send for replacement parts 1x. the keyboard, touchscreen, and pen all went bad. on the brighter side of that, tech support is thorough, though a little skimpy on the web, picking up my machine at work once, and at home on another occasion, for absolutely no charge. they try to make it as painless as possible. all in all i give it an 8 out of 10, there is no better combo of price, battery life, and versatility. it is alot like a giant pda, but taking notes with a tiny little pda is way more inconvenient (i've tried, it sucks), and it eliminates all the tapping from typing (it can be intrusive and inappropriate), and the ability to lay it flat allows for better interaction than when there is a screen sticking up in front of me. also sharing data by just twisting the screen is great. the only reason i can really see tablets not selling is because of misinformation about its versatility, and a general lack of trust that new technology will work as expected, or just end up a novelty item that doesn't do what you thought it would.
I just got the Averatec. Why did it take me so long to buy a tablet? Price.
One ingenious Mac user's initiative to build a Tablet Mac himself
www.macmod.com/content/view/166/2/
has inspired me to put up the online petition "Apple, give us a Tablet Mac, please".
The goal is to show Apple (and that means Steve), that there are more than enough potential Tablet Mac users to warrant a product. Heck, some of us even rip their iBooks apart and do it themselves (and a pretty good job at that, too).
In less than three weeks we have collected over 800 signatures, but we need your signature and support, too :)
If you too want a Tablet Mac - Sign the petition:
www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/tablet_mac/
You can find out about the current status of the petition here:
www.thetabletmac.com/
and how to help here:
www.thetabletmac.com/content/view/21/42/
Yours truly,
Ronny
"i am in lawschool, part-time, and i find my acer c300 to be an invaluable tool."
[love love love]
Sold! Thanks. I've been thinking about the tablet for a while now. Lugging my law books back and forth is a pain and since they are 99% cases which I can download and annotate that way, why not go tablet? That way, at the end of the semester, I can get to studying instead of copying all my notes from my book, computer, etc into one place.
Thanks for the input. Can't wait for my birthday.
-p-
PS Dear Steve Jobs, I know it will never happen, but please release an OS X tablet. Till then, it's back to the Windows world for me.
Everyone in my doctor's office uses these things. One, two, three taps and my prescription is waiting for me at the drugstore. Great niche market product. But I don't want one. My three laptops serve me well.
By the way --- Microsoft OneNote is anything BUT intuitive. For a far superior similar app, try Agilix GoBinder
The concept is simple, One picture is worth a thousand works
I know of several automotive engineers who use theses, for them its the only way to jot down complex ideas,
And there is nothing wrong with building computers for a niche market, I much rather pay more for a device that works the way I work than one that make we makes me work the way some geeky computer developer has decided everyone should work.
Hey Bento,
Draw me a diagram while in the middle of taking notes using a regular laptop. Oh, throw in a chart while you're at it.
1989 is coming up for you, what are you doing for New Years?