Apple's iPad to demand lion's share of tablet PC market?
By Thomas Ricker 
posted January 29th 2010 5:10AM
posted January 29th 2010 5:10AM
On the surface, these numbers are pretty optimistic when you consider that Apple sells about 13.5 million Macs per year (extrapolating 3.36 million sold last quarter). Even more so when you realize that only 3 million to 4 million tablet PCs are sold annually according to Peng and Endpoint Technologies' analyst Roger Kay. Problem is, the iPad isn't really a tablet PC is it? As Technologizer astutely points out, "the iPad isn't a traditional PC –- it's more of an appliance. You don't tinker with your television; you turn it on and consume services." By that logic, it's not a direct competitor to the netbook or e-reader either (though the markets definitely overlap). The only thing we can say with certainty is that it is divisive and that it has captivated the attention of the entire consumer electronics industry.
@Solidstate89 Go back to your mom's basement and jack-off. I have socks older than you troll.
It's gotta get Flash support and multi-tasking before it can begin making "demands"...
@r34p3r it needs at least multitasking before anyone can call it a "pc" with a straight face
@r34p3r
It needs to be iPad 3.0 before it can command such demand, considering the lackluster hardware specs and that awful design.
yes (pun intended)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
In general terms, tablet PC refers to a slate shaped mobile computer device, equipped with a touchscreen or stylus to operate the computer.
This form factor offers a more mobile way to interact with a computer. Tablet PCs are often used where normal notebooks are impractical or unwieldy, or do not provide the needed functionality.
for more please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_PC!
they need to get this thing closer to a computer before talking about it as a netbook/ tabletpc beater, this might sell more but not because its better than a netbook/ tabletpc but because it does certain things well and is a convenience product with a good "form" factor!
@mrqs I agree. I'd hardly call it a tablet pc to begin with. The iPad will be the best selling novelty sized PDA.
@mrqs I think, we need to wait for the 4th generation of iPad to get all multitasking, flash, camera etc. We actually expected a small Mac but they released a big iPod. :)) Now it is just an ebook reader with some multimedia functions.
@reader1 People didn't buy PDAs? I don't even know where to begin with that statement. People STILL buy PDAs, so I'm really not sure why you're even using the past tenst.
@reader1
so ipad is a computer? tablet pc? pda? even media player? no usb port, no hdmi, no widescreen, no camera...
look iphone wa grounbreaking only because of its beautiful touchscreen, now we are over it, this thing should have had some serious agenda to position itself and it failed. it might sell because you want to browse (cant chat while at it), watch great videos (hardly HD), read books (wear goggles), want to charge on the go, sure no problem buy a freaking adaptor,
i could on and on, but honestly i am not even tempted for now, ipad 3.0/4.0 with hardware upgrade, maybe, will wait and watch
@r34p3r
i think (ithink) there is two view :
1-its a tablet
2-its a big ipod touch
---------------
1-if its a tablet it should have a good os that can implement multitasking
run applications on windows(not windows os) and .....
and on its hardware should have usb host and at least a vga camera
so it not worthy as a tablet.
2- it is big ipod touch so it worthy because you pay 500$(for 16gb ipad) aganist 400$ (for ipod touch 64gb) (i konw the difference between 16 & 64 but its not an important to me) and you have less memory and a nice big screen and a more powerful processor and so much more user friendly app and more battery life ...
@r34p3r
Flash will obviously never happen.
Multitasking will obviously come with OS 4.0.
@yegon in that case OS 4.0. could be a very long shot! dont get me wrong but the way things have been on multitasking front i am not very optimistic these days...
@r34p3r
Just adding my 2 cents. It can't demand a share of the tablet PC market because it by no means qualifies as a PC of any kind. I'd say it's more like a big phone, but it doesn't make phone calls. So I guess it'll demand a lion's share of the iPad market.
@r34p3r Multitasking - Yes, Flash - No, Flash as a technology is bad for design and bandwidth usage, It is poorly implemented across the multitude of designers that do use it, and quite frankly there is nothing that you can do with Flash that cannot be done better with other technologies. Flash video is the most common use of Flash on the internet outside of Banner ads. HTML5 with its video tag should eliminate Flash video as designers embrace HTML5, Adobe needs to grow up and realize that Flash is not getting any better or leaner, and eventually pull the plug on that sinking ship.
@mrqs
Multi-tasking is why Americans are losing out on manufacturing jobs, and the general overall performance of an american worker is on the decline. Unlike other countries where people dedicate themselves to the task at hand and perfect that task, Americans want to do as much as humanly possible in a short amount of time.
People who multi-task, do not put the effort or enough thought into what they are doing, if you are multi-tasking you are dividing your attention by however many tasks you are trying to perform. If you are painting, watching TV, and talking on the phone you have effectively cut your attention to each of those items to only 33.33%. Where as if you were to say focus on that painting and anything else you would be giving 100%. Which outcome do you expect would be better?
Multi-tasking is pure marketing, do more in less time isn't something I am interested in. Especially when the trade off you make is quality. There are always trade offs when you try to do something faster or cheaper. What trade offs are you making by multi-tasking?
To be honest, i've gone beyond trashing this thing, as I really think we should look at some of the positives..
I'm in the market for a netbook-type device for school, and while some netbooks may have ION/Broadcom, they are actually completely useless for day-to-day activities. The iPad's supposed to be really fast - sure, its because its riding on a restricted OS, but that's besides the point.. The fact is, in its current state, I can open up apps fast.
I'm really gunning on the jailbreak community to sort it out with multitasking (multifl0w on the iPad would actually make it extremely attractive) which would solely leave flash as the missing component. That sucks, but its no deal breaker.......
@mrqs Would it be possible that the reason behind apple decided to opt out multitasking on this device is because their newly released processor isn't powerful enough to handle it? This question keeps pop up in my mind whenever somebody mention multitasking. I mean I can't find any sane reason for apple to drop this.
@r34p3r
Big disappointments aside (multitasking, camera, etc...)
Would a full blown OSX on a tablet form factor really be all that successful? How many actually own a tablet PC?
Netbooks has sold well, but I would have to say the state of the economy was a big factor. Plus, the netbook hasn't had the kind of reception to the "masses" (no, the tech savvy is not part of this group) the way the iPhone did to Apple.
Plus a much more "tech" capable tablet really would cannibalize the MBP sales, a decision any smart (not tech savvy friendly) company would make. (btw, no multitasking == not smart)
So, am I mad Apple left out multitasking and some other features?
But would Apple, eventually (after some iterations) rake in money?
I think the sad point is. Whether Apple "may" succeed or not rarely has to do with whether tech blog readers are satisfied with the product or not.
Perhaps as the tech savvy, we overlook a possible unforeseen market... however niche the iPad may seem to us.
@AlaskanHandyman All the excuses like Flash drains battery likes water in colander or it's being a resource hog, to me, quite outlandish. If small devices like smart phone/mp3 player(iriver) have no problem running it why would more resourceful tablet like ipad can't. Don't tell me about html5. It's not gonna take over flash within few days like everyone wish. Transaction period would probably be couple of years at least before it can fully replace.
@7egend
"Multi-tasking is why Americans are losing out on manufacturing jobs, and the general overall performance of an American worker is on the decline"
The factory worker MAYBE, but if you want to survive in corporate America, then you BEST be able to do 2 things at once, if not more. I do it every day at work and if you can't, you're useless.
@typhon
Forget camera, not every notebook out there has cameras, I can live without one. But give me USB so if I need a camera I can just plug it in, or external HDD, or USB GPS reciever, etc. etc. etc.
@7egend
Multitasking in this case refers to the computer's ability to have background processes for all or almost all of its apps/programs, not a human's ability to multitask.
@r34p3r If it have an Apple logo it well sell good, sadly
@mrqs Agreed, multitasking. A camera and SD slot would be great too. Flash, well I can't stand it and the only thing I use it for is Mafia Wars, so I won't miss it. HTML5 baby.
We need more brainwashing (Apple telling us what we don't need in such a device) before we will go out and buy one...and more Engadget iPad posts. :|
@r34p3r
It has only captured our attention because this is ALL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
Opinions are shaped by content providers. If you keep talking about the device AND promoting the device then yes, there will be interest. Of course, most of the interest is negative (at least according to the comments) but at least it is being talked about.
@Bratan The iPad DOES have a GPS. http://www.apple.com/ipad/
@sodaboy581
assisted GPS isnt true GPS.
@r34p3r Trust me I'm disappointed with this device. But this article pointed out exactly my thoughts:
http://astheria.com/design/why-the-ipad-changes-everything
You’ve heard the grumbles:
Sitting on the sofa, MBP on my lap, iPhone in my hand. Do I really need an ‘in between’ device? No.
What’s a bit dissapointing about the iPad is that it’s *exactly* what we expected… and we’re used to Apple exceeding our expecations
if you have an iPhone and a MacBook Pro, why would you need an iPad?
The problem here, is the people doing the grumbling. We (geeks) aren’t Apple’s target audience with the iPad.
We may consider it yet another piece of gadgetry that makes it a little easier to read RSS feed items in bed, or check your email while you’re taking a poo—but the truth of the matter is, that’s all it is to us.
But Here’s the Magic
Think of your parents. They probably aren’t terribly tech savvy, but you buy them a laptop anyway. A laptop is a very powerful device even with average hardware specs, you can do a lot with it. But the ability to do a lot comes at the price of reduced usability. Introducing more choices means more mental hurdles to jump. To us (the geeks), these hurdles are skipped, we’re used to computers and we don’t even think when using most basic functionality. The iPad removes all of these choices, and as a result, increases the inherent usability of the device for those who normally have to jump those hurdles.
Think of those whose lives don’t revolve around using a computer for anything more than entertainment. The iPad is, and let’s be honest here, perfect for this group. Extremely lightweight, easy to throw in your book bag. Plays music, video, let’s you browse the web, read books, and so on. These people don’t need the power of a laptop the way those of us who use a computer for work do. The iPad does exactly what they want to do, and it does it well.
Think of those who travel. Many of these people have a laptop and a 3G connection card. Why? So they can check their email and file documents on the road. The iPad with a 3G connection does this, and does it well.
Think of those with desktops who want to do some mobile computing. Most people’s definition of computing is just working on stuff in Microsoft Word, or browsing the internet.
I think you can see the running theme here by now.
So Why the Lofty Title?
If the iPhone revolutionized the usability of smartphones, the iPad just did the same for laptops and netbooks. It’s a completely different take on the de facto standard. It targets the average computer user, not those of us who use a computer all day at work. It creates a UI and capability set that adopts the 80/20 principle of usability. It does nearly everything this crowd wants it to do, with 20% of the bullshit interface getting in their way.
It brings mobile 3G based computing to the mainstream, if we thought the iPhone took the internet to the mobile realm, this takes it even further. This makes a move where some people may not purchase an at home internet connection. If the iPad does everything you need, flip the bird to Comcast and only pay $30 a month for unlimited 3G access—anywhere.
So while we the geeks may feel under-impressed, there’s a whole new market Apple just tapped—and it’s going to take the internet to another level of ubiquitousness in much the same way as the iPhone. And, well, we all know the impact the iPhone has had.
@7egend What. The fuck. multitasking can mean literally ANYTHING, from listening to music while surfing the web to typing an email while a file downloads. But of course multitasking is what is killing America, it's much more likely than you admitting that Apple has made something flawed.
@Shash450
"(multifl0w on the iPad would actually make it extremely attractive)"
Kotex is working very hard on this as we speak!
@manwithacamera
If Apple maintains it's leadership position in the area of marketing power... then the iPad will most likely be at the top of this category... just like the iPod etc is now of their respective categories.. and much of the hate will cease to exist (in future generations when stuff is added)... and surely the iPad will get hacked.. making it a more useful device.
I think the haters are looking at it in the wrong way right now, of course there is the bogus bits of marketing.. but which company on earth doesn't do that?.. I think it's a luxury accessory.. it's not supposed to replace any particular device, but rather be supplementary.
@who said what
So the theme is less costs more?
@r34p3r Remember when we thought the iPod was going to flop? And the iPhone? The iPad is going to be huge! I'll see your Kindle and raise you with a more readable screen (in color) and a library to purchase your books and Steve Jobs gets Apple into the exploding e-book market for an affordable price for the device. There's something the iPad doesn't do that you wish it did? There will be an app for that. And more in the next version. More details: http://bit.ly/ipad-details-under-examination
@(Unverified)
Assisted GPS is the best kind of GPS. It will lock onto the satelittes much quicker.
I think that selling 100,000 of these would be an achievement. I still can't work out who they are for, it's an incredibly niche product.
@KosherTelephone
Heavy Facebook users. But they can't play their Flash games.
@KosherTelephone
Wow you are a dumbass. Niche? do you even know what that is? Brando makes niche products. Do you really think Apple would even waste it's time on niche products. Please think for yourself and stop joining all the other people that want EVERYTHING to perform as a computer would. Really? next thing you know people will be enraged when a T.V. doesn't come with an operating system, just so they can do the SAME thing they do on their computer. Which can be summed up overwhelmingly by three things: music, internet, video.
@KosherTelephone
Right because music, video, internet, and games are niche novelties...
@Mitch19
Fanboy much? Pretty sure the concept for a tablet is based off a computer. ie: Something that can do more than one thing at a time. Just because you like Apple and some of their products doesn't mean this iPad thing isn't a steaming pile of fail.
@KosherTelephone
Jobs targeted right on the beginning the people that will love the iPad - those who will find a really cool feature the fact that you can change your wallpaper. I think there are lots of them.
And the book store - wow.. looks just like an actual library. They need to design it like that in order to make some understand what it does.
@cyclone13
I'm not saying its GREAT, I'm saying where's the niche>?
@KosherTelephone iPad is not a game-changer (for now), although it might be a budding device made for a non-existential market again.
Just think, what it could replace in the future? (Your Coby, PMP device, Your LCD in your Car, Those vtech for the kids, etc)
I believe, this year won't be an iPad year. But believe me, after 3 years.. I think we will look back and remember this day, why we disdain iPad so much, because it turns out on that day. iPad is a part of your home already. More details: http://bit.ly/apple-tablet-under-fire
@Mitch19 The fact that people don't actually need a Tablet. A netbook does what the iPad does a million billion times well whilst running circles round it. The iPad is supposed to be the inbtweeen of a smartphone and a laptop, but hey! you can buy a netbook for half the price of the iPad and it will still run rings round the iPad.
How can a product costing $500 and more not do more than one thing at a time?
@dedparrot
"A netbook does what the iPad does a million billion times well whilst running circles round it."
No, they are bigger, and look cheaper. There is nothing shiny about a netbook, and people want shiny things. If they didn't, Gucci and friends would be out of business.
@cyclone13
Hate much? There are so many things wrong with your post, I don't know where to start. If you truly believe the things that you wrote, that would explain the amount of flaming that occurs in gadget posts. It all boils down to ignorance.
"Pretty sure the concept for a tablet is based off a computer. ie: Something that can do more than one thing at a time"
FIrst of all, no. Just...no. My fist computer was a Colt, used a MS DOS boot disk (5 1/2" floppy). Guess what? It didn't have multitasking. Are you going to say that it wasn't a computer because it didn't multitask? All multitasking is: the computer interrupting one task rapidly to switch to the another one, giving the appearance that its doing multiple things at the same time.
Fanboyism aside, to say that the iPad isn't a computer is ridiculous. It has all the components of a computer and runs an operating system. Its not a laptop or a netbook. Right, understood, we got that part. Its different, its non-traditional. I haven't seen this netbook that costs half price that you're talking about, but I can guarantee that it can't out perform the iPad in the areas that the iPad was designed to do well in. Its not going to be as intuitive either. And on the flip side, there are areas in which a netbook (a cheap laptop) will outperform an iPad. Multi-tasking and flash support are just two of them. There are pros and cons of both, and understanding the abilities and limitations of both should only be taken into consideration when trying to decide which product best suits YOUR needs. It shouldn't be used to start flame wars or tell other people what their needs are because you don't like a product or company. That's ignorant.
Who is it going to appeal to? Its going to appeal to the people that bought a netbook just because they are cheap. Those people only need something small that they can carry around with them and check their email, or watch a movie or tv show or play a game while they're at the airport or on a plane or on the train/subway. Its something that you can hold in your hands, you don't need to sit it in your lap to use it. Its not meant for those of us who like to dual boot into linux and compile our own programs (or even apt get them). We are the minority in the market, not the other way around. Most people just want simple, push this icon or button and this happens. That's where the iPad appeals, that's why I believe its going to sell buckets. Loads and loads of buckets.
Am I going to buy one? I don't know. Probably. I try to justify it because I do a lot of flying and my 17" macbook pro sometimes isn't practical and a large amount of my flights outlast my battery life. But deep down inside its because I'm a geek and a tech junkie and this intrigues me for some reason; I want to hold it and I want to play with it. A lot of my colleagues have already stated they were going to get one, and an even larger number of them have already switched from Window's based PCs to Macs. They're not fanboys or hipsters, they just like the ease of use, lack of issues, and quality of the hardware. Not being able to multitask (on their iPhones) and lack of Flash support doesn't seem to matter to them, it isn't a roadblock for them, in fact, I honestly don't think they've even noticed. Same goes for the other millions of people that are happy with their iPhones. That's why I believe this thing is going to sell.
"Just because you like Apple and some of their products doesn't mean this iPad thing isn't a steaming pile of fail."
Quite the contrary. :)
@KosherTelephone
while I wouldn't call this product niche, I believe that the problem lies in the fact that it's so similar to the iPod touch and iPhone. By making it so similar to a previous product, they eliminated many potential customers by not giving them anything major that they couldn't already do more cheaply.
@dynebolik
OMG OMG OMG. Such a Fanboy its pathetic. That was the most pathetic comment I have ever seen on any blog ever. What are sticking up for? Lets face it, its just an oversized iPod touch. Theres really isnt much more you can do on this thing. Sure its specs were bumped as far as processor, but soon enough new iPods and iPhones will also get bumped up processors. Apple is all smoke and mirrors. This is just like the original iPhone. They release a product lacking so much stuff people want and need and is currently available in many other devices, but then Apple makes you feel special when they release an update that has all the shit it should have had. I hope you do buy this thing, just becuase ur a typical fanboy sucker, who is also gonna buy the one they release around the holidays thats better, then you are gonna buy another one in a year when they add all the things that this original device shoulda coulda and woulda had if Apple didnt have you buy the balls. Slowly they will release, thats the Apple way, suck in the early adopters, becuase they know you are just gonna buy the next wave also, so they got you for at least a grand. Nice comment. Let me go brush my teeth because you made me puke.