Dell Tablet PC

I see that Dell have announced that they will be introducing a Tablet PC later this year. At the link you can watch a video of a Dell Senior VP, Jeff Clarke, talking about it. I’ve often thought that the next machine I invest in should be a Tablet PC. The idea of the ultra-portable form factor with the ability to use it as a notepad and pen has a certain appeal. Much more convenient than a laptop, I’ve always thought. To date, though, PC manufacturers have not positioned their Tablet offerings at the consumer market, but at the corporate market instead. With Dell finally throwing their hat into the Tablet PC ring, I thought there was a chance for a new dawn. Alas, I noted that Clarke said:

In other words, it ain’t going to be a consumer device, just another higher-priced corporate offering. And that, I think, is a shame. I would really like to see a major manufacturer position a Tablet PC fairly and squarely at the consumer market. I think it would open up a new niche and bring some competition in. Dell would have been my bet to do this. But it looks as though they’re not ready to step up to the plate.