Convertible tablet vs. iPad?

[MaxPowers]

This may have been discussed before, but I haven't seen it
With all the iPad hype coming up, it made me think of the advantages of the iPad over a convertible tablet. Just about the only things I could think of were weight and apps. What else does the ipad have to offer that something like the HP TM2 does not?
Convertible tablets are more practical because they use an actual operating system that we are all familiar with and can do just about anything on. We can install our games, surf the internet, use it as a reader, and watch HD streaming movies... with or without a keyboard or usb mouse.
The iPad can do it, if there is an app. I don't understand the hype. All it has is apps with good presentation. It is very limited, while a convertible tablet is only limited to what you can do on a computer, which is endless.
How do you think the iPad will change the internet and how will it change convertible tablets?

Please discuss. I love the iPhone though.

[drvenom]

The Ipad will definitely make tablet computing more mainstream, which is a good thing. For example, the popularity of the Ipad will motivate publishers to increase their digital book stock. This means that many of us don't have to waste time scanning books anymore. I think that the Ipad will also motivate other companies to create OS's that are more interactive.

Personally, I would never give up my convertible pc for a slate. I just can't imagine doing so. I need more juice for running certain applications. I also need some kind of tactile feed back when I type. This is not to say that I don't want a slate. On the contrary, I would love a slate for my pdf textbooks. I think a slate would fit that task perfectly, considering that the slate has a long battery life, can handle pen input well, and that it has the juice for something like Bluebeam PDF Revu.

[doobiedoobiedum]

--How do you think the iPad will change the internet and how will it change convertible tablets? --

As a tool for consumption rather than creation, I think the change will be the money making opportunities that content creators will have if the iPad takes off.

As for changing convertible tablets - I've read of "me too" devices being made ready, even a modified Eee Pc. If the iPad is successful a raft of manufacturers will try and make their own version - but they will need their own App store to make them work.

Convertible tablets seem more suited to business users at the moment - with artists buying cheap 2nd hand cast offs on ebay or elsewhere. The iPad doesn't cater to business users (or artists) so I see no affect there. Convertible PC tablets are flirting with multi-touch - I'd be interested in unbiasedcomparisons (not by Mac or Anti-Mac acolytes) between multi-touch on an Apple device vs that on a PC based device though - that itself is an interesting element of the future of the web.

[thierryb]

The main difference is that you can write/draw with a pen on a tablet, and you will not with an Ipad.

[drvenom]

The main difference is that you can write/draw with a pen on a tablet, and you will not with an Ipad.

Seriously... Grab the ipad, add tablet writing experience, and the ability to install any windows app you want, like some pdf editing software, and then you are in business.

[prevenge]

I agree with the synopsis of this. I think the iPad will just bring more attention to the form factor ... introduce more people to it. Far too few people are Tablet PC users.

[PasserBy]

To be honest though, it's the pen which is interesting to me. The touch screen is a bonus. So imo Apple have got it the wrong way around.

[Deepnote]

The handwriting recognition on Windows 7 is fantastic.
It adapts to your writing style.

The touch screen is nice for broad scrolling gestures.

Being able to run many of the free applications out there without bothering with a store is great.

The freedom to use compilers and interpreters is something that is not offered on the iPod or the iPhone. As a software developer I will not stand for anything less than a machine I can code on freely.

The terms are right in the iPhone SDK.
http://millenniumteacher.com/wordpress/?p=18

[Mikan]

One area the ipad really soars above tablets is that it's completely heat efficient, and light, I believe, like the ipod. I end up having to add laptop coolers to my tablet pc's cause they're all so overpowered, which makes them unwieldy. It becomes difficult to use them on your lap then because of the bulk and weight.

[galangl]

As a student the only thing I can see an iPad would be better for is replacing textbooks. It light, slim, and easy to use..... That is about it.... The tablet I currently have does everything the iPad can do and more.. As soon as Apple throws a digitizer, multitasking, and competitive onenote program on the iPad than I would definitely consider purchasing it.... That or wait for the mystical Courier from M$