Anyone else think the 7" form factor tablet is doomed?

[dguy6789]

For iPad owners: How does it feel to type on an iPad? While using the virtual keyboard on an iPhone/Smart Phone is comfortable enough with 2 thumbs, I'd imagine it would be unergonomic at 10" screen (without putting the tablet down flat on the desk and typing normally - which will make viewing unergonomic).

Perhaps, 7" is more ergonomic in this regard.

I so badly want an iPad quality tablet but with handwriting recognition!!

My hands are big enough to two thumb type in portrait pretty well but it definitely takes some getting used to at first. In landscape it's almost like typing on a real keyboard but not quite. The only problem with landscape is you have to have the iPad resting on your lap or a table/desk which can be awkward.

 

[rudeguy]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/28/streamtv-elocity-a7-tablet-packs-tegra-2-and-android-2-2-coming/

Heck...for $400, that's a great rig.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/28/streamtv-elocity-a7-tablet-packs-tegra-2-and-android-2-2-coming/

Heck...for $400, that's a great rig.

I'd like to see a vid of the game. But either way I am impressed. Shame that so many tablets dont have Google Market though.

 

[s44]

Tegra2 is real! (And closer than expected.)

I think Google doesn't want any "official" (Market-enabled) Android tablets until they have special tablet features integrated. 3.0 maybe?

 

[s44]

7" Samsung Galaxy Tab (on Verizon?)

The post is one of the first to reveal the Samsung Galaxy Tab may double as a cell phone, albeit a very large smartphone. The Galaxy Tab's seven-inch diagonal display will be two-inches larger than the Dell Streak, which many consider a tablet, and 2.7-inches larger than the 4.3-inch EVO 4G. The iPhone 4 has a 3.5-inch screen.

Despite the large size, it isn't that farfetched that Samsung would add a call feature. It's been reported that Google will deny a license for their Android Marketplace application to devices that do not meet certain hardware standards. Being that Google conceived Android as a mobile OS, many believe one standard is voice-calling capability.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Not long after the iPad came out I went to look at one at BB and my thoughts then were that it is too big. I think the market segment will be between smart phones and laptops so the display/size should be someplace between them. With most laptops being about 13" to 15" but ranging from 10" to 18", I think the tablets are going to need to be smaller than the smallest laptops and netbooks.

Also, if you imagine using a tablet, in the home, to control your AV system and do other home automation things then 10 inches is too big. Back when the iPad came out I said the ideal size, for me, would be about an 8.5 inch screen with a smaller bezel area so that the physical size would be a couple inches smaller than the iPad. But, I think it should have a very high resolution screen.

I'd also like to see the tablet have a built in charge coil so you can charge without connecting wires.


Brian

 

[ponyo]

I think any tablet that requires 2yr data plan is doomed. Apple and AT&T got this right with the ipad by offering wifi only version and 3g monthly. I will not buy any tablet with required data plan.

 

[tfinch2]

I think any tablet that requires 2yr data plan is doomed. Apple and AT&T got this right with the ipad by offering wifi only version and 3g monthly. I will not buy any tablet with required data plan.

This.

 

[trmiv]

I personally wouldn't purchase a 7" tablet. My main use for a tablet would be at home, so I'd rather have something around 10" with wifi only. 7" is portable enough to bring most places, but that's what my Droid is for. I'd rather have the bigger screen and just use it at home.

 

[aceO07]

I don't consider it a tablet unless it also supports stylus (Wacom preferred).

 

[herkulease]

I think any tablet that requires 2yr data plan is doomed. Apple and AT&T got this right with the ipad by offering wifi only version and 3g monthly. I will not buy any tablet with required data plan.

Yup.

I already have my phone with data plan. I don't need a tablet with another data plan. If they let you share then maybe I'll reconsider but you know that would never happen. they'll try and milk you as much as they can. Hell I'll happily pay a bit more if each additional phone isn't 30 bucks a month. 30 per month for 1st phone, + 15 extra for each additional phone. $45 per month is better than just $30 per month.

If samsung on thursday does not announce a wifi only version or that 3g is optional its screwed. Especially if apple shows off a smaller/cheaper ipad. It suspicious of me that apple announces 1 day after samsung sets their debut date for their tablet an event that takes place 1 day before samsung's debut.

 

[theeedude]

May be OK as a cheap tablet to keep around as alarm clock or maybe bathroom reader, but for main laptop replacement tablet, it's too small. I want to see them closer to 12 inches with 10 being minimum, otherwise they gotta be pocketable phone sized ones.

 

[Looney]

After spending some time this weekend with an Archos 7, which is a 7” tablet, i’m definitely going with that size rather than 10”. It’s just so much more portable than a 10”, almost literally half the size, but i really didn’t feel like i’d lost a lot of screen real-estate. Scrolling vertically doesn’t bother me, it’s only horizontal scrolling that does, and at 7”, i didn’t have to scroll horizontally any more than with a 10”.

Of course at home, the 10” would be preferable, but since the reason why i want a tablet is for portability, the 7” has just sealed the deal for me. I thought it would be too small, but for web-browsing, it was a good experience. Not once did i wished the screen was bigger. And you can use the 7" for things like a GPS in your car, alarm on your desk, or photo gallery, without it looking ridiculously out of place.

So i’m going to have to change my opinion on the 7” tablets now. In fact, I think Apple made a mistake by not releasing a 7” iPad. I’m convinced that there’s a big market for that now, if not a bigger market than a 10”.

I think you can judge for yourself whether a 7” is good enough for you by how you view netbooks. If you think their screens are too small, then the 7” tablets probably won’t be to your tastes. But if you like your netbook size, or your only complaint about netbooks are the keyboards and not the screen, then the 7” tablet will probably suit you.

 

[vshah]

galaxy tab is only ~4.5 in wide, i could see that squeezing into a pocket or three

 

[ManSnake]

If Samsung released a phone (Epic 4G) with a slide out keyboard, why won't they release a tablet with one? It would be much more useful on a tablet than a phone, imo.

 

[kaerflog]

I think 7 inch is perfect because its 120mm wide and you can grip it with 1 hand like a phone in portrait mode.
The resolution is fine. Its 1024x600 vs 1024x768 for the ipad so you are really not losing much real estate.
I will get the Galaxy tab if it comes to Tmobile for $200 with contract.
I'll just break contract for the ETF fee of $200 making it $400.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I think 7 inch is perfect because its 120mm wide and you can grip it with 1 hand like a phone in portrait mode.
The resolution is fine. Its 1024x600 vs 1024x768 for the ipad so you are really not losing much real estate.
I will get the Galaxy tab if it comes to Tmobile for $200 with contract.
I'll just break contract for the ETF fee of $200 making it $400.

I think the whole industry is waiting to see the pricing...

Since it's launching on all of the carriers, they'll all have to be similarly priced.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Pocketable tablets are doomed because that end of the spectrum is easily handled by smart phones. But, there are applications that don't require the laptop size screen but benefit from a screen larger than a smart phone. I think 7 inches will work for some but I think a HD resolution tablet with 8.5 inch screen with small bezels will be the sweet spot. Take an 8.5x11 sheet of paper and fold it to make it 8.5x5.5 and that is what I'm talking about. Again, make it HD resolution of 1920x1080 or 1920x1280.


Brian

 

[randomlinh]

Pocketable tablets are doomed because that end of the spectrum is easily handled by smart phones. But, there are applications that don't require the laptop size screen but benefit from a screen larger than a smart phone. I think 7 inches will work for some but I think a HD resolution tablet with 8.5 inch screen with small bezels will be the sweet spot. Take an 8.5x11 sheet of paper and fold it to make it 8.5x5.5 and that is what I'm talking about. Again, make it HD resolution of 1920x1080 or 1920x1280.


Brian

this. but make sure they scale shit right =) In the mean time, I will be happy with that size and a ~1366x768 display.