Dell previews conceptual tablet running Windows 7
Without providing a price or release date, Dell has begun showing a non-working prototype representing a 10 inch tablet running Windows 7.
According to report by CNET, the product is aimed at users "who need greater mobility, as well as IT organizations that demand control, security, manageability, and integration with existing infrastructure investments."
Named the Windows 7 Business Tablet (rather than using the Dell Streak brand), the product concept is short on specifics apart from needing to use an Intel processor. Last month, Microsoft announced plans to port Windows 7 to the ARM architecture used by Apple's iPad, but said this would take at least two years to deliver. Dell hopes to bring the concept to market "sometime later this year," according to the report.
Steven Lalla, Dell's vice president of its commercial client product group, said that "businesses want Windows because it fits into the IT management scheme," before qualifying that with, "not to say Android doesn't."
For those who don't need Windows to fit into the IT management scheme, Dell will offer the same hardware running Android, an interesting choice given that so far, most Android tablets are built around ARM devices like the iPad.
Apple itself was believed to be evaluating Intel's Atom mobile chips back in late 2007, before deciding to design its own A4 SoC used in the iPad. Apple has also touted that most businesses in the Fortune 500 have been eager to fit the iPad into their IT management schemes.
At the Dell event, Intel appeared to contradict evidence that the PC market was going mobile, with Rick Echevarria, vice president of Intel's Architecture Group, maintaining "we have 30 years in which the PC has proven to be able to adapt itself to the environment," adding, that "rumors of the death of the PC have been greatly exaggerated."
According to report by CNET, the product is aimed at users "who need greater mobility, as well as IT organizations that demand control, security, manageability, and integration with existing infrastructure investments."
Named the Windows 7 Business Tablet (rather than using the Dell Streak brand), the product concept is short on specifics apart from needing to use an Intel processor. Last month, Microsoft announced plans to port Windows 7 to the ARM architecture used by Apple's iPad, but said this would take at least two years to deliver. Dell hopes to bring the concept to market "sometime later this year," according to the report.
Steven Lalla, Dell's vice president of its commercial client product group, said that "businesses want Windows because it fits into the IT management scheme," before qualifying that with, "not to say Android doesn't."
For those who don't need Windows to fit into the IT management scheme, Dell will offer the same hardware running Android, an interesting choice given that so far, most Android tablets are built around ARM devices like the iPad.
Apple itself was believed to be evaluating Intel's Atom mobile chips back in late 2007, before deciding to design its own A4 SoC used in the iPad. Apple has also touted that most businesses in the Fortune 500 have been eager to fit the iPad into their IT management schemes.
At the Dell event, Intel appeared to contradict evidence that the PC market was going mobile, with Rick Echevarria, vice president of Intel's Architecture Group, maintaining "we have 30 years in which the PC has proven to be able to adapt itself to the environment," adding, that "rumors of the death of the PC have been greatly exaggerated."
Comments
Stay tuned.
Alas a tablet running a full-fledged OS. no need to connect to a mother computer? not using a cellphone based OS?
Stay tuned.
I bet it is at least as successful as the HP Slate
Fandroids screaming "It's better than iPad!!" in... 3...2...1...
um... yeah. It's still probably better than a hole in your head.
Not today.
Vaporware.
Alas a tablet running a full-fledged OS. no need to connect to a mother computer? not using a cellphone based OS?
Stay tuned.
No need to stay tuned, you can already buy a Tablet PC like the HP Slate PC
...at fire sale prices!
No, really, what's the point???
A windowed interface is just embarrassing on a portable touch device at this point.
Microsoft have an opportunity to innovate handed to them on a platter and they deliver the same interface over and over again.
What's the point of showing a non-working prototype?
No, really, what's the point???
To try and slow down Apple. If you can just get people to not buy an iPad until they get their 7 Tablet thingy out to market, maybe, just maybe, you can sell enough of your crap to get a slice of the pie Apple created.
Alas a tablet running a full-fledged OS. no need to connect to a mother computer? not using a cellphone based OS?
Stay tuned.
MS and Dell have a history of delivering failed handheld devices ... I agree, stay tuned. History is apt to repeat itself here as neither company deemed it important enough to actually show a working product.
(well, it ain't far from the truth)
Dell previews a slab of thick plastic with a piece of paper taped on showing Windows 7
There... fixed that for you.
Really. If they are going to go right in front of everyone with a ridiculous mockup, use a screen-print of something from "Minority Report" or maybe "Star Trek" you know? Something REALLY futuristic.
Perhaps maybe they used a screen print of Windows 7 since using the real OS would drain the battery in seconds?
Alas a tablet running a full-fledged OS. no need to connect to a mother computer? not using a cellphone based OS?
Stay tuned.
This is why folks like iLiver aren't running companies. It's far easier to be a sofa-critic than to actually see what drives consumers.
Alas a tablet running a full-fledged OS. no need to connect to a mother computer? not using a cellphone based OS?
Stay tuned.
And wait to you see the battery life! 1 hour? 2, if they make it thicker.