1. They need to be marketed separately (and better!)
2. They generally appeal to different types of users

I liken this to another of my hobbies: backpacking. I always see what I call “the minimalists”; those folks that cut the handle off of their toothbrush to save the weight, for example. As much as I admire “the minimalists”, when it comes to backpacking, I don’t mind a little extra weight in my pack for a little extra benefit. My 50 mile trip in the White Mountains a few years back was captured on a video camera I took, something that would be scoffed by others. My point is: it depends on what kind of user you are.

For the record, as a backpacker I’ll never be a minimalist; as a future Tablet PC owner however, make mine a Slate! ;>)

http://mikesejournal.com/archives/003067.php

Great post (as usual). Like Ken, I respectfully disagree that there’s anything wrong with convertibles in helping tell the Tablet story. You have to remember that most folks (unlike you and me) generally have a single PC. They don’t have the luxury (or desire) to pick which PC to use at any given point in time for a specific task or environment.

The reactions I get to my convertible (Toshiba Portege M205) when I’m out an about are universally positive. The duality of having full laptop functionality *and* the Tablet goodness in a single lightweight (relatively) package blows people away. They get it – immediately.

I usually show off three apps: GoBinder, MindManager, and Zinio Reader. All three take great advantage of the Tablet and demonstrate how the rotating display and digital ink features provide a new level of creativity and flexibility.

The real problem is not the form factor. The issue facing the Tablet is abysmal marketing and there’s plenty of blame to go around. Loren’s written about and so have I. Microsoft has done an awful job of selling the Tablet. So have all of the key OEMs. And those failures translate to a near invisibility in the retail channel. If folks can not lay hands onone of these devices, they won’t buy them. Simple as that.

I too use a keyboard often but I would rather carry a tiny, light portable wireless keyboard that will fit in my shirt pocket than add 2 pounds and bulk to a Tablet. But that’s me and it’s important to remember that when it comes to computers there is no one solution perfect for everyone.

As to being too bulky, at a hair over 4 pounds, it is easily light enough to carry; and because it is a convertible, the screen is protected when I carry it. Just because the slate side has a great value doesn’t mean that the laptop side doesn’t have value as well.

Perhaps true Tablets will be around by the time I’m ready to retire in two years, so I can buy one as my “last” device.