Dell readies flip-screen tablet-cum-netbook
Inspiron Duo demo'd
IDF Dell has demo'd a novel convertible tablet that does away with the usual tilt'n'pivot mount.
Instead, it's based around a 10in screen that's mounted within a netbook clamshell chassis but which can rotate about a central horizontal axis, within the bezel, to face in or out.
The catch is it makes for a chunky tablet, but it does give users the benefit of a physical keyboard and a trackpad, plus the usual array of portage. And it's thinner than convertibles based on the customary tilt and pivot mount.
Dell didn't talk specs, but demo guy did say the convertible will use Windows 7 Premium. Hopefully, that means a higher resolution screen than the usual netbook 1024 x 768.
It's likely the convertible will use the recently released dual-core Atom N550.
Set to go on sale "later this year", the tablet will be called the Inspiron Duo. ®
COMMENTS
Why no pix?
You tease us, El Reg... Anyway, googling led me to this, for those of you who are as curious as I am as to what these might look like
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/computers/idf-2010-dell-inspiron-duo-combines-tablet-and-laptop-runs-windows-7-home-premium/3846
Now if only someone would do the right thing and brings out an arm/linux version...
one issue
Windows. Yes I am a linux fan and hate everything windows, having used windows 7 and having to reformat from scratch one month after purchase because of 'issues' internal to the OS and I am having issues getting USB 2.0 to work with windows 7, or sound etc.
Anyway I digress. Windows is crap at touch screen and resource management for a small lightweight device.
This isn't going to appeal to people that don't want to wait for AV's to run and want access to an app store which I thought was the main selling point to all these tablets?
If you still have to stick in a CD to load up and, rebooting because windows 7 can't install without a reboot etc.
I like the design but it is dell and Windows together.
Er, dude
The Fujitsu iPad was/is an EPOS solution. It looks more like an oversides Ericsson P800i.
Plus, Dell make some decent kit these days. Their Inspiron range was awful a few years ago (the fact they only offered a three month warranty spoke volumes) but it's as good as anything at a similar price point these days.
To tell us about a new product.
Have you ever read The Register before?
So just install Linux on it then.
It's a PC after all.
Also, I don't think "app stores" are the selling points for tablets. The fact it's a handheld computer seems to be the point. Like holding a clipboard or similar. But of course, the apps in these app stores are all specifically designed to be used with a touch interface, whereas of course most PC apps aren't. This is most likely why the iPad has been a success. If there were to be made available a range of apps that could run under Windows that were designed with touch users in mind, it might take off. But I doubt it...
