When it comes to deciding which Tablet to purchase, there's always the consideration of price. It comes with the territory.
It costs extra to manufacture less. I mean, if you really want the lightest, thinnest Tablet that lasts all day on a single charge and doesn't burn up in your hands, it's going to cost you. Toss in a top-notch display that you can see outdoors as well as indoors and as much performance as you can get, and well, you just blew your credit card limit. These are the laws of (market) physics.
But realities being what they are, it doesn't stop us from asking the question: How much would you like to pay for a Tablet?
Here are my prices:
Toshiba M400/Lenovo/Acer/Fujitsu-type Core Duo Tablet: $1499
Motion LS800: It would be a killer product at $999 or less, but I'd go as high as $1299.
HP TC1100: $999
Oh, and for a UMPC? I'd like devices to fall anywhere from $349 on up.
Am I dreaming? Of course, I am.
I think a lot of people are too.
Of all the devices, I think UMPCs have the best chance of overcoming price hurdles. The original concept was designed with price in mind. I expect though that UMPCs will hit the same price range as the Apple Newton--somewhere around $799. Again, it's one of those laws of physics.
Posted by Loren at March 15, 2006 08:27 AMAt 999$, the HP TC1100 would be a dream!
I'm actually surprised by how little the prices have dropped on the HP models. I bought the TC1000 when it came out, for around 2000$, and now the prices are still about the same :-(
HP has a terrific Tablet in the TC1100. It's cool looking. It's sweet to use. A lower price would make it much more accessible. I don't think HP realizes how elastic the broader market is....The price not be all that elastic in the IT market. But in the consumer space, it is.