Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
Summary: Dell's Inspiron duo, a hybrid tablet-netbook, is now available---at least at Microsoft's store---but the larger question is whether this contraption will find a market.
Dell's Inspiron duo, a hybrid tablet-netbook, is now available---at least at Microsoft's store---but the larger question is whether this contraption will find a market.
The PC maker showed off this hybrid at Intel's developer powwow a few months ago. The reaction was a collective huh?
Gallery: Dell's does backflips over new Inspiron duo tablet
Engadget notes that the base model will start at $549 so the price is right for the most part. The risk is that this device, which weighs in at 4.5 pound, doesn't play laptop or tablet well. I must admit I'm at least curious since I'm torn between a laptop and tablet---it would be all tablet if I didn't have to write a lot.
The Inspiron duo is your run of the mill netbook, which will be too small for my hands anyway. Flip the screen and you have a tablet. From there, Dell takes over the user interface.
In a blog, Microsoft did its own take and noted the screen is unique. Microsoft gushes: "Hands down, the duo is one of the best convertible devices on the market."
Also: Five things the Inspiron Duo tells me about Dell's strategy (or lack of one)
- Dell touch-screen flips from tablet to Netbook (photos)
- IDF 2010: Dell Inspiron Duo combines tablet and laptop, runs Windows 7 Home Premium
OK, fine. But few bought convertibles the first time around. There may be a market for touch and type devices, but this device makes me curious. It doesn't make me drool.
I'll leave it to you. Is there a market for this type of convertible? Or is it a niche product that's doomed?
Here's Engadget's video:
And the initial launch:
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Talkback
Wake me up when there's something noteworthy
-M
Here is something that you will find noteworthy
Steve Jobs sneezed today and a booger came out.
VERY mature... oh wait.
I hope this does well and yes I hope Dell finds a market for it. After all I rarely see a company like Dell trying something imaginative and I for one thing that such attempts should be rewarded to encourage more such attempts in the future.
Pagan jim
Another iTunes version already? (nt) ;-P
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
"Steve Jobs sneezed today and a booger came out."
Thank you for enlightening us about Dell's manufacturing processes.
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
Essentiallky, IF there is a public market for tablets (and no, Apple users don't count) then a tablet that's actually useful is a long way ahead of the iPad or Galaxy.
If you don't do any work or just like looking at the colours and pretty pictures then an iPad is for you. If you need to actually do work with a computer, then you need a real OS.
This looks like a great compromise
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
I see more jealousy and bitterness toward Apple in your rant then a sound argument. "Colors and pretty pictures?" Thats all you can do on an iPad or Galaxy?
You're ignorant.
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
Please compare mac market share with iPad sales and then try to back up your argument.
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
Agree totally! @Tigertank: Maybe because, like me, he sees 99.99% of the users doing just that--looking at colours and pretty pictures. Just saying!
No, but you see, instead of the whole screen turning
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
Already have a convertable.
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
Been around for almost a decade. Motion Computing.
I think the HP Slate can
It has USB ports that can be used while docked. Hopefully, the Slate will come down in price and I can pick one up :(
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
I had my first one almost 10 years ago.
Made by HP, it was a 1" slate that had a detachable keyboard and used a digitizer pen. But it was a low-end Centrino to save power and sluggish at best, so it went in the drawer a couple of months after I got it.
The tradeoffs required to run Windows on a slate are not worth it. We get a couple of models every year to show the execs, and we have yet to see one with adequate performance and reliability. Handwriting recognition is still abysmal, I suspect it will take a new approach like maybe implementing it in a specialized chip, just like a GPU. Intel and Microsoft don't want to hear that, so it may fall to Apple to finally make it a reality.
As far as the Dell or any other "flip" screen, you have to consider the physical frailty of these designs carefully. Most of them really don't stand up well to full-time use
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
you mean like:
http://alwaysinnovating.com/products/comparison.htm
:)
.
RE: Dell's Inspiron duo: Success hinges on finding a market
Does it run Android? It's not optimized for tablets.
Does it run Linux? Are you kidding me?