AK Laptop Info

2010-06-04T00:34:00.001-07:00

Psst: Dell's Streak Isn't an Android Tablet

JR Raphael, PC World

May 26, 2010 6:03 am

Dell is almost ready to release its first Android tablet, the 5-inch Dell Streak. There's just one problem, though: The Streak isn't really an Android tablet. It's an Android phone.

Not to take anything away from the Dell Streak; from the looks of it, the Streak is a pretty slick device. But its positioning as a tablet is a bit misleading. The Dell Streak is far more comparable to a device like the HTC EVO 4G than it is to Apple's iPad.

Here's why.

Dell Streak: The Non-Tablet Android Tablet

First, let's take a look at what the Dell Streak is. The Streak, unveiled in January but not detailed until today, is an Android-powered device that features cellular phone capabilities along with 3G connectivity, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth support. It runs all the standard Android applications and widgets. According to reports, it'll be sold in the U.S. along with a monthly plan from AT&T.

The Dell Streak has a 5-inch screen, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, and 2 GB of internal storage (with support for up to 32 GB of additional SD storage). It has an earpiece on the top of its front side and a microphone on the bottom.

The Streak is shipping with Android 1.6 but will receive an over-the-air upgrade to Android 2.2 later this year.

Now go read the specs for the EVO 4G and tell me we aren't looking at the same class of device. The only foundational difference is screen size, and it's far from a huge leap: The EVO 4G has a 4.3-inch, 800-by-480 display; the Streak has a 5-inch, 800-by-480 display.

So why is the Streak a tablet while the EVO 4G is a phone? Unless there's some arbitrary law that states that phones turn into tablets at the 4.4-inch screen mark, it isn't.

Check out the Streak in action in this official Dell demo, and I think you'll see what I mean.

I know, I know -- potayto, potahto, right? Sure: In the end, it's more about what the technology does than what we call it. In this case, though, an average consumer is going to hear the words "phone" and "tablet" and have very different thoughts. And for most people, the last thing the world of mobile tech needs is even more confusion.

The Dell Streak Tablet Thinking

All of that said, it's easy to imagine why Dell would want to position the Streak as a tablet: Android phones are hitting the market rapid-fire-style these days, and it's tough for any one device to remain the "hot new item" for long. Just ask the Motorola Droid: Despite its continued dominance in Android sales, the device is now eclipsed in coverage by newer, more powerful models such as the Droid Incredible and the aforementioned EVO 4G.

The tablet world, in contrast, is still ripe for the taking. Sure, you've got Apple's iPad, but that's about the only high-profile contender so far. And compared to the iPad's highly restrictive setup -- no unapproved apps, no Flash, no removable battery, and so forth -- it won't be hard for the Streak to set itself apart and attract ample attention. (Personally, I think the "Yes, Steve...I Want Porn" Android badge would make a great marketing tool, but I'm not sure Dell will go for it.)

The problem, though, is that the iPad is simply a different beast. Its screen is 9.7 inches, nearly twice that of Dell's Streak. I'm not saying the iPad is a better device -- anyone who reads my stories with any regularity knows how I feel about Android's choice-oriented approach vs. Apple's we-make-the-decisions-for-you mentality -- but in this instance, it just isn't a realistic comparison.

Once true large-screen Android tablets start hitting the market (and yes, they are on the way), the iPad will have some serious competition to contend with. The Dell Streak looks to be one hell of a device, but a tablet, I'm afraid, it is not.

JR Raphael frequently covers mobile technology for both PCWorld and eSarcasm, his geek-humor getaway. He's on Facebook: facebook.com/The.JR.Raphael

2010-06-04T00:32:00.000-07:00

The Google Android Tablet: Coming Soon?

JR Raphael, PC World

Apr 13, 2010 1:38 am

Watch out, iPad: Google may be getting into the tablet game. In a move reminiscent of its recent step into mobile phone design, Google is reportedly working on its own custom Android-powered tablet.

Most of the specifics are still unknown -- what features a Google tablet would include, for example, or who would manufacture it -- but if there's one thing we can count on, it's with whom a Google-made tablet would compete.

Google Android Tablet: What We Know

The Google Android tablet news comes by way of a story published in The New York Times on Sunday. The story, a piece about upcoming competition to Apple's iPad, states that Google is currently "exploring the idea" of creating its own tablet computing device. The gadget is described as "an e-reader that would function like a computer."

The info, according to The Times, comes straight from the big dog's mouth: Google CEO Eric Schmidt is said to have divulged the Google tablet scoop while chatting with friends at a recent party in L.A. Other insiders supposedly confirmed the concept.

"People with direct knowledge of the project -- who did not want to be named because they said they were unauthorized to speak publicly about the device -- said the company had been experimenting in 'stealth mode' with a few publishers to explore delivery of books, magazines and other content on a tablet," The Times reports.

Envisioning a Google Android Tablet

Knowing the principles of the Android operating system, one can make a few educated guesses about what a Google Android tablet could be and how it might compare to Apple's iPad. First and foremost, it'd likely be a far more open device in terms of customization: While Apple tends to maintain a tight grip on its user experience, Android-based devices typically allow users to configure the interface to their likings and replace stock components as they choose.

The same principle applies to applications: Compared to Apple's highly controlled approach to app development and approval, Google's Android Market for apps allows anyone to submit and publish programs without scrutiny. Android-powered devices -- with the exception of those that run on AT&T -- also let users download apps from unofficial third-party sources. One would imagine these qualities would be among the basic tenets of a Google-made Android tablet.

Along those same lines, a Google Android tablet would likely provide support for Flash -- something Apple has long forbidden on its mobile computing devices. The existence of an open app marketplace could also mean immediate support for tethering, as we've seen happen via third-party utilities on Android phones. And, of course, any Android tablet would presumably provide feature-rich apps for Google services such as Gmail and Google Voice, something Apple also does not permit.

As for the device's form, Google has previously published conceptual images of how a Google-centric tablet might look. Those concepts, however, revolved around the idea of a Chrome OS-based tablet, so they may or may not apply to an Android-based design.

Google Android Tablet: A Reality Check

It's fun to imagine what a Google Android tablet could do, but don't let some of the headlines out there fool you: From what we know so far, there's no reason to believe a Google-made Android tablet is an "imminent" or even a certain thing.

Read back over what the info provided by The New York Times actually states: Google is "exploring the idea" of building a tablet device. It is "experimenting" with possibilities. Despite some bloggers' tendencies to fill in the blanks with big words, there's no indication that this is a done deal, let alone something that's likely to occur at any moment.

We do know, however, that a slew of new tablets is on the way for 2010, and many of them are expected to be powered by Android. So whether or not Google ends up building its own tablet, numerous new options will soon be headed our way. The iPad may have been the first serious contender, but it won't be the only one for long.

JR Raphael frequently covers mobile technology for both PCWorld and eSarcasm, his geek-humor getaway. He's on Facebook: facebook.com/The.JR.Raphael

2010-06-04T00:31:00.000-07:00

Asustek Computer on Monday unveiled two Eee Pad tablets running Windows software and an e-reader, the Eee Tablet, with a note-taking function.

Eee pad EP121The Eee Pad EP121 sports a 12-inch touchscreen and has Microsoft's Windows 7 Home Premium operating system and an Intel Core 2 Duo processor inside. The device is meant for Internet access, watching videos and other multimedia uses, computing and as an e-reader, the company said in a news release.

People can input data on the device using the on-screen keyboard or by typing on a keyboard that the Eee Pad docks onto. Asustek says the device can run for 10-hours before needing a recharge.

The Eee Pad EP121 actually has two docking stations. One is a keyboard meant to give users the feeling of typing on a desktop, and the other is a docking station that essentially turns the device into a laptop. The tablet docks on to the keyboard section, then can be folded up.

Asustek will offer the docking stations separately. It has not set a price for the big Eee Pad.

Asustek also plans to build a similar combination of tablet and laptop docking station with a smaller screen and lower-power processor, like those used in today's netbooks, a company representative said.

The other iPad-style device Asustek showed, the Eee Pad EP101TC, has a 10-inch touchscreen and uses Microsoft's Windows Embedded Compact 7 software. The device is 12.2 millimeters thick, weighs 675 grams, and has Nvidia Tegra chips inside, the Asustek representative said.

It will cost between US$399 and US$499 when it debuts on world markets in the first quarter of next year.

The company's e-reader, named the Eee Tablet, is designed for digital note-taking in addition to reading e-books. Asus Eee TabletAsustek has sought to make the device a more educational tool by putting a 2-megapixel camera on board so students can take pictures of lecture slides as well, and sync the device to a laptop or desktop via a USB port or by using Micro SD cards.

Students can use the stylus for digital note-taking on the device's touchscreen. Asustek says the screen was designed so a user feels like they're writing on paper.

The e-reader will debut in September for $199 to $299.

Asustek also unveiled a plan to join the app store business with the Asus App Store, in partnership with the Intel AppUp Center. Asustek will feature apps for the Linux-based MeeGo operating system on its app store. Intel and Nokia combined their own Linux OS projects into MeeGo, an OS aimed at netbooks and other smaller devices.

Asustek plans to release a netbook running MeeGo early next year, the company representative said.

2010-06-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

With the tablet (iPad) craze in full swing and everyone seemingly caught in apple fever, what are the actual advantages of having a tablet or iPad over a netbook or laptop?

As far as I can see the advantages of a ipad or tablet would be:

- Quick start-up - An iPad or Android tablet will start up in seconds rather than minutes, which is much easier to check email or facebook quickly

- better browsing experience - The touchscreen experience is very good, you don't need a mouse and it presents movies and videos in a hugely enjoyable

- More portable, it is much easier to sit on the lounge with a iPad than a laptop (which heats up)

- Closed system - Apple control the content so you know that you won't find any nasties

The disadvantages of a table or iPad

- on screen keyboard - I can't see how anyone could create a powerpoint preso or type a long essay on a touch screen keypad

- Closed system - you can't just use an iPad to download torrents

- Portability - It is easier to carry than a laptop or netbook but you still can't slip it into your pocket

- Games - I see a lot of casual games on the iPad, but what about heavy duty PC games (WoW)?

It will be interesting to see how good a android tablet will be and if it will be a priced competitively. I know that i use my iPhone at home a lot to check emails or my favourite website rather than my PC because it opens so fast. I could use a tablet is the same way.

A Laptop

2010-06-01T03:35:00.000-07:00

A small, portable computer small enough that it can sit on your lap. Nowadays, laptop computers are more frequently called notebook computers, though technically laptops are somewhat larger in size than notebooks in both thickness and weight.

What look like?

2010-06-01T03:34:00.000-07:00

Laptops are usually notebook-shaped with thicknesses between 0.7–1.5 inches (18–38 mm) and dimensions ranging from 10x8 inches (27x22cm, 13" display) to 15x11 inches (39x28cm, 17" display) and up. Modern laptops weigh 3 to 12 pounds (1.4 to 5.4 kg); older laptops were usually heavier. Most laptops are designed in the flip form factor to protect the screen and the keyboard when closed. Modern tablet laptops have a complex joint between the keyboard housing and the display, permitting the display panel to swivel and then lie flat on the keyboard housing.

Advantages

2010-06-01T03:33:00.000-07:00

Advantages

Laptop computers are portable and can be used in many locations.

Portability is usually the first feature mentioned in any comparison of laptops versus desktop PCs. Portability means that a laptop can be used in many places—not only at home and at the office, but also during commuting and flights, in coffee shops, in lecture halls and libraries, at clients' location or at a meeting room, etc. The portability feature offers several distinct advantages:

* Productivity – Using a laptop in places where a desktop PC can't be used, and at times that would otherwise be wasted. For example, an office worker managing their e-mails during an hour-long commute by train, or a student doing his/her homework at the university coffee shop during a break between lectures.

* Immediacy – Carrying a laptop means having instant access to various information, personal and work files. Immediacy allows better collaboration between coworkers or students, as a laptop can be flipped open to present a problem or a solution anytime, anywhere.

* Up-to-date information – If a person has more than one desktop PC, a problem of synchronization arises: changes made on one computer are not automatically propagated to the others. There are ways to resolve this problem, including physical transfer of updated files (using a USB flash memory stick or CDRs) or using synchronization software over the Internet. However, using a single laptop at both locations avoids the problem entirely, as the files exist in a single location and are always up-to-date.

* Connectivity – A proliferation of Wi-Fi wireless networks and cellular broadband data services (HSDPA, EVDO and others) combined with a near-ubiquitous support by laptopsmeans that a laptop can have easy Internet and local network connectivity while remaining mobile. Wi-Fi networks and laptop programs are especially widespread at university campuses.

Other advantages of laptops

2010-06-01T03:32:00.000-07:00

Other advantages of laptops

* Size – Laptops are smaller than standard PCs. This is beneficial when space is at a premium, for example in small apartments and student dorms. When not in use, a laptop can be closed and put away.

* Ease of Access - Most laptops have doors on the underside that allow the user to access the memory, hard drive and other components, by simply flipping the laptop to access the doors. For desktops the user must usually access the backside of the computer, which is harder if it's in an area with little space.

* Low power consumption – Laptops are several times more power-efficient than desktops. A typical laptop uses 20-90 W, compared to 100-800 W for desktops. This could be particularly beneficial for businesses (which run hundreds of personal computers, multiplying the potential savings) and homes where there is a computer running 24/7 (such as a home media server, print server, etc.)

* Quiet – Laptops are often quieter than desktops, due both to the components (quieter, slower 2.5-inch hard drives) and to less heat production leading to use of fewer and slower cooling fans.

* Battery – a charged laptop can run several hours in case of a power outage and is not affected by short power interruptions and blackouts. A desktop PC needs a UPS to handle short interruptions, blackouts and spikes; achieving on-battery time of more than 20–30 minutes for a desktop PC requires a large and expensive UPS.

* All-in-One - designed to be portable, laptops have everything integrated in to the chassis. For desktops (excluding all-in-ones) this is divided into the desktop, keyboard, mouse, display, and optional peripherals such as speakers, and a webcam. This leads to lots of wiring. It can also lead to massive power consumption.

* Extras - in comparison to low-end desktops, even low-end laptops include features such as integrated Wi-Fi, and Express Card slot, and a memory card reader.

Toshiba

2010-06-01T03:29:00.001-07:00

Toshiba - Dynabook, Portege, Tecra, Satellite, Qosmio, Libretto

TG Sambo

2010-06-01T03:27:00.000-07:00

TG Sambo - Averatec, Averatec Buddy

Sony

2010-06-01T03:26:00.000-07:00

Sony - Vaio

Samsung

2010-06-01T03:25:00.001-07:00

Samsung – SENS: M, P, Q, R and X series

Panasonic

2010-06-01T03:23:00.001-07:00

Panasonic – Toughbook, Satellite, Let's Note (Japan only)[47]

MSI

2010-06-01T03:20:00.000-07:00

MSI - Micro-Star International – E(ntertainment), C(lassic), P(rofessional), G(aming), V(alue), A(esthetic), X(Slim), U series and Wind Netbook

LG

2010-06-01T03:19:00.001-07:00

LG - Xnote

Lenovo

2010-06-01T03:18:00.001-07:00

Lenovo – ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and 3000 series

Hewlett-Packard

2010-06-01T03:15:00.001-07:00

Hewlett-Packard - HP – HP Pavilion, HP Probook, Compaq Presario

HCL

2010-06-01T03:13:00.001-07:00

HCL – ME Laptop, ME Netbook, Leaptop and MiLeap

Gateway

2010-06-01T03:11:00.000-07:00

Gateway

Fujitsu

2010-06-01T03:07:00.000-07:00

Fujitsu – Lifebook

Dell

2010-06-01T03:05:00.001-07:00

Dell – Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Precision, Studio, Vostro and XPS

Asus

2010-06-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

Asus – Asus Eee, Lamborghini, ASUS G Series(ROG)

Apple

2010-06-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

Apple – MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Acer

2010-06-01T02:52:00.000-07:00

Acer – TravelMate, eMachines, Extensa, Ferrari and Aspire