Dr. Macenstein: The iTablet Remains Doubtful

There are good reasons why an Apple iTablet wouldnit fly in the market, and recent rumors have done nothing to convince Dr. Macenstein that heis wrong about that.

First, one has to ask who the market is for such a device and how many Apple would sell. In the PC side, the sales of tablets constitute just 1.4 percent. Just about the only scenario where a tablet works is when the user must stand, say, a physician. However, doctors are more likely to use a hospital built system or, if necessary, a pad and pencil for $3.


Apple patent drawing

Next, ergonomics is the killer. One has to ask how a tablet beats a MacBook when the user is seated. Especially with a more difficult touch keyboard. "This is not to say Apple is not thinking of making a huge push into the medical or sales rep business arenas (areas where stock photography would lead us to believe more people compute while standing, as well as confidently shake hands), but that really seems like a big gamble," Dr. Macenstein observed.

Finally, the Asus announcement seems to be suspiciously close to and confused with the Eee PC. Misunderstandings like that have happened before.

The bottom line is that the iTablet is a product that, perhaps, people would like to see Apple make, but no one would use. "Windows tablets have been out for years," Dr. Macenstein noted, "but I have yet to see a person using one."