It wasn't until the early 1970s that
“portable” computers finally shrunk in size enough to be truly
considered a laptop computer. The Dynabook, though never built beyond
a semi-operational test model, had the form factor more akin to a
tablet computer than the flip-screen laptop architecture we are so
used to today. Resembling an iPad more than anything else, the
Dynabook had a miniature keyboard built in beneath a rudimentary
screen, and was intended as a personal computer that would be aimed
at mainly children's use. The designer, Alan Kay, more recently
developed the One Laptop Per Child project, somewhat fulfilling his
dream over 35 years later.

Despite this early design
prototype, it wasn't until a full decade had passed that the first
true laptop went on the market. The Osborne 1, first released in
1981, was the size of a full briefcase (poorly designed as being just
a bit too large to fit under an airline seat), yet only sported a
tiny 5-inch screen in the middle of its bulky frame. At $2,000, it was
certainly not cheap. However, considering the price of much larger
computers, it was seen as a steal. Although small enough to literally
be used on one's lap, the computer was not very portable, since it
required power from a standard wall plug to operate.

The Osbourne 1 sold well, and was
imitated wildly by competitors that popped up months after release.
On the success of its premiere unit, the Osbourne Computer
Corporation announced the Osbourne Executive, a new laptop design
that took all the positives from the Osbourne 1 and corrected many of
its predecessor's flaws. Unfortunately, when they announced the
successor, sales of the former computer plummeted; no one wanted to
purchase a computer that was about to become obsolete. The lost sales
forced the company into bankruptcy, and the Osbourne effect is still
spoke of today as a cautionary tale in when not to announce a new
product line upgrade.

Although some taut the Osbourne 1 as
the first laptop, its sheer size and shape made it uncomfortable at
best for being used on an actual lap. By contrast, the GRiD Compass,
introduced in 1982, sports the clamshell architecture that we all
associate with laptops today. Although few remember it today because
of its failure to sell in the consumer market, the United States
government took it as their standard portable computer, and used it
in locations as diverse as paratrooper backpacks to NASA space
shuttles.

The GriD Compass was truly a laptop in
every sense of the word, and performed very well for its time. The
main reason it did not succeed in the open market was not lack of
features, performance, or portability—it was because it ran its own
operating system, and was not IBM compatible. Data could not be
easily transferred from larger non-portable IBM computers to the GriD
Compass, and consumers didn't like this.

Laptop computer sales languished behind
their desktop counterparts for the next six years. Users didn't see a
need to bring computing power on the go, while manufacturers didn't
bother trying to create a need no one was sure would pay off. It
wasn't until 1987 when the US Government put in a 200,000 order for
laptops that computer companies first took laptops seriously.
Afterward, the need for laptops was created through innovative
advertising campaigns, and laptops became ubiquitous among computer
users.

The HP Slate is HP's first foray into the tablet computer craze, and rumors have this device pegged at around $540 when it will be released in June — Really now? Because that would ultimately price this thing higher than the Apple iPad, and I don't think that is a smart idea.

DigitalTrends reported on the rumor that the HP Slate could be priced around $540. So here is a question: if someone was willing to buy the HP Slate, why wouldn't that customer simply purchase an Apple iPad instead?

Why would they, indeed.

What does the HP Slate offer that is so special? After all, it is a touch screen device running Windows 7 — and while Windows 7 is, admittedly, a great operating system, is it really the best solution for a dedicated touch interface? I'm not entirely sure. Furthermore, the HP Slate doesn't particularly strike me as stylish, trend-setting, or luxurious. So why would this thing cost more than the iPad?

You can't go up against what will be declared the benchmark in tablet computing without bringing something unique to the table.

There would have been a few ways to differentiate the HP Slate from the iPad: the price, interface, and/or size being the most obvious. But where does the HP Slate offer a better value or experience in any of those categories? Well, unfortunately, it doesn't.

I believe that HP's pricing strategy — if true — would be a huge mistake and result in little more than a flop. At that price, I will be laughing at those who purchase the HP Slate and opting for a Kindle instead, while purchasing two- to three-dozen e-books with the money I saved.

In 1888, the first patent for an electronic device that could capture handwriting was introduced — a precursor to modern day tablet. Since then, there have been a myriad of attempts to capture the marketplace with tablet-style computers. While innovative, the efforts so far have been commercial failures. Yet Apple, Microsoft, and others intend on stirring up this market. You'd think they were out to replace laptops. Are they?

As we all know, all our gizmos are becoming getting smaller in size. Especially computers. A quick glance at Apple's Macbook Air or Dell's Adamo XPS offers testament to that. Eventually, we will have a laptop that is as thick as a few sheets of paper. How can you possibly improve upon that?

There's Apple. While not being the first company to attempt a tablet computer, Apple has revived the idea that you could chop off the keyboard and add a touch-friendly interface to arrive with a thing we call the tablet (or slate).

The Players

We all know how it goes. Once Apple does something, everyone else wants to get in on the action: Dell, Asus, Lenovo, HP, Sony, and others are all scraping together ideas and resources to put together tablet computers, without any proof that they will sell (yet documentation of failure is aplenty). Of course, Apple has a large consumer base that will purchase anything the company puts to market, so this time is different.

Unlike the iPhone, however, the competition is already close on Apple's heels. And there are quite a few noteworthy tablets coming out this year:

The Apple iPad, while not the first tablet, is the reason why this article even exists. This is the hype machine. This is the leader of the pack. The iPad will be the one that is going to be the benchmark for comparison (as fair or unfair as that is) for a long time.

Microsoft's attempt at tablet computing seems to be far more unique and specialized than the other products with the Microsoft Courier. This tablet appears to be aimed at students and professionals who need to take notes, conceptualize ideas, and be productive.

Dell's foray into tablet computing results in the Streak (aka Dell Mini 5). It's intriguing because of the Android operating system and close relationship with Amazon. We are also hoping it will be on the affordable side.

Finally, the Lenovo Ideapad U1 Hybrid is not only a tablet — it is a laptop as well. It is two computers in one. The best of both worlds; the crème de la crème. It should appeal primarily to those consumers who are in the market for both laptop and tablet.

If tablet computers are going to succeed this time around, those are the products you will want to keep your eyes on, after their release, to gauge the interest levels of tablet computing.

Why the Tablet Makes Sense

There are a few reasons why a tablet makes sense in most people's homes. Let's say you are sitting on your couch, wanting to look something up on the Web. Do you really need a full fledged laptop to accomplish this? Not really. For one, you have to go grab the laptop, open it up, turn it on, open the browser, get to the page, and so on. Okay, so it isn't really that bad, but you get the idea.

However, with a tablet, you can just grab the thing, boot it up, fire up the browser, and find what you need. Not only will it take up less space and be less distracting, but it is simply more convenient.

Also, if you have ever sat your laptop on the edge of a couch only to witness it fall to the floor by the gentle nudge of a pet, you'll understand why a laptop for casual use can be a pain.

So the tablet could easily serve as a device for casual use. But what about for serious computing?

Why the Laptop Won't Be Replaced

There are also reasons why a tablet can't, in their current forms, replace laptops.

One issue is that there is no way on Earth that I (or most other human beings) would be able to type out an article like this on a tablet (or any touch screen for that matter). The input, while touch-friendly, isn't typist-friendly. The technology that will allow users to type as easily on a screen as a keyboard has not been developed, and until it is, the laptop will reign supreme.

Also — and maybe this is just me — I don't know if would want to take a tablet out to the local Starbucks to do work on it. It does not seem like a device I would want to take out of the home. I don't know why this is exactly, but that's my feeling towards tablets. Maybe someone else has a different view on the matter, but not others seem to disagree.

I also question the durability of these devices. I've known so many people who have said that they have broken up to four iPod Touch devices, iPhones, and other touch-screen devices. You just have to believe that there are going to be people complaining of cracked iPads. I can already envision someone sitting down on the couch and hearing the crunch of $500+ down the drain. It's enough to make a grown man cry.

The Verdict

But today's newest gadgets are being created to solve specific problems: like eReaders, smartphones, and netbooks. The iPad tablet, along with other competition in the tablet arena, is aimed at being that device that you could (and possibly should) casually use around the home. Perhaps these tablets will set the standard of casual usage in the future (and I don't think many would mind that). However, when it comes to business and text-intensive activities, the laptop is (and will be) king — for now.

Dell's latest creation, code-name Streak (previously known as the Dell Mini 5), has surfaced, and it is sure to continue the tech industry's craze over tablet computers. However, the Streak stands out more than the others because of its close-knit relationship with Amazon. Could this be an ebook reader killer?

The Engadget crew got its hands on some leaked internal promo material this morning, and details have emerged.

On the hardware side of things, the Streak will be powered by Google Android. It will feature a WVGA (800 x 480 resolution) capacitive touchscreen. Other interesting features of note are that it will have a 5-megapixel camera that will sport autofocus and flash, a front-facing VGA (640 x 480 resolution) camera, and a 30-pin docking connector.

Oh, it also comes in a bunch of fancy designs: black, blue, pink, red, and a few other eye-turners, courtesy of Dell Design Studio.

But the most interesting thing about this slate is the relationship with Amazon. This will bring Kindle e-books, Amazon video, Amazon MP3, and possibly everything else available in digital form from Amazon. Perhaps this could make some people think twice about purchasing a dedicated e-book reader (or not).

Unfortunately, there is no ship date nor price to report as of yet, but here's to hoping that Dell gives this a sub-$200 price tag.

Pushing the limits of laptop and slate design, Lenevo showed off the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid at this year's past CES. For those who haven't heard, yes, this is a laptop, but it also acts as a touch-screen tablet with it's own processor and eight hours of battery life. This wasn't an afterthought either; this is the real deal, and is looking real good.