Hardware
Dell Inspiron Duo Flipping Tablet Coming Nov 23?
Remember the Dell Inspiron Duo? You know that hybrid Tablet/Slate that flips around in it its frame to make a keyboard available? Well, word is we might be seeing it available for sale next week on November 23. According to CNET we’ll be seeing pre-sale info later this week with the device ready to ship next week.
The Windows 7 based hybrid Tablet/Netbook runs a dual core Atom processor and I’m guessing Dell is aiming this at the folks who really want to pound on the keys in addition to having a touch Tablet/Slate.
RJ
11/16/2010 at 1:34 pm
Please someone tell me that this has an active digitzier
Xavier Lanier
11/16/2010 at 5:25 pm
Nope…
Jeff
11/16/2010 at 2:05 pm
Love the form factor. It should be more durable than the standard twisty screen of convertables. However, there’s no active digitizer, as far as I can tell. Since an active digitizer for use in OneNote and PhotoShop is an absolute requirement for me, this is a non-starter.
As long as we’re talking about form factors, I think the big problem with all previous convertables is that they are laptops first and notebooks second. What I mean by this is that regardless of how the user uses the device, he’s going to put it away with the screen facing the keyboard. This means to use it next time, he has to open it up in notebook configuration. Switching to tablet form is a second though.
I think the right way to do a convertable would be something like my HTC Touch Pro 2 phone. The only way to put this device away is with the screen facing the same direction as the keyboard. It’s a tablet first. To use it as a notebook, you slide the keyboard out and tilt the screen. I’d like that in a 7-10″ format with an active digitizer please.
Until then, I’m looking forward to trying out the HP Slate 500.
ChrisRS
11/16/2010 at 2:54 pm
I am not sure thsi will be more durable that the standard convertable. The form factor is has been used befoer on wWindows CER devices and appears to be “proven”.
Previous Convertable TabletPCs could indeed be stored in the tablet position. Wherther this provided adequate screen protection is debate ble. There were even “work in” bags and portfolios.
This absolutly needs an active digitizer.
dstrauss
11/16/2010 at 4:22 pm
To (mis)paraphrase Steve Jobs no active digitizer = fail!