Connect with us

Editorials

Hope it’s not just another flat slate

Published

on

Appletabletdesign

Click for full size

So all this noise about the Apple Tablet and what it will or will not do got me thinking about tablet design, specifically slate design other than a basic flat screen. I’ve been using slates or convertibles in slate mode for years (longer than there have been Apple tablet rumors, apparently), so believe me when I state I say this with love – standard flat slate design sucks.

Grabbing a slate with one hand requires a clamp-like scissor grip as opposed to a more natural rounded grip. On a table top, it lies flat when an angle is better for working or viewing. I’ve dealt with these drawbacks using stands and grips, but those kludges only accentuate how ill-suited the traditional flat design is for productivity. Thus, I propose a design shift away from flat and toward L-shaped wedge.

The wedge epiphany came to me after handling the jetBook lite with its protruding battery pack. Allowed me to get a really good, natural grip on the device at its heaviest spot. Excellent for handling, not simply holding, with one hand.

Expanding that design to a Tablet PC, the guts of the machine (processor, storage, battery, etc.) would be crammed into the back end instead of being distributed across the entire footprint. The various ports would also be located here, along with a pair of flip-out feet, offering a steeper angle when laid horizontally and stability when stood vertically. I also envision a webcam on the bezel here, angled to capture a user sitting a few feet away.

Held in two hands, the thick end would be at the top with fingers held below it. Top heavy in this orientation, but that’s okay because it’s being controlled with two hands. An on-screen thumb board would be split and positioned near the top for access. A more traditional keyboard can be opened at the thin bottom end for typing at a desk. One-handed entry in portrait mode will be via a small thumb board in the lower corner or via pen used with the other hand. It will also allow wired or wireless keyboard and mouse input with or without a docking system.

This design assumes touch and active pen input, as well as a processor powerful enough to require air cooling. I doubt we’ll see the latter two in the upcoming Apple Tablet, but they could certainly surprise us with a dual boot system running Mac OS X in “docked” mode. (For the record, that sketch and almost all these words were crafted by pen.)

Regardless, Apple needs to deliver something tomorrow other than the same flat slate that’s been around for years. They’ll likely do this with software and/or under the hood hardware, but I think they can definitely do better than the uniform flat slate design that has failed to take off for years. I wouldn’t mind seeing this design from anyone else either. Just be sure to send me one (preferably more).

10 Comments

10 Comments

  1. Brett Gilbertson

    01/26/2010 at 6:39 pm

    Interesting idea… Personally, I’m hanging out for a hybrid! Imagine if apple brought back the Tc1100 form factor! Now that would get my interest!

    Not likely though…

  2. Shogmaster

    01/26/2010 at 6:39 pm

    Dude I love it! F’n brilliant.

  3. Mickey Segal

    01/26/2010 at 7:39 pm

    When I travel with my Motion LS800 I either hold it while sitting in a chair or I bring its dock, which is very easy to pack, if I decide to bring a keyboard and a mouse. I’m hoping for an Apple slate, but having feet so it stands up would be great.

    If the Apple Tablet runs Flash and Java and has a pen I’ll definitely get one. But I wouldn’t bet on any of those being part of their first tablet.

  4. Tamas

    01/26/2010 at 8:43 pm

    Congrats Sumocat, you should be talking to the vendors about this….

    I have a tx2000 with the extended battery and it serves a great grip, so I couldn’t agree more on that. The stuffing with little stands and ports would work great too, though could be a bit shaky when standing upright.

    Please send your design to a manufacturer and get it made!

  5. RandySpangler

    01/26/2010 at 10:59 pm

    Good points. Might I add my two cents worth? (I don’t even know why I ask :-)

    — I like your angled grippy thing. Great idea. If the iPad comes in an elegant paper thin form factor with a ‘typical’ iPod connector, the angled grippy thing could actually be a ‘clamp-on’ accessory that plugs into the connector. As much as has been made of the current iPod connector, imagine what could be done with this one… extra battery, kbd interface, video projector connector, tv tuner, usb, etc. etc.

  6. kah

    01/27/2010 at 2:38 am

    Fujitsu have Tablets ans PC Convertabiles for some time, I hope that the influx of new ones will help bring down the prices. I like the idea of the Medion design of the touch screen looks good for a smaller size and then Microsoft has it’s surface idea that could be reduced as a tablet.

    I don’t think Apple will bring anything really new, just will shake up the market and bring down the price (hopefully) with the competition.

  7. Ben

    01/27/2010 at 3:12 am

    Great point Sumocat! Your sketched design is really nice, usable, and flexible. Like others have said, you should really submit this to some manufacturers. Unless us little people, they’ll listen to an important tableter like yourself (well, probably not, but maybe =).

  8. Andrew

    02/02/2010 at 2:47 am

    Hi! That’s some amazing concept. Do you mind if I use your drawing for the ECTACO blog? We would like to brag a bit ;)

  9. Sumocat

    02/02/2010 at 5:28 am

    Andrew: By all means, spread the word. The more people think about alternate slate design, the better.

  10. Andrew

    02/02/2010 at 5:52 am

    Thanks, Sumocat! You are very kind :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.