With the next iteration of the iPad coming, the question now is, do you really need it? What do you want to do? Do you need to work on documents that sync from your office? Do you need something that is smaller than a laptop but powerful enough to use cool programs rather than apps?
Well we have been looking at the tablets and slates that are coming out. All seem cool, but I can’t really say that I want one. Yes they are cool. Yes they have many many apps.
But what I am actually looking for is something that I can take to clients, something that functions like my desktop computer but that is portable. Yes Laptops and Notebooks are portable, but as a male, I want something that can be put into my car and a bag and can be pulled out and worked on without fiddling.
The Asus Eee Slate vs the iPad
I think that this might be it… Well maybe… The Asus Eee Slate
This is from the Microsoft Site, so expect bias.
You can expect the power and compatibility of a full-powered PC because the Eee Slate features an Intel Core i5 processor, Windows 7, and up to 4 GB of RAM. See what else is Very PC about this PC:
Software you already know: Microsoft Outlook 2010, Quicken, and Photoshop Elements.
All of the benefits of Windows 7: Snap, Jump Lists, Flip 3D, Live Taskbar Previews and more.
An extraordinary screen: 175-degree viewing angles on a 12.1-inch, high-definition, ultra-tough Corning Gorilla Glass screen.
Free your (solid-state) hard drive: Access all your photos, movies, videos, and recorded TV on your home PC virtually anywhere with Remote Media Streaming in Windows 7 and a high-speed Internet connection.
Connect your devices: Connect virtually every device—cameras, printers, Xbox, TV—right out of the box with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, memory card slots, USB, and mini-HDMI ports.
Connect your PCs: Use HomeGroup to easily share printers and access and share files, photos, music, and video on two or more PCs running Windows 7 on your home network.
Get more games: Have more fun because many more games are available for PCs running Windows. And your slate PC can connect you to millions of opponents all over the world with Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live.
Connect to the whole web With Windows 7 and Windows Internet Explorer 9*, you can enjoy the web even more. IE9s SmartScreen filter helps protect you from fraudulent phishing websites and malware and works with the latest web technologies to deliver superior graphics and faster, smoother animations.
Once you take the Eee Slate off its stand, you can also expect infinite possibilities anywhere. Use the 0.67-inch capacitive multi-touch screen slate’s built-in stylus to compose email, convert handwritten notes to text, or illustrate in a variety of programs. See what else is Not Very PC about this PC.
Intuitive input for great output: Use the full-sized Bluetooth keyboard or write notes or sketch out ideas using the advanced pen and ink technology provided with the concealed stylus.
Share photos face to face: Video chat with Windows Live Messenger and a built-in front-facing camera and webcam that make you feel close to actually being there. And with Messenger, you can share photos with slide shows you both can see while you chat.
Connect with your content: The Asus Eee Slate comes with Windows Live Mesh installed, so you can keep files on it automatically synchronized with files you’ve created on any other PC running Windows 7. And you can log on to your other PCs remotely from your slate for free with just a high-speed Internet connection.
See whatever’s on the web: The Asus Eee Slate includes various touch applications available on Windows Product Scout, because the Eee Slate runs Adobe Flash. Access YouTube, Hulu, Netflix—if it’s online, it can be on your Eee Slate.
Entertainment and productivity at your fingertips: Browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums, and shuffle files and folders using nothing but your fingers on the touch-sensitive screen.
Turn your slate into the remote control: Stream photos, music, or home videos to entertainment devices around your home with Play To, and use Eee Slate as the command center to control it all.
TV, movies and books: Movies, e-books and games from nearly anywhere on the web. In fact, the Eee Slate comes pre-loaded with Amazon Kindle.
Cost of Asus Eee Slate vs the iPad
So what will all this cost? Well the estimates I have read, are around $999. While the iPad costs $500 – $900.
Am I serious? Yup, unfortunately. But wait there is more.
You can upgrade the ram, try that on an iPad, you get a i5 processor, it is 12 inches. So in South Africa that would be around R7000, which is equivalent to a decent laptop. So is it worth it? Well I am not sure. I think that if I was looking for a decent laptop, I might look at this and say that this is better, but if I just need a cheap notebook for say R4000 then definitely not.
What do you think? Is this better than the Blackberry Playbook, the iPad, the HTC Flyer?
Here are some videos to whet your appetite. Would you choose this rather than the iPad?
