Why a iTablet or Mac Touch doesn't make sense

Despite really wanting Apple to produce a tablet base Mac computer it's probably not something Apple should make. Why do you ask? Well it's simple the concept of a tablet PC is a really good idea in general but is really only practical in a few niche cases. It's believed that the main short coming of this genre of computers is that it simply lacks any style or design in its interface that makes it practical. Which is something that Apple could bring to the table but probably not as a computer.

Now let me justify myself before I get into this, devices like the iTouch and the iPhone are computing devices but are not computers. At least not in the sense that everyone is hoping the mythical iTablet will be. This allows the device to be designed cleanly into a number of streamlined devices that have a specific purpose and additional computer like functions. As consumer devices like the iTouch mature they'll appear to be more computer like but as of now they're no substitute for the real thing. Generally this is where the Mac faithful come in an explain how Apple is so good at working these issues out. Which is true but Apple isn't just fighting interface issues they're facing technological ones that just aren't ready for prime time (yet).

In most cases there is a trade off when dealing with touch screen technology which boils down to image quality vs touch functionality. The iPhone and iTouch where a step in the right direction in getting rid of this problem but don't solve it in any way. The main draw for tablet computer systems is that it allows the user to interface with a computer in their own hand writing. This is where most tablet systems tend to screw up (not in the hand writing translation but) the pressure sensitivity of the touch/stylus interface. That's really where the trade off makes it's biggest difference currently you'll either get a great display with terrible pressure response or good pressure response with grainy displays. Now I know Wacom has made a some strides in this department but I'm not convinced its ready for prime time. Apple could make a tablet system and announce it in January but more than likely it won't be what everyone is hoping for mostly due to the face it just doesn't add up.