They may have missed their chance if the oft-rumored Mac tablet finally
appears this year, which is a distinct possibility given Apple's
embrace of MultiTouch in the last year. Not to mention Apple's
announcement that it will use the UMPC platform. The Modbook's only
advantages would be that it uses a pressure-sensitive stylus and has
the full power of a Macbook, but many people would rather have more portability.

Regardless if apple actually releases a tablet computer, I question the market for this computer (or apple's supposed tablet computer).

Microsoft has been trying for years to get the tablet pc off the ground. Except for a few niche market segments its been an abysmal failure.

Its like when the palm was a popular device, and everyone was clamoring for apple to jump on board. They rightly refused and when the time was right released the iphone. Likewise the market, imho, isn't there for this type of computer.

Now that we're in January we'll only have to wait a few weeks to see if apple does indeed release one, personally I'm not seeing the synergy but I have been known to be wrong before

I couldn't agree more. Worse, most of the tablets sold are of the hybrid variety rather than the true slate tablet that we see here. While I think it's fine for a third party to fill whatever niche of a void exists in the Mac market for such a product, I can't see Apple actually making one. There just isn't a market for it. Apple would have to do something very exceptional in the areas of multi-touch, etc. for this category to be given any chance.

I've blogged about this issue last March. http://technicalconclusions.wordpress.com/2007/03/01/tablet_pcs/

"Regardless if apple actually releases a tablet computer, I question the market for this computer (or apple's supposed tablet computer)."

While a device of this type does appeal to a smaller market (i.e., artists, photographers, etc), it's that market that Apple has been strong with for years, even before it's resurgence. As an artist myself, I was told for years that if you are going to do anything graphic-wise with a computer, Apple was the way to go.

"Microsoft has been trying for years to get the tablet pc off the ground. Except for a few niche market segments its been an abysmal failure."

The PC tablets have been pretty lackluster in terms of acceptance, but if you look at the specs of those tablets, you can see why creative professionals probably stayed away. I looked at them long and hard and decided that it was better to get an external Wacom tablet that had all the features I wanted, rather than go with an expensive tablet that only half-delivered the same abilities. PC tablets were built around the idea of a "power user" being able to take it into a meeting room or wherever and use it for business means. In typical Microsoft fashion, they misjudged the market this device would appeal to.

"Its like when the palm was a popular device, and everyone was clamoring for apple to jump on board. They rightly refused and when the time was right released the iphone. Likewise the market, imho, isn't there for this type of computer."

I agree, the Palm (or any other handheld) was a gimmick device and Apple was right to stay away from it until the iPhone (especially after the disastrous Newton). However, while the market for a tablet may not be here yet in full force, it is growing. Ask any professional artist who makes a living at creating anything using conventional media, and they will tell you it's getting harder and harder to compete with those who use digital tools.

It is easy to think of a tablet computer as a device that would only appeal to a small niche market. However, take into account that the market in question could include 3d artists working for special effects studios, concept artists for games or movies, as well as independent artists around the world. All those areas (and potentially others) taken in combination, and the market for this device doesnt seem quite so small. Personally, I think it would be a good thing for Apple to get out in front of, provided they take the correct steps and do it the right way.

The problem is that the market is so small the prospect of making a profit is tiny, I'm a photographer and I have 0 interest in using a tablet pc (regardless of who makes it). While there will be people who want or clamor for one, they're such a minority that I believe that apple will hard pressed to recoup the R&D, marketing and manufacturing cost. Apple does appeal to some niche markets but in those markets that it beleives it can make money. That doesn't mean it should enter every niche market. I think the tablet computer is one such market that it would best avoid imho.

I don't believe the power of the computer was its downfall but rather the ease of use. Its still much easier and less error prone to enter data via a keyboard.

I'm not so sure the market will be that comprehensive. So far that market segment has not really embraced the tablet pc, there's no evidence to support that once apple produces one they'll drop their current set of tools and buy one of those.

One issue I've been wondering about now is this:
Could (and would) apple sue them. Apple is typically not too open to folks monkeying with their hardware. Also if they include OSX would that be breaking the EULA since - using the narrowest interpretation its technically not a Macintosh computer. The parts are apple components but the sum of the parts are not a Mac.

The odds of a lawsuit may rise if apple unleashes their own tablet computer at MWSF.

Yeah perhaps, but apple cannot be happy with another company using its parts. My other point though I think is valid, as the EULA states that OSX can only be used on Macintosh computers. Apple could easily say that its no longer a Mac because of the Mods done to it and thus cannot include OSX.

This of course is all speculation, we'll find out how things progress with them and apple in the course of time..