Just Not an iPad: Why Competing Tablets Will Fail
I've read so many "ipad killer" articles that I'm starting to really wonder what is going on with tech journalists! As a nerd I happily enjoy gadget candy whenever it comes my way, but as a writer I have to do go beyond mere drooling over technology. The iPad finally turns mobile computing into anytime, anywhere, something that laptops and even netbooks don't do as successfully. If you're looking at iPad alternatives you will see them here, but will these tablets be able provide the right amount of features? I don't think so.
the iPad has Zero Competition
Update: Now With More Pictures!
Release dates are important. If your computer is supposed to compete with another device, and it becomes delayed, then you better be sure it provides something your competitor does not provide. In most cases, that means USB ports, a lower price, or a better software system. The tablets I found have prices that are commensurate with features, which means a sub-$500 tablet will have significantly less features than an iPad. The software system offered by most is android or windows based, which could be a potential benefit to the availability of software on the tablets. But that software won't be available for a while as developers catch up to provide programs that the app store has had for a long time.
By they time most of these devices are available, almost everyone considering a tablet will be comparing their choice to the iPad. Right now, people are comparing the iPad to devices that don't even exist yet; like most of the mobile tablet PCs in the slideshow below. I have found just about all of them that are out there and put together a description of each for you so you can get your gadget fix, but come away with some perspective on the likelihood that any of these technologies will be able to compete with the iPad.
