I want a tablet PC that does three things: e-mail, web browsing, and viewing of common file attachments. I don't care about speed or the latest hardware or what OS it runs. Give me a freak'n basic computer with basic feature set, and give it to me for $300.

I will buy one for my mother, my father, my grandparents and every other offline person I know. For $600 give me the same tablet PC running a voice synthesizer and magnification software for visually impaired users. Save those people months of learning archaic Windows navigation and commands when all they want to do is to use e-mail and access the web.

How long does it take the private sector to figure out why offline people are still offline? Instead we endure WebTV, handheld e-mail devices and a load of other gizmos that don't meet our needs. Yeeeeeeeeeeesh!

Posted by: My world is cold and without hope on February 9, 2003 12:40 PM

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Check out eBay.

I think you'll find something close to what you want :)

I've been keeping an eye on these things for a long time, and the slightly older models are getting to a very nice price range - granted they're not new (well, some of the are). But beggers can't be choosers, right?

Posted by: Eric Vitiello on February 10, 2003 08:41 AM

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I take offense at the idea of being a begger. I don't want a favor or something for nothing. I want the computer industry to begin listening to its customers.

The whole 'internet appliance' idea failed because manufacturers offered expensive high-end and/or needlessly complex products. Overkill. We're talking about a market segment that could be given a 286 to use and wouldn't know or feel that it was a slow computer. So why stick the latest processor in a tablet PC? Obviously it's not targeted to the 40-50% of America that is not yet online. When is someone going to truly design a computer for that market?

Back to the begger thing... These people are still offline because they are choosing... not to buy PCs and not to buy WebTV and not to buy e-mail appliances. I submit to you that these people are simply waiting for a product that actually appeals to them. Crazy idea, huh?

Posted by: Grey skies smiling at you on February 10, 2003 09:07 AM

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It's too bad that the WinCE-powered tablets have all but disappeared into the ether with the advent of the XP-powered tablet PCs.

However, this Linux-powered Sharp Zaurus may be of interest:
http://www.dynamism.com/zaurus/index.shtml

Posted by: jen on February 10, 2003 01:18 PM

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Simputer is worth a look. It is designed with the 90% of the world not yet online in mind.

Posted by: Lyle on February 10, 2003 09:21 PM

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"In fact, sometimes it's so detailed it can be difficult to read the text"

LMAO- That's from the sharp website jen posted. I does have a zoom feature though that solves this "problem"! Yikes

Posted by: Thad on February 11, 2003 10:10 AM

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