Tablet

computer bigger than a Mobile, smaller than a LapTop

must have TouchScreen

Must Keyboard, if any, be detachable? Or at least be able to fold back behind, like an OLPC?

The IPad (launched 2010) was the big game-changer in this category.

Older: See TabletPC

Remember the SmallTalk-based Momenta (1991)? http://www.pcworld.com/article/188226/the_momenta_computer_1991.html

2013-12-25-BoughtNexus7

• after that, felt like phone was big enough, and so much more convenient: Always-On-You

Does the Kindle and other EBook hardware readers count?

• 2011: Not really
  • Web Browser clunky, esp with lack of TouchScreen
  • limited availability of apps (which might not matter except for the Web Browser issue)
• 2019: 2019-07-14-BoughtAmazonFireHd8

Late-2010 notes

Cheap Tablet options (cheaper than IPad)

• weigh less than 16oz -> probably 7" screen
• primary app: Web Browser
  • will run Google Reader and other JavaScript-based sites
  • multiple windows (tabs?), easy to switch between them (and Copy And Paste between them)
  • usable Keyboard, virtual or hardware
  • 2007-04-25-ReadingMachineIWant
  • hmm, do I want to go back to running a local-but-portable Private Wiki, like I used to run on my Nokia N810? Android makes that a pain....
• options
  • Pandigital Novel 2010-05-27-PandigitalNovelEreader
  • Archos 2010-05-15-Archos7HomeTablet
  • Augen Gen Touch78 2010-07-27-AugenAndroidTablet
  • Always Innovating Smart Book 2010-10-06-Always InnovatingSmartbook
  • hmm, capacitive LCD, combined with lack of physical Keyboard, could make these horrible for Active Reading.

Comparing weight and screen size

• IPad: 1.6lb, 9.7"
• Samsung Galaxy Tab: 12.8oz, 7"
• Augen Gen Touch78: 13oz, 7"
• Dell Streak: 7.7oz, 5"
• Kindle-2: 0.5lb
  • Kindle Dx - 1.2lb

Outcome: bought Archos70.