Our Apple tablet hardware, software wish list

Not really the Apple tablet.

Hardly a day goes by without some form of feverish speculation gripping the Web about the existence of a tablet computing device from Apple. While most of these echo-chamber blog posts are fact-free excursions into wild speculation, the general zeitgeist points to a possibly 10-inch device that may cost $699-$799, and be released either in September, November, or sometime next year--perhaps on the heels of the similar-sounding CrunchPad tablet.

According to Barrons , an anonymous analyst who claims to have had some hands-on time with a prototype would specifically say only, "It's better than the average movie experience, when you hold this thing in your hands."

With a seemingly blank canvas like that, there's plenty of room for industry watchers to stamp their own wants and needs on this unconfirmed piece of hardware. As long as everyone's speculating blindly, we took the initiative to work up a wish list of hardware and software (see also this previous piece on Erica Ogg's fantasy Apple tablet features) for when or if the Apple tablet is ever released.

Click through to the gallery below to see our wish list detailed. Got something we missed? Let us know in the comments section below.

Our Apple tablet hardware, software wish list

> Need more? Follow me at twitter.com/danackerman.
> We discus the CrunchPad vs. the Apple tablet on the latest Digital City video podcast.

[TechnoMan475392]

Dan-
Apple always has and will have great hardware (what they do with it is iffy), besides a few lemons like the MBA. I'm sure they'll deliver.

/Jack

P.S. You're one of my favorite CNET editors!

[TechnoMan475392]

I forgot to mention in my previous comment (why can't we go back and edit them CNET?!)-

Ya'll didn't include handwriting recognition in OS X! The stellar handwriting recognition is what makes windows awesome for tablet PCs, and it's been around for a while, so either apple will have tons of catch-up or blow windows out of the water. I expect it to be about the same, but be able to accept math symbols, and things like ampersands and the @ symbol, whose name escapes me that the moment...

[TechnoMan475392]

OH! Another idea!
What if the MacsiPad (thank you, Mr. Tong!) used a version of the iPhone/iPod Touch OS as a quick-on thing, like splashtop? And then the slightly modified OS X running on it would also have the app store, but with different apps (to take advantage of the more powerful architecture) whilst still running all the other apps, and both OS X and iPhone OS could access apps?! That'd rock.

[Lawicki]

The @ symbol is called the asperand. nobody remembers what it's called, but that's its name!...

[creative36]

I think you mean tilde.

[jpsalerno]

***? An ampersand is a & not an @!!

[MastrCake]

Actually, you're both wrong. This (~) is the tilde. This (&) is the ampersand. And according to Wikipedia, this (@) is simply the "at sign".

I hope this helps!

[JayneKillman]

Well yeah close MastrCake. (~) is a tilde, (&) is an ampersand and (@) is a as Lawicki states, an asperand. Ampersand and asperand are two different things.

[kingrah1]

I want:
no monthly payment to a phone company
802.11N + bluetooth + wimax
USB3.0
120GB solid state drive
the screen like the blackberry storms(it is practical in this case for typing-but make the feature optional so you can disable it if u dont like it)
10+hrs battery life
made of something really solid so you can smash zombie heads :D

[streamline35]

Reasons this won't happen (for that price, or at all).
-There are no USB 3.0 mobos in existence yet (or consumer devices that I'm aware of). And why would they put their first one in that? Be realistic.
-128GB SSDs cost $250 to $350. You think that is going to happen in a $700-$800 tablet?
-You can't disable a clicking screen. That is a mechanical feature on the blackberry storm, not a software one.
-10+ hour battery? Unlikely - no netbooks have pulled that yet in conditions with wifi on and processor running something like media. Don't count on it under realistic conditions.

[Daddio2009]

I would love both USB and FIREWIRE 800 ports...and a terabyte of static disc space.

[typicalgamer]

instead of using money to buy this, why not just buy a 700 dollar gaming laptop??? it would be better than this overpriced thing.

[MastrCake]

$700? For a gaming laptop?

ugh... can you name ONE laptop that is designed SPECIFICALLY for gaming that costs $700 or less?

And it can't be used or discontinued.

[pithenumber]

@typical and cake
you both are missing the point

this is meant to be portable, unlike a gaming laptop that is basically an all in one desktop with an extra large ups

[putkowski]

I would expect the on-screen keyboard to have at least two flavors:

Qwerty for typing while it's laying down and "split" on the sides (cries out for a cute "unrolling" effect) for thumbing on the sides while being held..

[Dan_Ackerman]

Using the iPhone OS as an instant-on would rock -- good idea. Does anyone remember the Axiotron ModBook? http://reviews.cnet.com/tablet-pcs/axiotron-modbook-with-built/4505-3126_7-32306645.html

[Rod Roddy]

Oh goody a giant iPod! Another reason for people to stand in ridiculously long lines outside the Apple store...I'll pass.

[DMBoricua]

But why a tablet Apple!?!?!? Nooooooo!! A Netbook!! Apple needs to stop these Dell Mini modders installing Mac OS X on them illegally by coming up WITH an official Apple Netbook!! Who's going to use a tablet of Mac OS X? I'll just use an iPhone/iPod Touch, which is a stripped down version of Mac OS X itself. If Apple were to make a Netbook that would SO be my future purchase.

[Dan7637]

how about a full version of os x not some stripped down version

[softconsult]

Does anyone sees the archos9? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cTfXgbuenk . It was previous than the Mac announcement, but uses Windows 7.

[amirault0]

A Core 2 Duo would definitely be better than the Atom, but with that, and I read somewhere about a SSD, I cant see Apple pricing this much lower than a Macbook. Maybe they could offer both. And about the 3G part, if they don't use Verizon I wouldn't bother putting it in. AT&T can't even handle all the Iphones out there, never mind adding this. Also it could be a nice device for a touch friendly OS thats coming out soon ;)

[creative36]

Software. I hope it is released with impressive software

[alizarin8]

I would love to see two price options. The much hyped 699/799 model should run Snow Leopard, but I would like to see a stripped down model for about 399/499 that runs the iPhone OS. Both options would have to have mobile internet. I totally appreciate the idea of a souped up tablet, but for my needs and budget, I really only need a stripped down version. I think both options would sell well and cover the market share nicely. I can't be the only one who wants a kindle/pda/ipod touch/media pad but doesn't want an iPhone's monthly bill.

[alizarin8]

Oh, and as previously mentioned, being able to smash the heads of zombies should be a given.

[jswalker1981]

I guess it goes under the category of accessory, but an external keyboard/dock. Obviously, this tablet would be more for on the go computing, but to be able to come home, throw it in a dock with some extra ports and an attached keyboard (I don't want a giant docking station like other laptops have had). This way if I had to really take all of it with me, it wouldn't need a box to do it. Also, full OS with real processing capabilities. If they can squeeze all that stuff in a macbook air, they can do it with the tablet. Oh, and I really would love an SD slot.

[matthewrmccarthy]

Apple doesn't need to compete in this marketplace. If it chooses to do so, it will be at around $1000 (the previous price of a low end MacBook) and will have only basic operations/functionality. If you want a computer, cough up and buy a MacBook Pro/iMac. If you want a "over-sized iPod" (thanks Tong!) go ahead and wait. But, please, no whining!!!! Especially when all you cheap f**ks go all in and are disappointed. You want a SSD? Reality check required!! Buy the real deal or buy a crap Netbook. This device will only ever be a median product to stir speculation and get people excited over what they have always wanted.....a cheap Mac. Quality costs money.

[babyfacemagee]

I've created a permanent site to discuss the upcoming tablet at www.AppleiSlate.com Come and join in.

[MastrCake]

Wow Mr. Ackerman, I LOVE your assessment! OS X Desktop would be PERFECT, as would a dock with a stand, a keyboard and some speakers. Multiple USB would be nice, but if it has just one, that's okay with me. Maybe not everybody, but i'm down.

Core 2 duo and that nvidia? Totally plausible, and ideal. I would replace my current laptop with a well-specced inexpensive apple table any day!

Ideal upgrade specs (maybe for $1200-1400) This is in comparison to MacBook White

2.13 GHz C2D (same as MB)
4GB ram (upgrade from MB, but only costs like $100)
128GB SSD (major upgrade, may drive the price a bit higher than $1400)
Nvidia 9400m Graphics (Same as MB)
FULL Mac OS X software suite (Hopefully touchscreen optimized)
Bluetooth+WiFi+3G (possibly 4G as a future option or WiMAX capabilities now?)
10 inch touchscreen (obviously)

I believe Apple could do all or most of these at the aforementioned price with little problem. But maybe this would be a bit too ambitious for Apple.

[soulkamikaze]

not gonna happen. you're listing specs that are even higher than a 13in macbook. i can't imagine this AAPL gimmick to have specs any higher than those of a PC netbook.

[gtmoskoff]

I would like the Apple netbook to be a merging of iPod touch, Amazon Kindle and Archos 7 (with DVR dock). Archos seems to be moving in the right direction with its newly announced 9.

Would also like a good sized HD which of course is needed for the DVR technology. Bluetooth, WiFi/3G.

[gtmoskoff]

Oh...and of course zombie smashing ability.

[edbighead1]

VOIP when using 3g and wifi

[skunkpuddle]

You guys are all to much. I love the guy who wants a 399 to 499 price point on a stripped down model when the iphone subsidized price is 500. Bunch of comediens.