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Cody Dawg · Oct 7, 2004, 07:43 AM

Sorry to bring this back up again as I know this is a dead beaten horse around here, but let's beat that horse (gently) another time.

So, I bought Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac as some of you might have noticed in my earlier thread. I downloaded the test drive from MacNN and I really liked it. (Couldn't REALLY use it, but that's another story.)

In this particular suite, there is something called "Notebook" that looks VERY much like the software that Microsoft has for Tablet PCs, "OneNote."

Since I really don't understand the purpose of having "Notebook," which looks exactly like Microsoft's "OneNote" which Microsoft touts as being for Tablet PCs in particular, unless Microsoft knows something we don't...maybe Apple is thinking of a tablet?

Any thoughts...ESPECIALLY FROM Microsoft Office 2004 users?

By the way, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac really REALLY rocks. Love it. Entourage is awesome. After using it I cannot imagine going back to the previous version...this version is very nice and sophisticated and has everything put together well and where it should go.

mitchell_pgh · Oct 7, 2004, 07:49 AM

Considering a large section of the industry considers the tablet to be a complete failure, I think Apple is going to steer clear.

Why a failure?
- They are considerably more expensive then a standard laptop
- Too big to use like a Palm� [which is instant on and fits in your hand]
- You can type considerably faster then you can write

kenazo · Oct 7, 2004, 08:03 AM

Considering we had Ink from Apple, what 2 years ago? If that wasn't the tablet harbinger I doubt this is.

im_noahselby · Oct 7, 2004, 08:05 AM

I think tablet computers are a good idea, they're just ahead of their time. We'll be there eventually in some form or another, but for now they just don't make much sense.

Noah

MilkmanDan · Oct 7, 2004, 08:06 AM

No. Never. Tablets suck. Apple knows this.

Cody Dawg · Oct 7, 2004, 08:14 AM

WHAT is the point of "Notebook" then?

I want to hear from MS Office 2004 users.

Tooki...are you there?

Eug Wanker · Oct 7, 2004, 08:32 AM

With current technology, tablets suck. End of story.

And yes, I use MS Office 2004, and the notebook feature.

nate_02 · Oct 7, 2004, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
With current technology, tablets suck. End of story.

And yes, I use MS Office 2004, and the notebook feature.

If tablets were going to become more popular, I think Apple is the company that would do it right.

Langdon · Oct 7, 2004, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by Cody Dawg:
WHAT is the point of "Notebook" then?

Students. Just like Omninote and NoteTaker

mitchell_pgh · Oct 7, 2004, 09:39 AM

Q: What is the point of "Notebook"?

A: There are a few reasons:
- It's a natural approach to transitioning from pen and ink to notebood.
- It's designed for note taking (bullets etc.) normally it drives me crazy when I hit tab and get a bulleted list... not so bad when that's what you want it to do.
- Blue lines and big font makes it a little easier on your eyes.

I'm sure you could do everything Notebook does with the standard version of Word, but this simplifies and standardizes the format.

Cody Dawg · Oct 7, 2004, 10:01 AM

Hi Mitchell:

Cool sig.

Why not just use Word, seriously?

I cannot imagine using Notebook.

One thing I was told by a very close friend/relative who develops at MS? Notebook is able to interface wirelessly neatly and seamlessly with OneNote.

Why? OneNote is for tablets...and there isn't an Apple table...yet.

Opinions?

xi_hyperon · Oct 7, 2004, 10:07 AM

Maybe someday, but no time soon. If Steve was hesitant to venture into the PDA market, then I can't imagine him being enthusiastic about going into the nearly non-existent tablet market. Tablets have the cool factor, but they're nothing much more than an expensive novelty.

Eug Wanker · Oct 7, 2004, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Q: What is the point of "Notebook"?

A: There are a few reasons:
- It's a natural approach to transitioning from pen and ink to notebood.
- It's designed for note taking (bullets etc.) normally it drives me crazy when I hit tab and get a bulleted list... not so bad when that's what you want it to do.
- Blue lines and big font makes it a little easier on your eyes.

I'm sure you could do everything Notebook does with the standard version of Word, but this simplifies and standardizes the format.

Yes. I'm not a student, but I use it to take notes at meetings. It's basically just a Word file, and the formatting actually transfers to the Windows version of Word too (which doesn't have Notebook), but it just simplifies the formatting when you're typing, so you don't have to fiddle around and waste time.

d4nth3m4n · Oct 7, 2004, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Considering a large section of the industry considers the tablet to be a complete failure, I think Apple is going to steer clear.

Why a failure?
- They are considerably more expensive then a standard laptop
- Too big to use like a Palm� [which is instant on and fits in your hand]
- You can type considerably faster than you can write

THAN'D

Gator Lager · Oct 7, 2004, 11:24 AM

If you wonder what Apple is up to. Check out this page. It's the patent applied for page.
I remember seeing something similar to a tablet like unit in the list somewhere ??

http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-...D2=&d=PG01

Superchicken · Oct 7, 2004, 11:39 AM

It's a format for taking notes in class and stuff. Apple has tons of Edu buyers. It's actually one of the reasons I'm on the fense though TextEdit still serves me well.

That said, if Apple did ever go into the hand held market again I imagine it would be much more like a cross between a Palm and a Tablet. Think about it, 400Mhz IBM PPC mobile proc, 4 gig microdrive, built in AirPort and Bluetooth, stripped down and slightly redesigned OS X interface, and it would act as a thin client for your Mac at home or stand alone.

It would give people those video iPod things they want, only it'd be different because it would be more like a computer which makes sense, it would offer you reasonable storage of lots of stuff but not all your stuff, but it would allow you to seemlessly network with your Macs at home, and use their processing power to do things like audio and video.

Think about it, working with a mobile version of Photoshop in bed because you just got an awesome idea, sitting and doing some light work in FCP or Logic (obviously not every feature of these Apps would be offered) all on a reasonably large screen that could still fit in your pocket, with a stylus.

Throw in Cell capabilities and you've got one heck of a machine, be it ever so pricey. That said, won't happen for a dog's age... if ever.

Millennium · Oct 7, 2004, 12:55 PM

Oh boy; this again....

Note-taking software is popular on laptops as well as that great bastion of overhype that we currently call the Tablet PC. Back in The Day, I used OmniOutliner on my TiBook to take notes in college. Inclusing a similar feature in Word -particularly given that they publish a version which caters specifically to students- makes every bit of sense.

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 7, 2004, 01:38 PM

Even though Bill Gates said they that are the future of all computers nobody is buying it.

They are not selling well at all as they are too expensive and more limited then a laptop.

As Apples sees this as a failing market that never had much interest to begin with why would they want to get in on the game?

Same goes for PDA's. Sony and Toshiba have decided to stop selling them in North America as they are not doing well. Apple is not going to come out with a PDA especially now.

Evan_11 · Oct 7, 2004, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by Disgruntled Head of C-3PO:
Even though Bill Gates said they that are the future of all computers nobody is buying it.

They are not selling well at all as they are too expensive and more limited then a laptop.

As Apples sees this as a failing market that never had much interest to begin with why would they want to get in on the game?

Same goes for PDA's. Sony and Toshiba have decided to stop selling them in North America as they are not doing well. Apple is not going to come out with a PDA especially now.

Blah, blah, blah. Quit being such a pessimist.

An Apple tablet would be killer. The problem being that it is technically a luxury item. In my business I need the power of a desktop (dual G5) and the ability to go mobile (powerbook). A tablet would fall into the "if I had the cash category".

d4nth3m4n · Oct 7, 2004, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by Evan_11:
A tablet would fall into the "if I had the cash category".

that is exactly his point, numbnuts. you two are saying the same thing, though you bother to say that he is being a pessimist. he is being a REALIST. it aint going to happen. get used to it.

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 7, 2004, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Evan_11:
The problem being that it is technically a luxury item. In my business I need the power of a desktop (dual G5) and the ability to go mobile (powerbook). A tablet would fall into the "if I had the cash category".

Duh. Isn't that exactly my point. Sure it would be neat but very few want to pay for it or can even afford it.

DOUBLE DUH!!!

Evan_11 · Oct 7, 2004, 02:36 PM

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
that is exactly his point, numbnuts.

No his point was tablets suck. No they don't suck and an Apple built one would be killer.

Superchicken · Oct 7, 2004, 02:49 PM

Yes and then it would be killed because nobody would buy it.

The problems with PDAs is people expect to have a portable computer which they won't get. If they sold an Apple Thin Client computer like my mentioning I know at least a few people would buy them, but yes it would be a low market and probably not make enough money to justify the cost.

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 7, 2004, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by Evan_11:
No his point was tablets suck. No they don't suck and an Apple built one would be killer.

How does this say they suck?

"They are not selling well at all as they are too expensive and more limited then a laptop."

1) Too expensive.
2) More limited (slower then laptops).
3) Duh.