Okay, just hold on a second while I consult my crystal ball...

Sorry Miss Cleo but it was more like:

Dear Dell,

I am desirous of a Dell tablet PC. You don't have any mechanism on your website to ask for new models so you probably don't really care what I want but I decided to ask in a hopefully fertile area for a sub $1000 Tablet.

Thanks.

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@racer42 wrote:
Sorry Miss Cleo but it was more like:

Dear Dell,

I am desirous of a Dell tablet PC. You don't have any mechanism on your website to ask for new models so you probably don't really care what I want but I decided to ask in a hopefully fertile area for a sub $1000 Tablet.

Thanks.

First, they don't read these forums.  However, until tablet PCs become mainstream (which they won't), Dell won't make them.  They don't go into something until it's proven, and these aren't.

I'll buy a tablet PC when they create a mechanical hand that writes for me. I'm much happier typing right now.

racer42 -

I'd like to see one also. And it is proven, widely used technology. My company will purchase somewhere in the neighborhood of 240 of them this year in some size or flavor. I think Dell doesn't get into it because even though it is proven, widely used technology, it is still kind of a niche. And huge companies like Dell market more for the mass market. They do make a good machine though, and I'd like to see a small footprint 10"? rugged client - tablet style, for use by field engineers that need to capture signatures and also view online parts manuals, service manuals including schematics on CD's, and be live via wireless all day. There are many companies out there using handheld devices that work great to do simple things but fall short when you need a screen big enough to view diagrams, etc. And there is also the need for tablet style input such as drawing, signatures, etc. that work better with a stylus.

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@parkerti wrote:
racer42 -

I'd like to see one also. And it is proven, widely used technology. My company will purchase somewhere in the neighborhood of 240 of them this year in some size or flavor. I think Dell doesn't get into it because even though it is proven, widely used technology, it is still kind of a niche. And huge companies like Dell market more for the mass market. They do make a good machine though, and I'd like to see a small footprint 10"? rugged client - tablet style, for use by field engineers that need to capture signatures and also view online parts manuals, service manuals including schematics on CD's, and be live via wireless all day. There are many companies out there using handheld devices that work great to do simple things but fall short when you need a screen big enough to view diagrams, etc. And there is also the need for tablet style input such as drawing, signatures, etc. that work better with a stylus.

I don't see how "widely used" and "niche" are the same?  Mass market isn't niche and tablets are niche therefore Dell won't sell them.

Hmmm, niche? Apple had a niche for 24" cinema displays @ $2500. Dell exploded it when they sell for $900.

Lots of new designs flounder until people 'get' it. Look at the Newton. It was rejected by the market but a few years later millions of Palm Pilots fly off the shelves and it is basically the same device.

If typing is your primary use for a PC then you probably don't have any use for the tablet functions. There are millions of artists and engineers that would love to use the right design at the right price point.

Thanks for the replies, all.

The Mullets have spoken.

thank you and good night