Asus & Acer retaliates to Apple's iPad

With launch of Apple's iPad arousing global PC makers' concerns about tablet PCs, Acer and Asus, two Taiwan-based, world-caliber PC brands, have both planned to release own-brand models to cash in on the segment.

Acer and Asus, along with Taiwanese contract suppliers as Quanta Computer Inc., Compal Electronics Inc. and Wistron Corp., have been reportedly engaged in the development of tablet PCs since Apple debuted its iPad, which has proven a hot-seller among consumers. Industry insiders have revealed that the two brands' models are undergoing tests and may be launched in the third quarter of this year.

The two brands' tablet PCs are believed to be not only more economical, but also more functional than Apple's competing model, as they will likely sell for less than US$400 per unit and feature beefed-up specifications and performance.

In fact, tablet PCs have been available in the market for years since Microsoft came up with the world's first model in 2002, which, unfortunately, failed to be popular due mainly to its extremely high unit price, poor software compatibility and bulky exterior. But, Apple's iPad is believed to be successful, as the brand has been regarded as a technology bellwether in the PC industry, according to industry insiders. This has driven a number of PC brands to resume development of tablet PCs recently.

However, J.T. Wang, chairman of Acer, also warned that PC brands may not outdo Apple in the tablet PC market as easily as expected, unless they come up with better integrated solutions of software and application services for their models, mainly because Apple's iPad is highly evaluated for its system integration capability.

Source: EMSNow

 

Asus: World Domination Imminent.

On a serious not, I'm glad to see a competitor coming up against the iPad. Hopefully when they launch Asus and Acer will drive the price down a bit, so both Apple and PC users win.

 

It always amazes me how fast and competitive the tech industry can be to produce a product in just a few months from scratch, just to jump on the band-wagon and grab a piece of the market. This usually translates to poor quality control and/or inferior products, but I'm hoping this isn't the case here.

 

The problem is that for the vast legion of self-absorbed, smarmy Apple users that represent the typical Ipad customer, no matter how good or superior an alternative product is, they won't even give it a notice. Too busy riding to their local coffee shop on their single speed with an Ipad in tow inside a messenger bag to pay attention. Or engaging in pseudo-intellectual conversation about the latest Tarantino flick. Hate to admit that I want an Ipad. Lol.

 

none of their efforts will matter unless developers start designing software that is designed around a touch interface.

like the article said, only specialized software and a specialized interface for it will compete with the iPad. trying to shoe-horn regular windows apps will fail abjectly.

so basically: unless Asus and Acer plan to make Android-based tablets, the game is already over for them. Windows 7, while more functional, is not the way to go.

 

Which will never happen
Though, I'm still interested to see what Asus/Acer can pull out of the sleeves and offer an alternative to the iPad. I must say the iPad does look extremely appealing even though I'm sure I have no need for one

 

If I can get one cheap enough and it runs flash media I'm in.
I still can believe the iPad doesn't have this feature.
I played around with the iPad the other day and I will say it is preety cool, it doesn't do anything amazing but what it does it does well.
I want one but I don't need one

 

If good apps can made for the upcoming tablets, that'll really complement the beefed-up specs.

 

Happy Easter!
Roamer is :
ARM A9,1GB Ram,SSD,Chrome OS or Android,Both can multitask,both have flash.