Could this be the beginning of the manufacturer backlash? Following last week’s biblically-hyped launch of the Apple iPad and somewhat muted reception, it seems the Cupertino giant may have actually reduced interest in the tablet form factor, rather than built it up…
Acer has today become the first company to speak out against the tablet, saying it has no plans to make an iPad rival and will be sticking to netbooks (it is also rumored to be exploring smartbooks). Digitimes quotes Acer Taiwan president Scott Lin as saying that making a tablet would pose no technical challenges for the company, but would not fit into the company’s business model.
“Historically, closed platforms are typically limited in terms of scale and are confined to niche markets,” he said. “Apple has built its business out of carving its own niche, which means that while Apple could see success with devices like the iPad, other players are unlikely to be able to replicate its result simply by copying.”
Furthermore, while many have declared the iPad would bring about the end of both netbooks and smartbooks (at least before the lukewarm reception) Lin added that he doesn’t expect the markets to compete: “For 2010, Acer expects its large-size traditional notebooks to account for 50-60% of total notebook shipments with netbook at around 20% and ultra-thin notebooks about 20-30%. Acer will also push notebooks with a thickness of less than 2cm as a major product for 2010.”
Such a breakdown doesn’t place much faith in tablets.
Despite such a strong stance, don’t expect all major companies to be as forthright as Acer. Most notably Dell has already shown off its first tablet to TechCrunch (video below), though fundamental questions remain about the practicality of holding and typing on such a form factor – questions which Apple was expected, but failed, to address. Ultimately, while the subject may be polarizing, it is far too early to tell if tablets will or won’t take off – but one thing is certain: if Apple, a much lauded design specialist, has struggled to win over crowds with its vision, then the challenge for everyone else is only going to become much harder.
Gordon
