>> I suspect it will be like the Newton which used a stylus.
Ugh. If you could see my handwriting you’d know why I say that.
>> Or maybe like the iPhone or iTouch with an online type screen.
Ugh again. I’m not sure what line I was in when they were handing out penmanship skills, but it was definitely NOT the “patience” line. :-)
>> And, don’t forget, many of these devices allow a peripheral keyboard to be added.
OK, now we’re getting somewhere. Of course, you’ll have to have some sort of built in rack thingie to hold the tablet upright while you use the keyboard... which means you’ll pretty much need to be at a flat surface, like a table, to use it. Can you imagine balancing that setup on your lap on an airplane? HEY WAIT A MINUTE... I have an idea! What if we make this sort of folding clamshell-like contraption with the keyboard in the bottom half, and the screen in the top half? ;-)
Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there’s no market for this tablet (although I have my doubts). There very well could be an outstanding application that I just don’t “get”. And for my own personal needs, the laptop form factor is perfect, so I won’t be needing one.
How about if it had a real keyboard at the bottom of the tablet?