News - Dell teases 5in Slate PC at CES 2010

[HEXUS]

Android-powered mini PC on course for 2010 launch?

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[MSIC]

I can't see this form factor being much other than a 'fat phone'. Would anyone seriously carry this plus a phone (like an iPhone, Nexus one etc)? I doubt it, especially if this has a sim card. You would either have your 'phone' or this, making this the phone (but a slightly clumsy one).

[cptwhite_uk]

Is it just me who thinks that the guy holding it, is thinking it's pointless too?

[bbo320]

This is the perfect format for me & the only slate that I would buy, something that has a "large enough" screen and still fit in my pocket.

[[GSV]Trig]

tbh Dell had a perfectly good market with the old Axim x51v's, if they'd of stuck with that and developed it into somethin else then they would of had a winner, but there about 5 years late with this device..

imho of course

[scaryjim]

Does it have actual phone functions, or just 3G Data?

Give me a 7" version with data plan that runs a full OS (linux'll do if it has to be ARM compatible ), and I'll take this + a cheapo / PAYG phone over a smartphone any day. Love my Magic to bits, but it's just too small for anything but casual web / email use (plus the lack of decent handwriting recognition is a PITA, frankly).

[miniyazz]

This is the perfect format for me & the only slate that I would buy, something that has a "large enough" screen and still fit in my pocket.

This - as long as it also has a good resolution. I suggest 720p would be just about perfect; the 480x800 is a good resolution for my Touch HD 3.8" screen, but it wouldn't hurt to be just slightly higher IMO!

Does it have actual phone functions, or just 3G Data?

Give me a 7" version with data plan that runs a full OS (linux'll do if it has to be ARM compatible ), and I'll take this + a cheapo / PAYG phone over a smartphone any day. Love my Magic to bits, but it's just too small for anything but casual web / email use (plus the lack of decent handwriting recognition is a PITA, frankly).

7" = too big for a pocket though, tbh! At which point you no longer have your internet-capable 'phone' with you at all times. Try a phone with a slightly larger screen and much higher resolution before disregarding the functionality of a 5" slate based on a Magic!

[Pob255]

This - as long as it also has a good resolution. I suggest 720p would be just about perfect; the 480x800 is a good resolution for my Touch HD 3.8" screen, but it wouldn't hurt to be just slightly higher IMO!

7" = too big for a pocket though, tbh! At which point you no longer have your internet-capable 'phone' with you at all times. Try a phone with a slightly larger screen and much higher resolution before disregarding the functionality of a 5" slate based on a Magic!

But that's the real question, is this a portable computer or a phone with added coputer like applications (like so many of the touch screen phones currently around)

1024x600 is fine for a 9-10" netbook screen, and personally I'd like something more that sort of size, something like this is just too small for what I'd want.

Then again I'm never happy with these multifunction devices as they tend to be weak at most of their functions and I tend to like something that can do one job well rather than multiple jobs badly.

[miniyazz]

But that's the real question, is this a portable computer or a phone with added coputer like applications (like so many of the touch screen phones currently around)

1024x600 is fine for a 9-10" netbook screen, and personally I'd like something more that sort of size, something like this is just too small for what I'd want.

Then again I'm never happy with these multifunction devices as they tend to be weak at most of their functions and I tend to like something that can do one job well rather than multiple jobs badly.

At 5", I'd say it's firmly in phone territory. Netbooks are intended for longer-distance (e.g. arm's length) usage whereas phones are much closer - hence the use for higher resolutions! A phone with netbook pixel density is relatively ineffective as you can't fit enough on the screen - these smaller devices can be comfortably used a foot away, making higher resolutions really beneficial - to those with good eyesight, at least!

[aidanjt]

But that's the real question, is this a portable computer or a phone with added coputer like applications (like so many of the touch screen phones currently around)

From what I can gather, the latter is true. If that's the case, and it's reasonably price. I'd be interested in getting one myself.