Asus may scrap future tablet netbooks if Eee PC T91 doesn’t sell well

Chris · #1 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 03:54 AM

Digitimes is reporting that if the Asus Eee PC T91 does not sell well that Asus may put an end to future tablet based netbook plans. This makes some sense as I'm sure the factories that make tablet based netbooks have different manufacturing processes than standard netbooks and if there isn't enough volume of tablet [...]

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ThisIsNot · #2 (**permalink**) 07-22-2009, 11:10 AM

I guess that means that they won't come out with any future tablets then. The T91 looks nice and all but tablets have never really done well when it comes to sales. I am surprised that the T91 was released before Windows 7. Asus should have put it off until after Windows 7 came out. Maybe they want the T91 to fail.

Chris · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisIsNot

I guess that means that they won't come out with any future tablets then. The T91 looks nice and all but tablets have never really done well when it comes to sales. I am surprised that the T91 was released before Windows 7. Asus should have put it off until after Windows 7 came out. Maybe they want the T91 to fail.

Good point, especially considering Windows 7 is supposed to have so much additional support for touchscreens

netkid · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2009, 09:49 PM

I really wanted to get this, but the fact that the reviews have been lukewarm and windows xp and lack of multi touch just made me give up on it. I'll stick with the 1000he.

JesterEric · #5 (**permalink**) 07-24-2009, 07:04 PM

I suspect tablets will remain only "cool toys" for a while. Too many issues with vulnerability (it is still one big screen), and its value/utility is still negligible. If one is taking notes and can scan them, that's about what tablets offer. With the number of folks who type fast(er) than they write, tablets offer little value.

I can't think of the one "killer app" that makes me put down the cash for a tablet, I just haven't seen it yet.

ThisIsNot · #6 (**permalink**) 07-25-2009, 12:30 PM

I doubt you will ever see a killer app for tablets. Windows 7 is going to add more functionality with built-in multi-touch and finger input support but that is about it. People are used to the traditional computer setup. You have a screen, you have a pointing device, and you have a keyboard. Trying to change that is like trying to reinvent the wheel. Apple might try to pull this off if they ever come out with a tablet but I still don't see it doing that well.

Tablets have always fit a niche market and I doubt they will ever move beyond that.