Sliding PCs - End of Convertible Tablets? Musings on Design

[LenovoGringo]

The X200T was my favorite laptop that I have ever owned, but its was a little too bulky (thick) and a little primitive during the tablet/laptop transition, which led me to selling it (regretfully). I really want the versatility of a convertible, but I like so many others was kind of dissapointed my Lenovo's lack of innovation with the latest X220T series. Sure, the X220 has long battery life and a powerful processor, but it was still relatively heavy and needlessly thick considering that I use my laptop only for surfing the net and taking notes (what most users do). When the X1 surfaced, a little part of me hoped for a tablet version, making it the perfect mobile warrior, but alas, that isn't going to happen. I set down to ponder about the "ultimate tablet." Of course it had to be a Thinkpad. Thinkpad support and Thinkpad keyboard were a must. I can't go back to HP and Dell tablets anymore. But converts (convertibles) suffer from design limitations largely due to their hinge design. Apparently the companies know this and have innovated some interesting products that I think are almost "Thinkpad Design Matters" worthy.

Here's the main question for now: So, what would you think is the best hinge mechanism for a convert tablet?


The traditional convertible mechanism. Gets the job done and keeps the traditional "laptopesque" that appeals to most people. It also protects the screen.

Interestingly, Dell's Duo tablet did catch my eye. It's "flip" screen solves the issue of the space consuming yet fragile-traditional-convertible-rotating-mechanism, but really didn't appeal to me (and to the rest of the world). It was a little gimmicky.

As loyal Thinkpad followers, you probably haven't caught wind of the Samsung Sliding PC tablet. It is basically mimicks a slider phone mechanism to reveal a keyboard instead of using the traditional laptop lid hinges. It seems to offers a much more convenient setup. Anyone wish that a Thinkpad version is in the works? Is this a product that business (Thinkpad) users will want? I want your thoughts on the matter and if anyone knows if the design of the sliding pc is robust enough to last. IMHO, it is seems to be the best thing so far in terms of hinges/convenience.

EDIT:

Just wanted to add a representative from the slate formfactor. This shows that good design doesn't mean keeping the keyboard totally separate from the tablet. I really wish the Thinkpad line has something like this. That iPad 2 keyboard could use a trackpoint!

[bill bolton]

but it was still relatively heavy and needlessly thick considering that I use my laptop only for surfing the net and taking notes (what most users do).

You may choose to believe that most users are just like you...... but in my corporate life we use huge numbers of X2xxT ThinkPads extensively for a great deal more than that.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[LenovoGringo]

^^^ Yeah, I admit that I'm self-centered a lot of the times.
But that's how I get my way! IMHO, Lenovo needs to invest in another line of tablets since the X-series is supposed to represent mobility among anything else. Right now the X220 sits between mobility and power. It is balanced. How balanced it is depends on who you are. Make a tablet for power users (T-series?). Make one for those that carry one all day... And make a Windows slate with a keyboard that has a TRACKPOINT! Hopefully Lenovo won't stop with the Android based Thinkpad X-Slate (or whatever it is to be called).

[automobus]

I remember watching a video of the Intel slider concept design a few years ago. I think it was a video from IDC, but I really do not remember where it was demonstrated. It's taken a lot longer for a real product to reach the market than the video suggested.

I'll like the slider design, when a model comes out with

1. replacable battery, storage, communications card
2. "real" expansion
3. a service manual.

"real expansion" means ExpressCard or CardBus, or a serial port at the very least. I do not like bridging or reshaping everything to USB. I don't think there will be docks for sliders.