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Musique Non Talent: Trying out a Windows 7 tablet

Some initial thoughts from Rob on a windows 7 slate / tablet.

Clip to Evernote

14 comments:

Tom said...

The no.1 problem with all Windows-based tablets/slates is that Windows is still a mouse driven operating system, even it's mobile counterpart.

Although aimed at Android (Motorola Xoom), the following article from TUAW highlights the very reason why the iPad, be it v1 or v2, is a better all round (or should that be rectangular?) product.

http://www.tuaw.com/2011/03/03/deciding-on-a-tablet-by-comparing-specs-youve-missed-the-point/

johnnyg0 said...

@Tom

Have you ever tried one, for more than 5 minutes? I've been using a Windows tablet (convertible) for 10 years now, and writing in a piano roll is great (I use it mostly for Live, Fruityloops or Cubase), using music software is great.

I have an ipad1, but I don't use it except for Bebot or some other X-Y controlling synths (virtual keyboards sucks, and dealing with files/samples is terribly annoying).

I don't find the ipad touch surface to be that much better than the one on my convertible tablets, which btw I can use with both my fingers and a stylus with multiple pressure levels. Years of using a Palm with only fingers might have given me superhuman abilities with touchscreens, ..but that's another story :D

If a mouse driven OS would be so bad for touch screen interfaces, then why is every restaurant equipped with a mouse driven based Windows or Linux touch screen computer (Squirrel)? How do you believe the touch screen industry thrived before Apple dropped in?

Also look at this picture from the Hans Zimmer studio, he has two HP touchscreens, no ipad.

http://stuckincustoms.smugmug.com/Portfolio-The-Best/your-favorites/10668747_AuyBk#828026986_cH2iS-A-LB

The no.1 problem with all Windows-based tablets/slates is that too much people believes Apple's lies and will happily spread them around.

johnnyg0 said...

oh,.. and great article btw :), I like Musique Non Talent.

Anonymous said...

"If a mouse driven OS would be so bad for touch screen interfaces, then why is every restaurant equipped with a mouse driven based Windows or Linux touch screen computer (Squirrel)? How do you believe the touch screen industry thrived before Apple dropped in?"
@johnnyg0

Those restaurant touch screens only accept a single point of input at a time, just like a mouse driven OS, not to mention the screens are 15" or thereabouts with big oversized "buttons". This is hardly evidence of a successful Windows-based touch screen interface, don't you think?

Apple's lies? Gee whiz, your posts are always so bitter and today's really smacks of sour grapes. Just sayin'...

robman84 said...

Thanks for the compliment johnnyg0!

I do think Tom makes a good point though, it does feel like a mouse/kbd are still needed much of the time with this tablet.

I was amazed at how easy it was to get Ableton and Virtual DJ running. It is easy to forget this is just a PC, as it is so slim and obviously touch-screen based. For some people just the ability to use desktop apps on the go is worth the headache of the interface quirks.

I'm still getting used to it, and will obviously update the article as I do, but for now I am more impressed than I thought I would be. Ironically I've found my iPhone, using Mobile Mouse, makes a good substitute for a keyboard and mouse on the ExoPC!

I wonder if I could persuade them to send me a dock too - a permanent keyboard on my desk with charging, USB and ethernet would make this a great laptop substitute.

johnnyg0 said...

"Those restaurant touch screens only accept a single point of input at a time, just like a mouse driven OS"

With software like TeamPlayer, I can use more than 5 mouse at once on an ordinary Windows box, I have been using it for years, I love having two mouse pointers. Something similar will be integrated in future versions of Windows.

"not to mention the screens are 15" or thereabouts with big oversized "buttons". This is hardly evidence of a successful Windows-based touch screen interface, don't you think?"

They were able to make a program with big buttons on Windows, to me, this is evidence of a successful Windows-based touch screen interface. The UI Shell is not the OS. Devs can make buttons any size they want in their software, this is not about Windows.

"Apple's lies? Gee whiz, your posts are always so bitter and today's really smacks of sour grapes. Just sayin'..."

All of my posts??, this is just not true, why would you say that? You should read all of them before spreading lies about me, just sayin..

johnnyg0 said...

@robman84

"I do think Tom makes a good point though, it does feel like a mouse/kbd are still needed much of the time with this tablet."

Well of course you need a keyboard, but the virtual one does ok, just like in IOS.

Yes there would be a need for a "right click" button, kinda like the Command button in OSX when you use the one-button mouse. But this is only for secondary functions.

A docked tablet is a dream getting more and more affordable. Once were there, no more need for having multiple computers :)

Have you seen the Atrix? I don't think its there yet, but I really like the concept.

johnnyg0 said...

I forgot to add the "right click" button could be an held touch, like in Palms.

Anonymous said...

@johnnyg0

I stand corrected, I should have said "the majority of your posts"... Sorry, but you cone across as a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to Apple and their products.

It wouldn't seem so bad if you shared the same sentiments for Android and Windows, which I have never read any ill words from you about.

And "spreading lies" about you? How is that any different than what your generalized comments regarding Apple?

johnnyg0 said...

"Sorry, but you cone across as a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to Apple and their products."

So what? I'm not entitled to my opinions? Am I supposed to love everything Apple does like you seems to do? And why can't you post under a name or something? Are you afraid of your opinions?

"It wouldn't seem so bad if you shared the same sentiments for Android and Windows, which I have never read any ill words from you about."

Again, you should read all my post before talking. When Microsoft of Google did something stupid I never hesitated to criticize them ...but I feel you missed them because you probably only read posts about Apple/IOS.

"And "spreading lies" about you? How is that any different than what your generalized comments regarding Apple?"

Well its simple, you say lies about me, while I comment on facts about IOS (no filesystem, Apple's locks on their devices, which BTW is not worse than Sony's).

You might not like my comments, and I welcome you to correct me if I ever use an incorrect facts.

Just remember, if your argument is a lie, then you have no argument.

troll bait said...

The sign reads....

" Do not feed the Trolls apples, they are very dangerous when fed. POST AT YOUR OWN RISK! "

johnnyg0 said...

@troll bait

lol, you're right, internet forums can be dangerous places :D

Tom said...

"Have you ever tried one, for more than 5 minutes?"

Haha! Well yes, it's true! I haven't used one for more than 5 minutes (apart from when I used to work as a parking pump attendant!) I've used Mac's since I moved from an Atari ST. I've never really wanted to explore PC's, but I know they offer things unavailable on Mac. I use both Mac and PC these days, but I've never had a tablet, until I bought an iPod Touch. My greatest disappointment of the Touch was the screen size. I've avoided tablets because generally they have never been as powerful as a desktop machine.

"And why can't you post under a name or something? Are you afraid of your opinions?"

Yes I agree 100%. In fact I've given up on responding to people who post as Anonymous. I can't take them seriously anymore. But I can see the attraction.

As for 'trolls', if we all had the same opinions, life would be extremely boring wouldn't it? Unfortunately the 'troll' label really lives up this anti-democracy banner. Personally. I like 'trolls'. The troll is my friend! lol! :D The internet is a really bad place for debate. I prefer the pub. ;)

johnnyg0 said...

@Tom

"I've used Mac's since I moved from an Atari ST."

oooo Atari ST + Cubase brings back memories. Do you know some people still use them? I hear they make excellent midi controller.

"I've never had a tablet, until I bought an iPod Touch. My greatest disappointment of the Touch was the screen size."

Its the exact reason why I prefer performance instruments like Bebot or Thumbjam, I don't like to program sequences on a small screen. I was hoping IOS would be able to connect to OSX to use it on a larger screen, so you can work at home on what you have sketched during the bus ride. I hope more companies will make their phones connectable to a monitor like the Atrix.

Have you heard of Modbook? This guy makes awesome Mac tablets.

"I've given up on responding to people who post as Anonymous."

yeah, me too, most of the time, but there are those times where I just have to write them back when they are spreading their ignorance too much ;)