Mar
23
Why I Bought the HP Slate Before the April 3rd iPad Launch – Watch out AAPL
Filed Under Education and Love for Learning, Technology | 4 Comments
First, I want to explain why I’ve switched platforms from Apple back to Microsoft. Second, I’ll outline what’s so compelling about the Slate and finally, I’ll make a hopeful prediction.
Switching from Apple back to MicrosoftI switched to Apple back in 2001-2002ish after using a rock-solid PowerBook that Family Literacy Centers purchased for me at work. That machine ran for a year straight without ever crashing after I had used a PC laptop that was crashing on me 4-5 times per day. We bought an iMac in 2002 and didn’t look back.
I know of at least 7 mac purchases that were influenced directly by my opinion of Apple over the past decade. I’ve noticed over the years that my experience of rock-solid computing has not proven true for all those I’ve influenced, especially on the newer Intel based macs. I have friends and family who are complaining about their machines crashing, as well as the usual software compatibility complaints.
During hard times in 2009 after the financial debacle, when my iMac’s screen stopped working, I couldn’t afford to shell out the money for a new Mac and my cousin gave me an XP machine which served me well for months. The hardware had a few issues and I bought an HP desktop about a month ago. I was so impressed with Windows 7 (with federated search, incredible speech/writing recognition, and free security software) that it’s made me wonder if Apple has been sitting on its own marketing coat tails. Regardless of which is better, my 21.5 inch monitor, dual core processor, 6 GB RAM, 3/4 terabyte hard-drive system was $698 at Wal-Mart (I needed the machine immediately). And given the experience I’ve had with the machine since buying it (I absolutely love Microsoft OneNote), I’m a Microsoft/HP fan once again.
The HP Slate
Now, based on some hopeful (or wishful) predictions, I’ll explain why I think I’m buying an HP Slate this Spring instead of an iPad. I make these predictions mostly because I can’t sleep this morning and also because I’ve been watching the eReader, reflective screen space for years and read every Google alert associated with the technologies (Pixel Qi, Liquavista, and Mirasol). I might as well get some web traffic from the time I’ve invested/wasted into learning about this stuff while teaching a few others what I’ve learned 
I predict he HP Slate will meet my requirements better than the iPad, especially the primary requirement of a reflective screen technology that can sustain long-term reading.
I predict that HP is the major manufacturer that Mary Lou described as a Pixel Qi customer for the following reasons:
- Phil McKinney’s first prototypes for the product (which was started as a dedicated eReader) were with eInk and he stated that the reading experience was an important factor, but that customers wanted more rich media as well. Pixel Qi is both worlds combined.
- Steve Ballmer’s presentation revealed that the HP Slate had a screen slightly subdued (colors not quite as bright) against other LCD screens next to it. The Pixel Qi is known to be a compromise between bright color and readability.
- The HP Slate clearly has the same form factor as the Pixel Qi screen, which is a 10.1 inch netbook sized screen. McKinney’s earlier prototype matched the 9.7 eInk screen (and more like the iPad screen ratio), but I hope they’ve changed it to the 10.1 netbook size in order to get the reading experience and rich media, like the Pixel Qi screen.
Launch Date Prediction – April
I further predict that HP will launch the Slate at the same time or before Apple launches the iPad on April 3rd (this is an admittedly hopeful prediction, come on Phil McKinney, let it be true):
- HP’s strategy with this product seems to be to piggy back off Apple’s marketing machine with a superior, less-expensive product. They preempted the Apple iPad announcement at CES. They preempted the presale buzz by posting new videos. They’ve started leaking the product/launch dates to Spanish websites (the actual Spanish says June). Why won’t they preempt the actual launch of the iPad (or at least launch along side it)? A lot of money stands to be made on Apple’s coat tails if they can launch it that quickly.
- Again, demo product has already been shipped to the Spanish tech blog! (kind of early for that if it’s a June launch, and September Europe launch, don’t you think
- The technology is ready. Windows 7 has multi-touch built into it. The hardware is all available and Pixel Qi is already shipping to manufacturers. There is no reason that HP wouldn’t be able to ship at the same time as the iPad.
Actually, most predictions are saying the Slate will be launched in June, but surely McKinney will read my blog post and know that I’ll be his first customer if he’s chosen the Pixel Qi screen (and I can shut off the backlight). HP would like to take my $541 sooner rather than later, wouldn’ t they? I’m just hoping that HP stands to make enough off their piggy back strategy that they won’t wait too long, surely by June. I need to buy that computer, let me give you my money in April HP
Here’s hoping for an April launch with a Pixel Qi screen. Go Microsoft/HP!
Mar
8
I asked many on LinkedIn.com and here on my blog to contribute ideas to improve my young aspiring entrepreneur’s chances over his toy sale a few years ago. He had decided that his project for this year would be to sell something again. We really appreciated all the ideas.
Ultimately, we talked about where to go for heavier traffic in the country and realized that most skiers heading to the Pomerelle Ski Resort pass right near our home. We requested permission from the farmer who owned the field (happened to be my uncle) and set up at the base of the Albion grade.
We started with market research. My boy called Pomerelle to ask how much they charged for hot cocoa. Mid-conversation he hung up the phone and exclaimed, “ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS FOR ONE CUP!!”
He and I searched the Internet for good recipes and he went to town with his Mom to purchase the ingredients. The cups and lids were harder to come by as they were sold in 600 to 1000 packs on the web and would run over 100 dollars together. Too risky. Luckily, when we attended a cousin’s reception, he asked the owner of the Sweetheart Manor in Burley if he could buy a few cups. He grinned from ear to ear when he walked away with 60 cups and lids for free, a donation to young entrepreneurship.
We all decided that 3-5pm, when the night skiers were headed up and the day skiers were headed down, would be the best time to sell. As repetition would catch those who drove by repeatedly, we planned to sell for 2 hours every Saturday in February.
The signs, which were made out of silage plastic, required more work than we thought they would, but they showed up very well and were strong enough to leave outside for the month.
I was impressed with how much he grew over the four weeks. He went from standing their quietly waiting for someone else to initiate the conversation, to jumping up and down to get people’s attention as they drove by.
He also learned, after selling mostly regular chocolate cocoa, that he could get more people to purchase his Strawberry Valentines cocoa if he encouraged them by saying, “this one is my most favorite in the whole world.”
At the end of the month he made $90.59 total revenue and spent $26 on supplies, so he brought home $64.59 to split between his capital for the next sale, his savings, his mission fund and his tithing. He was thrilled, and so were my wife and I.
