Is the Tablet Apple's Waterloo?

by James Maguire

In the interest of full disclosure I'll admit it upfront: I'm an Apple fan. A nearly rabid one. I've worshipped, uh, I mean used Apple machines since the '80s. Even as they've (occasionally) crashed and (always) cost me extra bucks -- allowing my Windows friends a satisfied sneer -- I've never doubted my religion. It's Apple, baby.

And yes, I own an iPhone. Which means, yes, I spend more on my cell phone than do most people. But it's worth it. The sexy handheld is the ultimate tech thing. It helps me do everything -- watch a movie, find a restaurant, shoot a video, answer email. It fits in my pocket and prompts envy when I pull it out. It's no wonder that a staggering 33 million have sold since its '07 debut.

And now comes the tablet. Hmmm...I don't know. Even for someone who salivates for Apple on command, the gadget lust just isn't kicking in. I mean, I have an iPhone, which travels everywhere right in my pocket. I've got a laptop, which is a portable full-fledged work machine.

Am I the only Apple aficionado wondering why -- in hard times -- I need to part with a major chunk of cash for....a smaller laptop? Do I really need a third device, after a cell and a notebook?

Where do I carry it? If I have my backpack I have room for my laptop, so am I going to bring both? Without my backpack am I supposed to carry it my hands the whole time?

The tablet is presumably Apple's push into the scorchingly hot netbook market. The problem is, netbooks are exciting because they're so bargain basement cheap -- sub $350 gets you in the game. But Apple won't sell a keychain for sub $350. Rumors about the tablet say it'll retail for about a cool grand to start. Ouch. Then the price will (if forecasts are correct) fall to $750. Still high.

Here's the real challenge: isn't Apple cannibalizing its own product line? Whereas the iPhone added an entirely new customer base, the tablet essentially competes with Apple's low-end laptops. Are there that many Apple fanatics who will buy a $750 tablet and a $999 laptop? Don't think so.

Unless, of course, Apple is expecting Tablet-mania to be so overwhelming that it inspires Windows users to switch. Doubt it.

So I'm curious as to the public reaction upon unveiling. Apple has been aggressively empire-building these last couple years, with the unstoppable iPhone conquering the ultimate market, mobile. But the tablet? Napoleon may have just entered Russia.

James Maguire is senior managing editor of Internet.com's IT Management channel.