winds brought up the "newton" acting like steve/mac was the first to come out with the tablet/tablet idea, but there was already a ms-dos based tablet.
I think you are right when you say that apple will be on top with sales of tablets but won't out sell all the others to come! I'm thinking there are going to be more tablets out by others than just the Ipad! like there are a lot more smart phones out than Iphones! android phones have outsold the Iphone in the us now!
http://gigaom.com/2010/08/02/android-sales-overtake-iphone-in-the-u-s/
Yeah, I should make sure I say, I'm not trying to actually attack anyone or trying to engage in a real argument ove Mac vs pc.. Just had to get that out there. It can be tough telling sometimes...
But IMO barring Steve jobs death and apple taking a nose dive... I think iPads will outsell all other tablets combined, for the next 5+ years as high as 10 years. I I read a report that iPhone had like 80% of the market share in Japan. The iPad is poised to do better. The 2nd generation with the 2 cameras and the talk time, more and more apps will make them more useful etc. Yeah 1-2 pc type tablets will sell enough to make them worth building...maybe if they make a blackberry tablet.. Use that well established name in smart phones.
The thing people like myself like about macs is they follow the less is more mentality which I try to live by as a designer. The clean simple package, even the packaging the products come in follow the super clean simple elegant formula. The ultra sleek keyboard which looks cool and promotes a more comfortable hand position and arm position of your mouse hand. The simple sleek mouse.. The OS is intuitive and easy to figure out.. They're like computers for dummies that look real pretty, but combined with their other home accessories, like apple tv to watch instant Netflix content, YouTube, iPad so you can enjoy the Internet in your lap in bed while watching a movie like I am right now, while typing this post... Their streaming music through your wi-fi network so you can listen to music throughout your house (like I described already) not to mention, iPhoto, and a lot of the real easy to use software that comes with your Mac. Mac now has the app store for the home computer bringing the apps people have come to love on iPhones etc to the computer...
their recent success has less to do with their computers than the rest of their new products. But the iMac was a pretty revolutionary idea with the monitor and everything in one, and has evolved to about as simple and elegant of a design as I can imagine. You know how you sometimes see an apple sticker on the back window of a car? even before the popularity of the iPhone you'd see these stickers. I don't think I've ever seen a sticker on a car bumper/window proudly proclaiming the drivers love of the PC. Apple has had a cult following for years, and I am definitely a cult member, but I don't rush to buy every single thing they produce.. I understand people hating on the iPad, I'm convinced the whole world is full of hate and people will find something negative to say about anything you do.. But that's another subject.... I love my iPad, I didn't upgrade to the 2nd gen. But when the 3rd version comes out I plan to get it.
I don't follow the % on who is out selling who but I'd guess iPhones have got to be leading in sales on the AT&T network since it has been limited to that network until recently. And weather a person likes them or not... You have to admit the iPhone was a huge leap forward in phones. The full touch screen, etc, etc.. I mean.. Apple wasn't even in the phone market, but they came in and handed the other guys a whooping. The only thing that prevented the iPhone from total world domination and the end of the world as we now it, was the fact it was only available to at&t. (talking US market) Now that it is available on Verizon I assume they will become the most popular smart phone on the Verizon network before long. Again.. I personally don't own an iPhone.. I don't have a "smart phone" just my opinion..