Picture the “iSlate”: The Apple Tablet Gets Some Design Details

January 21, 2010 By Dena Cassella

We may have confirmation on what the Apple tablet looks like-- most sources say "giant, flat iPhone" is what to expect.

The tension is unbearable. Our sweaty palms slip as we try to click the mouse to search for the newest news, photos and rumors for the Apple tablet. In truth, Apple better not disappoint us. Seriously—look at this build up—this thing better compliment you and make you lunch because if it does anything short of that the American people are going to be peeved. Well, we still don’t know what it will do or if it makes good sandwiches, but we do have some new gossip on what this legendary tablet may look like.

The AppleInsider reported today that its sources have led them to believe that the tablet will look exactly like a giant iPhone. The Apple tablet supposedly looks like a larger version of the first generation iPhone but flatter, sleeker and a lot shinier. According to the source the tablet is cased in an aluminum shell that’s thinner than the original iPhone and the tablet reportedly sports all of the same buttons found on the handset, including its iconic home button.

The sources also point out that the tablet rendition pictured above is the closest depiction they’ve seen of the actual iSlate device—just like the rendering, its 10-inch display is framed by a black border with a wrap-around aluminum enclosure.

Another report today, collected from the Street, claims the Apple tablet will have a docking station that would also connect to a physical keyboard and mouse. This is an interesting notion, but to be honest, we feel a docking station and keyboard accessories may take away from the tablet-appeal. If you wanted a docking station, a keyboard, and a mouse then just buy an iMac or a MacBook Air.

What do you think? Anyone have an opinion on the docking station situation?

Showing 9 comments

dkazaz at 8:48am 22nd January 2010 Well, hopefully the slate won't suck... But whatever the case, lot's of apple fans will buy it, and lots of imitations will follow which is good!

By next year, I believe net-slates will have replaced netbooks (which is just about the lamest product ever - a machine built for limited uses on a platform designed for general functionality with the specs to do neither very well).

Thank God for apple changing the game in this field.
jimmystoval99 at 6:21am 22nd January 2010 Wow, this is truly incredible dude. I mean serious stuff.

RT
www.total-anonymity.de.tc
Greg at 8:17pm 21st January 2010 The problem is that people will want it to be more powerful than it likely is if they are using it as a desktop system with a dock in my opinion. Apple better be prepared for this complaint.

My guess is that this will be a total game changer, and they it could be the next evolution in print media.
4rc at 6:15pm 21st January 2010 well if an imac i couldn't carry it around, can i? With I slate I can carry it and use it as a home PC as well and use the islate as a monitor
Sam at 4:43pm 21st January 2010 You would need a docking station for this, at least to charge, and then if you wanted to hook up a real keyboard etc.
bigrobbie at 3:26pm 21st January 2010 as soon as its released (if) , then the very brigade that said they wouldn't want a docking station would be lining up ( at the backdoor hoping to escape notice ) for one.

btw It needs to have a Pixel Qi screen for any e-reader amibition
Tris-Lover at 2:53pm 21st January 2010 yeah you would just have a slate. I don't get it, all of the apple tablet designs looked the same and then some "source" all of a sudden is like "this one is what it looks like." uhhh okay, well guess what Apple insider source, all of the tablet mock ups look like that... and yes were expecting it to look like a giant iphone.
duncan at 2:45pm 21st January 2010 I believe you would just have a Slate
Kneel at 1:55pm 21st January 2010 If I bought an iMac or an Air I wouldn't have a Slate, would I? If I buy a Slate, I have a Slate, an iMac and an Air, don't I?