I was in Best Buy to pick up a D-Link 802.11g router. While standing around and listening to conversations, it dawed on me that the notebook row was jammed with people and the desktop computer rows were empty. I then began to search for the two Tablet PCs which used to be on display. Toshiba notebooks, e-Machine notebooks, HP/Compaq notebooks were all present. But no Tablet PCs.

I asked someone in a blue-shirt what happened to the Tablet PCs and the person laughed. He must have seen the expression on my face because he straightened up and then calmed down. He explained that only two sold, one of them being the demo unit.

The young man continued that BestBuy.com offers them. He took me to a computer screen and clicked the link to BestBuy.com. Oopsie. No Tablet PCs there any more either.

OK. I made a mental note for all Tablet PC manufacturers. You have an opportunity that needs your marketing prowess.

If this young man's behavior is any indication of the direction Tablet PC sales are going to take then you have some damage control required of you. Here is a possible solution that will work only if done sooner than later.

Manufacturers need to setup a reseller network immediately and start training people on the benefits of the Tablet PC. Demo units should be shipped out to these places pronto or millions of eyes are going to skip the Tablet PC and move on to the weaker notebook only form factor.

It's your opportunity. It's your investment. It's your time.

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Layne P. Heiny / Administrator for Tux Reports Network

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Insane Politics

I can attest to that. I was disappionted as I didnt see any there.

I had the same problem trying to find demos to test. I think the first generation tablets were slow (processor and RAM) and when you put them up against a sub-$1000 notebook they appeared to be dogs. Retailers need turns on inventory (or at least a minimum of sales) to justify any inventory. I was in retail for years and we dropped alot of products early that we picked up again a few years later that started selling. I'm seeing demand pick up in the business sector (New York State Lottery just over a hundred) that I think will move to general consumers in a couple of years. Remember how long it took laptops to 'trickle down'? I feel that once tablets go sub-$1000 to $1500 they'll start picking up in the retail outlets.
BIll