CES 2014: A good time to lose faith in OEMs

[HeyCori]

The non-PC stuff has been pretty good. The new webOS TV looks sharp and a few other things look like they could really pan out over time.

However, PC manufacturers continue to disappoint. The latest tablet announcements from Lenovo and Toshiba show exactly why the PC market is struggling. OEMs can't stop repackaging last year's design with a minor upgrade in specs. In an age of iconic devices most PC manufacturers are still wrapping their tablets in generic black plastic slabs with their name on the back. Nothing iconic about it.

Other product announcements aren't exactly mind blowing either. A few dual boot Android/Windows systems which I'm not holding my breath over and of course "new" laptops and AIOs. IMO, the latest PC/tablets announcements aren't interesting at all. Hopefully the best is yet to come at CES.

 

[Laura Knotek]

I agree with you. So far the only things that really interested me have been TVs and smartwatches.

 

[jmshub]

The problem is that solid computers with new specs or updates to existing lines fail to generate headlines. The only devices that make waves at CES are radical departures from the norm, even if they end up vaporware, or just plain stupid ideas. Think the Lenovo PC a few years ago that was a Windows laptop that converted into an Android tablet when you detached the screen from the keyboard.

 

[dfaris]

I like the Lenovo 27 inch all in one. If the specs check out I will be looking to get one.

Just wondering, what kind of things are you looking for in new products?

 

[bilzkh]

I'm going to give Sony some credit for pushing a relatively wide range of new Windows 8 tablet-PCs, especially the VAIO Fit 11 that even includes an active digitizer (N-Trig). Credit to ASUS for bringing 8 inch Wacom Windows 8 goodness to the $299 price point.

 

[rodan01]

When was the last time you saw something earthshaking in the tablet or smartphone market? When the iPhone was presented in 2007, when the iPad was presented in 2010?

 

[jmshub]

Laura, are you interested in a smart watch? If so, what are you hoping to see?

To me, the only smart watch that has looked like something I'd want is the smart watch.

 

[hopmedic]

When was the last time you saw something earthshaking in the tablet or smartphone market? When the iPhone was presented in 2007, when the iPad was presented in 2010?

When Nokia joined Windows Phone!

 

[squire777]

Is the Miix 11 the only 11" tablet that has been announced? I haven't really been following CES this year.

 

[HeyCori]

I like the Lenovo 27 inch all in one. If the specs check out I will be looking to get one.

Just wondering, what kind of things are you looking for in new products?

Something that advances software more than hardware.

 

[dkediger]

I dunno - Lenovo ThinkPad 8 Tablet?
We get some hands-on time with the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 Windows tablet | Windows Phone Central

There's a YT CES vid of this thing connected to a USB dock driving two external monitors....

But Generally, Yeah, I've never had much sympathy for the OEM's who screamed when Microsoft was compelled to pick up the hardware baton with Surface tablets in order to move the platform forward a bit.

 

[Citizen X]

Not sure what people want. As markets mature there is less and less to differentiate products. After swearing never to buy anything from Dell years ago after a subpar laptop experience I got a Dell Venue 8 Pro for a relative for $99. That is a solid piece of hardware that looks good and feels great in your hand. I don't care if they leave the form factor the exact same for three years.

What I do want is mobile LTE, a discrete charging port, and hdmi out. You give me that and I will consider getting it. The Nokia 2520 was an amazing deal with the free keyboard/case. It was just a bit big for what I have in mind. These Bay Trail tablets are pretty amazing. Just wish there was an option for more than one at at&t.

The problem is that solid computers with new specs or updates to existing lines fail to generate headlines. The only devices that make waves at CES are radical departures from the norm, even if they end up vaporware, or just plain stupid ideas.

Agreed.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Laura, are you interested in a smart watch? If so, what are you hoping to see?

To me, the only smart watch that has looked like something I'd want is the smart watch.

It's something I might consider. The other thing that looks cool to me is this smart ring. Smarty Ring looks to free up your wrist | Smartwatch Fans