The Mobile Web Tablet

Some interesting rumours going around the interwebs about a higher resolution display in the iPad 2. Would certainly make sense as one of the few drawbacks of the iPad is the rather low pixel density. Readability is much improved with smaller pixels.
In order to run that mega resolution you also need a faster processor. That means even more impressive games, smoother video and nicer transitions in the UI. Yummie!
I also do look forward to being able to run iDisplay and use the extra pixels as extension to my laptop.

What’s the right size? Photo by coffeegeek.

Here’s a question I hope this year will answer: what’s the optimal web tablet size?

The iPad screen is 10 inches, the old Nokia web tablets are 5 inches, the Samsung Galaxy tab is 7 inches and the Notion Ink is like the iPad 10 inches.

It seems like 10 inches is as big as it gets when it comes to tablets, but who knows, the Netbooks also started out much smaller than they are today (they all seem to be about 10-12 inches but the first Asus EEE PC was a 7 inch laptop – really small). Maybe we will see 12 inch tablets released?

Steve Jobs thinks 10 inches is the optimal size but there are rumours about a smaller ipad. Personally, I doubt that. There already is a smaller iPad, it’s called an iPod.

The success of the ipad proves that 10 inch works. The big question is if the smaller tablets will survive. 7 inch is a difficult size segment – too large to be a phone, too small to be a tablet – but the Galaxy Tab seems to be mildly succesful. Maybe that’s because it’s the first Android tablet?

We’ll see what the year brings. What’s your thoughts? Is a 10 inch screen just about right or do you want your tablet to be larger or smaller? Let me know in the comments!