1979 Apple Graphics Tablet vs. the iPad 81
CWmike writes "When Apple launched the iPad earlier this year, it was the culmination of fans' long wait for the company to enter the tablet market. There's no doubt the iPad is a revolutionary device. But in 1979, an earlier generation of Apple users used a different kind of Apple tablet, back when the word meant something else entirely, writes Ken Gagne. The Apple Graphics Tablet was designed by Summagraphics and sold by Apple Computer for the Apple II personal microcomputer. (Summagraphics also marketed the device for other platforms as the BitPad.) To be clear, this tablet was not a stand-alone computing device like the iPad. Instead, it was an input device for creating images on the Apple II's screen, and it predated the Apple II's mouse by six years. Apple II fan Tony Diaz had an Apple Graphics Tablet on hand at last month's KansasFest, an annual convention for diehard Apple II users. He and Gagne, the event's marketing director, compared and contrasted Apple's original tablet with the iPad, snapping photos as they went." The contrived comparison is as silly as it sounds — but it's a fine excuse to look at some ahead-of-its-time gear, even in the form of an annoying slide show.
Seeing these photos reminded me... (Score:5, Funny)
The iPad(TM) is really boring.
Boring like minimalist music. Boring like Gregorian chant. Beautiful, and fascinating for its exploration of something more distinct in a single tone - but boring like an appliance.
But is it art? ;^)
Ryan Fenton
Re:Ahead of its time? (Score:2, Funny)
All lies!
You're forgetting "There's no doubt the iPad is a revolutionary device"!
Clearly Apple invented tablets back then, and now again with the iPad.
There never has been a similar device to anything before Apple produced it!
What? (Score:5, Funny)
Hi Steve!
No, it means... (Score:3, Funny)
No, what it means is that the Acolyte Tony Diaz has re-discovered a precious holy relic from the hallowed First Golden Era of the God-Emperor Steve Jobs, (May the Holy Kidney Protect Him). Such a relic proves the Divine authenticity of the Miracle of iPad and serves as a reminder of the omniscience of the God-Emperor Steve Jobs, (May the Holy Kidney Protect Him).
Re:Poor comparison (Score:5, Funny)
If you read TFA, you would notice that they do not really compare the functionality, but rather design, packaging, interfacing, etc.
That is probably a good choice. I have the feeling that Apple's customers value those things higher than functionality.
Re:Seeing these photos reminded me... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Poor comparison (Score:4, Funny)
You're right. That's like comparing a Canon 7D to a Barbie Video Girl. [vimeo.com]
Re:Poor comparison (Score:3, Funny)
From what I've heard, the latest iPhone fails at being phone, depending on how you hold it.