Apple Online Store“Attention Apple fan-boys and -girls: Read no further. But if you run a small business and want to avoid wasting money and brain cells on superfluous technology, forget about the iSlate or whatever Apple is going to call its tablet computing device. It’s going to be too expensive, it does things you don’t need to do, and it will add a messy layer of complication to your company’s computing infrastructure,” Bill Snyder writes for PC World.

“Sure, the tablet we expect Apple to launch on January 27 will probably have more than its share of cool factor,” Snyder writes. “But do you want to spend $1,000 or so for bragging rights?”

“Let’s think about the form factor,” Snyder writes. “It’s designed like a clipboard. I don’t know about you, but I find it much easier to enter data sitting down with a keyboard rather than standing and writing.”

Snyder writes, “The iSlate is rumored to run the new iPhone 4.0, and while I can’t wait to upgrade my iPhone 3GS, it is a really bad choice for a business computer… Why would you want to carry around a device that’s nearly as big (and twice as expensive) as a netbook, but doesn’t run your business applications, isn’t very secure, and is awkward to use?”

“A real laptop or netbook does real work that helps a business succeed. So does a Blackberry, a Pre or an iPhone,” Snyder writes. “But cool as it may be, the iSlate fails that crucial test. Ignore the frenzy, save your money.”

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Thanks, Bill, you’ve saved us all so much time! No more waiting for the unveiling. No need to review spec sheets, features, and pricing. This is the sort of valuable, excellent content for which PC World is renowned. Bravo to all involved!