An Apple tablet won't rule the market for small computers

Still, Apple is planning a tablet PC for introduction next year -- probably in the first quarter. Whatever Apple introduces, the media will be slobbering all over it like most Apple products. Apple has fantastic design sense and the marketing muscle to match. Inside, it uses the same commodity components most other PC makers use. Still, its knack for software design and simplicity has pundits calling the upcoming Apple tablet PC "the gadget to end all gadgets."

Wasn't the Apple iPhone supposed to have that title? Regardless, it's hard to see an Apple tablet being the end-all, be-all gadget that every consumer would love to have in their pocket. The half-iPhone, half-PC tablet that Apple will most likely introduce won't come close to being an incredible seller like the iPhone has been, but it will quickly find a vocal, niche audience.

But then again, Apple has been steadily increasing its market share in the laptop PC category and has basically re-invented the wireless handset just in the last 24 months. Will consumers really go ga-ga over a touchscreen, magazine-sized portable tablet computer from Apple? If the thing if basically an iPod touch on steroids, then no. If it re-defines an entire product category, then yes.

But, the most supreme gadget ever? Give me a break.