apple_tabletAll but confirmed by delivery. Speculation has been running for a while.  PC World explores whether – if it comes – will it have a place in business.

“The clock is winding down to the big reveal on Wednesday at Apple’s major press event. It could be an iSlate, or an iSlab, or an iTablet, or perhaps even an iPod Tablet Edition. There are almost as many potential names for the mythic device that may not exist as there are pundits speculating about what the device will or won’t do–myself included…if it exists.

If Apple does not announce a touchscreen tablet device of some kind it may be the single biggest failing in the history of the rumor mill. There are some rumors that seem wilder than others–like the Apple tablet will have 3D graphics, but there is also a diverse selection of very plausible speculation.

Based on the prevailing rumors, my PC World peer Bill Snyder predicts that the Apple tablet will be all flash with no substance and will not have any place in a business environment. I disagree. While I agree with some of the potential pitfalls Snyder lays out, I believe the Apple tablet PC could be uniquely suited for small business environments.

A platform like the Apple tablet–if it is based on the iPhone mobile operating system and is equipped to run the extensive library of iPhone apps–could be perfect for small business. Smartphones in general have evolved to the point that they are just very small computers, and for just about any function a business user could want to perform “there is an app for that”.

Much of the “it won’t work in the corporate world” is crap. I’m an IT professional AND use a Macbook in my daily work. Through virtualization software – Parallells I run Windows XP, Server 2003 and three other systems. In addition I use Mac programs, mail, iCal to keep track of my schedule.

Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard has mad integration with Exchange 2007 a breeze.

This is going to be huge is if it pans out, my Visa is at the ready!

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