The document, available online, described the Dynabook, a tool of “science fiction” reflects the trends perceived by the author in terms of miniaturization and price, ensuring the emergence of a like product "in the near future." Some similarities between the Dynabook and iPad are interesting. The tablet of the 70 is supposed to be used by any type of person, even children or their parents and grandparents. It is a tool that can be carried around and able to access global information. At the time, Mr. Kay thought that the three most important components were the display, processor and price. It is interesting to note that these three aspects were also the pivots of the presentation of the iPad if one excludes the iPhone OS.

The Dynabook would have a flat screen with a resolution of at least 512 x 512 and contrast approaching that of a classic book. The keyboard should not contain removable keys, the processor must encompass everything in a package and cost $ 40 or less, the battery would weigh less than 2 kg and the storage medium had to contain at least 500 pounds and hours of music.

It was also supposed to be able to connect to a wireless network with a throughput of 300 Kbps or more, store and edit files, providing the ability to download and purchase content through a secure payment system and can connect to a service like a library while also offering features for entertainment and video games. The Dynabook was also a development platform that allows children to program directly on the machine. This last aspect is perhaps the element that most distinguishes the iPad is more used to consume content to create.

Finally, Mr. Kay estimated that the sale price of the Dynabook would be $ 500 and if the amount is not the same purchasing power in 1972, the idea was to adopt a pricing policy that would allow Dynabook replace textbooks.

The legacy that gave birth to the iPad

We have absolutely no intention of denigrating neither the work of Apple nor the advances made by the iPad. With 300 000 sales the first day, only the U.S., the firm at the apple has done what many companies do not even dare dream. However, a reading, however slight, of article by Alan Kay shows that the idea behind the shelf at the apple is not born with Steve Jobs. The similarities between the material and the Dynabook iPad or the fact that the two tools aimed at the education market, entertainment and try to put a global library in the hands of people of any age are not coincidences. In the end, Apple is worth popularizing the vision of a man who has read the future technology before anyone else.