We gadget nerds have to endure unspeakable atrocities in order to slake that early adoption jones: first-run gear shipped DOA, buggy pre-release software, and months of waiting after a product leaks only to be greeted by a jacked-up price premium at launch.

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These are among the reasons we think the current crop of seven-inch tablets are going to be DOA, Dead on Arrival.

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"We think the current crop of seven-inch tablets are going to be DOA, dead on arrival, " said Mr. Jobs, criticizing their small screen, the Android operating system, their price, and lack of applications.

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For all the concern US consumers are DOA, spending is (and has been for many months) at all-time highs.

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