I'm not talking about the functionality of a laptop vs. a tablet. I was talking about how, when laptops were new on the computer scene, that this same argument played out about how they weren't powerful enough, cost too much, were just for people who liked gadgets or to show off, "I can't see how it's useful," etc. it's all the same, only the names have changed...
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General discussion
Poll: Do you own a tablet computer?
-- Yes. (How do you like it?)
-- No. (Why not?)
-- I'm contemplating buying one. (What's holding you back?)
Get your votes in here:
http://forums.cnet.com/2706-21566_102-2108.html
Discussion is locked
31 - 60 of 51 Posts
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I am a PC guy and i can doc 10 times more on my pc than anyone can do on a tablet, unless you get to the win8 pro tablets.
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Look in the mirror if you want 'lame'.
Troll much? ROTFL Any self-proclaimed 'PC guy' won't slag a tablet since they would understand what folks do with them, and figure out that it's useful to understand all the tools in the marketplace, not only one specific type.
Back to geeklandia you go.
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Yep that is right they are overpriced especially the well known brand a rip off. But so are all their products. As for Android system pads they are as good as the iPad, well one or two are at least. So the choice is vast. It is preference and they are great for playing games, lightweight laptops really without a decent keyboard. Good for catching up with the news etc etc but wait so are laptops. The cheaper Android pads great for the kids who do not look after what they are given and cheaper than a laptop but very poor in what they can do.Widows 8 seem to be more useful pads but time will tell.It is purely whether you prefer a light pad or a bit heavier larger laptop. I see no reason to have one if you have a laptop which does more at the end of the day. If I got given one I would say thanks but I do not think I would use it enough to keep it. I would not buy one at present.
But times are a changing and who knows in the future the pads could be as good as a laptop.
But as for now they are for people who just like their gadgets and a lot of these people do not use them day in day out and like most gadgets sit and gather dust.
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I have just bought a Dell XPS 12 laptop / ultrabook / tablet, call it what you will, my wife calls it a 'fliptop' which I think is an excellent name!! It can be used either as a touch screen laptop, or with the flip of the screen a tablet. It is fantastic!! It does everythign an ultrabook does (with 4GB memory, 128 GB SSD, i5 processor, full HD (1920 x 1080) and Windows 8 pro), whilst having the convenience of a tablet. Expensive, yes, but it covers a miriad of devices in one package.
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I cannot see the reason for either the tablet craze OR the smart phone,neither will do everything,- and that is what you can do with a PC and a camera and you can upgrade so there is no reason to buy again in a few months.The wannabees are wasting their time with trivia and it is all down to marketed trends so they feel the need to be seen to be IN.I know there are people who can justify their life style with these products but the old adage "90% OF EVERYTHING IS RUBBISH STILL APPLIES"so only 10% of people can say i really need It.
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It's like choosing between a cube van (PC), SUV (laptop) ans a sports car (tablet). Each has its uses but it depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. Like the laptop, the tablets will evolve and eventually find a comfortable niche. If you were a student, for example, would you rather carry aroound a tablet or a laptop in addition to all the other things you had to carry?
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My iPad has replaced my laptop for 99% of my needs. When I need to type longer documents, emails, etc I use my desktop or sometimes dictate them in the iPhone. But, I'm increasingly comfortable and faster with the touch screen. I read news, edit pics, read email and books, order things online, watch videos, and edit documents on the iPad. Printing from the iPad is seamless over the wi-fi. Apps fit multiple needs/wants. Only frustration - I couldn't print a boarding pass because airline site required flash. I used to think carrying a laptop on trips was easy, but the iPad is so much easier. Sometimes I put it along with many other travel items in the laptop case giving me basically a second carry-on. Battery life is great. Easier to carry and use anywhere, anytime than a laptop.
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I understand that most people love their tablets, but I have not been able to figure out how to incorporate it into my life (very much). I have a laptop and a droid, and I rarely find a time when either of those 2 devices aren't more practical than my Samsung tablet.
When I'm home, I prefer the laptop, and the actual keyboard for doing anything vs. the tablet. I also really like the fact that the screen actually is facing me when I have it sitting on my lap, rather than having to hold a tablet with 2 hands. And in the situations that people cite as being so convenient for the tablet (in a store, in a doctor's office, etc), I can use my phone.
The one situation where I've found it most practical is on short trips when I don't want to bring my laptop, but for me that's a pretty rare occasion.
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I've had an iPad for nearly 2 years. It can't do everything a computer can. But it is a whole lot handier and faster for the things it can do. I see it as a great compromise between a computer and a smartphone.
Smaller and lighter than a laptop, I can easily carry it into stores or to meetings, into my RV or to my garage workbench, or just flop it beside my easy chair. The magnetic removeable cover protects the screen, the battery lasts far longer than my Dell laptop, and I can check anything I see on the TV news, check a map as it relates to a news story or a movie, or research any "fact" I need to know about immediately; and I mean immediately. Pick up the iPad from next to my chair, open the cover, and it is on right there and then. No waiting. Enter my search terms in Safari or click on an app, and I know what I need to right away, limited only by how fast I can type. My emails are right there, right away.
My desktop or my laptop have to startup, even from sleep mode. Not so with the iPad.
Portability and No Waiting. That's the real value of my tablet. And I have literally thousands of personal and other photos on it, with plenty of room left to spare. Most of its data is in the cloud, so it doesn't have to store it, and it is still immediately accessible. You don't have to pay $1000 to get what you need. My machine does more than I expected it to for $500, and gets far more of a workout each day than either of the home computers, mainly cuz its handier and faster.
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We could use a tablet when away from house, to keep track of our trucks. But it doesn't seem worth the cost of service just for that. At home we get the same data on our computers.
We are not into the kiddy games and music that seems to be the major draw of tablets. We don't even have smartphones, just cellphones.
I guess we're just not enthralled enough by all the gadgets.
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Track the trucks??
Your middle paragraph says it all. You simply don't know enough about what the rest of the world might be able do with their tablets (ROTFL). They aren't 'kiddy' devices.
Don't make such broad brushstrokes when you haven't even owned a smartphone yet(!)
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General usefulness and portability, doubles as an e-reader, good for net surfing and omg- how it is not fun to be like the ST:TNG crew who were always using theirs? 
) #fun #greatsmallformfactor Mine is a seven inch Samsung.. #delightful! #justsayin Those Next Gen folks were *clearly* ahead of their time!
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I'm going to but need to do other things more and I'm blind and disabled. (not from the blindness! I'm an able blind person, as are most) I have been reading up on those that interest me and now know what I want and need. It is only a matter of coming up with the requisite $200 or so. As you may imagine, being blind gives me certain requirements most do need to consider.
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I wanted something for the little traveling I do that would let me check emails, surf the web, store an address book, sync to a gmail calendar and work as an e-reader. Purchased a Lenovo 32GB thinkpad w/ wifi and have been pleased with it - didn't want a smart phone (cost and lack of decent service where I live) - also is convenient for meeting notes which wasn't on my mind when I made the purchase.
For me it's easier to transport than a laptop and does well the few things I want it to do.
I don't regret the purchase.
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I have no need for one. I have a laptop at work, one at home, and one at my mom's. If I need to travel, one of those 3 go with me. I have no need to check my email when I'm in the car, or at the grocery store, and I can play games on my laptop. As far as reading books go, I still prefer the real thing.
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That's quite a few laptops so if you had to choose between surfing wireless from the comfort of your living room; man cave; or wherever on a bulky laptop or an ultra thin light as air tablet you'd choose a laptop unless you happened to have an iPhone 5 or a Galaxy III sitting nearby.
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I didn't read that starworth had an iphone or a GalaxyIII sitting nearby, so I don't know where that entered the conversation. As far as "bulky laptops ", just another assumption on your part? I agree with starworth, I have no need for a tablet and until tablet's can do what a laptop or desktop does , the point is moot ...Digger
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Digger:
The Smart phones were not mentioned; I brought it up because many consumers have them and use them to surf the web and do social media on them where others prefer to use a tablet. That analogy went right over your head didn't it Digger.
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Started out with a Crappy Android Eclair Cruz reader learner tab.
Then 2012 Jun and Nexus7 happened.
Got one, and ****! orders of magnitude improvement.
Kudos to Google and Project Butter!
The app store has Plenty to keep you entertained for a Loooong time!
I am a Linux fanboy and
want to put Ubu on the 7, but
dont want to blow it away just yet.
Probably get a Nex10 and
then decide which one will be the experiment box.
So yes, i own a tablet and Love it!
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