I HATE Tablet "Computers" -- am I the only one

[jimbo45]

Hi there
it seems the whole electronics industry is going "Tablet mad" this year.

These devices about half the size of an Ipad and double the size of an Iphone just seem to me to be a too bulky piece of kit to be able to carry away nicely in a pocket.

Too small for Internet use for long periods, watching movies, reading e-books and far too large for use as a telephone.

This is one part of the Consumer Electronics revolution that I'll be quite happy to pass on.

In any case I'm not a huge fan of Touch screens either.

To me a Phone is still a Phone that needs to be as SMALL as possible. I don't text or use face book etc so I don't need all those zillions of Apps on Iphones etc etc. either.

Anyway here's ONE person that the marketing Hype won't reach.

I LIKE gadgets etc but Tablets to me seem a totally pointless type of device that doesn't fulfil any real purpose other than to empty your Bank account.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[nitroman84]

Agreed, the first I heard of the ipad I just shook my head knowing people were going to go ape #### over it just because of the apple logo. I have an ipod touch for music and a separate plain cell phone, I like my gadgets to do one thing and do it well. As far as my computers go, I'll have a real one.

 

[boogieboy]

I have iPhone 3GS and it's good enough for me as it fulfil my needs like iPod + Internet through WiFi etc and even i don't even planned to jump over 4G as it'll be not so much big difference but yeah iPad and new tablet products are definitely useless for me but everyone have there own choice and taste. Some people might go crazy for them which satisfy and comforts them by emptying there pockets but that's my opinion

 

[fireberd]

All this stuff is too small to be useful to me (and too big to carry around). I have a 10" netbook that I take on trips and even that is too small for an old f@rt like me to be comfortable with.

I have a "smart phone" - an LG Env Touch and it's great for messaging but no other media. Like most phones it's "unuseable" in the daylight since you can't see the screen.

 

[wkt]

Quote : "Anyway here's ONE person that the marketing Hype won't reach." End Quote.

Here is ANOTHER ONE !

I have a 7" Mini Netbook from China with Windows CE... ( also I can start Debian Linux from the SD card - but I am no Linux expert and so it is not as usable as Win CE )... AND with A KEYBOARD.

I am happy with this device - though some applications like Skype do not work here in Germany at least.

 

[clunkfish]

I have an iPad (which, in Apple speak, ought to be written as "I have iPad", which makes it sound like a disease ). I needed to replace my nice but ageing tiny Sony laptop so took a chance with the iPad. It has proved to be superb for business use - taking notes during meetings, giving presentations, checking and responding to emails on the road, browsing the web. Through its VPN I can access scientific literature in protected databases and read the downloaded manuscripts using the excellent screen.

I'm no Apple fanboi. I dumped Apple 10 years ago when OSX came out and made it impossible to work on a Mac for more than 30 minutes without a crash. Apple software is still poor, IMO - iTunes is really clunky and falls over regularly, for example - so I don't see myself ever going back to the Mac as a main computing platform. However, for business and leisure use requiring portability, the iPad is a terrific piece of kit.

 

[wkt]

QUOTE "Through its VPN I can access scientific literature in protected databases and read the downloaded manuscripts using the excellent screen."

My Chinese netbook has also the VPN feature.

Can you by the way give me some information about the connections you use for the access to scientific literature ? I am especially interested in programming literature.
I would like to try whether VPN works with my netbook also outside the home network.

 

[pparks1]

I'm not into the tablet computing phase (as it stands) either. I had an iPad for a couple of weeks at work before giving it to somebody else to fool around with.

My complaints against the iPad are as follows: no flash support, no camera, too bulky, I don't like touch screen devices and typing on the device is simply annoying, screen fingerprints way too much, i have to get it working via iTunes, and I don't like surfing the forum sites (which is mostly what I do) via touch screen devices and such as it seems that when I flick on the screen to scroll, I end up clicking on links, posts, etc. Also, it's annoying that there is no USB port or card reader, so I cannot upload pictures to facebook and such using the device.

I looked into getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab from Verizon. It solves some of the issues that I have with the iPad...but I simply cannot justify $499 for the device. I'd say $299 is about the most I would be willing to spend on a device that's just like my phone...only bigger. To me, my money is better spent on laptops or netbooks which offer tremendously more functionality.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I had a cool little LG slider which I loved but I sent it though the washer and dryer one day (not advisable) I replaced it with a Samsung slider which came with internet access. I tried for 30 days to play around and use this device in a manner which I was interested in accessing the net. What a waste of time and energy! My advice would be to make sure any device that's going to be used for internet must have at least a 6" screen and really be of a high resolution and even then don't forget your reading glasses ! IMHO computing on phones is a joke and a total waste of money. Tablets are interesting as I'm looking for more advancement and prices to fall on quality color screen readers and these could have a nice platform for that and modest computing.

 

[pebbly]

I bought Hubby an Android Apad Flytouch 2 for Christmas , He absolutely loves it does everything He wants and it's got a 10" screen . I have had a little go on it and I'm really impressed how quick the ARM X220 chip is it only runs at 1Ghz

 

[macgyver2]

I had an Archos 7 Home Tablet and liked it for what it was and what I was using it for, email and watching videos on greyhound during our move. I have been following this trend and really think the Blackberry Playbook will be something I get my hands on for a little mobile gaming, watching movies while my wife shops or checking email while out. the 7" size fit fine in my levis pockets and my cargo pockets of my BDU's anything over 7" I think will be to big. As this is a new and still evolving market as seen for CES android is coming out with a tablet OS as the only real OS ready for tablets is Apples at the current time. RIM has an OS in the making for its Playbook which from my point of view will be the best but only time will tell. I think these devices will be bigger then netbooks, laptops and smartphones combined. Gaming and general web and email will be the main reasons for them and the movie watcher too. I would rather take a 7" tablet then a netbook or laptop when hitting the beach or some other semi local travel. If only they would put GPS in these they would make great things to take on visits to cities like NY and Boston for day or weekend trips for people who don't live in those cities.

 

[clunkfish]

Can you by the way give me some information about the connections you use for the access to scientific literature ? I am especially interested in programming literature.
I would like to try whether VPN works with my netbook also outside the home network.

I have access to the scientific literature through my employer, a university. They have bought access to various scientific publishers' catalogues, so if I VPN into the university I can then browse those databases. It's only available if you are a member of staff of the university, I'm afraid.

Having said that, some journals do offer free access to older articles. You could try going to the website of a publisher or journal that you would like to access and give it a go - nothing to lose

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

I'm not into the tablet computing phase (as it stands) either. I had an iPad for a couple of weeks at work before giving it to somebody else to fool around with.

My complaints against the iPad are as follows: no flash support, no camera, too bulky, I don't like touch screen devices and typing on the device is simply annoying, screen fingerprints way too much, i have to get it working via iTunes, and I don't like surfing the forum sites (which is mostly what I do) via touch screen devices and such as it seems that when I flick on the screen to scroll, I end up clicking on links, posts, etc. Also, it's annoying that there is no USB port or card reader, so I cannot upload pictures to facebook and such using the device.

I looked into getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab from Verizon. It solves some of the issues that I have with the iPad...but I simply cannot justify $499 for the device. I'd say $299 is about the most I would be willing to spend on a device that's just like my phone...only bigger. To me, my money is better spent on laptops or netbooks which offer tremendously more functionality.

I too, bought the Samsung Galaxy Tab .. when it arrived..
( I had to go on line to set up their 2 year contract to get a $300 dollar rebate.. off a $ 700 dollar item.). only to find out there is no service by the carrier in my area... So I'm returning it ..with a pre-paid label from the carrier.. ( I had to request the pre-paid label... no service in my area)..took almost 2 weeks to arrive so it's going back tomorrow.. by way of FED-EX.
I liked it.. couldn't justify the cost however, without the rebate.

I did call ATT.. ( they give no discount on this item )..they would activate it for me ,with a monthly fee for $25 dollars. ( I could drop the monthly fee if I chose.. then take it up again... same monthly fee when using it.).. that part was nice.. on months when not needed / or using it.
I'll wait to see what's coming out from the Electronic Show in Vegas this week... these should drop in price... need an anti-glare screen/ no smuge screen / back lighting screen. Just to name a few .

 

[z3r010]

I have my viewpad 10 win7/android tab which I do quite like but it's a little heavy, I think I'll pickup an archos 101 in the next few weeks when my local suppliers have them back in stock (angry birds here i come).

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

I hate small stuff my fingers are to big to monkey around with small buttons, but their just right to pick my nose with!

Would this be with a kleenex or without one ? :roflmao:

 

[jimbo45]

Hi all
Thanks for some interesting remarks on this topic.

E-readers are another issue --the Sony PRS daily edition is just about large enough to be USEFUL as an e-reader without needing eyesight like an Eagle to be able to read the screens and small enough to be carried around easily.

I really don't need to be able to surf / access email etc on it either so the whole wifi thing for an e_reader IMO is a waste of time --this one has a USB port / memory cards so it's easy to upload your e_books too without having to use a dedicated application like amazon's kindle.

For the rest of my mobile computing needs an acer netbook works just fine with a PROPER keyboard, mouse etc.

Just try manipulating complicated Spreadsheets via Touch screens ---ugh !!!! or touching up Photos without a pointing device. Try also when designing databases to draw links between fields etc in a typical database "design view" using touch screens -- no proper "drag 'n' drop.

There's much more to computers than just surfing the Internet.
Thank goodness Windows has no plans to replace the traditional keyboard and Mouse.

For me 2011 TABLET devices R.I.P

I think a lot of people who buy these will soon realize the shortcomings of them and the devices will fade away into obscurity. Not everybody wants to watch the latest Soap on a small screen travelling in a crowded commuter train.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[wkt]

I have access to the scientific literature through my employer, a university. They have bought access to various scientific publishers' catalogues, so if I VPN into the university I can then browse those databases. It's only available if you are a member of staff of the university, I'm afraid.

That is bad. I think your employer should be ashamed.
In my opinion Scientific Knowledge should be accessible to any citizen.
Is it a private university ? This is against (good) old German scientific tradition, I think.

 

[pparks1]

E-readers are another issue --the Sony PRS daily edition is just about large enough to be USEFUL as an e-reader without needing eyesight like an Eagle to be able to read the screens and small enough to be carried around easily.

My wife and I both own Amazon Kindles and I am very happy with them. I carry mine with me in my laptop bag daily. And I have to carry my work laptop back and forth daily...so I almost always have it with me.

 

[clunkfish]

This is off-topic so apologies to Jimbo who started this thread about tablet computing. I just want to counter the suggestion that my university should be ashamed about paying for access to scientific literature:

I have access to the scientific literature through my employer, a university. They have bought access to various scientific publishers' catalogues, so if I VPN into the university I can then browse those databases. It's only available if you are a member of staff of the university, I'm afraid.

That is bad. I think your employer should be ashamed.
In my opinion Scientific Knowledge should be accessible to any citizen.
Is it a private university ? This is against (good) old German scientific tradition, I think.

You have the cart before the horse. The publishers require us to pay for access, so we pay - if we don't pay, we can't read the latest work. It is nothing for my university (which is not a private institution) to be ashamed about :sarc:, it's the way of the world - in Germany as elsewhere.

Ideally, all scientific literature would be freely accessible, but someone would still have to pay for the upkeep of the databases. Some of the open journals which have sprung up in protest at the restrictive practices of traditional scientific publishers charge a lot for you to publish in them - last month I had to pay well over US$1500 to publish my work in an open-access journal. You can now read that paper for free, but only because I ponied up the cash :shock:

 

[PwnFrnzy]

The day I will go to tablet devices is the day Netbook/Laptop/Desktop computers are banned and pried from my iron grip.
I hate Tablets, the most useless pieces of junk I have ever seen.