One-third of Americans now own a tablet, Pew finds

[tannim]

I actually do have two tablets. One is cheap trash and the other is an HTC Evo 3D(with no phone service by choice)... they are basically trash to me. I hooked a keyboard and mouse up to the 7inch one, taped it to a cardboard box, and it's almost ok as a laptop for writing in Jota Text Editor, if the other computers are dead.

A second tablet is used almost exclusively as a sudoku game machine. It can do more, technically, but touch screen controls are so terrible that that's pretty much all I use it for.

 

[Lee]

I fine this thread to be truly interesting. It would appear that a good deal of you have no idea what a tablet or iPad can be used for.

Maps
GPS
Check book program
Reading (eBooks, PDF files, etc.)
News
Blogging
Business
Light photo editing
College book reader
Movies (when traveling, or recreation)
Music

There are many more reasons to choose from.

I remember hearing and reading back in the 80s and 90s of how no one would ever use or need a laptop now look how important they have become especially in the world of industry and business. Tablets are headed in that direction, so whether you use one or not makes no differences to the other seven billion people on this planet.

 

[strollin]

The thing that members of a technical forum like this one always seem to forget to keep in mind is that the people that join a forum like this aren't your average computer user and our wants/needs regarding a computer, and what it's used for, simply don't apply to the general public.

For those that are not technically minded, a tablet is much easier for them and, for the most part, does what they need it to do. There will always be power users like ourselves that need more capability than a tablet can provide but for the general public a tablet is probably far more capable then they actually need.

 

[Layback Bear]

Well strollin a big

That is why I believe if one wants a tablet all well and good.
Please get a tablet, use it and enjoy it.
I would also like to share in the joy on my PC's with a new operating system that isn't designed for phones, tablets and toys.
Bring a little joy to Billions of desktop and laptop users with a operating system designed for us.
Spreading the joy; what a great plan.

 

[Iforgot]

I fine this thread to be truly interesting. It would appear that a good deal of you have no idea what a tablet or iPad can be used for.

Maps
GPS
Check book program
Reading (eBooks, PDF files, etc.)
News
Blogging
Business
Light photo editing
College book reader
Movies (when traveling, or recreation)
Music

There are many more reasons to choose from.

I remember hearing and reading back in the 80s and 90s of how no one would ever use or need a laptop now look how important they have become especially in the world of industry and business. Tablets are headed in that direction, so whether you use one or not makes no differences to the other seven billion people on this planet.

I remember another one too.
The IBM personal computer is a nice novelty but won't take off...
That was said by the head honcho of IBM.

IBM then released the patents and info for them.
That was the start of the IBM Compatible Computer.......


Well what can I say, he got that right

 

[bej]

Pew certainly isn't "self-funded" so who do you think would pay for this
"research". Just ask yourself what companies would benefit from it.
Also, who is the target market ? You don't want to be left behind, do you?
A lot of your age group has moved to tablets and your still using that dog slow,
ugly, heavy laptop ? Get modern, man.

Hi there
1) Why should Laptops be heavy and dog slow -- there are some EXCELLENT light fast powerful laptops around.

2) Why is "Get Modern" automatically assumed to be superior -- I still like riding a Horse or sailing a Boat even though there are infinitely more "Modern" methods of transport around.

3) Same for music -- most "Get Modern" kids probably have never experienced proper UNCOMPRESSED music played as it should be - especially if they've spent half their lives listening to "Clubby" music on at poor mp3 compression on ridiculously poor quality bud earphones.

4) Going to the Cinema in "Modern Theatres" is a real PAIN now for a lot of folk -- the sound mix is so appalling that you need Earplugs to lower the volume of the Sound effects while the Dialog (when there is actually any worth listening to) is at such a low level as to be almost inaudible --and I have EXCELLENT hearing -- I have a test every year as an Engineer it's part of the deal.

"Modern" for "Modern" sake is not always Progress --there's a big difference between "Modern" and Progress -- sometimes the two converge but often they are different -- and I'm certainly not against progress.

As for tablets --they don't do anything for me -- I NEED a computer for all sorts of things --I certainly couldn't attach Gas Analyzers to these to measure the toxicity or volume of gases emitting from a volcano -- and entering any sort of long text or calculations on a tablet is tedious in the extreme.

Anything I could possibly use a tablet for I use a decent smart phone and for reading books an e-reader beats any sort of tablet --especially in bright sun or daylight.

For some people tablets are fine --just a TOOL like anything else --"Getting Modern" has nothing to do with it.

Cheers
jimbo

Just for reference. It's a sarcastic post but it does point out the Bandwagon Effect used in politics and
advertising. Hence, the sarcasm of the post.
Has nothing to do with the suitability of a tablet for an individual.

 

[indianacarnie]

The thing that members of a technical forum like this one always seem to forget to keep in mind is that the people that join a forum like this aren't your average computer user and our wants/needs regarding a computer, and what it's used for, simply don't apply to the general public.

For those that are not technically minded, a tablet is much easier for them and, for the most part, does what they need it to do. There will always be power users like ourselves that need more capability than a tablet can provide but for the general public a tablet is probably far more capable then they actually need.

Very well said.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

It may sound weird, but the main reasons I dislike tablets are more phisical.

-they have a small screen. "Small" being subjective, I anything less than 20'' is too damn small for my tastes. I accept smartphones as they do have to be portable, but for a device I use for entertainment I NEED a big screen. I can't watch a movie on a Ipad and say I'm satisfied by it.

-they are not self-supported. I have never found a way to keep a tablet in a comfortable position without resorting to duct-taping it to a vertical surface. It's either too low or facing the wrong direction if on a table.

-they use touchscreens. This limits the distance I can stay from them and thus the usefulness of placing them high enough to not cause serious back pain. For a smartphone that is ok as I can keep the thing in one hand and operate 99% of the functions with my thumb, and is also not used for hours at a time.

 

[Berkey]

It may sound weird, but the main reasons I dislike tablets are more phisical.

-they have a small screen. "Small" being subjective, I anything less than 20'' is too damn small for my tastes. I accept smartphones as they do have to be portable, but for a device I use for entertainment I NEED a big screen. I can't watch a movie on a Ipad and say I'm satisfied by it.

-they are not self-supported. I have never found a way to keep a tablet in a comfortable position without resorting to duct-taping it to a vertical surface. It's either too low or facing the wrong direction if on a table.

-they use touchscreens. This limits the distance I can stay from them and thus the usefulness of placing them high enough to not cause serious back pain. For a smartphone that is ok as I can keep the thing in one hand and operate 99% of the functions with my thumb, and is also not used for hours at a time.

I'm already seeing people with neck and upper trap tightness, leading to misalignment of shoulder and back posture. One of my clients used his Ipad he suggested "5 hours" a day for business and pleasure. His head in pointed downward in his lap for a prolonged period of time, thus causing an over use of the muscles in the neck, which leads to pain and discomfort.

We saw a lot of blackberry thumb in the days when texting was the "thing" from overuse of thumbs and I can only imagine we'll see a lot of frozen shoulders from reaching out in front of us to touch a screen constantly on a desktop.