63 replies to this topic

[JeremyStrain]

You bought an iPad Mini for a 4 yr old?

 

Yeah, got one for the 5 year old last year, and was amazed at how much they learn and do (it's all about the apps you let them have), and the 4 year old was using her sisters all the time, so she got her own this weekend for her birthday. She can write her name already a year before pre-k so it's working so far.

[RShack]

Yeah, got one for the 5 year old last year, and was amazed at how much they learn and do (it's all about the apps you let them have), and the 4 year old was using her sisters all the time, so she got her own this weekend for her birthday. She can write her name already a year before pre-k so it's working so far.

 

So, will they get 911's with their learner's permit?  

[JeremyStrain]

So, will they get 911's with their learner's permit?  

 

HA. Don't get it wrong, I got them both on a huge sale, and they weren't much more expensive than some bland Android tablet that I was going to get them. They also got Otterbox Defenders so it's really hard to break them.

[Dupin]

I still don't understand the point of a tablet. It's between a laptop and a smartphone without matching the usefulness of either. I can understand the use if etextbooks are readily available, but outside of that situation I'm not onboard.

[RShack]

I still don't understand the point of a tablet. It's between a laptop and a smartphone without matching the usefulness of either. I can understand the use if etextbooks are readily available, but outside of that situation I'm not onboard.

 

Tablets are great for consuming the internet... that's what they're for.

 

What they're not great for is inputting very much.  They're fine for inputting a little.

 

One major-but-implicit advantage of laptops that nobody talks about is that they sit on your lap with the screen propped up... you don't have waste a hand just to hold them up...

[Russ]

I still don't understand the point of a tablet. It's between a laptop and a smartphone without matching the usefulness of either. I can understand the use if etextbooks are readily available, but outside of that situation I'm not onboard.

I have a nexus 7 which is just the perfect size for an ebook reader, Netflix, and a Web browser.

[Dupin]

I have a nexus 7 which is just the perfect size for an ebook reader, Netflix, and a Web browser.

2 of which laptops do better, and the third a dedicated eBook reader handles better due to better text contrast and vastly superior battery life.

[DJ MC]

2 of which laptops do better, and the third a dedicated eBook reader handles better due to better text contrast and vastly superior battery life.

 

It's very arguable that laptops do those "better". They do them differently.

 

What's going to be interesting over the next few years is seeing where the phone market goes. The current trend is toward bigger screens, and once you get to a certain point it doesn't make sense to have a dedicated tablet for most people. On the other hand, I don't need (or particularly want) a screen that size; my S3 is just under five inches, and I think that's a bit on the big side. However, having a tablet for when I want a bigger screen does make sense for me.

[JeremyStrain]

It's very arguable that laptops do those "better". They do them differently.

 

What's going to be interesting over the next few years is seeing where the phone market goes. The current trend is toward bigger screens, and once you get to a certain point it doesn't make sense to have a dedicated tablet for most people. On the other hand, I don't need (or particularly want) a screen that size; my S3 is just under five inches, and I think that's a bit on the big side. However, having a tablet for when I want a bigger screen does make sense for me.

 

Agreed, my HTC1 is as big as I'm willing to go for a phone. I think it's kind of a waste to get the smaller tablets, if you're going to do it the bigger screen ones, but I guess it's comfort for each person. I can do just a little more on my tablet than I can on my phone, but my laptop is a necessity for things like Quickbooks, uploading/storing photos, doing our taxes...etc.

[Russ]

I think the 7" tablets are the perfect size. I can hold it one handed. Plus, reading and Netflix are like ambien to me. I'll pass out right in the middle of it and don't want to drop my laptop off the bed. I love the nexus 7. I have an Asus laptop and an htc1 and I'd rather do any of those things the nexus.

[RShack]

I've got a couple 10.1 tablets... which are fine... but I rarely use them...  I have an old 7" tablet that's a great e-reader by the bed... and when on the couch I prefer to have a laptop, either next to me or on my lap, mainly because it's hands-free... the main thing wrong with tablets is you have to either hold them or prop them up...

[Russ]

My asus laptop is a convertible also. But I'm a clumsy ass and afraid I'll drop it right on the screen. The touchscreen is great though for things like scrolling. Also, on a 15.6 monitor, that's a lot of swipes to get the cursor to the other corner of the screen.

Edit: typing sucks on a tablet.

[Dupin]

I will say that it seems like the most cost-efficient and easiest way to consume comic books.  Admitedly I am considering getting a Nexus 9, but I'd be getting it more for the sake of having it.

[SportsGuy]

I know multiple people who have iPad 2s and when they downloaded the new update, it kicked them off the wifi where they can get the Internet anywhere.

Apparently, Apple has said the new update doesn't support older equipment...which probably helps explain the issues I have had.

So, I may be selling my iPad and get a new tablet for Xmas cause I'm sick of this.

Suggestions? I want something easy to use and good quality.

[RShack]

What size screen do you want?

[1970]

I no longer use my laptop. I do everything on my iPad Air (original, not 2). I keep it in a Zagg keyboard case. I don't have to use the screen for typing. I have access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint thanks to Microsoft 360 - and I use all three for both personal and work related stuff. Thanks to Zagg, it sits in my lap the entire time I'm watching TV and I don't have to hold it in my hands. I don't miss the laptop one little bit.

[RShack]

I no longer use my laptop. I do everything on my iPad Air (original, not 2). I keep it in a Zagg keyboard case. I don't have to use the screen for typing. I have access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint thanks to Microsoft 360 - and I use all three for both personal and work related stuff. Thanks to Zagg, it sits in my lap the entire time I'm watching TV and I don't have to hold it in my hands. I don't miss the laptop one little bit.

 

So, while it's a tablet, from your description it sounds like you use it and the keyboard thing like they form a small laptop... yes?

[1970]

So, while it's a tablet, from your description it sounds like you use it and the keyboard thing like they form a small laptop... yes?

Pretty much. The beauty is that if I just need the tablet I remove it from the "keyboard thing." By the way, I take it pretty much everywhere I go. The 4G allows me to use it while in the car (I'm happy to let the Mrs. do all the driving).

[RShack]

Pretty much. The beauty is that if I just need the tablet I remove it from the "keyboard thing." By the way, I take it pretty much everywhere I go. The 4G allows me to use it while in the car (I'm happy to let the Mrs. do all the driving).

 

I'm not... my bride treats the gas pedal like it's an on/off switch... drives me nuts...

 

I have an Asus Transformer android tablet that has it's own detachable keyboard that has a battery in it too... together, it's like 13 hours... and it works fine... problem is I like a bigger screen than 10.1" and bigger keyboard... so I mainly use it as a tablet in portrait orientation for reading e-mags... the tablet can recharge from the keyboard, so I mainly use the keyboard like a spare battery and tablet cover...

 

At the moment, I've got a tablet with a 12.2" screen on the way...just because...

[SportsGuy]

Wouldn't want smaller than the ipad2 I have...don't know the size but it's not the mini.