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Tablets - toys or tools?

It's here!!

So, my new toy... I mean tool... arrived, today!

It's pretty spiffy, so far. Just two little problems to get over:
1. The keyboard layout is a little different from my previous 2 tablets, so my fngers going to have to relearn their muscle memories. The "INS" and "DEL" keys, in particular, are in troublesome spots.

And

2. It can't sync with my Droid Incredible at the moment. I suspect this has something to do with the fact that I installed the 64-bit version of MS Outlook. But, I will have to look into it, further.

Otherwise, it's a sweet machine! Powerful processor, lots of RAM and HD space to play around in, both stylus and finger interface, built in webcam, etc.

I can even charge my Droid from the USB port while the machine is off, if I needed to.
 
Sounds good. Not that it matters for you but Dell just showed their new XT3 a few days ago.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/08/dell-latitude-xt3-convertible-tablet-hands-on-video/

Looks pretty sweet.

Oh and if the Xoom really does retail for $800 that is a true bonehead move. Motorola should have delayed it a bit and come out with the non-3G model first or at least at the same time. HP might have a chance in the tablet market now.
 
dtugg said:
That is interesting. There a special port that supplies power even if the machine is off?
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Apparently, it works with any of the USB ports on the device. However, you have to set it up, first. The feature is not activated by default. You can choose the power levels at which to allow devices to use the port for charging.

By the way, one of the USB ports is an eSata combo port.

Policenaut said:
Sounds good. Not that it matters for you but Dell just showed their new XT3 a few days ago.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/08/dell-latitude-xt3-convertible-tablet-hands-on-video/

Looks pretty sweet.
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Yeah, it's not too shabby. But, I couldn't wait for its release, and I think my machine might actually have more power that the one demoed, anyway, maybe.
 
Note, by the way, that for most modern desktop machines the front "power button" isn't a power button in the pure sense - it's sending a signal to the motherboard. Even when off, the machine's power supply is active. This allows the hot USB ports mentioned above, along with features like Wake-on-LAN (where an appropriate message directed to the computer from the network will turn it on).

Some machines, like mine, also have a rocker switch on the back that physically disconnects the power. If that switch is used, the USB ports will be dead. ETA: And that switch will terminate the running OS with extreme prejudice, unlike the front-panel button.
 
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So it seems like the wifi only version of the Xoom will be $600-same as the equivilent iPad. The 3G one will cost $800. Sounds like a pretty outrageous premium but I don't care since I am only interested in the wifi only version.
 
With the speed at which mobile processors are advancing at the moment (quad cores are supposed to be available before the end of this year), the Xoom will look obsolete in 12 months or less.

I know, I know. It's the sort of attitude that could leave you waiting forever before buying, but the Xoom (and the Tab and iPad for that matter) really does seem too expensive given the $260 I spent on my Nook Color which is performing nicely so far as a WiFi Android tablet (and its 1024x600 screen in the 7" size I prefer ain't too shabby for reading my comics :)).

It's really weird when Apple is setting the price point other manufacturers are shooting for. I hope that Apple's competitors get more aggressive with their pricing, and soon.
 
This is your chance to break me free of Apple.

My husband has decided he is taking my iPad. And the excuse for this is that it can be replaced by the iPad 2, which is coming out on March 11. So rather than being forced to be a slave to the dumbed-down, crippled, hamstrung iPad, this is my chance to replace it with a device which will provide me with a much better experience.

So I need some recommendations. I'm willing to wait for devices that haven't yet been released, but will be within the next few months. What I'm looking for is a tablet-type device. I need to be able to hook it up to a physical keyboard, but it doesn't have to be built in. Under about 1.7 pounds (I'm guessing on this based on the weight of the iPad - if it's heavier, I'd probably have to be able to hold it in person first to find out if it would be tolerable) and preferably less than 1.5 lbs. A battery life of longer than 6 hours. Built in 3G or 4G, Bluetooth, and wi-fi. Reasonably fast processor. Instant on and off. Printing - preferably wirelessly, but cables would be okay. Something I can connect my Kindle and Garmin into. High definition screen. 8 to 10 inch screen. Multi-touch. 32 GB, but preferably 64 GB. Either expandable memory or easy access to to my music/video/etc. library (which right now is on iTunes) and files, so I don't need to store them on my device to access them.

As far as software goes, mostly I need the ability to create and edit documents, spreadsheet and power-point files. I use and appreciate a variety of apps, but many are admittedly more toy than necessary tool, so a limited selection of apps may not be too important as long as necessary apps are available. The ability to watch Netflix and Xfinity programs. Minor photo and video editing capacity. My husband has made some noises about buying me Mathematica for my birthday, so if it could run that... :)

I want to connect to TV's without needing to go through a set-up process, and mirror what's on my screen.

I don't need a camera or face-time. I don't need high-speed graphics for games, although my kids use my iPad now, so they'd probably appreciate it (but they have plenty of access to other gaming systems).

The device, necessary accessories (like a case and cables), and necessary apps should run me less than 1000 dollars.

So what do you suggest? I'm under the gun here, because he'll want to order the iPad 2 before March 11 if that is going to be my replacement.

Linda
 
fls said:
This is your chance to break me free of Apple.

My husband has decided he is taking my iPad. And the excuse for this is that it can be replaced by the iPad 2, which is coming out on March 11. So rather than being forced to be a slave to the dumbed-down, crippled, hamstrung iPad, this is my chance to replace it with a device which will provide me with a much better experience.

So I need some recommendations. I'm willing to wait for devices that haven't yet been released, but will be within the next few months. What I'm looking for is a tablet-type device. I need to be able to hook it up to a physical keyboard, but it doesn't have to be built in. Under about 1.7 pounds (I'm guessing on this based on the weight of the iPad - if it's heavier, I'd probably have to be able to hold it in person first to find out if it would be tolerable) and preferably less than 1.5 lbs. A battery life of longer than 6 hours. Built in 3G or 4G, Bluetooth, and wi-fi. Reasonably fast processor. Instant on and off. Printing - preferably wirelessly, but cables would be okay. Something I can connect my Kindle and Garmin into. High definition screen. 8 to 10 inch screen. Multi-touch. 32 GB, but preferably 64 GB. Either expandable memory or easy access to to my music/video/etc. library (which right now is on iTunes) and files, so I don't need to store them on my device to access them.

As far as software goes, mostly I need the ability to create and edit documents, spreadsheet and power-point files. I use and appreciate a variety of apps, but many are admittedly more toy than necessary tool, so a limited selection of apps may not be too important as long as necessary apps are available. The ability to watch Netflix and Xfinity programs. Minor photo and video editing capacity. My husband has made some noises about buying me Mathematica for my birthday, so if it could run that... :)
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I think you have some parts of these standards that might not be entirely compatible with the others. For example netflix videos are not presently on android or iphone based divices so you need a PC for that. I am not sure how much multi touch capability PC's have though.

A Tablet netbook with a HDMI port would seem to fit the capabilities you want fine, and they are putting HDMI ports on everything now, like my new phone. But these will likely weight a bit more than you are looking for at say 2.5 lbs.

So you will likely have to decide if you want the form factor of a pure tablet or the flexibility of a computer. Not sure which of them would have intergrated 4g as well.

Thinking on this I do wonder about something like the Atrix that has a netbook style dock. I like mine but at $500 I wouldn't spend that for a dock to turn it into a netbook, as I can get a nice laptop or netbook for the same money.

So I suspect that you will have to pick and choose what parts of your list of wants are the highest priority and which ones are lower priority.

But then again I am not the biggest computer geek and there might be things about to come out that will do all that. But I doubt it.
 
ponderingturtle said:
I think you have some parts of these standards that might not be entirely compatible with the others. For example netflix videos are not presently on android or iphone based divices so you need a PC for that. I am not sure how much multi touch capability PC's have though.
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Netflix has apps for some mobile devices - iPhone, iPad, and Windows phone. I would guess that they will develop apps for other similar devices, like the Xoom when it comes out.

A Tablet netbook with a HDMI port would seem to fit the capabilities you want fine, and they are putting HDMI ports on everything now, like my new phone. But these will likely weight a bit more than you are looking for at say 2.5 lbs.
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The problem is that I'm holding it in one hand, looking at it or touching it, while I'm walking around. So weight really does make a difference for me. I noticed the difference between the weight of my Kindle and the iPad made it uncomfortable for me to hold my iPad in the same way as I had been holding the Kindle. And it is starting to be used in medical settings, so it may need to be used while on long and tedious hospital rounds. I would be willing to alter the way I use the device if I gained something substantial in the process, though.

So you will likely have to decide if you want the form factor of a pure tablet or the flexibility of a computer. Not sure which of them would have intergrated 4g as well.
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I got the impression that I should be able to expect both. Otherwise, why denigrate Apple when it doesn't offer both?

Thinking on this I do wonder about something like the Atrix that has a netbook style dock. I like mine but at $500 I wouldn't spend that for a dock to turn it into a netbook, as I can get a nice laptop or netbook for the same money.

So I suspect that you will have to pick and choose what parts of your list of wants are the highest priority and which ones are lower priority.

But then again I am not the biggest computer geek and there might be things about to come out that will do all that. But I doubt it.
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It does seem like there are several devices coming out soon which seem similar to the iPad. I'm having trouble figuring out if they offer an advantage, partly because I can't find information that is detailed enough, and partly because I may not know the right questions to ask.

Thank you.

Linda
 
fls said:
I got the impression that I should be able to expect both. Otherwise, why denigrate Apple when it doesn't offer both?
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Just because there isn't anything quite like that doesn't mean it is unreasonable to demand it. The tablet netbooks have all of that, their form factor is just a bit bigger.
 
ponderingturtle said:
Just because there isn't anything quite like that doesn't mean it is unreasonable to demand it. The tablet netbooks have all of that, their form factor is just a bit bigger.
Click to expand...

So where am I going to find light and computer-like is what I'm asking, I think?

Linda
 
fls said:
I got the impression that I should be able to expect both. Otherwise, why denigrate Apple when it doesn't offer both?
Click to expand...

I'm not convinced many people actually need a full-blown computer in tablet form. In my experience, when it comes to the kind of workloads that necessitate that sort of capability one generally isn't mobile, and when one is mobile they are not generally in a position to be doing that sort of work.

* I should clarify that when I say mobile I mean actually walking around with a device in one's hand and using it. This excludes sitting down with the device in one's lap or on a table in front of them.
 
fls said:
... it is starting to be used in medical settings, so it may need to be used while on long and tedious hospital rounds.
Click to expand...

I'd be curious to see exactly how they're being used. I can certainly see value in using them as terminals for light data-entry and information retrieval (e.g. live patient charts). But for any serious work I would think people are going to want to sit down and get comfortable.
 
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daSkeptic said:
I'm not convinced many people actually need a full-blown computer in tablet form. In my experience, when it comes to the kind of workloads that necessitate that sort of capability one generally isn't mobile, and when one is mobile they are not generally in a position to be doing that sort of work.

* I should clarify that when I say mobile I mean actually walking around with a device in one's hand and using it. This excludes sitting down with the device in one's lap or on a table in front of them.
Click to expand...

I'm trying to understand what things I'm looking for need a full-blown computer, because I think that that's part of what the iPad revolution discovered - some things we do don't need a computer.

Linda
 
daSkeptic said:
I'd be curious to see exactly how they're being used. I can certainly see value in using them as terminals for light data-entry and information retrieval (e.g. live patient charts). But for any serious work I would think people are going to want to sit down and get comfortable.
Click to expand...

Umm...define "serious work".


Linda
 
fls said:
Umm...define "serious work".
Click to expand...

Anything requiring time and concentration. I'm speaking purely from my own experience as a user and developer of both mobile and desktop applications.

Mobile apps are best when they're quick and to the point, allowing the user to do something and then get on with their life. For instance, my company has a mobile-optimized web-application for employees to record expenses. It takes only a few seconds to enter the requisite data and be done -- a task easily accomplished on the way to the car from a restaurant.

Longer, more involved tasks are better suited for a sit-down environment. For instance, the desktop-version of the same web-application has additional features like reviewing historical financial data, manual transaction entry, and generating reports. There was simply no perceived value in doing these things while walking down the street. At a cafe or on a plane, sure.

Now a tablet like the iPad could certainly handle both versions of these sites. There's no reason someone could not sit down at Starbucks for an hour or two, prop up the device, and bang out a few financial statements. But in such a case one might as well be using a notebook. The added mobility of the tablet format is irrelevant. The only potential value I could see is the convenience of having both mobile and non-mobile capabilities in one device. But not everybody cares about such things.

In short, there are things people want to do while moving, and things they don't want to do while moving. I see nothing wrong with having a different device for each.
 
daSkeptic said:
In short, there are things people want to do while moving, and things they don't want to do while moving. I see nothing wrong with having a different device for each.
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But there's nothing wrong with preferring a device that does both, right?

ETA: When I want to do 'serious' typing with my iPad, I just pop it into a keyboard dock. If I can buy a mobile and a non-mobile device for under 1000 dollars, I guess I'd be okay with that. But I kinda like the idea of not having to worry about carrying too many things around. On the other hand, when I pointed out that the medical institution my husband is working for is leading the way in incorporating these devices into clinical practice, he replied he would care if there weren't already computers everywhere he is likely to be already.

I guess it's like the comment I made earlier - I don't understand why I need a camera in every device I own. :)

Linda
 
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