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I Can't Find a Single Productive Use For My Tablet

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Re: I Can't Find a Single Productive Use For My Tablet

#31

Post by geekam »

iPad for my old parents has been a tremendous benefit. They are not very technology oriented. I remember pulling my hair when they had a PC and they'd call me so often for every little pop-up window that was different from their usual workflow. For example, system updates and all that crap.

However, with iPad they learnt things much more quickly than the PC. The things they do on the iPad does not involve a lot. They are just content consumers who do not want their computer to be in their way. The mobility of a tablet means that when my Dad has back aches he can just lie down on a bed and read form his iPad.

about 4 years ago when I thought I'll first buy them a computer so that they'd be able to do some video conferencing with the family, I actually took them to Microcenter, just to show them the variety. To my surprise, my Mom 'assumed' that the computer will respond by her touching the monitor to click on an icon (she had seen people playing with iPhones).

On the other hand, for me iPad hasn't got a lot of value at this point. I do not play games. I am a programmer who is constantly on a computer and when I am not on a computer, I am on my iPhone. But that does not mean I fail to see how cool a computer that can be carried in your hands is for others.

Re: I Can't Find a Single Productive Use For My Tablet

#32

Post by grumblepeet »

hollerith wrote: post #5
grumblepeet wrote: post #2

I travel with a laptop but I still use my tablet every day in meetings to take notes (I have an external keyboard cover) and to catch up on emails on the train. It is in use pretty much all day.

Android tablet, Window-8 tablet or iPad?

It is an iPad mini

Re: I Can't Find a Single Productive Use For My Tablet

#33

Post by phaus »

InclinedPlane wrote: post #22
Alexx wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the key difference there is that those are 'passive consuming', which is what tablets are excellent at. But those things are entertainment, not 'productive' in terms of output. I don't agree with the authors conclusion, but I do agree that tablets aren't usually the right tool to efficiently be productive on. But they're great for consuming. I don't see a problem with that.

I think that's actually more of an artifact of the nature of introduction of tablets than a fundamental limitation. Over time tablets will become much, much more powerful and standard peripherals (such as external keyboards) will become more refined and more commonplace. I don't see anything particularly odd about the notion that someone in, say, 2023 might use a stylus with a tablet to produce various graphic arts,…

There have been artists who produce the majority of their work on a tablet PC for years. They aren't as thin or as light as an iPad, and none of them have been perfect, but they are incredibly well-suited for drawing.

I just hope that Microsoft's efforts eventually cause Apple to implement a Wacom digitizer into the iPad.

Re: I Can't Find a Single Productive Use For My Tablet

#35

Post by bluthru »

Kylekramer wrote: post #27

As a person who has had an iPad since the first generation (and at times used it as the only device in my apartment), I still think Steve Jobs' 2003 characterization is correct: it is a great device for rich guys who can afford a third computer.

Doesn't the sales numbers basically debunk this notion? The iPad is a mass-market device, and the cheapest computer Apple sells.

Re: I Can't Find a Single Productive Use For My Tablet

#38

Post by rogerchucker »

InclinedPlane wrote: post #3

I find this wildly at odds with the experience of my friends. Granted they are early adopter type folk but they have taken to tablets extremely intently. They use them for gaming, and browsing, and other miscellaneous activities. Just because they are not great at everything doesn't mean they can't be incredibly useful tools.

The author talked about "productive use" - you listed gaming and browsing. In many circles those don't rank as productivity. There's a fine difference between "great"/"cool" and "being productive".

Re: I Can't Find a Single Productive Use For My Tablet

#39

Post by wvenable »

I think the author has an excellent point until he gets to "I feel like tablets are a short-lived fad."

Every single comment here is how much people are using their tablet: for reading, surfing the web, watching videos, etc. I personally use my Nexus 7 every day both directions on my commute to do all those things.

However, the like the OP I'd really like to do something productive with my commute (coding, writing, whatever) and I have not found any good way to do that on my tablet. Even my 1st gen netbook is more useful for productive work.

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