What Do You Think About Tablet Computers?

[island911]

More to my point, are the Apple commercials for the device. --All finger dragging FUN - All of the time.

...it's an appeal to simple. ...like Apple's one-button mouse. (Yes, I know Apple has much less simple mice . . .now)

I suppose what I find especially sad, are those users who get stuck with Play-School-like devices.

I mean, sure, it's great that Apple has such a low-intimidation threshold. And I suppose that some find plenty of utility in staying with a one-button mouse, under their five fingers. They clearly must also feel great euphoria when they 'graduate' to using TWO fingers in a pinch to zoom move. (Wow / giggle giggle)

[techweenie]

Island, just pointing out that your continuous 'finger painting' references are as silly as if I called your interface 'nail dragging.'

My point is, and was that if a tablet shopper wants a device that will have support from manufacturer and aftermarket alike 2-3 years from now, they should get an iPad.

[island911]

Originally Posted by jyl

[I]...

But how many sliderule makers became big and very profitable? It was a powerful tool for a very limited market. Same niche the Windows tablets are in danger of falling into (have already fallen into).

AH! I see.... this thread was only to find out about tablet sales volumes and profits. --my bad- I thought you wanted to know more about the usefulness of the various devices.

In other words, you are here just to subversively talk up the APPL stock. --got it.

[jyl]

ipad battery 25 watthour claims 9 hours battery life
hp slate battery 30 watthour claims 5 hours battery life
hp mini 110 netbook 6-cell battery 55 watthour claims 6 hours battery life
so the netbook w/ the 6-cell battery is working w/ 2X the battery energy of a tablet, yet gets (w/ HDD, not SSD) maybe 2/3 the claimed battery life.
I'm sure the netbook (like red's) does better w/ SSD and fan not on 100% of the time, but still you can see the PC-based platform is at least 2X power consumption of a cellphone-based platform.

[island911]

Originally Posted by techweenie

...

My point is, and was that if a tablet shopper wants a device that will have support from manufacturer and aftermarket alike 2-3 years from now, they should get an iPad.

Wow. SO you really think highly of that phone OS...

I've got to say, I think that with google's funding, and Apples stubbornness, that Android would be the better bet. --not that that's what I want to see happen.

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by island911

AH! I see.... this thread was only to find out about tablet sales volumes and profits. --my bad- I thought you wanted to know more about the usefulness of the various devices.

In other words, you are here just to subversively talk up the APPL stock. --got it.

Yeah, all the big market influencers are here on Pelican OT. Really rational.

All we were trying to do is answer a question about what to buy. We (John and I) iPad, you seem to say 'anything but.'

Maybe when Android 3.0 comes out there'll be a horse race. Maybe Motorola has the market cred to compete. But I suspect it really offends you that Apple is the second highest valuation company in the world. However you feel about that, consumers buying their products have great support. Can't really say that about the other alternatives.

[jyl]

AH! I see.... this thread was only to find out about tablet sales volumes and profits. --my bad- I thought you wanted to know more about the usefulness of the various devices.

Usefulness to whom - geeks who are a tiny market, or ordinary people who are the mass market?

Actually, though, you are sort of right. The reason I started this thread is because I was wondering to what extent tablets will actually replace notebooks. Which will come down to usefulness to ordinary people.

[island911]

Originally Posted by techweenie

... But I suspect it really offends you that Apple is the second highest valuation company in the world. ....

Not at all. Makes me chuckle, just like when Martha Stewart was the hot ticket.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by red-beard

I am adding the mini-PCIE video decoder, to improve watching of movvies.

That is the broadcom card? Can you tell me about price, source, what's involved in adding it, software needed - I'd like to do that.

At the end of the day, this netbook has cost me $250 (orig price) + $120 (SSD) + $40 (DRAM) + $100 (XGA LCD) = $510, plus the card and a Windows O/S u/g - maybe. Still pretty cheap I guess, and it's going to be a great little machine.

Edit - I see $70 on eBay, any cheaper?

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by island911

Not at all. Makes me chuckle, just like when Martha Stewart was the hot ticket.

So it's mostly successful people that offend you. I doubt that's a useful parameter in choosing a tablet, but to each his own.

[island911]

I'm curious, techweenie, are you still slapping your wife around, or did you get that rage against women under control?

Seriously, what part of "not at all" don't you understand? . . .is rage clouding your judgment again?

Over capitalization is the idea, btw

[techweenie]

Sad, really, when you're out of rationality, you turn to ad hominem. Not surprising tho.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by RWebb

most people just want to surf the net & update their Faceplant page

That can be done just as easily (or easier) on the iPad competitors, with more functionality, and for less money. IMO, Island is spot-on regarding the "child entertainment" comment as well. I have had numerous encounters with clients who walk into the office with their iPad-wielding kids in tow. Evidently, they are great at keeping children occupied. Probably a good investment for that application. Kinda like those back-seat DVD players for kid-hauler SUV's - great at keeping the kiddos quiet/occupied.

In my observations, the majority of adults with iPads appear to be APPL fanboys and/or "look at me" types who feel the (ironic) need to brag/boast/show off (though some will feign modesty, while using or talking about them very conspicuously).
Functionality and increased productivity seem to take a back seat to i-styling, smugness, and the look-at-me factor IMO.

Originally Posted by techweenie

Yeah, we just closed a six figure funding round using an iPad for the presentation. Child's play.

More evidence to support my observations.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by island911

quite a rant you've got going there.

Ya know.. . . a whole lot of things in this world (and out of this world) were accomplished by men with their sliderules. (in and out of their pocket protectors) ....The GoldenGate bridge, Hoover Dam . . . the moon landing.

Yet how many people (back then) ever figured out how to use such a powerful tool?

Yep, you gotta love slip sticks!

These are always on my desk. Notice, one still has it's original price on it!



In lots of Farside cartoons, they are always threatening to bring out "The Big Slide Rule"

At my college, they actually had some 5 and 10 foot ones! They also had a cylindrical one with rotating bands

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

In my observations, the majority of adults with iPads appear to be APPL fanboys and/or "look at me" types who feel the (ironic) need to brag/boast/show off (though some will feign modesty, while using or talking about them very conspicuously).
Functionality and increased productivity seem to take a back seat to i-styling, smugness, and the look-at-me factor IMO.

More evidence to support my observations.

Yes, we certainly wouldn't want anything to make us successful

[island911]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Sad, really, when you're out of rationality, you turn to ad hominem. Not surprising tho.

It's like you are trying to make my point again.

that is, I was MOCKING your ad hominem. (because you are out of sound arguments you try to paint me as a hater)

[AirKuhl]

Technology is serious bizness!!!

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by island911

It's like you are trying to make my point again.

that is, I was MOCKING your ad hominem. (because you are out of sound arguments you try to paint me as a hater)

That would be pretty transparent paint. I seem to recall when the video of "surface" came out your post asked when Steve Jobs was going to claim to have invented it. Pretty silly stuff. But if it makes you happy...

[jyl]

How Google plans to beat the iPad - Technology & science - Tech and gadgets - Computers - msnbc.com

Interesting preview of Android 3.0 here.

[red-beard]

Oh, I read an MSNBC website. I feel dirty now...