Are "Tablet users" fundamentally different style of user than "desktop PC users"? How much actual intersection is there between the two?

[VirtualLarry]

Just thinking. I have a long-time friend, that's always had a desktop PC. I got him and his GF a (fairly inexpensive) Android tablet (quad-core, 512MB of RAM, nothing major), several years ago. From what I understand, he's never used his, and doesn't even know where it is, and she uses hers in preference to the PC that my friend built her.

Is there something fundamentally different between desktop PC users and tablet users? I dabbled in tablets for a little while; I do have an Android cell, but other than Skype and Voicemail, and SMS, I don't really use apps. My tablets were still Windows tablets, all but one. (Bought a cheap Android tablet with 2GB RAM, just because. Screen is currently broken on that one.)

Edit: I've never used an iPad or iPhone.

 

[Aikouka]

I think it boils down to two things... intended use and consumption (of content, not the disease). As a personal, parallel example, I tend to use computers over set-top devices. For example, I am currently typing this on an HTPC connected to my living room TV. I use this same HTPC for things like Plex and YouTube simply because it gives me a high level of flexibility to do it all at once. If I were to use my AppleTV for Plex and YouTube, I'd be limiting myself to one thing at a time. The only reason I have the AppleTV is because media companies can't be damned to properly implement features like bitstreaming audio or HDR.

Although, a computer -- if we're talking about desktops -- tends to be more stationary, and that may be a problem for someone that doesn't want to sit on the couch for a few hours. The inherent and simple mobile nature of a tablet appeals to those. On the flip side, I'm just the type that adds a computer to an area if I want one there too. For example, I use a 21" touchscreen monitor with a NUC mounted to it in the kitchen. I think most would prefer to just slap their tablet on a stand instead. (Plus, I found Windows 8 to be a lot better or possibly more intuitive at splitting a single desktop than Windows 10.)

 

[sdifox]

Err no. I use a tablet when I am cooking, chilling on couch or in bed. I use my desktop when I am sitting at my desk.

 

[lxskllr]

The only thing good about portables is they're portable. I'd rather use a pc 100% of the time.

 

[snoopy7548]

Yes. Tablet users are stupid. They use "apps" instead of programs.

 

[Perknose]

Yes. Tablet users are stupid.

Well, except for Moses. He came down from Mount Sinai with a couple of sweet tablets for the time. Sure, they were a bit heavy, and read only, but other than that, Moses reported his tablet experience as . . . heavenly!

 

[lxskllr]

Well, except for Moses. He came down from Mount Sinai with a couple of sweet tablets for the time. Sure, they were a bit heavy, and read only, but other than that, Moses reported his tablet experience as . . . heavenly!

 

[sandorski]

Fake Users

 

[spacejamz]

maybe its just me but searching for stuff (product searches on google or amazon) seems like is more of PITA on tablet/phone than on a desktop/laptop...

 

[sdifox]

Yes. Tablet users are stupid. They use "apps" instead of programs.

Says the beagle that pretends to be a WWI flyer.

 

[UsandThem]

Yes. Tablet users are stupid. They use "apps" instead of programs.

Windows 10 BTW

Almost everything is now called an "app".

 

[lxskllr]

Still bothers me. I typically call them "programs"(probably not 100% of the time), even when talking about android where "app" is standard.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Err no. I use a tablet when I am cooking, chilling on couch or in bed. I use my desktop when I am sitting at my desk.

That seems like a reasonable use-case. I did that for a while with my 7" Windows 8.1 tablets (Microcenter Special, you know the ones, and that HP one, had one of those too). OK for browsing / content-consumption, but it was a PITA when I wanted to reply to a forum post like this one. Now I put up with a 15.6" Lenovo modern Celeron dual-core laptop with 4GB of RAM, and hold it on my stomach to type in these forums. Still can't type with two hands, have to hold the laptop up with one of them, and hunt-n-peck with the other hand. (Yeah, I'm probably "doing it wrong".)

At least, on my main PC, I can sit in my "computer chair", and type with both. hands as I'm doing now, on a nice 40" 4K UHD monitor. Ah, bliss (for a desktop user)!

 

[JujuFish]

Now I put up with a 15.6" Lenovo modern Celeron dual-core laptop with 4GB of RAM, and hold it on my stomach to type in these forums. Still can't type with two hands, have to hold the laptop up with one of them, and hunt-n-peck with the other hand. (Yeah, I'm probably "doing it wrong".)

Well, it's called a laptop, not a stomachtop.

 

[Jaskalas]

I believe it depends on the user's mobility.

I am sitting at my desktop a large portion of the day. Don't have a practical use for a tablet. If I was out and about, mobile, then I could see how my use between the two form factors would shift according to where I spent most my time.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I think they may have their uses but they're definitely not interchangeable. I got a Blackberry Playbook when they came out just because I wanted a toy and tablets were kind of the latest and greatest thing at the time. After the novelty wore off and I realized how limited I was due to lack of apps (and serious wifi issues with those specific ones) it got tossed aside. Was a huge waste really.

What I think would be cool is a tablet that can run a normal OS like Windows or Linux. I would find more use out of that tbh as all the programs that run on my PC could run on it too. Easier to write my own software for it if I want as well since I don't need any complicated dev environment, I can just write a normal computer application.

 

[BoomerD]

Just thinking. I have a long-time friend, that's always had a desktop PC. I got him and his GF a (fairly inexpensive) Android tablet (quad-core, 512MB of RAM, nothing major), several years ago. From what I understand, he's never used his, and doesn't even know where it is, and she uses hers in preference to the PC that my friend built her.

Is there something fundamentally different between desktop PC users and tablet users? I dabbled in tablets for a little while; I do have an Android cell, but other than Skype and Voicemail, and SMS, I don't really use apps. My tablets were still Windows tablets, all but one. (Bought a cheap Android tablet with 2GB RAM, just because. Screen is currently broken on that one.)

Edit: I've never used an iPad or iPhone.

Never was an Apple fan until I got my wife an iPad 2 Air about 4 years ago. After looking at the offerings from Samsung and Apple at the time, she said she liked the iPad better...so that's what I bought. I was so impressed with the ease of functionality of the thing that I "let" her buy me a 7th gen iPad for Christmas a couple of years ago. Does it REPLACE my desktop? Hell no, but I'm on the iPad far more than the PC. (Posting this on it now.) i don't play any games on it though. Just can't get into the majority of games for mobile devices.

I still type like a drunken spaz though...

 

[sdifox]

I think they may have their uses but they're definitely not interchangeable. I got a Blackberry Playbook when they came out just because I wanted a toy and tablets were kind of the latest and greatest thing at the time. After the novelty wore off and I realized how limited I was due to lack of apps (and serious wifi issues with those specific ones) it got tossed aside. Was a huge waste really.

What I think would be cool is a tablet that can run a normal OS like Windows or Linux. I would find more use out of that tbh as all the programs that run on my PC could run on it too. Easier to write my own software for it if I want as well since I don't need any complicated dev environment, I can just write a normal computer application.

Err, Microsoft Surface Pro?

 

[ponyo]

I rarely use my desktop but I use my laptop and iPad all the time. If I'm laying in bed, I use the iPad. If I'm up and sitting in the living or dining room, I'm usually on my laptop with the iPad at my side. I use the iPad during the day for one app, ThinkorSwim. I bought MacBook Pro last week so I wouldn't have to use the iPad for the ThinkorSwim app but the ThinkorSwim app on the MacOS is far less user friendly than the iOS version. So I'm going to keep using the iPad for that one app.

 

[Fritzo]

Tablets are the microwave.
PCs are the stove.

 

[skyking]

I abandoned desktops about 5 years ago. I keep windows laptops around for support purposes, and recently started doing most of my work on a new chromebook. At this point I don't see going back to desktops.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I abandoned desktops about 5 years ago. I keep windows laptops around for support purposes, and recently started doing most of my work on a new chromebook. At this point I don't see going back to desktops.

I'm curious now, can you expound on your philosophy behind this change?

 

[TheVrolok]

Err, Microsoft Surface Pro?

I dramatically prefer a desktop PC, but I also love my surface pro for portability.

 

[Ajay]

I browse the web on my iPad, and use a few apps semi-often. All my real work, and games, are on my PC.

 

[Kaido]

I've gone through cycles. I thought the iPad would be a gamechanger when it came out, and in practice, it was frustrating to use for my intended purposes. I later switched out to a Chromebook & used that extensively. I'm back to using a desktop for several reasons:

1. I like to loaf, and I can loaf in my chair & chill with a desktop computer

2. I've got carpal & LOVE my MS Ergonomic keyboard. I type a lot & having a real keyboard instead of a digital one or a small laptop-sized one makes a really big difference for me.

3. I'm a lot faster with a mouse than a touchscreen.

4. I like real multi-tasking, especially with a mouse

I still mostly use my desktop to just surf the web, but I can lounge, type, multi-task, and use a mouse, which is all pretty chill. Plus I have a nice big 32" 2.5K single screen. If I were in the same situation I was when the iPad came out (i.e. still taking college classes here & there), I think the Microsoft Surface would be the way to go...touchscreen, compact, portable, dockable, powerful, fast. My brother has a multi-screen docking station setup using his Surface & it tucks in to go with him anywhere with the keyboard cover. It's a really fantastic setup!

The majority of people I know these days just use their jumbo phones. I know very few people who use tablets extensively. Most people I know who use computers use a laptop these days. I converted my own family over to Chromebooks a couple years ago, along with 2FA on all of their accounts, Google Drive, Google Docs, and unlimited free Google Photos. The only thing I really have to do when I visit to help them IT-wise is to tweak their Chrome settings:

1. Switch their homepage back to google
2. Remove anything that took over their default google search engine in the drop-down
3. Remove any crappy extensions (I always use uBlock Origin & Privacy Badger, by default)
4. Remove any allowed popups & redirects in the settings

All of which takes about 60 seconds, which is pretty easy!