Tablets - Yay or Nay

[lxskllr]

I've gotten a couple cheap tablets lately, and while I've had some fun playing, I still consider them toys. They're underpowered, underfeatured, and don't come close to a netbook for usability, and versatility.

I'm pleased with my devices at the ~$100 price point, but I wouldn't want to pay much more than that. For a bit more money, I can get 10x the computer.

Opinions?

 

[HAL9000]

I really like tablets, I definitely think they are useful but I'd only buy an iPad or an Android device.

 

[ElFenix]

i would like one but one needs to be good enough performance for general web surfing youtube/netflixing. which means nothing below galaxy s (phone) hardware, as that's what i'm used to.

i will be lulzing hard when tablets overtake laptops in resolution next year. they're already ahead on screen quality.

 

[Mike Gayner]

I'm with OP here - tablets are great, and I love my iPAd. But they are, for the most part, toys. They simply don't have the capacity to be productive devices in most settings. I would buy my iPad again though, because I use it every day.

 

[FoBoT]

i got an ipad from work to play around with several weeks ago
before using it , i was quite skeptical of tablets
now we are going to get an amazon fire and vizio android tablet, i think they have a definite role
they might replace a pc for someone that just does facebook, youtube and email, but i think for most they are a supplement device that are very useful

 

[schneiderguy]

I really like tablets, I definitely think they are useful but I'd only buy an iPad or an Android device.

I can't let you do that, HAL.

 

[irishScott]

I prefer convertibles. Tablets are much more limited in their use.

 

[HAL9000]

I can't let you do that, HAL.

I have an iPad.

 

[lxskllr]

It's the little stuff that ticks me off. You can use exactly what you're given, and only with one method, or you have to download an app, or hack the device. Want to change your font? Sure. First root your tablet, then download our handy app, and you can change it in 15 short minutes. Seriously??

Everything is too specialized for my taste, and there's very little reconfigurability with the system, or apps.

 

[gevorg]

Tablets are still at their infancy. Expect rapid changes in upcoming years and little software support for the "old" tablets (i.e. planned obsolescence).

 

[zinfamous]

The first time that I have ever considered a tablet is with the release of the Transformer Prime.

Also, maybe, mayhaps, perchance, the Galaxy 8.9.

Though, I will not consider anything until it is released stock with ICS.

Then, when such devices become freely available, I will not consider anything if it is not released with Jellybean.

so, basically, what gevorg said.

 

[Dominato3r]

I want something like the courier. That thing was cool.

 

[GotIssues]

I see how they are fun and somewhat useful, but they are not for me at this point.

 

[So]

Nay. I got a windows 7 tablet about six months ago. It's got pen input, but it's still crap for content creation. It's essentially become a plants vs. zombies machine.

If you want to surf the web only, a tablet is an acceptable content consumption device for the couch. If you want to make stuff and not be tied to a desk, a laptop is still the way to go.

 

[IGBT]

there for people that wana play "Minority Report".

 

[Bateluer]

Tablets are still at their infancy. Expect rapid changes in upcoming years and little software support for the "old" tablets (i.e. planned obsolescence).

This post makes the most sense in this thread. The 'modern' ARM tablet is still in its infancy. Older tablets had the similar form factors for their time, but usually ran Windows and an x86 CPU. The processing power of ARM designs has skyrocketed and iOS and Android are tailored to the architecture so they run far better than their predecessors.

Tablets are very much luxury items with extremely niche uses, though that isn't stopping people from buying them up in the millions.

A netbook make be more versatile, but lets face it, a Transformer or iPad will be a far more enjoyable experience. And consumers have backed that statement, sales of the ultra cheap, ~300 dollar netbooks have fallen off to be replaced by tablet sales and ultrabook-type laptops.

 

[Ichinisan]

Been using my TouchPad in WebOS for >4hours straight and still have 60% charge. :thumbsup:

Android is installed, but WebOS is better in many ways.

 

[Newbian]

With how phones are these days they are a better solution and really all the tablets are right now are used for it seems are crappy games you could play on your computer 10+ years ago in a bigger screen then your phone.

 

[irishScott]

The one reason I might buy an iPad (if I get a lot of unneeded money): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXNQOkHpd8&feature=player_embedded

 

[Newbian]

The one reason I might buy an iPad (if I get a lot of unneeded money): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXNQOkHpd8&feature=player_embedded

Kinda cool but it should work with others as easy and I wonder how the quality is for only $90.

 

[irishScott]

Kinda cool but it should to work with others as easy and I wonder how the quality is for only $90.

I assume different input ports = different controller inputs, unless the thing hooks into USB. Might also be that there's not enough demand on other platforms to make a profit.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I hate "typing" on touch screens. There is no replacement for a real keyboard (at least not yet). Tablets are nifty, but really I'd rather have a power efficient laptop running a not locked down OS.

 

[irishScott]

I hate "typing" on touch screens. There is no replacement for a real keyboard (at least not yet). Tablets are nifty, but really I'd rather have a power efficient laptop running a not locked down OS.

I hope I live to see the day of portable force-fields that can fit in a hand-held device. Touchpad keyboard you can feel.

 

[PrinceofWands]

If they're artist tablets for drawing, I can see them being useful to those people. If you're including e-readers then I can see the lure for many people though I myself would only buy one if it was full size (able to display 8 1/2 x 11 at actual size). Other than that, desktops and laptops are better in every way.

 

[Pardus]

iPad 3 coming in Feb. Wait if you can.