What is the point of tablet PCs?

[mammador]

Not all of them even are Flash-capable. And if you want to just surf the net or chat with mates on Facebook then why not get a netbook? Most netbooks are just as portable as a tablet.

 

[DivideBYZero]

If you don't see the point, just get a netbook. If you want flash, get a tablet that supports it.

 

[alkemyst]

tablet PC's are great for the guy that stands around or goes door to door tracking something.

We are in the process of redeploying them in the field for our punchlist guys. They keep getting smaller, faster and we are able to write better applications to take advantages.

My wife and a couple people I know love the iPad to watch movies and read on. The biggest critique has been 'it doesn't stand up by itself'.

 

[shortylickens]

Well, Tablet PC's are just as functional as a full size laptop and also have touchscreen.

BUT, I think the OP is confusing Tablet PC's with the newly formed genre of Tablets, which are cheap, limited function devices that ONLY use a touchscreen, no keyboard or mouse.

As for their appeal, people like having the convenience of a smart phone in their pocket and the modern tablet is just a large version of that. Which of course makes no sense cuz now its no longer pocketable. But dont ever try to explain American purchasing habits as most of them make no fucking sense. Its amazing how people complain about the price of everything nowadays and then continually buy overpriced gadgets they dont even need. For the price of a big screen TV you could give yourself health insurance.

 

[pm]

I thought that all Tablet PC's are Adobe Flash capable...? They all run Windows, why can't they run Flash?

If we are talking about tablets - like the iPad or Android tablets - then the appeal to me is the instant power-on, the long battery life and the portability for the screen size. I have complaints about the iPad that mostly revolve around it being tied to a computer (or iTunes store) for loading movies and music. I have a netbook too - which is my daughter's school computer - and it's slow, has poor battery life, the screen is small and it takes tens of seconds to turn on. If I want to quickly check email, I reach for the iPad not the netbook.

 

[mammador]

I thought that all Tablet PC's are Adobe Flash capable...? They all run Windows, why can't they run Flash?

If we are talking about tablets - like the iPad or Android tablets - then the appeal to me is the instant power-on, the long battery life and the portability for the screen size. I have complaints about the iPad that mostly revolve around it being tied to a computer (or iTunes store) for loading movies and music. I have a netbook too - which is my daughter's school computer - and it's slow, has poor battery life, the screen is small and it takes tens of seconds to turn on. If I want to quickly check email, I reach for the iPad not the netbook.

the iPad cannot run Flash.

 

[TheStu]

the iPad cannot run Flash.

The iPad is not a Tablet PC. It is a tablet. I know, the naming convention is incredibly stupid.

 

[pm]

the iPad cannot run Flash.

Well, technically it can run a limited version of Flash if you jailbreak. I've done this and it works - although it's a bit flaky, doesn't work on all Flash webpages and has a tendancy to crash... but it does work. (link)

But as TheStu said, there's tablets and tablet PC's - although lately the terms are used interchangeably. Still the "PC" at th end seems to me to indicate it's one of the older Windows-based tablets.

tablets - like the iPad: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_computer
tablet PC - like the Panasonic Toughbook 19, Acer C210: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Tablet_PC

 

[Oyeve]

If I had disposable cash I would definately have a tablet PC or ipad. Just for the convenience of being able to watch a quick video or qukckly look up info on the web from the comfort of the toilet or while on the couch or in bed. I do this now with my vibrant but would love to have a few more inches of screen room. I am looking at the dell streak or whatever T-Mobile will have. I think I can grab one for two hillside not then I will be grabbing some cheap tab.