There has been a pretty sharp turn in the more recent past concerning what "casual computer users" play. The people who used to spend a lot of time on Minesweeper, Solitaire and Bejeweled now sink significant time into playing Facebook games like Farmville, Ravenwood Fair and City of Wonder. And they all require flash, which the iPad does not support (because one man thinks he knows what's best for others). This segment of casual entertainment is currently exploding as it combines simple gaming concepts with social networking, almost like a MMMO experience, just with "less gaming" and more "social". The aforementioned titles rake in millions of dollars every month.

For me, a tablet (or slate) would just be a gimmick that I'd use for web browsing, replaying pro games, perhaps playing on a go server and watching shows. A virtual on-screen keyboard is not really working for me. I recently read a pretty good article on how well an iPad can replace a laptop in an office environment, which I thought covered my concerns nicely. It's located here.

I also chew a little on the whole ebook thing. On an intellectual level, I would prefer electronic books over the dead tree ones, but whenever I have myself half convinced that a) more space and b) fewer dead trees would be really nice, I inevitably attempt to read a longer text on the screen and catch myself losing focus, concentration and interest unusually fast. Almost like ADD, but only when reading books on a screen, whereas reading traditional books doesn't cause any mental fatigue even after hours of reading. It doesn't help that Kindle editions are frequently more expensive and that probably 90% of my books (and more than 70% of the new ones I purchase) don't even exist in an ebook form.

Hey, Ron, you should wait for the Flyer and then post a review here. Your general preferences seem to be similar to mine. Also, have you looked at the upcoming Sony NGP? I'm mildly optimistic about it, and hopeful that it will have better third-party support than the PSP did, and not cost an arm and a leg. (Maybe they are learning since they also dumped the disc-based approach.) But it's just for gaming, of course.

I should probably clarify what I meant by "replace." "Most people" could get by without a laptop, tablet, or PC at all and replace it with, say, a typewriter and a pen and paper (and perhaps a few board games). Sure, someone *could* ditch their laptop and PC and replace it with a tablet, but it would be an extremely uncomfortable experience.

Obviously, a "tablet" with the right hardware, keyboard, and other input devices (USB input), and operating system, but at that point, we're not really talking about a tablet anymore.

Setting that aside, it would be pure awesome to have a tablet that was fully and seamlessly integrated into a laptop (i.e., you could dock/undock it). There have been similar devices before, but the execution hasn't been great.

Yes, I do think tablets can replace laptops for many many people. And not in Judicata's typewriter way. I'll try and articulate why when I can (sick wife and a 15 month old here).

As for the docking thing, I'm not enthusiastic, though I used to be. Apps and OS controls need to be written with consistent expectations for input devices, but using touchscreen input on a laptop seems dodgy and tiresome.

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Occupy Babel!

First, I hope your family gets better soon (and you don't get ill yourself).

On your second point: Fair enough, and this is perhaps a large reason former attempts have failed. But operating systems and software are adaptable. While there are certain tasks you'll want a laptop, keyboard, and input for, you can do some on both (note we're almost making arguments opposite from our positions on whether a tablet can replace a laptop). I'm not saying I know how it will work, but it doesn't seem to be a huge leap to me. I know Ubuntu is already making itself more suited for touchscreens in its main desktop OS (not a separate mobile OS). All that said, I could be wrong.

I don't know what you mean by "can replace laptops," I guess. Perhaps you could clarify? If someone has a desktop computer, it depends on what they do while mobile, but perhaps they could use a tablet instead of a laptop. Regardless, if someone would only use a laptop for casual web browsing and e-mail, a netbook or tablet may be all they need. And if you really want to get technical, I don't believe most of the people in the world own a personal computing device at all. Those described above don't really need a laptop to begin with, so why not grab a tablet? But for someone who actually uses a laptop, the tablet is simply no replacement, but rather a useful supplement (even if a far more useful supplement than I originally expected). Also, consider the largest buyers of laptops and other computers--businesses (such as the place I work), where tablets would never be sufficient without transforming into fully-functional laptops, though tablets are certainly finding their uses in business applications (something Blackberry is betting on).

I am surprised this is even a point of contention--I can't even find a tablet manufacturer (Apple or anyone else) that markets a tablet as a laptop replacement.

Yeah, that was a pretty good article, although it seems to have been written from very early in the life of the first iPad, so some of the software issues may be obsolete by now (either on the iPad itself or Android tablets).


I was very reticent to read ebooks as well. For me, I found that the only way I get could through a whole book was to read the file fullscreen, thus hiding the toolbar, etc. I also liked having the text a little larger, although it did create for a very different feel compared to the hardcopy books. The kindle pricing does leave a lot to be desired. From just looking at the past entries in one particular series, they are actually priced to match the mass market paper back editions, which I think is a little absurd. I also don't like that the kindle editions for new releases are sometimes actually delayed by publishers' request, although, for the new book, the kindle edition is better priced than the hard cover, so I guess it evens out a little bit.


I'm too impatient to wait!
Seriously though, I may end up also picking up a Flyer, depending on its price, and my finances at the time. If I do, I'll be sure to post a review here.
As for the NGP... It seems interesting. I'm usually not an early adopter for game consoles, but, if it has good enough games, I'll definitely be picking one up. You should do a review of it, if you happen to pick one up.



Not really. Does a typewriter (and perhaps a few board games) come with Internet access, email, instant messaging, Facebook, blogging, or any other sort of instant gratification communications or multimedia entertainment support?



For you, yes. Just one example to the contrary: I randomly met someone through text messaging (long story) who never even used her computer, because her smartphone did everything she wanted, without any of the hassles. And that's just a palm-sized device! Would she have preferred a similar, albeit larger device (aka, a tablet)? I don't know. The point is that, for this one particular person, the simplicity of a phone that performed the few functions she wanted it to was more important than all the power and flexibility of a PC.



I think the term you mean would be slate. A tablet is (pretty much) any touch-operated, portable computational device.
My Toshiba Portege M700 (currently running Windows Vista, though I've been meaning to upgrade to Windows 7) may appear to be a laptop, but is in fact, also a tablet.

No, but not everyone uses those things. The debate seems to be a moving target--probably for both sides due, in part, to imprecise language (I'm blaming myself as much as anyone). What does it mean to replace a laptop? What does it mean to not need one in the first place? If you just check e-mail and send text messages, you don't need a tablet or computer at all. The concept of "need" is of course soft as well (none of us argue that we need these devices for survival). What is the difference between a tablet and a laptop?

These are all issues I don't really care to get into further, but it is an interesting discussion, so don't let me stop you. My initial thoughts on the issue were just that--thoughts. I haven't done any emperical studies or even informal surveys, and I don't intend to. Anecdotally, the people I know who actually use their laptop/desktop computers could not replace them tablets unless they started to morph into laptops.

I also don't want the discussion to detract from my ultimate praise of the iPad 2. I'm finding new uses for it every day. Today, I discovered marking up draft documents while on the go (even in freehand!); a few days ago I discovered some great legal research tools. All of these things have made my life easier or more enjoyable in one way or another.

Yesterday's discussion in the "go books reviews" section (an unfortunate place) about ebooks triggered me to do some more research on ebooks and readers. I'm still intrigued, but between prices, selection of books, various formats and DRM, I believe it's too early for me to switch from paper to digital books. There are some readers that would appeal to me, but they cost more than half of what the Xoom or the Flyer will cost (Kindle DX, the 902/903 PocketBook series). I love the concept of e-ink, however, and how readable and power-saving it is. If I buy a player now, it'll delay other electronics purchases.

I think, though, what I really want is a portable all-purpose device. And that brings us right back to a tablet. Even if that means having to make some compromises (e.g. worse readability of larger documents due to LCD displays radiating light).



Well, tell me about it. The Xoom wasn't even on my radar until you mentioned it. 629 Euro at my hardware store. Ho-hum. No, not this soon! Maybe in a couple of months, depending on reviews and, more importantly, user feedback after they had the device for a while and the novelty wears off. I'd even consider an iPad2, but I need Flash support for professional reasons, so it's pretty much out unless I make strange arrangements like "taking my netbook along because it has a keyboard". I'm also still trying to decide to what degree I need a tablet and what the "WANT! MUST HAVE!" percentage of my interest is.



I have two PSPs (normal, lite) and three DS devices (EU lite which died and was replaced with an US lite as a Gameboy player, and a DSi), so ... yeah, I'm a sucker for handhelds. It all started some time in the early 90s when Atari sent me a review "copy" of a Lynx and then didn't want it back (great hardware, crappy third-party support). So, yes, I'll probably pick up a NGP, if only so I can play Unchartered Portable. The smart thing would be to wait for the second generation, though. I think I'll make this dependent on the price and whether it "supports" custom firmware.

So I finally decided that I'll bite the bullet and go with an iPad2 (mostly because of the app store, iBooks and SmartGo Kifu -- and I'll just use a netbook for Flash-requiring work stuff), and now the iPad2 is out of stock everywhere in Germany. No new shipments before Easter, and even the Apple Store can't deliver before then. I guess that means May.

It's terrible sitting on money that I want to spend. Perhaps I'll look at the Xoom again, or the Flyer when it comes out. The Xoom reviews weren't as positive as I had hoped, but that had partly to do with the lag of tablet-designed apps on the Android store.

Sorry to hear it's still hard to find, but I'd say it's worth the wait.

Regarding iBooks, it's a good app for reading epub format, but for pdf files I recommend an app called GoodReader. Amazon's Kindle app is also quite good for books from their store. The Google Books app is pretty primitive, but it does provide easy access to their public domain scans.

I think you might also like another app which will debut as soon as Apple approves it…

Is it the same mystery app that Anders briefly (and without any details!) mentioned, or a different project that's luring in the bushes and waiting to surprise us with its awesomeness?

Yes, it's the same.

After using it for awhile, I still love the iPad 2 and I find myself using it quite productively.

The screen resolution is turning into a minor problem. I don't really care about the resolution for games and such, but rather for reading. Letters on my iPhone 4 looks MUCH clearer than those on the iPad 2, and I think the fuzziness causes me a bit of eye fatigue. So, I guess I'll cough up the extra $$ whenever the iPad comes out with the "retina" display.

My hardware vendor informed me today that they will receive a new shipment of iPod 2 devices on May 9, but may receive smaller numbers before that, so I may want to place an order already now, they suggested. (In fact, they did have the white 64 GB model in stock today, but it's not what I wanted). Now that I have waited three weeks, I guess I can wait another two! Ended up pre-ordering it and shelling out €630 for the 32 GB wifi version, a smart cover (would normally have taken the grey one, but figured I may as well try something more "fresh" and went with the green cover!) and shipping costs. (The actual device is €579.)

It's all pretty pricey for what it does, and I know I'll shell out another hundred bucks for some of the apps I want. I guess next year I'll then have to buy the next model.

Woah! You should take a trip to the U.S. and grab one for about a third less--take advantage of the relatively weak dollar.

I considered asking one of my American friends/colleagues to pick one up, but the problem is with the warranty. If something went wrong, there'd be mailing back and forth, hassle, and extra expenses. I also realized I can put it on next year's tax form as a somewhat work-related purchase. But, yeah, electronics in Europe are overpriced. Always been that way, sadly, and it's especially obvious with already overpriced hardware (like the iPad).

Apple's warranties are international.

And don't forget that part of the price difference is VAT. In the US, only a few states don't have sales tax, but it's added on to the announced price, not included as it is in Europe.

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My blog about Macs and more: Kirkville

For the actually utility it serves, I agree it is "overpriced" in some sense of the term. But comparing it to other tablets and similar gadets--the price can't be beat.

Uh... Actually, the hardware, functionality, AND price can all be beaten.

http://gadgetian.com/9262/asus-eee-pad- ... ecs-price/

The Asus eee Pad Transformer is just one example.

Nonsense. It doesn't have a 64 GB version.

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Occupy Babel!

Granted.

Although, it looks like the 64GB wifi-only iPad2 is ~$800, vs. the Transformer's most expensive option of $700 (presumably a 32 GB + 3G model, and possibly including dock, I'm not sure) plus ~$60 for a 32 GB microSD card. :O