Harry McCracken, who write the Technologizer blog, wrote a story in December entitled: “How the iPad 2 Became My Favorite Computer.” In it, he asked whether or not an iPad can replace a PC? Being as we’re Android people, we decided to look at that from a broader perspective.
The simple answer is no. The distinction between a tablet and a full-fledged personal computer is being blurred, but they are still very different animals.
The primary built-in input of tablets is the touch-screen, which is not conducive for creation of long form content. The occasional brief email, but even that can be a chore.
Having acquired an Asus Transformer, we know there are markets for tablets that offer an optional keyboard dock. For other tablets, there is the option of a variety of bluetooth keyboards, which is what Mr. McCracken uses for his iPad. These keyboards, dock and other tools add the typing ability needed to turn a limited device into a full device.
Once you have the keyboard, you can start long-form typing. As pointed out in our referenced article, “You’re typing into a radically different set of apps than are available on a notebook.” You have to find out how to perform everyday tasks you would use a computer for normally.
Tablets and their lower power processors allow for hours of battery life, and the manufacturers are always searching for better battery life..So, you pair a screen the same size as a common netbook with an optional keyboard, long battery life, and functionality equivalent to many computers…What is missing?
When you add a keyboard to a tablet, what you essentially get is a netbook. But a netbook that costs more and has limitations in comparison to an actual netbook sized computer. In the end, what is missing is the larger screen and increased flexibility. But, maybe it can’t be your primary computer, but could it be your primary travel computer? What about on the go?
We’d like to hear your opinion? Where is the line and what do you do?
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- Harry McCracken uses the iPad as his prime computer (teleread.com)
It can once multi-tasking is easier with a keyboard and other accessories to aid in every-day use. Â Right now one of the best features of full-form desktops and laptops is multi-tasking, something no mobile OS has gotten quite right yet, even though Android is pretty close, Windows Phone 7+ has some annoying things that need to be worked out, and iOS I have no idea since I don’t use it, but from what I have seen they still don’t have it either. Â Until Multi-Tasking is properly solved, tablets that run non-desktop OSes simply can’t replace them for most. Â
You can run one with Windows 8, but it seems as if they are getting multi-tasking wrong in some areas, but adding some nice features for it, so it is still a wait-and-see with Windows 8.
I need my desktop/laptop but I am Abby… abby normal
I do agree that mobile OS’s don’t quite have everything to do desktop grade work. trust me I have tried to use webtop with a motorola phone. Which is alright as long as the app you use doesn’t focus on multi touch or gestures to do things. Even some websites don’t play nice with mobile web browsers no matter what rendering system they use. and with flash support going away so quickly from android, many websites that you used to be able to visit with an android you no longer can unless the web developer has rewritten their website in html5.
Productivity programming is getting there but is still a long way off from getting what is really needed out of office suites and what not. a prime example is Office Suite 6. it may have it’s glitches but from what I have been able to do with it, it has shown to be just as powerful if not more powerful than quickoffice.
Now what I think is that some people aren’t getting the big picture, even Microsoft. A Mobile Device is not intended to be an everyday computer. it is intended to be a social device (anymore) and to check messages. Even a droid 4 is difficult to handle when trying to long form an email. So I say just leave the damn mobile devices as a mobile device, a 3rd level computer. it should be lvl 1, desktop, for Games, full productivity, proper multiasking. 2nd level being laptops/notebooks, on the go productivity and multitasking with some gaming ability. 3rd level being netbooks/mobile devices, simple on the go productivity and quick web searches. though I think netbooks with their current power levels could be the lvl 2 devices. but a mobile device should never be your primary device to get things done. Especially if you run a big business or are in college.
I have an Asus Transformer Infinity, and I use it much more than any of my laptops or desktops (Of which, between work and home, I have several). I would classify the Infinity as my primary computer, based on the percentage of time I use it. For information-hunting (i.e. web-surfing), communication, etc., it is great. The email program on Android is much better than running OWA on a Mac or Firefox. The notifications are great. So for keeping in touch with the rest of the world, it has easily replaced my other computers. As a teacher, I often need to write basic documents — lesson plans, letters to parents, etc. For these, Polaris Office or OfficeSuitePro do fine. The battery life is phenomenal so I never have to charge it at work.
However, while it may function well as a primary computer, it cannot function as an only computer. I teach music. Right now I’m doing the programs for my upcoming concerts. Recently I made flyers for them. These things cannot be accomplished on the tablet. The same goes for audio mixing (I use Mixcraft and Garageband) and writing music (although there is an app — zap’s abc — that will produce decent looking notation, it is much more time-consuming to learn and use than programs like Finale or Sibelius, or even MuseScore). So yeah, the other computers are still necessary. But the Transformer Infinity is a great day-to-day device.
This Article was mentioned on gadgetwisdom.com