February poll - Are you buying a Tablet PC?

For the month of February and all the recent news about the Slate PC's and Apples iPad we thought it'd be interesting this month to see if you believe you'll be using one of these devices in the future. Feel free to discuss why you will or will not be using this type of device, what type you plan on buying, what you think you'll be doing on it, why it will or will not be a success, if it'll replace the computer, etc.

All past monthly polls and results can also be found on the Computer Hope poll page.

[Moderator]

Yes.
I have it narrowed down to 3 models...2 of which are supposed to have brand new releases in the next 2 months...
Actually they are qualified as netbooks...does that count ?

Netbooks don't really count. Tablets don't fold (or do they?).

I myself still can't see myself getting any tablet. Out of curiosity Patio, what do you see yourself using the tablet for. I think that's my main struggle is I can't think of anything for me personally I'd use it for.

Netbooks don't really count. Tablets don't fold (or do they?).

If their screens were made of graphene maybe:D

I don't think I'll be getting one...   I can't think of anything off the top of my head why I would need one.  However, for the sake of attaining some technical experience in tablet PCs, I wouldn't mind getting one.  I like to have access to as many technological devices as possible (although it's very many right now) so I can reference them (if necessary) when helping someone else, instead of resorting to google searches all the time..         If you can't figure out what some article is saying on the Internet you could always break out the device itself and see, for real.
For example, my dad gave me his old Toshiba Satellite laptop with Win98  w/Pent. 2 MMX...  I don't use it much except for when I need to reference the operating system itself, to help someone or for some other reason.. It beats the heck out of google..  I don't mean only helping people on CH either.  I'm going out job hunting in a few months so, access to as much technology as possible would be a plus..     

No, I can't think of any use for one.

[Moderator]

Mostly for keeping touch on the road...
But also it would be handy for my residential Customers with a dead machine and only 1 PC on site...
That way i can get online for drivers...updates etc.
Will also probably store backups of all my Utilities even though i have most on thumb drives...

I won't be buying a tablet PC.  I'm not a fan of touch screen interfaces or most mobile devices in general, and I just don't have a need for any kind of tablet PC/laptop/netbook.

Mostly for keeping touch on the road...
But also it would be handy for my residential Customers with a dead machine and only 1 PC on site...
That way i can get online for drivers...updates etc.
Will also probably store backups of all my Utilities even though i have most on thumb drives...

That's an interesting thought my only concern though is how would you go about getting the drivers/updates or any file from the Slate / iPad to the PC? Still think a laptop would be more versatile when working on the road. Has everything you'd need, although I'll still admit it can be pretty bulky. Usually though a thumb drive seems to be enough for most issues.

[Moderator]

It will be a netbook.
I didn't qualify that in my original post.

This one...

Never say never, but not for some time until they add some basic features like USB.

Why not just wait until they have it down to the size of a wrist watch and you just talk to it? They could call it a walkie talkie PC. Oops, that's already betaken.

Anyway, if I can't write or spell with a keyboard, how will a tablet help me? Does not writing take more skill? And they don't teach writing anymore. Do they?

[Moderator]

Or multi-tasking...
Or Flash support...

Or multi-tasking...
Or Flash support...

Theres no flash support?.......

Theres no flash support?.......

Nope just like the iPhone Apple believes that Flash is too unstable for their products. However, with the use of HTML5 you can watch videos as if you had flash on YouTuebe and other sites supporting it. It's likely in the future Flash will disappear as more products support HTML5.

Some of the models look like giant I-phones

Where's the option for, "I already have a Tablet"?

Where's the option for, "I already have a Tablet"?

Good point. Added.

a review of the Apple tablet...

http://rantpuppets.com/2010/01/the-first-hands-on-review-of-the-apple-tablet/

lol

  I have absolutely no use for one. I have two desktops and a laptop. Good enuff for me!

Good point. Added.

Thanks. Voted.
I like using my tablet for reading e-books and cbt videos. It's not a multitouch tablet, and I have to use a pen for it to work, but it doesn't bother me. It's invaluable.

And they don't teach writing anymore. Do they?

There's not enough emphasis on a lot of the basics, anymore -- and it becomes more and more apparent as time goes by.  So, do I want to learn Mandarin, or Cantonese?

It's all well and good, until the device quits, or the power goes out.

Tablet PC's are generally defined as those upon which input can be made with a digital pen, stylus, or touchscreen, often using one's natural handwriting.  Tablet PCs can have two formats:  a convertible model with an integrated keyboard and display screen that rotates/swivels 180 degrees and folds down over the keyboard -- or a slate style, with a removable keyboard.

Some of the models look like giant I-phones

There moving backwards. It's a trap!

Where moving backwards?

THERE!!! Can't you see it!!?

For the month of February and all the recent news about the Slate PC's and Apples iPad we thought it'd be interesting this month to see if you believe you'll be using one of these devices in the future. Feel free to discuss why you will or will not be using this type of device, what type you plan on buying, what you think you'll be doing on it, why it will or will not be a success, if it'll replace the computer, etc.

All past monthly polls and results can also be found on the Computer Hope poll page.

Only if it comes with a 20 inch screen!

Only if it comes with a 20 inch screen!

20-inch screen seems like a lot to carry around.

I have a toshiba M700 tablet, worst laptop Ive ever owned. The problem list is huge and they just keep coming. Its small and the keyboard is a pain to type on and it really strains my eyes with the tiny screen. Its battery is crap and at best, its a max of 1 hour. The swivel screen holders on mine are broken so the damned screen swivels whenever the laptop moves. I use it at school and I move it a lot and actually use it as a laptop and its horrible. If you are going to buy a tablet, dont buy a Toshiba.

Also I have friends with large screen tablets and those things are a pain to carry. D:

Why are they a pain to carry?

....no flash support....Nope just like the iPhone Apple believes that Flash is too unstable for their products.

They probably would rather see you use Quick Time rather than flash wouldn't they?

Plus the iPad is really limited since they chose to use the iPhone OS instead of MacOS.

As for my own vote, I don't see a need for one.

I find the form factor inconvenient.

Perhaps someday, when my laptop is obsolete, I might replace it with a tablet, but for now a tablet and a laptop are too close to the same functionality.

The only thing I see unique is greater comfort to sit on the sofa to read a book, and a little less bulky and easier setup than a laptop when travelling.

I have voted 'no'.

At the moment I cannot see where the functianality justifies the cost. I am more than happy with my laptop and it has far more ability than any tablet PC on the market. I would like to have a Sony e-reader as I read a lot. But the cost is so extreme that it does not make sense to me. I could buy a lot of books for the £170+ that an e-reader costs.

Nathan, are you going to un-sticky this?

Nathan, are you going to un-sticky this?

Done.