Tablets - toys or tools?

[not daSkeptic]

But there's nothing wrong with preferring a device that does both, right?

If that is one's personal preference, I see nothing wrong with it. I'm not sure if it would be as effective as separate devices, but not everybody necessarily cares about that.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

I was awaiting the iPad 2 announcement I'm enough of an Apple fanboy/nerd that I followed it on engadgets live blog, and seeing Steve Jobs healthy enough to be on stage made my heart smile!

I plan on getting an iPad 2, maybe in August (birthday month, hint, hint), following my usual plan to let someone else sort out the bugs and of avoiding the rush.

On the Apple site, they're now offering the original iPad (base model) for $399, or refurbished for $349. Other models as well, priced accordingly. You have to search the store for iPad and then scroll down - the gen 1's and refurbs are not immediately obvious). I planned to spring for the $349 model, but had someone on another site offer me a 16g model with 3g for $400, including a case and screen protector, and I should be receiving that as soon as he gets his "2" on the 11th. The 3g is a nice option - it includes the gps (not in the base models) and 3g is available month to month without contract if I happen to be traveling.

I'm a pilot, and this will let me carry backup charts. Also handy at the hangar to view all my maintenance manuals without lugging them around. Plus I'm sure I'll find a gazillion other uses for it. If and when I get the "2" in August, Karen will inherit the "1".

Lots of great choices out there - May We Live In Interesting Times!

 

[chulbert]

If you frame your discussions in terms of features then you really just don't get it, or possibly you're not even close to the target audience of these devices. It is about the experience.

Touch tablets are not appropriate for all tasks but the experience can be so delightful and natural they become the best choice some tasks.

 

[zooterkin]

Lifehacker has a piece about the good and bad points of tablets.

Lots of folks (including some of us at Lifehacker) have dismissed tablets as useless unless you're playing games or reading articles. They've been declared content consumption devices, not content creation devices. Most folks say they can't use a tablet for "real work", that only a real laptop or netbook will suffice. I've long used my netbook as my main on-the-go computer, but I'm starting to realize that often, my iPad is actually a better choice. Here's why picking up that new iPad 2 or Motorola Xoom could actually be one of the most convenient productivity purchases you make.