Author Topic: A500 tablet... well kinda (Read 6480 times)

Digiman · « **Reply #29 from previous page:** January 06, 2011, 09:09:56 PM »

Fujitsu have been making tablet PCs for a decade longer than Apple. I had a Centrino one and it was a fantastic media machine but still a toy. It also was far superior to iPad, which is even more crippled and for fashionistas only really.

Amiga 1000 took nothing away from your C64 setup, just added the option of mouse input. A tablet PC did remove/disadvantage use of a traditional computer and real users never took it up as a new defacto replacement though. Multitouch is no help and I'm typing this using XP tablet edition's on screen keyboard.

Multitouch will never be suitable for my gaming needs either (eg Battlefield 2 on PC)

runequester · « **Reply #30 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:10:17 PM »

Quote from: commodorejohn;604401

See, I know that, but what I don't understand is how you're getting from "are becoming popular" to "are totally going to replace PCs for the average user." How many people who have a tablet don't have a PC in their home? And while a low-power keyboardless portable device will probably work just fine for most of an average user's typical leisure computing, how many of them (teenagers with large amounts of disposable income excepted) don't have a few text-intensive or processor-intensive (by tablet standards) tasks that they need to take care of (e-mail, budget tracking, 3D gaming, etc.)?

Looking back over my posts, I might come across as a bit of a crank, but I don't have anything against tablets just for being tablets (though I don't have any use for them personally.) However, I don't see them completely supplanting full-fledged PCs (laptop or desktop) for anybody other than pre-adults who spend a lot of time on YouTube and Flash games.

The question to ask is... what do most people have a PC for?

The answer is likely to be: Facebook / twitter / some flash games / some web browsing / pirating some music.

At the place I work at, most people use phones or similar devices far more than they use a PC.

commodorejohn · « **Reply #31 on:** January 06, 2011, 09:14:30 PM »

Quote from: the_leander;604424

Cool, I can make wholly arbitrary lines in the sand too!

While I don't know that making a distinction between devices with a full-fledged, specialized text-input peripheral and devices that make do with adapting their existing pointing device to the purpose is "wholly arbitrary," yes, you can indeed make wholly arbitrary lines if you so desire. I just don't think it'll aid in discussion.

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And that's great, right up until someone comes along and blurs the line still further .

And, uh, not seeing a keyboard there. 1GB of RAM and a 1GHz CPU is okey-dokey, but all the horsepower in the world isn't going to make a touchscreen into a keyboard. (Also, what about storage space? Didn't see any mention in the article.)

the_leander · « **Reply #32 on:** January 06, 2011, 10:31:26 PM »

Quote from: commodorejohn;604432

And, uh, not seeing a keyboard there. 1GB of RAM and a 1GHz CPU is okey-dokey, but all the horsepower in the world isn't going to make a touchscreen into a keyboard. (Also, what about storage space? Didn't see any mention in the article.)

From the article, just under the second picture.

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Accessories include a speaker dock with USB and HDMI ports (shown), plus a keyoard and stand

From Tablet to lifestyle PC with just the addition of a dock.

commodorejohn · « **Reply #33 on:** January 06, 2011, 11:58:00 PM »

Okay, so you're still stuck with either trying to use a tablet as a laptop via a separate keyboard (not fun,) or treating it as a desktop PC (pointless - you can get a better desktop for the same amount of money or a similarily-powered one for less and not have to use a damn stand accessory.)

the_leander · « **Reply #34 on:** January 07, 2011, 12:52:11 AM »

Quote from: commodorejohn;604487

Okay, so you're still stuck with either trying to use a tablet as a laptop via a separate keyboard (not fun,)

In practical terms, how is it different to using a lifestyle PC?

Quote from: commodorejohn;604487

or treating it as a desktop PC (pointless - you can get a better desktop for the same amount of money or a similarily-powered one for less and not have to use a damn stand accessory.)

The point that you keep missing is that it can be used either as a lightweight desktop, or be taken out and about as a tablet. Having one device that you can use at the comfort of your desk with a keyboard of your choice or as a portable device without any strings attached.

It wasn't that long ago that someone on this board was describing just such a device as something he looked forward to having. Now whilst I personally prefer having something like either a laptop/lifestylePC at home and a netbook to use whilst on the move, some people may find the idea of one system that can be used in both roles an attractive option...

Ultimately it's about how best your needs can be met by a given form factor, for you, it won't, for others, it might.

Tension · « **Reply #35 on:** January 07, 2011, 01:14:15 AM »

Quote from: the_leander;604518

lifestyle PC

Urgh! What a horrible marketing mumbo jumbo creation.

commodorejohn · « **Reply #36 on:** January 07, 2011, 01:24:33 AM »

Yes, it does work if your mobile computing needs do not include significant keyboard use and your desktop computing needs do not include more power than can be had with a high-end tablet. However, you were pitching it as something that "blurs the line even further" between a real-computer laptop and a tablet, which it doesn't, as it does not have an integrated keyboard. Nor does it "blur the line even further" between a real-computer desktop and a tablet, as unless it's significantly cheaper than existing tablets as well as being more powerful than them, you can still get a better desktop PC for the same amount of money.

It's a tablet, and it can use an external keyboard, and if you don't have a $1 wire picture stand from the dollar store you could pay whatever they're going to charge for their stand "accessory," and if that suits your needs, great, but it's neither as flexible for portable computing as a laptop nor as powerful as a similarily-priced desktop.

(And frankly, there are essentially no more "strings attached" when it comes to using more than one computer. Low-power laptops are cheap, mid-power desktops are cheap, and flash storage is cheap and fast enough to where it's perfectly convenient to keep all of your documents on a USB removable drive - media collection excepted, anyway.)

And this conversation, in a nutshell, is what I don't get about tablets: they're basically just netbooks with no keyboard, less storage, and a touchscreen, yet people act as if they're some dazzling new revolution in computing, and must show any disbelievers the Light. Look, if it suits your needs and style, great, but they're not for me, and while both of us can prognosticate about whether or not they'll become the norm for mainstream computing, the fact is there is no way to tell short of waiting to see.

Quote from: Tension;604524

Urgh! What a horrible marketing mumbo jumbo creation.

YES.

AmigaEd · « **Reply #37 on:** January 07, 2011, 01:40:00 AM »

Quote from: tone007;604411

How do you people deal with the fingerprints? They're bad enough on a touchscreen phone, I can't imagine looking at an ~8" or so screen covered in them.

You have to skip the deep fried chicken and the rack of spare ribs!
(alternatively, you could carry a large supply of moist towelettes.)

While not a squeamish person by nature, I too have a bit of an aversion to finger prints all over the phone. I find this especially true when someone hands me their phone to use (such as a co-worker) and it's covered with greasy, slimy finger prints. Gross!

The bigger issue I have with all of these touch enabled devices, is when you are trying to do something with the touchscreen and your own fingers are in the way of what you need to see because at the same time you need them on the screen to manipulate something. i.e. the simulated joypad.

Regards,
AmigaEd

ElPolloDiabl · « **Reply #38 on:** January 07, 2011, 05:56:53 AM »

From what i've seen... It's tech mad people who want tablets. They can see situations where a tablet will be easier than a laptop/netbook, like in a car or a quick visit to show off your latest holiday photos to granny.
Okay so there is also a fashion accessory race (or fad) going too, else people would still be using boxy looking phones and computers.

Let's see how they evolve, the engineers/designers might get creative with them.
I imagine kids will still do their computer classes on desktops, but as a general learning aid they will likely use pads, which is pretty cool, no textbooks etc.

persia · « **Reply #39 on:** January 07, 2011, 04:21:22 PM »

The point is people have multiple computers nowadays, tablets, notebooks, desktop, tv etc. It's not a tablet *or* a desktop, it's a tablet *and* a desktop. iPads are perfect devices to carry around for reading and light internet access or to play some games. I wouldn't live without one now but in no way does it replace my MacPro or the MacMini attached to the TV...

the_leander · « **Reply #40 on:** January 07, 2011, 06:12:51 PM »

Quote from: commodorejohn;604526

Yes, it does work if your mobile computing needs do not include significant keyboard use and your desktop computing needs do not include more power than can be had with a high-end tablet.

Which covers a significant proportion of the computer using world. An increasing number of younger computer users I know have started to view facebook as the internet, for instance. Everything they do stems from that one site.

Quote from: commodorejohn;604526

However, you were pitching it as something that "blurs the line even further" between a real-computer laptop and a tablet, which it doesn't, as it does not have an integrated keyboard. Nor does it "blur the line even further"

Err, yes it does blur that line. As does the Asus that I pointed out to you previously. Your arbitrary and mobile set of complaints is just that.

Quote from: commodorejohn;604526

between a real-computer desktop and a tablet, as unless it's significantly cheaper than existing tablets as well as being more powerful than them, you can still get a better desktop PC for the same amount of money.

Oh look, moving goal posts! First you complain about the keyboard, then when shown one with a keyboard complain about it in a desktop setting, so I show you one that comes with everything you'd find on a lifestylePC and now you're onto price. Android tablets start at £99.

I'll bet you were one of these people who bitched about Netbooks being useless because they weren't well suited to using photoshop too when they first came out.

Quote from: commodorejohn;604526

but they're not for me,

And that in a nutshell is what you cannot see past. People use their computers in a very different way to the way I use them and I suspect you use them. For them, something like this is more than adequate.

Will they take over today? Doubtful, though even then there are probably some users who could get on. But consider how far netbooks have come, they're now touting dualcore processors and in the high end models very respectable gpus in the shape of ION. How long do you really think it's going to be before tablets, which in their current guise are first gen effectively begin to update and improve?

Quote from: commodorejohn;604526

the fact is there is no way to tell short of waiting to see.

The writing is on the wall for the big box system and as in another thread, whilst lifestylePCs, laptops and netbooks are leading the way currently, it'll be mobile devices that eventually come to the fore. Consider the capabilities of even a budget Android smartphone these days.

commodorejohn · « **Reply #41 on:** January 07, 2011, 06:46:55 PM »

Quote from: the_leander;604665

Which covers a significant proportion of the computer using world. An increasing number of younger computer users I know have started to view facebook as the internet, for instance. Everything they do stems from that one site.

Yes, but are they going to stay that way? The specific reason I was exempting pre-adults is because there's a lot of things they don't have to be concerned with at their age that a desktop or laptop is currently much better-suited for than a tablet. That is likely to change as they grow up.

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Err, yes it does blur that line. As does the Asus that I pointed out to you previously. Your arbitrary and mobile set of complaints is just that. Oh look, moving goal posts!

Uh, I was complaining about everything you mentioned within my first couple posts in this thread.

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I'll bet you were one of these people who bitched about Netbooks being useless because they weren't well suited to using photoshop too when they first came out.

No, I was one of the people who waited through the roughness of the early models and then bought one, because it was small and inexpensive but full-featured enough to fit my needs (and in fact my Eee handles Photoshop quite nicely.) In fact, it remains my primary computer to this day, and the only PC I use regularly outside of my workstation at my job. You seem to have an erroneous mental image of me as some sort of MIPS-hungry power-user just because I think that tablets and smartphones are underpowered for modern computing.

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Will they take over today? Doubtful, though even then there are probably some users who could get on. But consider how far netbooks have come, they're now touting dualcore processors and in the high end models very respectable gpus in the shape of ION. How long do you really think it's going to be before tablets, which in their current guise are first gen effectively begin to update and improve?

Again, I don't doubt that tablet horsepower will improve in the future. But so will desktops (and thus, so will the horsepower requirements for up-to-date applications, though this is a trend that I myself find annoying,) and there are still key differences (once again: KEYBOARD) that will make them less well-suited to many tasks than a netbook, mid-range laptop, or modest desktop.

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The writing is on the wall for the big box system and as in another thread, whilst lifestylePCs, laptops and netbooks are leading the way currently, it'll be mobile devices that eventually come to the fore. Consider the capabilities of even a budget Android smartphone these days.

Okay, see, once again, when I talk about desktops I'm not talking about big-iron liquid-cooled gaming rigs - I'm talking about anything that is not portable, including what you're calling "lifestyle PCs." You can keep throwing around that term all you want, but that won't make it A. relevant to the discussion, or B. not a meaningless marketroid buzzword.

And you still seem to be under the impression that "will become more popular" necessarily means "will overtake and replace everything else." Ownership and regular use of a tablet and a desktop PC are anything but mutually exclusive, and I suppose it's even possible that some people might use a laptop and a tablet concurrently (though I still can't fathom why they would.) Is there room for tablets becoming more popular in the future? Quite possibly. Does that mean that they are the sum total of the future of computing? Hell no! Does that even mean that they will be the primary computing devices of the public? Not necessarily - we'll have to wait and see what happens to know.

the_leander · « **Reply #42 on:** January 07, 2011, 07:17:23 PM »