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Tablets, No Thanks

iPad 3G and iPad Wi-FiCreative Commons License Yutaka Tsutano via Compfight

I still don’t own a tablet. Not an iPad or a Nexus 7 or anything in between. How can a tech savvy guy like me not own the shinny that is the modern tablet? I must be a techno Luddite. How can I live without apps and flat, thin  screens that beg for my fingers to caress them? Don’t I know that everyone who’s anyone has at least one tablet, if not more? What is wrong with me?

Nothing. I just don’t need one. Tablets are consumer candy for first world gadget nuts with more disposable money than common sense. But they are so cheap now, surely I can afford one. Oh yes, I can afford lots of tablets, even the Mac ones; but I prefer to use that money to pay down my mortgage or pay off my car faster. Unlike most people, I understand that we are in a depression and my budget reflects that.

But, don’t I think they are cool? Yes. Because, Star Trek. But do I actually need one to get my work done, or to make my life easier? Nope.

I have two consumer grade items that I use on a regular basis. A smart phone and a laptop. I use the phone for just about everything except producing content. It’s my portable, always connected to the internet entertainment device. I get to use my fingers to use apps, play games, read books, get information and news, be social, navigate my car, make phone calls, send email, take pictures, watch movies and listen to music. Aside from size, how is a tablet better than that?

My laptop gets used for content creation. It runs a modern, full sized operating system – Linux. I use it for writing books, programming, creating art and making ebooks. It’s light weight and the battery lasts longer than the usual time I have available to create anything. I can listen to streaming music, or watch a movie on it. It also has a great keyboard, and a clear, 13″ screen, perfect for long form writing.

I can go off to any location that has cell service and use the internet with my computer through my phone. So portability is a key feature. I can carry my light, laptop for a long time and not be burdened by it. My phone fits snugly in my pants pocket.

So tell me again why I need a tablet?

5 thoughts on “Tablets, No Thanks”

  1. I still just don’t need a tablet. Period. It’s extra. A toy that in this economy, I don’t really need. I will say this though, the new shinny from Google is hard to resist. LOL

    Mom – old age is a great reason to own a tablet, but I’m just not there yet. ;-)

  2. I thought the same until I broke down and bought an Android tablet. For consumption, they just work, especially in places where a laptop is a bit too much machine. I find it easier to cart around at work, is great on trips where I don’t need to type, etc. Like you said, though, I still prefer my laptop or desktop with a full keyboard when creating. Now, Microsoft RT may help as it has a decent keyboard and split screen for content creation. Guess we’ll see.

  3. Hi Ken,

    I’m just the opposite, I have a Mac and I-Pad 2, that’s because I’m getting old and thats about all that I can handle, you must be the son with all the rest.

    Love, Mom

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