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TabletPC vs. Laptop
Tablets are all over the place. More and more apps are developed and the existing ones getting better and better. There are tablets (and phones) with dual core processors available. The platform and raw numbers might not be directly comparable to those of desktop processors. Still, we can see quite some process. It's almost everything one needs on the go.
The question come to mind, do we actually still need a laptop? I think, it's a question worth thinking about. Of course, a tablet can not replace all computing needs. But what is it, we need on the go?
Sure, if you want, or need, to edit video or do record and edit sound, a tablet wont do it. But to take notes, show some photos or videos, check your emails, etc. a tablet is equally capable.
If a tablet does everything you need on the road you could have a desktop at home. A desktop is usually cheaper compared to an equally powerful laptop. And most likely you have a bigger screen on a desktop, as well.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all. Those who regularly are on the road for extended periods of time might need the extra horsepower, applications and capabilities of a laptop. But I might argue, that for many people a tablet would actually be the better option. It's small and light, and if you can wait until you are back home for some of the stuff you need/want to do, then why bother yourself with a bigger machine then you really need?
Space isn't an issue either, at least for most Android based tablets, as you can attach external drives via USB or insert a SD or MicroSD card. And for the not so professional requirements a tablet and smart phones take pretty good photos and video. Try that with a laptop...
Having said all that, I'm thinking about my personal needs. I'm not sure if a tablet would be enough. But as I see more and more of them around me, I sure will set out to explore the available apps, can I do all I need while on the road. But the thought is definitely appealing to me. A tablet for on the road, and a desktop at home.
What do others think? Do you have a tablet, is it enough for your travels, or do you need a laptop to do all your work? What are the ups and downs of replacing a laptop with a tablet?
Tablet for consumption, Laptop for creation
For myself I can't see using a tablet for anything other than consumption or very basic social networking and email. A laptop will continue to be my "workstation" of choice. Given my limited budget, I can't see myself spending that much money on a device that can only be used for entertainment.
Although I can't see myself getting a tablet device, the tablet market is something that we should be looking at as a mission for reaching others and getting the message out of what God is doing in the mission, and how others can get involved. We should be looking at developing utilities and apps for these devices.
A few interesting uses that I have seen for tablets, or tablet like devices, are for creating very basic and quick videos and also for evangelism:
Both of these approaches to the use of technology could be very useful, and we should continue to explore things like this to work out God's plan for the mission.
miss-leading subject
I got myself a little confused when I wrote that. Of course, I was talking about the tablet devices, not a TabletPC, as in a computer that can turn the screen to transform into a tablet.
Sorry about that confusion.
Yes, a tablet, or a smart phone for that matter, can easily be used for something like Grassroots News. Specifically a phone is something most people carry around with them all the time. Maybe no so much a tablet, let alone a laptop. Also, a video camera is not necessarily the item people take with them where ever they go, in the same sense like a phone.
Also, for evangelism, e.g. for the videos available from Indigitech. Of course, a smart phone will work just fine. but a tablet with its bigger screen might be a nicer option for an audience larger then 2 people. Like for a family.
Of course, if you have a tablet and a phone one could show a video on the tablet while you take a photo or a short video clip with the phone.
Also, I'm thinking about interviewing a person. If a spontaneous (Grassroots News like) opportunity should come up i could quickly grab another person to hold teh phone or tablet to record the person from 2 angles. Endless ideas running through my mind... I better stop writing down ideas here or this will get way too long a post.
The other thing, however, is that I get more and more excited about the idea that a tablet might be a great tool for meetings. Leave the laptop where it is on the desk and come with a much smaller device.
When I say "much smaller", I compare it to my 17" laptop, which really is a desktop replacement. YMMV but I just need the screen real estate for my work, and despite that rather big screen still have it often connected to a 2nd monitor. But sure I don't need that in a meeting.
At first, this might sound like an expensive and unnecessary replacement for pen and paper. But then, taking everything into account, what a tablet could do, it actually doesn't sound so bad to me.
Pen and paper wont get me my emails in a meeting or other type of information. Taking notes on a tablet means I have them electronically right away and can forward and work them instantly. Since I can take videos I can use it make an video update for base or ministry, without needing to buy a specialised device which will only do that one thing.
The tighter the budget the more appealing it actually sounds to me, since it can do so many things.
--~~~~~
Cheers,
Steve
Somebody's terminal is dropping bits. I found a pile of them over in the corner.
Tablet Computing
We recently purchased an iPad for my wife. It has a number of benefits that we decided to go with it. It was replacing a netbook. It's portable, light, and has a great battery life. One of the key things though is that for it's screen size everything is either designed for that screen or scales quickly and easily. The challenge with a small netbook is that programs that you run on it are designed for screens that are normally 18" and up. Although programs do run on the netbook a lot become really annoying when trying to view on a small screen size. The second to that is web browsing. A lot of websites are not designed for the netbook screen size. A lot of scrolling is required and quite a lot of that is sideways. Yes you can zoom sites but that isn't always ideal. The iPad however does scale sites nicely and all the apps are designed for the screen size. For a lot of people with minimal computing needs tablets can do an awful lot. It is a bit of a mindset shift and changing in the style of working. I have found that an awful lot more can be done on an iPad than could be done on netbook. I've used it for communication when travelling via Skype and Email, note taking (I recommend Evernote), video production, music production, website code editing, powerpoint with being able to connect it to a projector.
I do agree with Bill that we do need to start moving into apps and how they can be used within a missions context. How many trainees and staff do we have travelling around the world in countries where they don't speak the language. Yet they could show videos or have some translations. There are tons of possibilities.
Daniel
good comments
Thanks Daniel. Those are some good comments and observations.
Thanks for sharing.
--~~~~~
Cheers,
Steve
Somebody's terminal is dropping bits. I found a pile of them over in the corner.
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