Author Topic: Tablet computers  (Read 480 times)

Offline Griff Grof

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Tablet computers
« on: October 24, 2012, 09:47:53 am »
Completely off topic...  ;)

Just wondering what everyone thinks about them. They seem to be taking the world by storm, and it appears that every day there's a new one hitting the market!

So they now call this a "post-pc era" but I'm not sure about you, but I doubt anyone would ditch their computer just for a tablet - are they really as powerful; they run mobile operating systems rather than desktop ones for a start. But then again with Windows 8 hitting shelves on Friday, Windows tablets and computers will now run the same operating system (though low end tablets will run an RT version) with Office included and everything - so maybe this is the start of an era where personal computers slowly disappear and tablets take over in business and education.

Okay, I admit I'm on a tablet right now writing this, an iPad to be precise, but it isn't (and never will be?) as powerful as my computer - when there's a document to write this iPad isn't my first call! But some people think otherwise... Are we witnessing the end of the personal computer?

What do you think?  ???
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Offline walktall

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2012, 11:28:32 am »
Yes Windows 8 is designed for both worlds desktop/tablet but there is a definite bias towards touch screen.

Also Windows 8's Metro screen can not be switched off by system admins, so there is debate if the corporate market will take it up.

I also find the tablet machines lack very fine control e.g. tweaking photos down to pixel level with out a lot of zooming in and out. And then there is the issue of power and memory to be able to manipulate several high res. photos together.

Saying all that, tablets are very convenient to use, hence why they are selling like hot cakes ;D I have thought about buying one but need first to replace this old laptop of mine that has issues :o
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Offline tarmacjohn

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2012, 09:19:43 pm »
Hmmmm, I also have been looking at tablets. My daughter has just given me a £50 Currys voucher, so I think an i pad might just be heading my way..........


Or shall I go for a Samsung Galaxy Tab?????

Oh hang on, I have just been doing some research and see that i pad 4 is out in the new few weeks. Decision made......I think :o :o

Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2012, 10:16:57 pm »
iPads are definitely better than Samsung Galaxy Tabs, in my opinion  :)

Yes, they announced a fourth generation iPad and revealed an iPad Mini; both coming soon; and so maybe better to wait  :)

Yes I agree WT, they don't have the same fine control as personal computers, but tablets are more convenient to use for day to day things.
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Offline Gackt

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2012, 10:30:51 pm »
I have never used one properly. Both my eldest kids have iPods and seemingly powerful phones, but we don't have a tablet in the house.

I remember the first time I saw one was just after the iPad was released in this country, I was sat in a café in Islington and a girl walked in, sat down at a table, and pulled one out of her bag and set to her work immediately like she had been using it all her life. She let me have a quick peek at it, and I thought it was an amazing bit of kit. I would never of dragged a laptop along with me to London for what I was there for that day, but would I have taken one of those if I had one.. quite possibly.

That said, the amount I travel far now is not often. It's not financially viable for me to buy one yet, it would only be a toy if I did, not a tool. My PC does for home stuff.

Small portable devices will increasingly become more popular I am sure. As for more powerful though? That's dependant on how you define power. If it's just raw processing power, functionality, and usability of day to day applications, if they don't match the average PC now I am sure they will before long. What I don't see in these devices currently though is redundancy. What do I mean by that? Well, what happens if something breaks? An issue with the power maybe, or the storage (all the apps and data you have on them)? This is where the larger home computers may come in to there own in the near future, having room for mirrored storage, dual power etc.

Deviating from the topic slightly, but just for fun, this beast doesn't exist any more.. we've parted it down. But, not so long ago this is something we created at work to mass wipe over a hundred disks at a time. It could though easily of been used as an always up system, having three power supplies to the core systems for double redundancy of PSU failure, two massive battery backups, and multi RAID arrays:



Small and portable I am sure will become increasingly more popular. But large non-movable units will still have there place for some time to come.

Offline walktall

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2012, 12:17:37 am »
One thing that I think still holds portable devices back is power. Yes batteries have improved but not that much as compared to the devices they power.

Also like SangueG says, computers haven't got self repair (redundancy) in them. Yes desktops can have some, like RAID which I use on a network drive, secondary power supply units and other bits but manufacturers are more worried about how fast (powerful) they can make them.

What is the best OS for tablets, Android or Apple? At the moment, I think Windows missed the boat  :o

PS nice pic SangueG ;D
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Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2012, 09:56:17 am »
Apple iOS is far better than Google Android; Windows doesn't look too bad, but it has come in a bit late - it's definitely better than android though!

Yes, but what will tablets be like in a few years time? If you can enclose an entire computer in thinning laptops and all in one desktops, then surely the same will apply for a tablet soon - they are already getting more powerful.

As SanueG said, would you really take your computer to a cafe? A tablet is far better for that, and for working on the go, but now it has become more of a toy. But having one myself I find it very useful, no waiting for a computer to boot up (even if its fairly quick to do so compared to others) just strait in, check what I want to check and done. Why turn on a computer just to see if someone has posted a new reply here on CacheWalker? I can do that in an instant on my iPad! Reading ebooks on tablets is good too, but I prefer not to read books off a screen  ;)

In just two years Apple have sold their 100 millionth iPad last week - that's JUST iPads, not all tablets... as walk tall said, they are selling like cake for their convenience.

It's just a whole new product category... Which was introduced and flopped in 2001, before Apple reinvented the tablet after years of designing it, in the form of an iPad, in 2010. Hundreds of tech giants have followed, and now this product category is filled with stuff to choose from....

Everyone has gone crazy over them like they did when PCs first started coming out - if tablets continue to get more powerful,I think we could well see the end of the personal computer. There will probably be bigger screen tablets coming out soon too, for the "pro"?

PS - yes, good picture  ;D
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Offline walktall

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #7 on: October 25, 2012, 11:30:34 am »
Apple iOS is far better than Google Android; Windows doesn't look too bad, but it has come in a bit late - it's definitely better than android though!

Yes, but what will tablets be like in a few years time? If you can enclose an entire computer in thinning laptops and all in one desktops, then surely the same will apply for a tablet soon - they are already getting more powerful.

A lot of people like Android and from what I read, is giving Apple a run for its money, especially as they are cheaper. Still think Apple do a great job in their design of their products and actually make them easy for people to use. It will be interesting to see how Windows 8 does now that it is out :)

When I was talking about power, I did mean just batteries, they seem very 'clunky' compared to how the devices (laptops, tablets, mobiles, GPS, etc) have changed over the years that they power.

I do agree that the computing power of these devices will just get better and better and one day there might even be my ideal device on the market :o ;D

In just two years Apple have sold their 100 millionth iPad last week - that's JUST iPads, not all tablets... as walk tall said, they are selling like cake for their convenience.

I think I said "selling like hot cakes", "selling like cake" doesn't have the same ring ;D ;)

Reminds me of the Stallone film "Demolition Man" where his character John Spartan kept correcting sayings   :D ;)

    Lenina Huxley: Let's go blow this guy.
    John Spartan: Away! 'Blow this guy *away*'!
    Lenina Huxley: Whatever.
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Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #8 on: October 25, 2012, 12:01:52 pm »
Android is the most popular mobile platform. As Windows is the most popular desktop platform. This isn't because they are the best - it's because any tech company can develop devices with Android, hundreds of them, and only one can develop devices with iOS. I personally don't like Android, it confuses me!

I do agree that the computing power of these devices will just get better and better and one day there might even be my ideal device on the market :o ;D
What would be your ideal tablet then walk tall?  ;)

I think I said "selling like hot cakes", "selling like cake" doesn't have the same ring
No it doesn't quite, does it?  :)
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Offline walktall

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #9 on: October 25, 2012, 02:26:18 pm »
What would be your ideal tablet then walk tall?  ;)

Small, fits in your pocket.
Full colour at least 14k quality touch screen.
Screen rolls out to say 14" but is small when you don't need the full size (perhaps this would need to be dual).
Full functional mobile.
Full functional GPS.
Full functional computer so I can edit high res photos as well the more simple tasks: email, Internet, etc.
Decent digital camera 20Mpix with some zoom (limited to thickness of unit) with GPS tagging + HD video.
Battery lasts 48 hours continual use.
Fast wireless connection for transferring or watching 14k films off the Cloud.
Weather proof and rugged (to take the knocks of everyday life)
Loads of memory 5TB (there shouldn't be a need to have an old fashioned disk spinning).
Built in redundancy to self repair.
Will operate under voice control as well as physical.

Will that do for now ??? ::) ;D
 
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Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #10 on: October 25, 2012, 04:12:10 pm »
Wooow those are quite some specs! I predict 2-3 years before that one at this pace!  :D
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Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #11 on: January 03, 2013, 02:08:14 pm »
Been a while since anyone has posted here but oh well  :D

It seems that just after Christmas more and more people have them - they're almost a standard now!  :o

They say they're selling Android Tablets but I've never seen one within a household - only iPads  :o

Have they won you over yet, walk tall?  :D
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Offline walktall

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #12 on: January 03, 2013, 07:20:12 pm »
Have they won you over yet, walk tall?  :D

Not seen an Orac for sale yet ::)
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Offline Gackt

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2013, 04:25:40 pm »
I've found a bit of one for sale ;D

xJammmzy's Nexus 7 is an android one, I am told.

Offline Griff Grof

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Re: Tablet computers
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2013, 04:49:03 pm »
I've found a bit of one for sale  ;D

Aha... I expect to see you with it in hand at the next one, walk tall  ;) Let us know when it arrives!  :P :D

xJammmzy's Nexus 7 is an android one, I am told.

I hear they are very good... Within the top three  :) How's he getting on with it?

I'm still convinced, however, that no tablet has met (or exceeded) the standards of the iPad, yet  :o And we'll be seeing an iPad 5 soon, so who knows what is to come, as the tablet market gets set to advance (to meet walk tall's requirements?) by the release of one tablet (everyone else will soon then be trying to catch up and copy it  :D )
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