I have spotted the iPad everywhere – TV, movies, billboards, sporting events.
And this does not even count the commercials from both Apple and now Verizon). I even heard some sports talk radio guys talking about how they were trying to score a cheap one from a penny auction site.
And I’ll admit it: I even feel into the tablet craze (for fifteen minutes).
I sold my Dell laptop on eBay in hopes of buying a tablet I am pretty sure will be vapor ware (the Archos 101, if you must know).
While doing my research, I noticed a plethora (vocab word-of-the-day FTW!) of iPad clones out there running Android. Some of them were dirt cheap, under $200. Of course, I found many rumors and plans for tablets to be released in 2011. This included product by Toshiba, Motorola, Vizio, Blackberry, and Palm (HP).
The Good:
Tablets offer cheap computing for many people. Instead of buying a full-blown computer, a person (or church) can purchase a tablet for $300 and be internet ready in a few minutes.
Not to mention the amount of multi-media and productivity options now being offered on tablets, we might see the laptop’s replacement come via the 10 inch tablet.
Many tablets allow keyboard hook-up making it easier for typing.
The Bad:
There is an argument about power and expandability when it comes to tablets. Many are made on a closed world in terms of upgrades.
The same could once be said about laptops. Another issue might still come in terms of price, at least when it comes to Apple or Samsung.
They are still asking for upwards of $500. I have to wonder if the release of the clones will lower prices or cause more features to be added to keep the price point stable.
The Ugly:
A few things have yet to be addressed when it comes to tablets. We do not have a large enough sample to know how often batteries will need to be replaced.
Apple still seems to own one of the faster processors, but what happens when they upgrade their OS and make the first generation iPad obsolete? Don’t think it will happen? Ask me about how well my 3rd generation iPod Touch runs iOS 4.
Will these issues, like batteries and obsolescence lead to landfills loaded with tablets?
The Beautiful:
I honestly believe we are on the threshold of something amazing when it comes to computers. Using your iPad with your Apple TV and Airplay will allow you to stream movies from your tablet to your television without the need of cables.
Email and social networking becomes more and more convenient due to no longer having to wait for laptops to boot up. You can pick up your tablet and check all things social and be ready to move on in a few seconds. Want to bring a touch screen into the kitchen so you can research a recipe? Bring the Tablet with its smaller footprint.
In the church you can create and run presentations, use an eReader, access the internet, and so much more. They become cheaper and more cost-effective.
I’m calling it now, in 2011 the Tablet will increase its market share. I would not be surprised if tablets outsell laptops and netbooks by 2012. Don’t believe me? Keep your eye on CES this week and see how many tablets and tablet peripherals are announced.
I dont know about you, but I, for one, welcome our new tablet overlords.
Adam Shields says
Have you seen the Lenovo hybrid tablet/laptop. Seems very cool
http://liliputing.com/2011/01/lenovo-unveils-the-new-lepad-tablet-and-ideapad-u1-hybrid.html
It runs windows 7 in laptop mode and android in tablet mode. What I think is so innovative about it is that there are separate processors so you literally pick up the screen and seperate it from the keyboard main body and you have the tablet. And if you are just browsing the web, you don’t need to reboot, you just lift it up and keep going. At least that is how the article describes it.
Don says
DUDE!
Yea, I saw it, it looked really sweet.