Let's Talk Tablets - Multimedia Device or Laptop "Replacement"?

MrRockliffe · 16 Oct 2017 at 13:29

Now, first thing's first, I know that a tablet isn't going to replace a laptop, but would it be useful to people to be able to do a significant portion of their word processing and basic editing (photos etc) on it?

For example, I'd love to be able to do basic word documents on a tablet, but be able to use a nice trackpad or something to navigate the UI (like a surface), but then have it as a multimedia device when I'm at home, with a nice tablet UI.

See, I'm asking this, because I'm doing a project at uni where I have to design, and "bring to market" a tablet, and justify its' design (show customer requirements).

So, if you have a tablet, what do you like about it, and what don't you?

If you don't have one, then what would convince you to buy one?

Rroff · 16 Oct 2017 at 13:35

I have several tablets - two that I use frequently are a Toshiba Encore 8" (the original one) it sits nicely in the hand and is great for quickly checking the news and emails, etc. in the morning but I wouldn't use it for anything like working with word documents especially as it is kind of lacking in connectivity to hooking up a bigger screen and mouse/keyboard, etc. which it can do but not in a convenient way and the other a GPD Pocket which is more mini-laptop/netbook than tablet but especially good for connectivity with its USB C port but I would only do very basic productivity tasks with it on the go - a stylus would probable be more useful for general note taking and quick drafts/edits, etc. than touch/track pads, etc.

Glaucus · 16 Oct 2017 at 13:55

Eve have got it spot on imo.
https://eve-tech.com

As for the is, two improvements to win10 needed. More apps and bring back tablet edge browser back or at least the UI.

MrRockliffe · 16 Oct 2017 at 13:56

Glaucus said:
Eve have got it spot on imo.
https://eve-tech.com

As for the is, two improvements to win10 needed. More apps and bring back tablet edge browser back or at least the UI.

I think that sort of device with a robust finger friendly UI and good app support (rather than using desktop sites) is ideal

Glaucus · 16 Oct 2017 at 13:57

MrRockliffe said:
I think that sort of device with a robust finger friendly UI and good app support (rather than using desktop sites) is ideal

I think W10 using full screen start button, makes a good tablet UI. It just lacks apps.

MrRockliffe · 16 Oct 2017 at 13:59

Glaucus said:
I think W10 using full screen start button, makes a good tablet UI. It just lacks apps.

To be honest, I haven’t spent enough time with it. I’d like better scaling support as higher res screens are becoming more common (4K on laptops!)

memyselfandi · 16 Oct 2017 at 14:38

Personally most of my laptop use has been replaced by a Cube iWork12.

Ok, it's not going to win any awards in the processing power stakes but it runs Win10 quite happily for normal gaming usage with a usable sized screen and it also dual boots into Android for even lighter stuff. Has a keyboard/trackpad cover, like the Surface, although i tend to use an external keyboard/mouse with it instead.

Rroff · 16 Oct 2017 at 14:40

Better scaling support in Windows would be good but with the amount of legacy apps not sure how achievable that is any time soon.

Don't personally have a problem using full desktop web sites on any of my 7-10" tablets and even on my phone its only a minor issue at times.

memyselfandi said:
Cube iWork12

People often do down the Atoms but the Z8xxx series aren't terrible really and while some of the Z3xxx series are a bit poor the full spec Z3740 with dual channel RAM does OK as well. A lot comes down to the cooling though - the cheap tablets will often throttle quite quickly while the better made ones with decent cooling can hold their clocks well.

MrRockliffe · 18 Oct 2017 at 16:37

Rroff said:
Better scaling support in Windows would be good but with the amount of legacy apps not sure how achievable that is any time soon.

Don't personally have a problem using full desktop web sites on any of my 7-10" tablets and even on my phone its only a minor issue at times.

Perhaps that was the source of the Education version for Win 10 - so that they can better the scalling etc by only allowing the apps from their Windows store