A case for 'the tablet'...

[McCrazieGoalz]

I'll start with a disclaimer.

I am a Windows fan, I do not particularly like Google, Android, Samsung or other OEMs that produce Android devices at the expense of the Windows platform. As for Apple. I think it is ridding on the crest of the niche it found and occupies in the conspicuous consumption market. Figure that out for yourself if you will. In a nutshell, Apple products are just not for average Joes like myself.

With that said, this average Joe has got two huge problems in the new digital paradigm.

First, an affinity for Windows products.

Second, the proliferation of tablets.

How are these problems you might ask.

Well, because the really good Windows products are pretty expensive for the value they provide and secondly, apps and games are becoming more and more part of our culture. The last part I say because my kids are really into mobile games and them and their friends are completely taken by them. I cannot ignore this trend.

Given the fact that there is still something called a PC (we know that means computing devices running Microsoft's hugely successful operating system and not those made by Apple, which decided to market themselves as Macs - although by definition they too are personal computers), which I am completely happy to use and see myself using for the next 5 yrs for productivity tasks. So, in effect. I really do not need a tablet.

The problem then is that I feel compeled to buy a tablet to keep my kids away from my Lumia because I do on occasion play Angry Birds, Temple Run and Flight control and feel guilty about it (I really can't watch my kids drool over it and just ignore it). But, quite frankly, I don't need a tablet. But, I can't ignore the lure of those R2,500 Android based tablets, which I can easily buy for my kids (bonus time) or the Nexus 7" tab. Also, WiFi iPad minis are pretty affordable. But, the fact is, I really don't need a tablet. As a Windows fan, I'd like to buy a Nokia 2520, Surface 2 or Ativ Tab but, have you guys seen the prices on those things. Not for me.

My question to you then is; is buying a R1399 Leapfrog or a R1,599 MSI tablet such a bad thing. Are these tablets really worth it or is it just a waste of money especially for a Windows fan on a budget?

I really feel that the world doesn't really need tablets.

Your opinion on the tablet paradigm as a whole is very much welcome.

 

[Azbubu]

ipad mini on special for R2999 at Incredible Connection. Galaxy Tab around the same price. Get one of those rather.

 

[GreyBush]

Get an iPad mini, become an apple fan.

 

[HvRooyen]

I bought both my kids Nexus 7's about 18 months ago - brilliant! They use them for reading books (kindle), games, the odd movie rip, school projects, etc. The tablets are the first things they pack when we go on holiday.
Face it, kids aren't generally productive on computing devices.
That been said: I have a (linux) desktop and an ATIV tablet / laptop, but use my Galaxy Note 10.1 90% of the time as my productivity entails more reading / study than typing.
Pretty OS agnostic myself: Between my wife and I we own or have owned computing devices running *many* different versions of Windows, iStuff, Linux and Android. Can't say there is much to choose between different OS's beyond personal preference and the odd platform dependent deal-breaking software package.

 

[chrisc]

My useage is 80% PC and laptop, 15% iPad and 5% Samsung Galaxy. The Galaxy is starting to become viable now though and advances more rapidly than Windows or Linux (Miint)

 

[Jola]

Look at the Asus T100 Windows 8.1 tablet - looks pretty cool at a good price.

I am looking at this to play around on.

Get the 64GB model.

I have used a Windows 8.1 x64 tablet, it is pretty good and there are now a lot of Apps.

 

[McCrazieGoalz]

Okay.

Some really great answers. Thanks guys.

Just in case tablets really get useful, I'm going to actually go for one as if I need one.

The conclusion I've come to then is that the iPad mini is the best option. R2,999 is a good price for a good product.

Why the iPad mini/how did I come to the conclusion?

Well, here are the reasons:
i. Price. iPad mini is going for a decent price. I have been drooling over the data packages it also comes with so I can go for it either as a prepaid or as a contract device (R249/mth with 1GB of data works out good)
ii. It says a statement too. I'm not really a fan of Android and the iPad would be a good toe dip into 'the best' ecosystem. And, look at my signature.
iii. As toe dip (would go for the prepaid WiFi iPad), it would be a good excuse for me to go for a full tablet (10.1") when I can afford one (a Nokia/Lumia one) a year from now
iv. Quite frankly, Google's everything to everyone approach should scare us all. Now debit cards to use at ATMs. These guys are seeking world domination. I'm not going to make it easy for them to get it. With 80% of the mobile market and dominating the Internet search industry, these guys could be controlling our lives within the next 10 yrs. Nada. I don't go for that. Apple is more a friend to Microsoft than foe in many ways (marketshare and history). So, no Android tablet for me.
v. My wife still sees iPads as the only real tablets. So, yes. I'd rather buy an iPad.

 

[w1z4rd]

Where most people use their tablets as a media consumption device, I actually use my tablet for work. So I have the Galaxy Note tablet (not the phone). I am in and out of meetings constantly and the note enables me to take down notes in all those meetings. Sure it backs up as a media consumption device while I am waiting at airports, but I tend to use it more for work then play.

Im 50% laptop, 30% desktop, 19% tablet, 1% ipad.

If you are like me and in a lot of meetings, a note is invaluable.

I dont have any type of random hate for Google, or even Microsoft or Apple. They are all companies that try for domination and take your data and it would be a little naive to think otherwise.