Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?

Subject: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jan 12 - 11:26 PM

I keep seeing people with tablets, and they all seem so contented. I take my laptop when I travel, but it's a bit of a hassle in airports and I'd like something more portable. Do I want a tablet, or would I quickly grow tired of it?
I found an interesting-looking Android 2.2 tablet made by Creative for $200 - (click). Any comments?
Can I run the DOS version of the Digital Tradition on a tablet?
Would a Kindle Fire be more to my liking?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From:
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 05:08 AM

Unfortunately the DOS version of Mudcat would not run on an Android Tablet. It may be possible (haven't tried one) that a Windows Tablet may but they're expensive compared to an Android Tablet.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 05:18 AM

Having gone to the trouble of learning to type many years ago, I find I get frustrated with devices where you spend your time poking with one finger at a screen! For portability, I prefer a "netbook" despite their limitations. At home I'm happy to use an old but reasonably powerful 13" laptop with a separate keyboard, for general purposes.

Regards

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 05:58 AM

Samsung NC110 netbook is cheap, light, thin, has 250GB, good battery life, has Windows 7 Starter installed, a proper keyboard and gets great reviews.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 06:08 AM

My understanding is that the only really viable choice on the market at the moment is Apple's i-Pad. But getting one of those involves tying your self in to the Apple system (as with all Apple devices).

Having just bought an Android phone, and having compared it with a friend's i-phone, I'm not convinced that Android devices are yet up to Apple's standards.

So, if you don't want to buy into Apple I think that the only thing to do is to wait for the next generation of Android/Windows tablets - which can't be far away.

Having said all that it doesn't answer your question, "do I want a tablet?" I want one - but I'm not sure that I actually NEED one!

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 09:47 AM

Joe, the tablet you cite has two things against it: It relies on a relatively small "flash hard drive" and it is from Amazon. I distrust the ultimate stability of flash drives, as a minor voltage variation destroys them. Most of these devices are more peripheral than computer.

I am very happy with my HP mini.

Finally, I encourage people to avoid buying from Amazon. They are an extremely abusive employer and, even though a boycott by any small group has a minimal effect on a company that large, I recommend what I consider the moral choice.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 10:03 AM

My pc (Windows) is old and very slow and I hardly use it now. I have a laptop, a MacBook Pro, which I got last year and I love it; use it most of the time. I have had an Apple i-Pad for a month and really need to use it a bit more but I am not out and about much so haven't quite had the incentive. It will be good though when I visit Whitby because I use BTFON or BTOpenzone up there and the signal is poor. However some of the cafes have free wireless and I can pop it in a bag and take it with me and not really notice I am carrying it which will be great for me.

I am still getting used to the iPad. I added a shortcut to YouTube but I don't use that now. The shortcut gave me very limited things on YouTube so I use Safari to access YouTube and everything is there. These are the kind of things that fall into place the more you use it. For a little over £2 I added iMovie and I now need to make a video on it to see if I can use it instead of the laptop. For me to sit with it on my knee is so much better because it is so light.

The next thing I will do is set up iCloud on it. There are effects on the iPad that I don't have on the laptop for taking photos like kaleidoscope effect so between the two of them the choice of effects I now have has increased.

These things may not really help you with your decision but the more I do use it the more amazed I am at just what you can do with something that size and weight. I turn it from landscape to portrait and it puts everything the right way up for me :) This is my first experience of iPads and because it is Apple and I have the Apple laptop I think that I will use it more and more but I am not sure if I would get the same use out of an iPad of a different make.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Susan of DT
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 10:16 AM

Windows 7 does not run DOS, do don't expect to run the DOS DT on any Win 7 machine. There are some emulators, ie DosBox.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Greg F.
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 10:31 AM

Take two & call the Doc in the morning.

Another example of of gadget & cyber addiction. They don't call 'em "Crack-Berries" fer nothin.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 12:59 PM

As a test of what Susan wrote, I called up a song from the DT. It performed perfectly on Windows 7 Ultimate.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 04:14 PM

The review I read said that Windows 7 had been slightly cut down for the netbook I mentioned. I know nothing of these things. Shows that no advice is good advice, or, at least, check it out with somebody else... :-(

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Tootler
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 04:48 PM

I have an Acer Aspire One Netbook which I take away with me. It's a very capable little computer and came with 1GB memory and a 100GB hard drive. The version I bought had Linux pre-installed but it was a somewhat cut down Linux and I eventually replaced it. I now have a full version of Linux Mint - exactly the same version as I have on my regular computer and it runs fine with that and I have the same basic set of software on both computers. It has three usb ports so you can plug in peripherals if you wish.

The only real criticism I have is that the keyboard is somewhat cramped and I find typing a little difficult - though generally better than typing on an on screen "keyboard" in a smart phone.

I think a netbook is a better bet than a tablet at the current state of development. Many of the newer ones look to have better keyboards and touchpads than mine, but then mine was one of the early ones.

If they are having to cut down Windows to install on a netbook, then I would certainly recommend you seriously consider replacing Windows with Linux - unless you want to go down the Apple route, that is.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 06:45 PM

I love my iPad, which I use mostly for Net-surfing from the kitchen sofa, and for reading the New York Times. I find it a bit too big and expensive for use as an e-book, but it's great for music in PDF form. When travelling, it's much more convenient than a laptop.

And no, you don't have to go all Apple, all the time, with an iPad. Our desktop is a Windows 7 machine, and we also have a Vista laptop in the house. It cooperates just fine with iTunes installed on a Windows computer.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Ian Burdon
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 06:58 PM

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for work. It runs on Android. For business use it is great for most needs. For those who like typing you can dock it into a keyboard (bought seperately) rather than poke the screen. And you do not have to tie yourself to Apple's proprietary hell although you do find yourself sucked into the vortex which is the Google empire.

Also, as distinct from my laptop, the Galaxy has currently been up for 13 hours without needing recharged (the battery currently shows 38% charge left).

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 07:58 PM

If they are having to cut down Windows to install on a netbook, then I would certainly recommend you seriously consider replacing Windows with Linux
I think that one should investigate whether the "cut-down" version of Windows is suitable for them first, and avoid kneejerk reactions like the one here. The review I read of the Samsung machine was excellent. Just sayin', innit.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 08:06 PM

I had the impression the Droid operating system was related to Linux. No?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 09:05 PM

Joe, I can't remember whether or not I've talked about my computing background here in the past but I was a computer professional for more than thirty-five years. During that time I developed software, performed consulting services to large companies, ran IT groups and worked at both the technical and managerial levels on hardware from the largest mainframe installations to the smallest mini and micro computers. During that time I've also been a musician and often a working one. I have deep experience with both Windows and Unix/Linux as well as NeXTSTEP and OS X. I know there are quite a few 'Catters with similar experience but since I"m answering your question I though I might share some credentials. I've met very few professionals that can match my depth and breadth of knowledge and experience. I don't mean to be bragging, I'm just old and have been around many blocks.

1. No tablet is going to completely replace a notebook or desktop computer. If you're looking for a single computing device, a tablet isn't going to fill the bill. A tablet is intended as a media consumption device and while the iPad is by far the best at this it's still a media consumption device.


2. Advertising claims and buyer loyalty aside, there is really only one tablet worthy of consideration and that is the Apple iPad. You will love the user experience and the apps available for musicians like us (Mudcatters) is outstanding.


3. The iPad's operating system (iOS) no longer forces you to sync the device through iTunes but you'll still find it advantageous to do that. Some people seem to have an emotional resistance to using iTunes and if you're one of these then my advice is to buy a newer more portable notebook computer and call it done. I can find no technical or personal reasons for wanting to avoid iTunes but for some, it remains an issue.


4. If think you might want to use an iPad for serious input like writing, entering lyrics, etc., you can pick up an Apple wireless (Bluetooth) keyboard that works very nicely with the iPad. There are also some iPad stands/cases that include a keyboard. The addition of a physical keyboard brings an iPad pretty close to replacing a notebook. I no longer take a notebook with me on most trips since the iPad provides all the information and communication I would use my notebook for. Of course I'm writing this from home and using my notebook, not the iPad.


5. I mentioned the most important music apps I use In the thread Tech:iPhone vs iPad. Several of those apps might be especially useful to 'Catters.


6. IK-Multimedia makes an iPad bracket that attaches to a mic stand letting the iPad be easily read during a performance. I don't use any notes or lyrics while performing so I haven't tried this but I know some people regularly perform from books and lyric sheets.


7. Other devices being sold as tablets have important uses too. I'm thinking particularly of the new Nook Tablet. But if you have in mind using a tablet as a musician's tool, the iPad really has no competition.

As far as the Digital Tradition is concerned, I'd say it's time to develop an iDT for the iOS platform. This will give it a much wider distribution among musicians and likely attract many new people to Mudcat as well. There are iOS database products that would support the load and there are several ABC applications for the iPad that could be linked in to support the audio side of it. Mudcat or Dropbox could be set up as a sharing site for users of iDT and a long life will be assured for all the fantastic work that everyone has done to build the DT.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 21 Jan 12 - 11:18 PM

For 199 US, (chump change on a monthly bar tab) ...it is a conversative investment.

Try one - they are certainly a "toy, " - but much easier than a radio controlled helocopter ... on the learning curve.

Sincerely, Gargoyle

Small.small.italics.font Color equal greed

There are multiple limitations...read above line...however the universal access...Asia middle east....does an architech expect to render a model. Using Lagos?

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 03:11 PM

OK, so I broke down and bought a Kindle Fire. There are lots of things I like about it, and Angry Birds is really addictive; but surfing the Internet on a tablet is like camping out, doing things the hard way. I often display two windows side-by-side on my desktop computer so I can copy things from one page to the other, but this seems impossible on a 7-inch tablet (I have a 32-inch monitor on my desktop). I also haven't figured out how to copy text from one screen and paste it into another. It's nice in many ways because it's far more portable than my laptop, but doing actual work on it seems to be quite difficult.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Midchuck
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 03:33 PM

Kindle costs US$199, and is the cheapest available tablet that's generally well spoken of.

Staples is carrying the Acer AD722 - an 11'6" laptop, with no optical drive, like a netbook, but with 4 gig RAM, 320 gig hard drive, and Windoze 7 home premium, like a "real" laptop - on special for $299. I'd say it's the laptop if I buy anything (and I feel I owe myself a present for being so brave at my surgery [lie] and working hard at my rehab [truth, most of the time]; and I have no room for more guitars).

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 06:29 PM

My daughter (Moonglow) wanted a little black and white Barnes and Nobel Nook. The $99 one. She has a lot of PDF books to read and wanted something just for that, not with the WiFi for browsing and such. Since she has a net book and a cell phone and such, the tablet for browsing is redundant.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 06:55 PM

In your case Joe, I think you needed to buy the Big Chief tablet and a couple of those 7/16 barrel pencils and an Artgum eraser..........

Karen has a Kindle Fire and she wouldn't part with it. It has become a permanent fixture on her hand unless she's at work or in the shower. She goes to sleep either reading it, playing a game (Words,Angry Birds,Sudoku) or watching something. Several nights she woke up after whacking herself in the face with it.


Spaw

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 04 Apr 12 - 07:31 PM

I hear good reports of the Samsung Galaxy Tab with 3G

Subject: Lyr Add: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 05 Apr 12 - 07:56 AM

This is a music site:

DO I WANT A TABLET?
ttto: Love's been good to me

Do I want a Tablet?
Am I feeling ill?
Do I need a Tablet?
Should I take a pill?

I find it so confusing, I'm techno-blind you see.
Is a tablet what I want, or do I need a Wii?

There were some geeks in Denver, who treated me with scorn.
They said "Your Sinclair 'door-stop''s no good for viewing porn."
And when at last I crumbled and bought my first PC,
It seems I'm always sev'ral years behind technology!

   Do I want a Tablet?
   Am I feeling ill?
   Do I need a Tablet?
   Should I take a pill?

   I find it so confusing, I'm techno-blind you see.
   Is a tablet what I want, or do I need a Wii?

So it may seem my tech-kit, is always that bit light.
And I admit my cabling always looks a fright.
As my computer knowledge always seems so slight.
JohninKansas and Mudcat will always set me right.

   Do I want a Tablet?
   Am I feeling ill?
   Do I need a Tablet?
   Should I take a pill?

   I find it so confusing, I'm techno-blind you see.
   Is a tablet what I want, or do I need a Wii?


Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Sep 17 - 04:40 AM

Used at this year's Worldcon (world Science Fiction convention) in Helsinki.
Just one change (for those who wouldn't recognise the Mudcat reference):
JohninKansas and Mudcat will always set me right.
became
PC World's enquiries team will always set me right


So I've done a live performance, consider it 'public domain' for anyone not making a profit from it.

Cheers
Nigel

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Sep 17 - 07:52 AM

Well, here it is, five years later, and I'm using my Galaxy tablet to read Nigel's song while listening to somebody sing "A Bar Is Just a Church Where They Serve Beer."
And I watched a movie on my tablet on the plane here to North Carolina, and listened to a radio program hosted by Mudcat's own Dani Black, and I have several books and several songs I'm trying to learn on my tablet, so I don't have to use the tablet as a cheatsheet to sing at the Getaway.
Not as easy to use as a real computer, but it's a great traveling library and alarm clock, and it gets me on the Internet where there's WiFi.
Better than a Wii, I think....
I hate the damn spellcorrect on this thing, though.
Joe

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Sep 17 - 08:02 AM

The newest Fire HD 8 is a Kindle on steroids, and I bought it during the Prime day sale for $49. Normally it's $79, which is a lot less than you paid for the Kindle five years ago or so. I finally bought one and find I use it mostly for what they intended, reading. I have Amazon Prime and they have a number of journals in their collection of "free reading" (right now I have a copy of Harpers in my tablet and enjoyed the Rebecca Solnit essay last night). I found a bluetooth keyboard (Anker) for $20 that sits on my kitchen table, and since that's where I most often use this device, if I decide there is something I need to write, I use the keyboard and it speeds up the process. I've figured out a few more cloud connections so I can view a lot of things that I can also see from my computer (if I intentionally put it in the cloud storage for this purpose).

Of course Amazon knows everything about what I read, what apps I download, and all of that. But they probably knew anyway.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: Joe_F
Date: 12 Sep 17 - 05:50 PM

I tried a tablet for 2 years. It was extremely frustrating. I am too twitchy to use a touchscreen without doing something wrong & losing the screen, and then thrashing around to get it back. I started out using it for all kinds of things (datebook, shopping list, etc.) & one by one I switched back to printouts. At present I use it only for song texts. My looseleaf collection is so massive that I have to carry it in a pack & by now that is too great a strain on my weak knees. The tablet is much more compact, and by now I can usually get thru a song without losing the text. Also, a good buddy who is a Real Programmer has made it possible for me to bring the tablet up as a directory on my desktop computer, so I can write to it using a real keyboard.

Subject: RE: Tech: Do I Want a Tablet?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 12 Sep 17 - 07:00 PM

Lady Hillary goes to several music groups every week. Rather than carry books or sheet music around, most of the participants use a common file on their net books and tablets so that everyone is [literally] on the same page. I hear no complaints of anyone running out of battery over the course of the evening.