PCMech Reader Challenge! Find A Practical Use For A Tablet

You might have heard that Apple is going to be introducing a tablet this year. When? Probably in the third quarter. How much will it cost? Too much, obviously.

Before continuing, let me define tablet in the context of this article: I’m talking about a one-piece device with a screen of at least 14 inches in size, which is a complete computer, and no tactile keyboard (meaning virtual on-screen keys only). I am not referring to tablet-like notebooks with the swing-around screens because those do have tactile keyboards and are technically two-piece.

Here is me in my usual snarky self complaining that there is almost no good use for a tablet. I did manage to think up a few ways one could be used. More on that in a moment. First the video:

Now before you all hang me out to dry from what I said, here’s a few things to note.

I seriously question whether a one-piece tablet device has any real purpose.

Let’s compare the tablet to other types of computers.

Netbook

This is the second most portable computer there is. It sells well because it’s dirt cheap, achieves excellent battery life, you have several choices of OEM (Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, etc.) and it does exactly what it was designed to do without complaint. The netbook exploded in sales in 2009 and shows no signs of slowing down as of yet. It put back a much-needed boost into the computer industry to get people excited about computers again.

The most important thing about a netbook is that it is a usable computer. I use mine every day. Comfy keyboard, zippy operation for the most part, easy wi-fi, it works – and it’s paid for.

iPhone/Blackberry

This is the most portable computer there is. The iPhone is the darling of the cell phone industry at present showing that you can in fact do wonderful cool and useful (keyword there) things with a smartphone. The Blackberry has continued to make improvements over the years and has a very dedicated following. Both the iPhone and Blackberry are the ultimate in usable portable computing

Kindle

I mentioned this in the video above. Some people don’t like e-readers because they’d just rather buy a book instead – and that’s fine. But what makes the Kindle great is that like the netbook, it works exactly as advertised. You know exactly what you’re getting, what it will do and moreover what it won’t. The price point is still a little high for what it is, but the point is that it is usable and there are no surprises. And that’s a good thing.

Where does a tablet fit in to all this?

A tablet..

..is not a replacement for a netbook because it will be at least twice the price and only do half as much.
..is not a replacement for an iPhone or Blackberry because it won’t fit in your pocket, and it’s seriously unlikely it will make phone calls. But even if it did, would you really want to spend the cash on a separate post-paid plan for it? I’ll answer that for you – no, you wouldn’t.
..is not a replacement for a Kindle because once again, it will be twice the price for something you already have that does the job – and does it better.

The tablet is also not a replacement for a PC or standard-sized laptop either. It will be slower and the upgradeability of it will be slim to none.

Where does a tablet fit in?

Nowhere, that’s where. It replaces nothing, and adds nothing of value to your digital life whatsoever.

PCMech reader CHALLENGE!

Before getting to the challenge, here are a few uses for a tablet (some of which I mentioned in the above video):

An interface for a home security/climate system.
An interface for a home media entertainment center (and a really expensive one at that).
A menu at a restaurant.
A pad for use at hospitals so doctors and nurses can get quick access to pertinent patient information.

The challenge to you, the reader is this:

Can you tell me ANY practical use that would qualify having a one-piece style tablet in the home?

Remember, this is a one-piece slate that has at least a 14-inch screen on it.

I am very interested to hear your answers on this one. In addition, if you think I’m wrong (and that’s fine) on any of the points I made above, tell me why I’m wrong. I want somebody to prove to me that the tablet has a legitimate practical purpose other than what I mentioned above – which isn’t much.

One final note: Remember the PADDs they used on Star Trek: The Next Generation, like this?

For base of reference, a Kindle is only slightly smaller than the actual size of most PADDs.

Post a comment or two. Tell me a good practical use of a tablet. If you can’t think of one you can alternative say, "Screw the tablet, I want a PADD!" Yeah, me too.

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TemperingPick
You could mount one on the wall in the kitchen and use it to view/store recipes, keep shopping lists, and watch TV on it.
Of course would I chose an Apple Tablet?
Heck no.
Brian
“An interface for a home media entertainment center (and a really expensive one at that). ”
I disagree. Have you priced dedicated wifi or other RF touch panel remote controls? Most are at least $1000 retail. Take a look at the RTI T4. $2500 retail for a VGA touchscreen, and it is cheaper than Crestron and AMX types of solutions.

TemperingPick
Surely the tablet will be well over $1500 as the idea will be much like the MacBook Air. This is a Apple product so it’s going to be much more money then a Windows Tablet PC. Take the Archos 9. It’s only $549.99. A whole lot cheaper then the ones you listed.

David M
In a boating forum where I am a member, people are using Kindles aboard their boats, which are also their homes. Boats do not have the room for a library of hundreds of paper books, which a Kindle can store. Also, not everyone reads at a desk, which quickly becomes uncomfortable after hours of reading. Therefore, the Kindle is the best alternative for reading in a comfortable position for hours on end. Also the Kindle has a much better battery life than does a notebook. You can read for longer without having to recharge. On a boat at sea, recharging means having to flip on the inverter or the generator in order to recharge. Wasting precious battery power is not an option for cruising sailboats.
No, a netbook is clearly not a better alternative to a Kindle or similar device in this situation.
Gotcha Rich!
http://SageCrispin.com Sage Crispin
I am opposed to single use computers, ie the Kindle. Make them programmable and I’m interested because they have extended, multiple uses. I wanted a hand held game machine, that was VERSATILE. So the Nintendo DS was out, the iPod Touch was in. I watch a lot of podcasts/videos, games, the email thing,etc. Sooo…yes, I would like a tablet IF (1) it works like my Touch (2) I can afford it (significantly less than $1k). I doubt either will happen, but still, I would love a BIG iPod Touch.
Did I win?
Paul
don’t we have enough toys already
draceena
I have a TV tray that has one shorter leg than the others and the Tablet looks to be the right size to even it out…LOL

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
Congratulations, you listed the best reason.

David M
The bottom line is that if they are selling, which they are, then they are useful for someone.
J Leonard
I don’t see a lot of usefulness in the private sector. However, this platform could be huge in business. Think on-site/remote data entry/report generation. The next generation of simple data entry via RF gun. Or as was mentioned, simple order taking in restaurants.
Of course, since Apple has zero presence in enterprise, a Microsoft or other PC OEM, will have to knock off the technology in order for this platform to work seamlessly existing technology.
David M
Well…do we have a winner?

http://www.menga.net Rich Menga
Yes, Draceena got it.

http://pulseontech.com Cindy
Well, now that the iPad has been unveiled, the hype is over and the dust has settled. It is, in my opinion, no replacement for the Kindle as it’s too big and heavy. It’s more for the true Apple die-hard fans that have been waiting for years for a tablet from Steve Jobs and Co. and here they have it. It’s over-priced and not capable of muti-tasking. ihype!
Nancy
Tablets were popular for a while in the civil engineering/construction industry when they first came out a few years back as a way to quickly complete field forms and logs. The tablet would allow you to save time over the traditional process of filling out forms by hand then typing them in at the office. The problem was the tablets were too fragile and didn’t have enough power to run the database applications. The same thing was tried with a sturdy palm sized versions but they were abandoned because the screen was too small to allow you to see much of the form. So all you techies and programmers – here’s an unfilled need: give us a field-worthy tablet that works with most of the civil engineering programs and log software.