As a general rule a current model laptap will be underpowered compared to current model desktops.

Yes, people do all their work on laptops. My only machine at work is a laptop (which most of the time is plugged in to a regular keyboard, regular mouse, and a 21" monitor).

Tablet computers will eventually be as computationally powerful as current desktops and laptops (and for the most part are already technically capable of doing almost everything that most people use current desktops and laptops for). But the point is that they are in a form factor where very few people will actually WANT them to do that.

You can get some version of pretty much all the productivity software for iPad. You can edit movies, you can create presentations, you can use spreadsheets, you can edit sound, you can do Photoshop stuff. It's just that generally people don't want to do that for any length of time on a 7" screen.

LoT: Thread Tangent HQ

They are less capable. Not much less anymore, but less.

Going back to the vespa analogy, Desktop::Laptop::Tablet as Full size car::SubCompact car::Scooter. The first leap is one of scale. The second leap is one of substance. There is simply less in common between what people want to do with a scooter vs. a car (small or large) than between what people want to do with a small car vs. a larger car.

I guess I'm just trying to justify a gadget I'd really like to have for no good reason. ;)

Even now, I don't do much iPhoning on the go. If someone else is with me, I have them do the imdb-ing, the mapping, the restaurant-finding, etc. (Part of that is, now that they've invented the iPhone, eye don't have the i's for it. The bigger iPad screen would work so much better for me, but it just won't fit in the pocket of my tight jeans.)

I'm rarely alone and outside of work or home, where I might want to amuse myself or do something useful with a portable computer/internet accesser. I kill maybe 10 minutes a day aggregate on facebook or twitter on the go, and that's the extent of it. The iPhone is perfect for that. I already have one.

But, damn, I want an iPad. Don't have a single use for it, but want it. That, my friends, is marketing success!

You want an 11" MacBook Air. Really, you do. Or is that me?

No, that's not just you. I shouldn't even type this on my home computer (an Alienware, which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE), but I do indeed lust after a MacBook Air.


There. I've said it.

My pressing tech needs are simple. I need new batteries for my watch.

Right now, I rely on my phone, which is silly.

Every time someone asks me the time, I have to stick my hand in my pants and pull it out to tell them.

I suppose, like many people these days, I could just walk around with it in my hand all the time, staring at it and poking it.

That would be less shocking.

Kevy! Paging Kevy!

He did that on purpose.