Borders Going Bye Bye - Page 9

Alex · 08-03-2011, 05:28 PM

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.

alphabassettgrrl · 08-03-2011, 06:11 PM

I'm considering a tablet, in part as a mobile photo album. And maybe some light 'net surfing. It's a toy, and I'm pretty clear about that. I'm not gone very much, so I usually have my home laptop to do whatever I need. So I haven't been able to justify it.

My coworkers tease me, tell me once I get one I won't be able to live without it. I don't honestly want to make that kind of switch, but I can see it being a fun toy. Once in a while I could use some internetting while on the go.

Kevy Baby · 08-03-2011, 06:14 PM

LoT: Thread Tangent HQ

Ghoulish Delight · 08-03-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I've known people to do ALL their work on laptops, so the notion that people don't do intensive work on-the-go is belied by the millions of people who operate exclusively on portable computers. I'm sure market research says consumers are not interested in such things - but business people have been so interested for decades, and I'm sure their laptops operate on par with most desktops.

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.

innerSpaceman · 08-03-2011, 10:32 PM

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!

lindyhop · 08-04-2011, 08:16 PM

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

innerSpaceman · 08-05-2011, 06:58 AM

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.

Strangler Lewis · 08-05-2011, 11:11 AM

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.

Moonliner · 08-05-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

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 hands 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!

DreadPirateRoberts · 08-05-2011, 11:43 AM

He did that on purpose.

08-03-2011, 05:28 PM	#81
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	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.
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08-03-2011, 06:11 PM	#82
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	I'm considering a tablet, in part as a mobile photo album. And maybe some light 'net surfing. It's a toy, and I'm pretty clear about that. I'm not gone very much, so I usually have my home laptop to do whatever I need. So I haven't been able to justify it. My coworkers tease me, tell me once I get one I won't be able to live without it. I don't honestly want to make that kind of switch, but I can see it being a fun toy. Once in a while I could use some internetting while on the go. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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08-03-2011, 06:14 PM	#83
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	LoT: Thread Tangent HQ __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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08-03-2011, 10:32 PM	#85
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	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!
	Submit to Quotes

08-04-2011, 08:16 PM	#86
lindyhop Swing Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Long Beach Posts: 997	You want an 11" MacBook Air. Really, you do. Or is that me? __________________ Hyperbole is the best thing ever!
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08-05-2011, 06:58 AM	#87
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	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.
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08-05-2011, 11:11 AM	#88
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	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. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
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08-05-2011, 11:43 AM	#90
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	He did that on purpose.
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