Tablet, schmablet
Posted: January 13, 2012 Filed under: just because | Tags: computers, iPad, tablets, UI 12 Comments(This started life as a comment over at Suburban Guerrilla, when it occurred to me that it’s really a post.)
An iPad started it, but this is really about tablets in general. I’ve been using computers since the 1970s, when we had to do stat programs on punch cards and use Job Control Language. I l-o-o-o-ve computers (although not those JCL mainframes, to be honest), and I’ve always jumped on each new thing as it came along. I’ve had to face the fact that I’m a gadget freak.
Except tablets. They seemed pointless. Portable TVs, basically. Mobile-type things like checking contacts, phoning, music, or web surfing I can do on my phone without needing a ten inch pocket to carry it. Then I had to use a tablet yesterday because my local hospital has gone all iPad for their check-in procedures. Twenty questions that would have taken seconds on paper took about five minutes.
The legendary touchscreen takes forever to respond to a tap. (I have very dry fingers.) I needed an “a.” Tap … tap, tap … tap, tap, tap, tap, mash whole top of finger down and hold. Get a “z.” Start over. Breathe on fingers so they have some moisture on them. Tap. Tap, tap, tap, — tap! Finally, an “a.” And so it went. If I had a tablet, I’d need to carry a sausage to operate the stupid thing. 
But my shortcomings were only the beginning of the problems. I needed an “@.” Tap special characters key for different keyboard, get the one character, tap key for a-b-c keyboard, tap-tap-tap out a few letters, tap special characters key for different keyboard, tap out two numbers, tap key for a-b-c keyboard, etc., etc., etc. What a total and absolute pain. And this is what everyone is raving about? I’d get frustrated just entering a password, forget writing a message. The bitsy keyboard on my Nokia N900 is easier to use (and I am not good at using it).
The graphics are okay, so as a portable TV it would work except that you have to hold the thing all the time. Hold one hand behind your back while you use a computer to see how it feels to use a tablet, unless you’ve already trained yourself on the things. (Yes, I know you can get stands, but that’s a workaround, not good design to begin with.) And one more thing. You want the screen tilted up for visibility without neck contortions and you want the screen flattish for input without shoulder and arm contortions. That’s a problem.
I know there are lots of much more coordinated people than me out there. And also people with more normal skin. But, believe me, tablets are worse than useless for some of us.
Crossposted from Acid Test
peej
Carissa
bostonboomer
ecocatwoman
mablue2
peggysue22
quixote
skydancingguestblogger
Mona (aka Wonk the Vote)
Sky Dancing 
Thank goodness, I thought I was the only one who didn’t like the darned things. My daughter in law has been trying to talk me into liking IPads but when I use hers, I detest it.
It sounds like all you need is a stylus.
I had zero interest in the iPad but then my company gave them out as a bonus and now I’d be lost without it. As you mention, the iPhone is smaller and easier to tote around, but the larger screen makes the iPad perfect for lounging around the house playing computer games, plus it doubles as my alarm clock (I can see what time it is from across the room). And my grandkids love playing games on it. Gotta say, I love the darn thing.
I can’t see the purpose of those things either, especially because I already have a Kindle and a small and light laptop. My sister-in-law has an ipad, and she seems thrilled with it. I’d rather just use a laptop. Anyway, I refuse to buy any Apple product. The Apple fanatics have forever turned me off. They’re like Obots.
No offense to anyone who uses Apple products but doesn’t go around advertising it and claiming some kind of bizarre superiority based on their brand preference.
Quixote, good thread for a Friday afternoon 🙂
This is kind of a general gadget rant on my part… My first computer way back was a Macintosh, but I used PCs after that and resisted the pull of Macs for a long time, until the last PC crisis I had, when I made the switch back to Apple. I love my macbook air (11 inch) and kindle. I also have an itouch and ipod mini, both of which I rarely used and are in a drawer somewhere. Easier to use pandora on my blackberry. All of which to say…No interest in Ipad here I am not able to figure out how to use my mother’s new one, doesn’t seem very intuitive to me. That said…it seems like people who have trepidation about using a laptop or desktop have an easier time using the iPad. I know for my mom, she just can’t sit at a computer very long, but she does well with cell phones and tablets. I remember having a palm pilot back in the day before Ipods et al. LOL. I had a detachable keyboard for my PDA even then.
Touchscreen…I got into my ipod touch for a brief while, but went back to blackberry when I got better internet on it. I prefer keyboards.
I don’t even like the Kindle fire…just the kindle, it’s so perfect on its own and the touchpad use is so limited to reading books, which feels right.
Hate the sony e-reader. Hard to use, but it does have a neat doodle-pad.
Speaking seriously for a second, I’m sure the thing with tablets is a matter of work styles. Or maybe usage styles is a better way to put it. The clamshell format is IT for me. It stands to reason that a person for whom that isn’t so good might do much better with a tablet.
I find it interesting how often people say, “I hate regular computers, but I like tablets.” Or, as in my case, “Take those stupid things to the dump. Get me a laptop.” Sounds like a usage styles situation to me.
You’re right about the stylus, gxm17. That’s what I was referring to with the sausage business. I’m sure those would be cheaper than whatever a tablet maker thinks is a reasonable price. Especially if the maker is Apple. I’m with BB on my attitude to Apple!
And Google, and Microsoft, and, and, and. All my stuff, including my phone, runs on various linux OSes. Hard core. What can I say?
Linux, or rather VMWare, is the way and the path for PCs. I always used multiple image systems before I retired, now I guess I’ll have to get something new for home. Oh, well.
I use virtualbox, but I thought vmware for personal use costs around $100. (?) You could keep right on doing images, which are, absolutely, the gold standard way to go.
To me, the iPad has always seemed like a solution in search of a problem.
Quixote, you may want to avoid this new brand of windows…and I am not talking about the software:
Samsung Smart Window is Like a Giant Transparent iPad | Geekosystem
what in the world? an iWindow? Seriously…just no.
I saw a video about that concept a few months ago (when I guess it was just a concept). The window part was all simulated. Like propertius says about the iFruit, what for? Windows show the great outdoors. What could be nicer?
Well, I guess if the view was the wall of a warehouse, then I could see definite application for it. Although, as the review says, wildness, breakage, sell kidney to pay for damage.
Oh, I think it’s cool! I’d never heard of this (just now googled it). One advantage for
me would be that it doesn’t take up any space. My three linux desktops all require a
desk and chair, and my linux laptop requires space on the kitchen counter or
wherever it wants to sit. I’ll have all this extra floor space when I get my new window
installed! Yaaay! (Just dreaming of course. I can barely afford the free linux os with
all its free software.)