Does anyone own and actually USE a tablet ?

[Xiorell]

As the title suggests really. How many of you went out and brought a tablet, be it an iPad, Asus Transformer, Motorola Xoom, whatever... and actually use it? And what do you do with it?

One place I work in, I am exposed to a lot of these things and I keep considering buying one (dunno which one I'd go for) then talking myself out of the idea. I'd probabley get one and just use it for surfing the web when the misses is watching something on TV (PC uses my HDTV ya see) and then just messing about on games. I like to think I'd be productive with a tablet but if I am honest I wouldn't be.

So, not a question of which did you buy or why -whatever-, but do you use it for anything other than flash games and mobile porn? I mean really, not including the bullshit you told yourself you needed it for then never in fact get round to doing, WHAT do you use that shiney slate of plastic and glass for if anything other than an expensive dust magnet?

 

[ty12004]

I bought an Asus Transformer about 3 weeks ago and I can say that it is really useful for what I do. That being said, what I do is software application development.

I originally leaned towards buying a galaxy tab because it was a 'good idea' but my stupid sensible side talked me out of it. When I actually started working with the tab I noticed tons of small little problems and something apparently called 'oil slicking' and the 499.99 I just avoided spending seemed sweet.

Then I worked with an ASUS EEE Transformer. Had all the features I could need and was 100 dollars cheaper.. The 100 dollars cheaper made me rush my decision and I bought the device.

After 3 weeks, I use the device for Netflix, Work, Email, MSN, a few games, and the web. Now truthfully, I didn't need the device and I don't see it as a perfect mobile replacement but as a mobile media computer and app tester, it's amazing!.


@OP:
No porn allowed on my device. Would rather not be one of those guys who leans over you when you use their computer/laptop/tablet to make sure you dont stumble upon their treasure trove of pornography.

 

[mocruz1200]

+1 on the ASUS transformer. and when you buy the keyboard attachment, it ups your battery life about 5 hours and essentially turns it into a laptop

 

[Xiorell]

Transformer is the one I am leaning towards most, IF I ever go ahead and buy one. Galaxy tab is a nice looking device and although it "shouldn't" be, it feels more sluggish than the Asus. Plus I like the onboard ports with the asus especially when docked.

 

[trooper6]

I have an iPad (got it a few weeks ago) and I use it all the time.

I'm a University Professor and do a lot of research, as well as teaching seminars with lots of reading. I put all of the required readings/research that are pdfs on the iPad, so I don't have to print them out and waste paper and toner. Then I can sit at a cafe and, if I'm working on an article, pull up any of my sources to check citations, quotes, etc., if I'm doing reading, I can read the pdfs then annotate them and have all of these annotations saved for when I'm actually teaching.

Also, I GM role playing games...mostly GURPS, and own a lot of supplements as a pdf. When I'm GM'ing, I can do a quick search through the pdfs for any particular rule I need. I can also create maps for the games (rather than drawing them out on the traditional battlemat) and to combat that way.

I'm also looking forward to using the iPad for presentations at conferences rather than having to lug my laptop around through airports.

Lastly, my sister has an iPhone and for the first time I used the iPad's FaceTime video chat function. It was great! I was able to see my nephews and walk around my apartment and show them what it looks like...or take them on a walk with me to my office. It was really awesome to live in a Star Trek sci-fi future with my Ipad.

Oh...and I'm in Boston and Boston doesn't like to use street signs. So I also use the iPad as a GPS. (Note: I don't have a smart phone...my cell phone is very dumb).

So, I love it.

 

[Zantos]

I know a lot of the people in my University department find them really useful for reading academic papers and looking up stuff while out and about. Still nothing you couldn't do on a laptop or notebook, but they have disposable income/their funding body bought it for them and it's slightly more convenient.

EDIT:

I have an iPad (got it a few weeks ago) and I use it all the time.

I'm a University Professor and do a lot of research, as well as teaching seminars with lots of reading. I put all of the required readings/research that are pdfs on the iPad, so I don't have to print them out and waste paper and toner. Then I can sit at a cafe and, if I'm working on an article, pull up any of my sources to check citations, quotes, etc., if I'm doing reading, I can read the pdfs then annotate them and have all of these annotations saved for when I'm actually teaching.

Also, I GM role playing games...mostly GURPS, and own a lot of supplements as a pdf. When I'm GM'ing, I can do a quick search through the pdfs for any particular rule I need. I can also create maps for the games (rather than drawing them out on the traditional battlemat) and to combat that way.

I'm also looking forward to using the iPad for presentations at conferences rather than having to lug my laptop around through airports.

Lastly, my sister has an iPhone and for the first time I used the iPad's FaceTime video chat function. It was great! I was able to see my nephews and walk around my apartment and show them what it looks like...or take them on a walk with me to my office. It was really awesome to live in a Star Trek sci-fi future with my Ipad.

Oh...and I'm in Boston and Boston doesn't like to use street signs. So I also use the iPad as a GPS. (Note: I don't have a smart phone...my cell phone is very dumb).

So, I love it.

Damn, ninjad . Well at least it's not just our lot that are lying about convenience then.

 

[Sevre]

Got an iPad. Worst investment ever. It's shiny and useful at first but then you realise that you're just doing what you did on your iPhone on a bigger scale, or a stunted version of what you do on a laptop/PC.

This isn't an iPad-specific thing, I would imagine all tablets are similar, and they're just the fad of the year.

 

[trooper6]

Damn, ninjad . Well at least it's not just our lot that are lying about convenience then.

The convenience is not a lie. (The cake is a lie).
-The iPad has a much longer battery life than a laptop.
-When I'm GMing, I don't like having a laptop because the laptop screen creates a barrier between my players and myself. The iPad doesn't do that. Having my battle map flat on the table with a touch screen allows for really easy use during battles. Players can all see the map and move their virtual miniatures just by touching and moving.
-Similarly, when I'm teaching, I also don't want the laptop screen creating a barrier between my students and myself. I can pull up the reading we are talking about and glance at it with it flat on the table not creating any distance between myself and the students.
-My iPad aslo has the G3 network, which means I can use it as a GPS when I'm driving...which I can't do with the laptop.
-The G3 network means I can be mobile when I'm Facetiming with freinds, which I can't to with Skype tied to my home network at my home computer.

I wasn't sure if an iPad would be a really different experience...but it turns out that it is. I'm also planning on getting a stylus which will allow me to do some nice sketching on the iPad. This means I don't need to buy a Wacom tablet if I don't want, and that I can sketch while out and about.

 

[Delsana]

I've used a tablet several times, I believe that keeping the keyboard away from them is the best idea though else they cease to become a tablet and it literally has no purpose in existing separately.

I think for books, it is definitely a good resource, though I wish I didn't have to repurchase all 200 of my star wars books or other books... so I have to find a way to get around that but an example is kind of last night I was thinking about going outside and reading my book but it was very dark and so that'd be problematic and with the tablet I could have, just as an example.

In any case, outside of that they can be used for educational purposes quickly and definitely for businesses and medically as well.

As long as they are continually optimized and don't constantly rely on third party applications but can deliver their own set of software that is superb then they'll make it through the transitions.