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The Tablet Reconsidered: A High Bar for the Middle Space


G+_Paul Fidalgo
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Personally, I've mostly given up my iPad for a Windows 8.1 tablet. Before I get persecuted let me explain. I like iOS and am still an iPhone user. I have both a Macbook Pro and a Windows 8.1 desktop.

 

To me one of the most important things I do on my tablets is browsing the web. While mobile versions of Web sites are great on small phone screens I find it unfortunate that the iPad is also seen as a mobile browser by most sites. It is rare IMHO that the mobile version of a given site it better, or more useful than the desktop version of same site.

 

My Windows 8.1 tablet gets the full desktop sites and that alone I find to be a compelling enough reason.

 

Just my two bits...

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I've never been a one size fits all kinda guy. I don't think one single device could ever replace all of my devices. Maybe that is possible for some, I'm just not one of them.

 

I've never given more than a passing thought to Windows Phone because here in the states only AT&T has the desirable devices and for me that is a deal breaker.

 

I don't have a Surface and I don't think my HP tablet could ever replace my desktop. On the other hand I do think the Surface Pro 3 could give a lot of laptop type devices a run for their money.

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I don't want to drag this into a purely Surface discussion, but I do feel that the Surface was a great device for what a tablet was used for. For example, social media, apps*, video, internet - what a lot of non-tech enthusiasts (I don't want to use the term 'normal' people) use a device for. A little bit of input (touchscreen), and occasional typing. For this kind of usage a laptop is generally too much, whilst typing out long emails or messaging friends or the odd document is 'better' using the touch or type cover. the idea of the Surface should be a tablet + a little bit more. Instead, the message was all wrong and they described it as a machine better than both a laptop and tablet.

 

*As for apps, with RT MS wanted a secure, easy to use device, where you can only install from the Microsoft store. The lack of apps being developed really scuppered these plans.

 

As a device for home use, unless you do a lot of typing, I still feel a tablet is a good choice for most people.

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Randy Hudson  when it was announced I was (and still am) very enthusiastic for the Surface Pro 3. It definitely seems powerful enough for most use cases, and as a longtime user of OneNote would love to try it out.

 

I guess most of my comments refer to the Surface RT/2. An ARM tablet for tablet-stuff with better security, an app store and  better keyboard for longer stints of typing. The lack of apps was a huge problem, as well as Win 8 not being finished or optimised for touchscreens e.g. there should be no desktop, and things like putting half the settings in 'Settings' and the other half in 'Control Panel' is asking for trouble. Also, why they didn't have an offer for Touch/Type covers at huge discounts when purchased with a Surface is beyond me. I feel MS had something with the Surface that was  genuinely useful but it had to be finished - if not polished - to give it it's best shot.

 

Anyway, let's see what Win 10 brings at the end of the month.

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I think Damian Mongru is our test case here. Wants to close that gap between the lean back and lean forward use of a tablet. The Surface Pro 3 is the first I have seen which is good for both uses. Also correct about the pace of improvement at MS for 8 and touch.

 

Mobile used to be some distance from desktop. Now they are very close together.

 

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