Do We Need Tablets?
By almightybong
@almightybong (186)
Philippines
March 13, 2012 3:45am CST
With the emergence of smart phones and the handy notebooks and netbooks, is there really a need for tablets? Or is it just a fad that will soon go away as soon as the hype is over?
I remember a time when when me and my friends laugh a lot discussing mobile phones. We used to say that eventually, mobile phones would have colored screens, and then we laughed. When the colored screen mobile phones arrive, we were no longer laughing, but we thought that it would be impossible for mobile phones to have cameras, and then we laughed. When the mobile phones with snappers came out, we were no longer laughing, but we thought that it would be outrageous if you can watch TV on a mobile phone, and then we laughed. You know the rest, and it is such amazing what a difference 10 years can make. We no longer make fun of technology, because quite simply, you can think of absolutely anything, and someone will find a way to incorporate it to technology. The question is, now that mobile phones are as powerful as computers, why do we need tablets?
Many people find the compulsion to have the latest and the coolest gadgets a must. I'm not saying all-- just many. Yesterday when I was walking on my way home, I came across a family of four: daddy, mommy, and two very young boys not even in their teens. While mom and dad were having a laugh, the two boys were fiddling on their iPads. iPads! Not one but 2 iPads. Each of them have one with their names taped on the cases. I felt the compulsion to call the attention of the adults and call them "Mom" and "Dad" so they'd give me one too. I can probably find a reason why their family can have one iPad so they can share it, but two? I guess, since they can afford it, it's fine and it's not my business why they gave each one an iPad.
In terms of technology, I just don't see the practicality yet of owning a tablet, especially now that a smartphone can practically do anything. Plus I couldn't figure out a way to feel comfortable using a word processor with an onscreen keyboard. I'll stick to my smartphone and/or laptop, thank you very much.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
18 Mar 12
I grew up with 'you really do not need that,' whatever it was, and then I found that the reason I supposedly did not need that whatever it was was because I did to go to university, I was a girl, I did not have children, only business people and university students use it, I was only a housewife, but someone who was like me at the moment, did not go to university, was not married, etc. could get it. So I stopped listening to those excuses and the only one I listen to is the one I told myself, that right then I could not afford it. And I also believed that there are good things that a tablet or iPad can do that would make it easier - one being that with the charges the airports have for extra baggage, why not leave the laptop at home, and take along the iPad or tablet and use that backpack to store your travel clothes? If you want to read, take along he iPad, instead of having to reach for your glasses. In other words, find a use for something or better yet, say that you wish there was something that would be available, but it has not been invented yet.
If you really go to the need aspect, there are things that we do not need, like a tv, a ceramic stove, a dishwasher, dryer, etc. fancy clothes. a yacht when you live in the Prairies.
You cannot assume that we are all glory hunters who want the iPad because it is the latest and it is from Apple or whatever company we love. By the way, I would not give an iPad to my grandchildren or young kids. I would expect them to do what I did, go and work and pay for it when they are old enough. And by the way, I waited until the iPad came out that would do what I wanted. That is why I did not rush out and get the iPad 1 or the iPad 2 .
@kat_princess (1470)
• Philippines
14 Mar 12
For me,tablets can replace laptops as they also have the same features as that of a computer only with a smaller memory & they're more handy than a laptop.Good you mentioned that.I was torn between buying a laptop & an IPad but I think I'd stick with the laptop.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
13 Mar 12
There was a story I heard when I was young that people of long ago, before Armstrong ever set foot on the moon, they believed that it would be the end of the world the day a human being reaches the moon. When I think of that story I always tell myself that one can never tell the boundaries to which technology will go. I never thought I could live until the day projectors on cellphones would be possible, and just recently Samsung announced Samsung Beam. OMG to that...So now I just wonder what another year could bring to the world of technology. The day Apple introduced their innovative touch technology to mankind, I really was amazed. Now, with all the tablets companies are offering, I go with Samsung Tab, for it's features as well as price. I don't think having it is a must, but it would be really great to own one.
