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Anyone else think that tablets are useless?

Bumping an old thread with a new question: if the upcoming iPhone 6 released has a larger screen, then will there really be a need for a tablet (outside of some specific applications)?

My thoughts:

-no iPad screen is really big enough to use for a media consumption device that a larger iPhone wouldn't satisfy

-its easier/more efficient/cheaper to only have one network connected mobile

-between mbp/iphone 6 (with larger screen)/apple tv3 and multiple external displays, whats the point of a tablet?

I see how for business and presentation, iPads make sense sometimes. And perhaps for the cave people who do not need an actual computer, a tablet may be fine for general browsing etc. I believe one computer, a single mobile device, plus an airplay device for external screens is all anyone needs these days, with smartphones being so powerful (and the iPhone 6 screen being larger). Am I missing something?
 
A laptop/Macbook and large-screened phone are all you need. Tablets were always a luxury/pointless device.
 
My iPad compliments my laptop and iPhone:

- I use it (the iPad) for business presentations as I can
- media consumption when not in the house, much better than any phone or phatablet
- document creation big screen on tablet works well, again better than phone or phatablet
 
I love my iPad Air and 5S combo. I use them both depending on where I'm at, what I'm doing, or what I need.
 
Useless? LOL

Tell that to my mom, who never used a computer until she got an iPad 2 so she could FaceTime her granddaughter. Originally, it was only used for FaceTime and occasional games, and I thought that would be the extent of its usage.

That was already a huge leap that I never thought she'd make, but then she got on Facebook to keep in contact with friends and relatives. Now, she also uses the iPad for movies and old TV series, and mirrors it to an Apple TV. She'll even look stuff up using Siri, even though she's never touched a web browser in her life.

Not only is the iPad not useless, but in her case it's miraculous in how it single-handedly lifted her out of the technological dark ages and opened up a whole new connected world. A smartphone could not have done the same thing because of my mom's eyesight, and because there's no way she'll pay for a data plan.

Around our house, the two iPads are constantly in use. My laptop is also around. But, unless I'm working at home, I will almost always reach for the iPad first. It's a much more useful form factor for leaning back, and a lot more comfortable for using on the sofa or in bed or just carrying around the house. With my laptop, I have to worry more about dropping it or keeping the fan vents clear, etc.
 
Tablets have their uses, yet for those of us that actually need a computer a tablet is of questionable value. I bought an iPad just out of curiosity and it was entertaining. Then I bought a Nexus 7 tablet and found it to be much more useful since it's readily accessible file system let's me do more.

Yet at the end of the day my two most important tools are my Nexus 5 and MacBook Pro.
 
They're not totally useless but I agree that they are a pure luxury item. Not a near necessity like a laptop or smartphone. I couldn't find a use for an iPad myself until the iPad Mini came out. Always found the full sized ones too big to be practical.
 
sixrom said:
Tablets have their uses, yet for those of us that actually need a computer a tablet is of questionable value. I bought an iPad just out of curiosity and it was entertaining. Then I bought a Nexus 7 tablet and found it to be much more useful since it's readily accessible file system let's me do more.

Yet at the end of the day my two most important tools are my Nexus 5 and MacBook Pro.
Click to expand...

I agree. Anyone can incorporate a tablet into their daily routine, but it's just not a necessity. Especially if you have a phone bigger than an iPhone. Phones are just more convenient, and laptops/Macbooks more useful. I always considered tablets to be a frivolity and since buying one, I have decided that I just don't need it. It scratches an itch that just wasn't there.
 
CEmajr said:
They're not totally useless but I agree that they are a pure luxury item. Not a near necessity like a laptop or smartphone. I couldn't find a use for an iPad myself until the iPad Mini came out. Always found the full sized ones too big to be practical.
Click to expand...

And yet, in other cases, like the one I outlined with my mom, a laptop or smartphone would be useless for her use case. It's not a "pure luxury" item if the other options that you regard as a "near necessity" are less than practical for someone.
 
sunking101 said:
I agree. Anyone can incorporate a tablet into their daily routine, but it's just not a necessity. Especially if you have a phone bigger than an iPhone. Phones are just more convenient, and laptops/Macbooks more useful. I always considered tablets to be a frivolity and since buying one, I have decided that I just don't need it. It scratches an itch that just wasn't there.
Click to expand...

Very well said... :)
 
Woochifer said:
And yet, in other cases, like the one I outlined with my mom, a laptop or smartphone would be useless for her use case. It's not a "pure luxury" item if the other options that you regard as a "near necessity" are less than practical for someone.
Click to expand...

You've identified a niche market, but these things are sold to us as necessities. Your mother could just as easily use a Macbook Air, a cheap laptop, or a Chromebook to do those things. She just adapted to a tablet instead.
 
sunking101 said:
You've identified a niche market, but these things are sold to us as necessities. Your mother could just as easily use a Macbook Air, a cheap laptop, or a Chromebook to do those things. She just adapted to a tablet instead.
Click to expand...

"just as easily" Uh, nope, not by a long shot.

Keep in mind that my dad has had a computer at home for more than 10 years. We've both tried to teach my mom how to use it repeatedly, and she gave up in frustration every time. She could never get past the disconnect that the keyboard and mouse present. With touch, there is no disconnect, no intermediary that gets in the way.

I showed my mom how to use the iPad in one sitting, and she has flourished beyond my wildest imagination since then. And if you think this is a niche case, you haven't been talking to many seniors. There are at least two other relatives in my family that would not be using any computing device if not for the iPad, and stories abound about how the Apple Store iPad classes are filled with seniors using the internet for the first time. The iPad has been a powerful tool for connecting a long neglected group of people to the internet, where other attempts have failed. For them, a tablet is every bit the type of necessity that you regard smartphones or laptops.
 
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Woochifer said:
"just as easily" Uh, nope, not by a long shot.

Keep in mind that my dad has had a computer at home for more than 10 years. We've both tried to teach my mom how to use it repeatedly, and she gave up in frustration every time. She could never get past the disconnect that the keyboard and mouse present. With touch, there is no disconnect, no intermediary that gets in the way.

I showed my mom how to use the iPad in one sitting, and she has flourished beyond my wildest imagination since then. And if you think this is a niche case, you haven't been talking to many seniors. There are at least two other relatives in my family that would not be using any computing device if not for the iPad. The iPad has been a powerful tool for connecting a long neglected group of people to the internet, where other attempts might have failed. For them, a tablet is every bit the type of necessity that you regard smartphones or laptops.
Click to expand...

Exactly, a niche market. Not so cool though huh, big Apple banners advertising a simple device to get old people online. Lolz.
 
sunking101 said:
I agree. Anyone can incorporate a tablet into their daily routine, but it's just not a necessity. Especially if you have a phone bigger than an iPhone. Phones are just more convenient, and laptops/Macbooks more useful. I always considered tablets to be a frivolity and since buying one, I have decided that I just don't need it. It scratches an itch that just wasn't there.
Click to expand...

I agree with you on this. Also if I had to give up one of the 3, it would always be the iPad first. What it does can easily be replicated by the phone or laptop and probably be done more efficiently in some cases. It's a nice luxury good to have, nowhere near as essential as the other two.
 
Tablets are great for games. I use my iPad for gaming more than my phone by a long shot.
 
I can't wait until my next phone. It will be either the Note 4 or the iPhone 6. When that day comes, I'll never use my tablet again and will never buy another. Big phones and laptops/MacBooks are where it's at for me.
 
sunking101 said:
Exactly, a niche market. Not so cool though huh, big Apple banners advertising a simple device to get old people online. Lolz.
Click to expand...

Oh, I think connecting people of any age for the first time is coolness of the highest order. Making technology accessible by anyone is about as revolutionary a concept as there is. If you don't think that yet, well if you're lucky enough you too will get old someday. :D
 
mjschabow said:
Tablets are great for games. I use my iPad for gaming more than my phone by a long shot.
Click to expand...

So we have two niche markets, OAPs and gamers :)
The rest of us don't need one...

*Incidentally, why don't you use a pc or a gaming console? Both are much more suited to playing games than a tablet. Unless retro, simple games are your bag.

----------
Woochifer said:
Oh, I think connecting people of any age for the first time is coolness of the highest order. Making technology accessible by anyone is about as revolutionary a concept as there is. If you don't think that yet, well if you're lucky enough you too will get old someday. :D
Click to expand...

True I guess. However, what the oldies like and use is never cool with the kids.
 
sunking101 said:
So we have two niche markets, OAPs and gamers :)

The rest of us don't need one...



*Incidentally, why don't you use a pc or a gaming console? Both are much more suited to playing games than a tablet. Unless retro, simple games are your bag.
Click to expand...


With having a wife and kid, PC gaming would take up way too much of my important and limited time.

Also, kid games are great as well. Good learn to read activities.
 
Useless? Sure, ok. That's why tablets are outselling laptops and pc's, cause they're useless.
This whole "one handed" shtick has gotten way, way out of control.
 
Enabledobject said:
Useless? Sure, ok. That's why tablets are outselling laptops and pc's, cause they're useless.
This whole "one handed" shtick has gotten way, way out of control.
Click to expand...

They're a mobile phone with a bigger screen.
I bought a new WiFi printer yesterday. Could I heck install it onto my network with my phone or tablet. I had to use a *proper* computer. Admittedly websites are getting more and more phone/tablet friendly, but there are still some things they cannot do and in no way can you get by with just a tablet. I haven't used mine for a week, and the less I use it the less I even think about using it. Take my phone away from me for half an hour and I'd be crawling up the wall. Take my laptop away from my for more than two days and I'd seriously miss it.
 
I think it just depends on the person. For those of us with small children, believe me when I say the iPad is a GOD SEND. Not that we rely on it all the time, but there are times when you just need the kids to be quiet. The iPad is like a miracle worker in that sense.
 
Anyone else think that tablets are useless?

I've worked for 2 companies that had proprietary apps written for them on iPad only.

Depends on the person but it can be a necessity not just a luxury item.
 
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sunking101 said:
So we have two niche markets, OAPs and gamers :)
The rest of us don't need one...

*Incidentally, why don't you use a pc or a gaming console? Both are much more suited to playing games than a tablet. Unless retro, simple games are your bag.

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True I guess. However, what the oldies like and use is never cool with the kids.
Click to expand...

With apple selling about 19 million ipads last year and estimated 200 million to date, it's more than a niche market as is suggested. Nobody knows the real reason for 19 millions sales (or even 200MM): business, facetime, surfing, parents buy their kids as educational tools, luxury items etc.

Somehow I defy you to tell these buyers that their reasons for purchase are not really important, which is what a niche market implies, and easily can be substituted with either a big phone or laptop.
 
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