With recent news of Google axing the slate form factor in favor of their convertibles, it got me to wondering what people thought about the benefits of the slate vs convertible form factors.
Slates are the obvious choice for smaller touch screens—the mini and maybe 9.7”—because they’re kind of too small for keyboards anyway. But when the device is big enough to add a keyboard (I know the old 9.7” pro had a smart keyboard but I’m ignoring that because both are no longer sold), I think the choice between slate+keyboard cover and convertible isn’t as obvious. The benefit of a slate is that it is the lightest possible form factor when using the device as a “traditional tablet” (no keyboard). The downside is that when you do add a keyboard (in my case, the original smart keyboard) you have this thing that flops around, can be a cumbersome to fold and unfold, only has one screen angle for typing, and make the screen top heavy. I haven’t used the smart folio keyboard, but it looks to be a bit better as far as folding/unfolding (but still not as easy as simply tilting up a screen). The two angles is better than one (but not as good as infinite). Downside of the folio (compared to smart keyboard) is that it looks to be a little more effort to detach the keyboard, and the back cover adds weight. As far as total weight between slates and convertibles, I think including keyboards it’s pretty much a wash (convertibles could even be slightly lighter when comparing to the folio keyboard).
Of course, whether a slate or convertible is a better form factor for an individual will depend on a few factors:
- how much one uses the ipad in “traditional tablet” mode vs “laptop” mode. Some might not use keyboards at all. (11” users generally probably use theirs in tablet mode more than 12.9” users, hence the two sets of poll questions)
- how much one actually ends up detaching/re-attaching the keyboard (this might also differ between 11” and 12.9” users)
- different tolerances of individuals
Maybe more factors that I’m not thinking of.
As for myself, I probably use my 12.9 (with original smart keyboard) in laptop mode a bit more often than tablet mode. But I don’t often completely detach the keyboard even in tablet mode. And I suppose I am pretty intolerant, as I find the smart keyboard very cumbersome to handle. So for me, I would definitely prefer a convertible (not that I think Apple will make one). I’m sure I’m in the minority, but curious to see if there are others.
Please feel free to vote and leave your thoughts.
Slates are the obvious choice for smaller touch screens—the mini and maybe 9.7”—because they’re kind of too small for keyboards anyway. But when the device is big enough to add a keyboard (I know the old 9.7” pro had a smart keyboard but I’m ignoring that because both are no longer sold), I think the choice between slate+keyboard cover and convertible isn’t as obvious. The benefit of a slate is that it is the lightest possible form factor when using the device as a “traditional tablet” (no keyboard). The downside is that when you do add a keyboard (in my case, the original smart keyboard) you have this thing that flops around, can be a cumbersome to fold and unfold, only has one screen angle for typing, and make the screen top heavy. I haven’t used the smart folio keyboard, but it looks to be a bit better as far as folding/unfolding (but still not as easy as simply tilting up a screen). The two angles is better than one (but not as good as infinite). Downside of the folio (compared to smart keyboard) is that it looks to be a little more effort to detach the keyboard, and the back cover adds weight. As far as total weight between slates and convertibles, I think including keyboards it’s pretty much a wash (convertibles could even be slightly lighter when comparing to the folio keyboard).
Of course, whether a slate or convertible is a better form factor for an individual will depend on a few factors:
- how much one uses the ipad in “traditional tablet” mode vs “laptop” mode. Some might not use keyboards at all. (11” users generally probably use theirs in tablet mode more than 12.9” users, hence the two sets of poll questions)
- how much one actually ends up detaching/re-attaching the keyboard (this might also differ between 11” and 12.9” users)
- different tolerances of individuals
Maybe more factors that I’m not thinking of.
As for myself, I probably use my 12.9 (with original smart keyboard) in laptop mode a bit more often than tablet mode. But I don’t often completely detach the keyboard even in tablet mode. And I suppose I am pretty intolerant, as I find the smart keyboard very cumbersome to handle. So for me, I would definitely prefer a convertible (not that I think Apple will make one). I’m sure I’m in the minority, but curious to see if there are others.
Please feel free to vote and leave your thoughts.