Just before coming to Taiwan I bought a tablet computer — the Nexus 7 from Google. It’s a 7″ Android tablet. Small, but perfect for traveling.
Now here in Taiwan, I found a compatible Bluetooth keyboard, and plugged a mouse in to the USB port (this could also be Bluetooth in a future iteration) and now have a “micro book”. Smaller than a netbook, and somewhat limited, but really not bad. I am writing this post now with it. Much, much easier than using the on screen keyboard. And when I’m not using it, it folds up smaller than the tablet itself.
By the way, with T-Mobile’s new free tablet connection plan, I can use the tablet in the US and get free internet, up to 200Mb per month wherever T-Mobile has coverage (no jokes about T-Mobile’s coverage, please!). Where available it will connect with Wi-Fi as usual.
Kind of cool!
13 responses so far ↓
1 Don // Dec 6, 2013 at 7:56 pm
I got a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse for my Galaxy Tab 10.1 but so far I have never used it. I’ve always had a Notebook or Netbook available.
I would think it would be fine for blog posting and web browsing.
2 Richard // Dec 6, 2013 at 9:08 pm
Doesn’t packing a keyboard and mouse kind of ruin the whole idea of a tablet? I’m still trying to get excited about a tablet, but so far no joy. It seems like an overgrown smart phone. What do you use your’s for besides as a browser?
3 Daryl // Dec 6, 2013 at 9:21 pm
The mouse and keyboard can go in my checked luggage, leaving the tablet only in my carry on. When we toured the island last week, we left most of our luggage (including the mouse and keyboard) at the hotel in Taipei, taking just the tablet.
It’s true that since it runs Android, the capabilities are almost identical to my phone. But the larger screen makes a big difference in usability, especially web browsing. I find that when I’m in my hotel room I almost exclusively use the tablet rather than my phone, even just web browsing or reading on the Kindle app, without the keyboard. And on a plane, viewing a movie is much nicer on a tablet than on a phone.
It’s a gray area between a large phone and a small tablet, and there may be a compromise between that works for some people.
4 Dale // Dec 7, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Since I use my phone for just about everything I’m thinking of getting a large phone next time; Just as long as I can get it I’m my pocket.
5 Daryl // Dec 7, 2013 at 6:12 pm
Dale, you might want to consider the Samsung Note 3. It has a 5.7″ screen — some people call it a “phablet”, between a phone and a tablet. The battery is supposed to last for days. Gets very good reviews.
6 Daryl // Dec 8, 2013 at 6:40 am
And if you want really really big, go with the Samsung Mega, at 6.3 inches. That is one big honking phone.
7 Donna // Dec 8, 2013 at 8:25 am
Richard, since your laptop is so small and lightweight, you probably don’t need a tablet. That being said, I bet if you ever got one, you’d find you use it a lot more than you thought you would. That’s what happened to me. I almost never use my laptop anymore. Upon occasion the onscreen keyboard is a bit inconvenient though, so I’d like a portable keyboard option.
Nice!
8 Richard // Dec 8, 2013 at 10:52 am
One of the biggest drawbacks to most tablets is the fact they do not support Java. Dianna spends a lot of time playing Pogo games that require it. Pogo offers some games for Android, but they are just not the same. I also play Trivia and do the Crossword on Pogo every day. If we were just reading blogs or doing general surfing they might be OK, but for what we normally do, tablets lack the capability.
I’m hearing that tablets like the Surface Pro that run a regular verision of W8 might be a good option, but they are more expensive than a decent laptop or Ultrabook. Inexpensive tablets just don’t seem to meet our needs.
9 Don // Dec 10, 2013 at 8:21 pm
Michelle just bought a Samsung Note 3. It has all the same features as my S4 but like Daryl said it’s very large. I’m not sure I would want to carry one in my pocket as the S4 is about as large as I like but Michelle loves it. I do have to agree the size makes it quite usable for watching movies and it’s not bad for browsing but I do like the 7″ or even my 10.1″ better for that.
10 Don // Dec 10, 2013 at 8:24 pm
Richard: Probably the best thing about a tablet vs a laptop is the tablet is instant on. You don’t have to wait for it to boot. Of course if you leave your laptop on all the time you don’t have that problem either.
11 Richard // Dec 11, 2013 at 7:32 am
Yep. Both of our are either on or hibernated. Startup is just a matter of a few seconds.
I’m also wondering how people are taking to touch screens instead of a mouse for browsing. Maybe I’m getting lazy in my old age, OK no maybe about it, but it seems like all that arm motion is a lot of work. I even find using my phone to be tedious. I have my recliner set up with my mouse on the table to my right just where my arm falls. My laptop actually sits on my lap. The amount of effort (I know I know) is minimal. Does anyone ever find the mouse to be more convenient over time?
BTW, this is one of the reasons I have not jumped on the W8 bandwagon yet.
12 Don // Dec 11, 2013 at 8:19 pm
I’m quite comfortable with a touch screen but I have been using one since my first iPhone (2007 I think).
I do like the control of a mouse a bit better but the Android and iOS operating systems have really optimized for touch. You can flip your finger and scroll quickly up, down or sideways. You can also quickly zoom by pinching.
I find I probably get a little more out of a page with a lot of graphics on a touch screen.
13 Daryl // Dec 12, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Lack of Java support in Android is definitely irritating.
Touch on a small screen is pretty easy, but I can’t see using it on a desktop computer and think Windows 8 is a big mistake. I don’t want to lift my fingers from the keyboard or mouse and reach all the way up to the screen.
Speaking of start-up speed, Devon just built a new desktop computer and had an SSD (Solid State Drive) put in. It boots in about 5 seconds after the BIOS POST. Amazing.
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