4 ms·

I agree -- using the ipad over my laptop allows for a much more casual experience. i find myself picking it up/putting it down MUCH more than i did using my lap

I agree -- using the ipad over my laptop allows for a much more casual experience. i find myself picking it up/putting it down MUCH more than i did using my laptop (pre-ipad) .. using my laptop was/is a much more focused experience for me. I readily admit that using my laptop is generally faster/more efficient for most typing-intensive tasks, but i am really enjoying how the ipad's (re?)introduced casual computing to my life.

ivanstojic 16y ago
That's the phrase I've been looking for! casual computing!
bdickason 16y ago
Do you believe that the 'casual' aspect of it will remain? I remember that people used to love laptops when they first came out (yes I'm old) because they could take them to a park and work. They found it relaxing and not as "business" oriented. Fast forward to today and they've lost that vibe. I'm kinda feeling like the iPad will also lose that after people get used to the 'newness' of the form factor.
- philwelch 16y ago
  But there you go--people loved laptops because they could take them to a park and work. You don't hear about people working on an iPad. In fact, laptops probably became stressful to people just because having a laptop meant you could work--and were expected to work--whether you were at the park, on a flight, on the train, or wherever. An iPad is explicitly unsuited for serious business, therefore it won't be expected to use it for serious business.
- commieneko 16y ago
  It is, of course, relative. My laptop is _more_ casual than my desk top, and I'm finding my iPad more casual still. Now, I often use my laptop _as_ my desktop computer; hook it up to a larger monitor, mouse, an external keyboard, stereo/video/telescope/interociter/history eraser button/etc. But that doesn't mean that my laptop experience isn't casual when I plop down on the couch, sans accoutrements, and surf hacker news, listen to music, or watch a movie. And the iPad is more casual still. And the fact that I _can't_ do many things that are not casual may help to keep it casual. Maybe not... (And for the record, just carry the iPad into the "little room down the hall" for the _ultimate_ in casual computing...)

ivanstojic 16y ago

That's the phrase I've been looking for! casual computing!

bdickason 16y ago

Do you believe that the 'casual' aspect of it will remain? I remember that people used to love laptops when they first came out (yes I'm old) because they could take them to a park and work. They found it relaxing and not as "business" oriented. Fast forward to today and they've lost that vibe. I'm kinda feeling like the iPad will also lose that after people get used to the 'newness' of the form factor.

philwelch 16y ago
But there you go--people loved laptops because they could take them to a park and work. You don't hear about people working on an iPad. In fact, laptops probably became stressful to people just because having a laptop meant you could work--and were expected to work--whether you were at the park, on a flight, on the train, or wherever. An iPad is explicitly unsuited for serious business, therefore it won't be expected to use it for serious business.
commieneko 16y ago
It is, of course, relative. My laptop is _more_ casual than my desk top, and I'm finding my iPad more casual still. Now, I often use my laptop _as_ my desktop computer; hook it up to a larger monitor, mouse, an external keyboard, stereo/video/telescope/interociter/history eraser button/etc. But that doesn't mean that my laptop experience isn't casual when I plop down on the couch, sans accoutrements, and surf hacker news, listen to music, or watch a movie. And the iPad is more casual still. And the fact that I _can't_ do many things that are not casual may help to keep it casual. Maybe not... (And for the record, just carry the iPad into the "little room down the hall" for the _ultimate_ in casual computing...)