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I'm saying today or the immediate future. What you'd need to replace the home computer, at the minimum, would be support for 'docking' the device into a larger

by roc 15y ago

I'm saying today or the immediate future. What you'd need to replace the home computer, at the minimum, would be support for 'docking' the device into a larger display and keyboard, which suggests mouse (to avoid gorilla-arm) and implies apps that can detect that mode switch and alter themselves accordingly. If you've tried to use keyboards on current tablet software designed for touch, you've seen that they're as ill-supported as touch is on software designed for kb/m. Until the OS and apps can provide reliable navigation and control from the keyboard (and optional mouse), they're a non-feature. They're no closer to popular consumer adoption than the last round of Windows-based tablets. Short of that mode switch, there are simply too many times when the ergonomics of tablets are inappropriate or less desirable. And an older PC (that people already own) will be the logical choice for those tasks. And you'd also need a better printing solution. As much as I personally hate printing, schools and business are moving very slowly on that front and a lot of personal PC use revolves around creating documents to be printed. And the current solutions aren't there for the average family.

6ren 15y ago
The iPad and other recent tablets have HDMI. I agree they are not there yet, but every little improvement widens the tasks for which they can replace a PC. Even some development tasks can be replaced now (e.g. using ssh). This will only increase with time, as both hardware and software is improved for the tasks people use them for. At the moment, tablets are barely nipping at the heels of the PC, being alternative to a 2nd/3rd PC http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20063776-260.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20063776-260.html - but for purposes that the PC is more-than-good-enough for, the tablets are approaching being good enough. As they reach each tier, people will switch, for the other benefits (portable, lighter, slimmer, cheaper, less hassle, cooler). When PCs became good enough to replace minicomputers, the effect was catastrophic. The long-awaited disrapture.

by roc 15y ago

6ren 15y ago

The iPad and other recent tablets have HDMI. I agree they are not there yet, but every little improvement widens the tasks for which they can replace a PC. Even some development tasks can be replaced now (e.g. using ssh). This will only increase with time, as both hardware and software is improved for the tasks people use them for. At the moment, tablets are barely nipping at the heels of the PC, being alternative to a 2nd/3rd PC http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20063776-260.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-31021_3-20063776-260.html - but for purposes that the PC is more-than-good-enough for, the tablets are approaching being good enough. As they reach each tier, people will switch, for the other benefits (portable, lighter, slimmer, cheaper, less hassle, cooler). When PCs became good enough to replace minicomputers, the effect was catastrophic. The long-awaited disrapture.