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I think the thing people are missing is that tablets tend to get replaced less than smartphones. They're less likely to get broken, lost, or stolen due to the f

I think the thing people are missing is that tablets tend to get replaced less than smartphones. They're less likely to get broken, lost, or stolen due to the fact that we aren't as careless with them as phones, in part because they're bigger, in part because they're useless for drunk texting, and in part because we take our phones with us everywhere and kind of forget it's not literally attached to us. While much of the demand for new smartphones is without doubt driven by the perpetual improvements, much of it is also driven by theft/loss/breakage. A tablet from 3 years ago serves much of the same purpose as a tablet today, so is less likely to get replaced. There may very well be as many working tablets in circulation as smartphones.

soylentcola 12y ago
Yep. It's just one data point but I picked up an iPad 2 when they first came out since I was going to be taking a fairly long trip around southeast Asia (from the US) and I couldn't see myself toting my laptop across all of those flights and several towns/cities. It wasn't a cheap purchase and it was definitely a bit of a luxury since I already owned a desktop, a laptop, and a smart phone. Since then it's become pretty slow and a bit scuffed up with age (and even has a crack in one corner of the glass) but I can still use it as an ebook reader and to try out iOS-only apps as it's my only iOS device. For everything else, my other devices are more suitable. Phone is faster and more portable. Laptop is more powerful for more demanding mobile computing. Desktop is more capable still for media production and gaming. The tablet remains an "also ran" in my lineup. It still gets some use but not enough that I'm gonna shell out another $250-750 on a new tablet anytime soon.
collyw 12y ago
Having been one of the first netbook owners, my guess is that the form factor novelty wore off. It was great having something that portable, but the something that affected me maybe monthly at the most. Having a decent keyboard and screen is something that will affect you every day. Needless to say I am back using a normal sized laptop these days.

soylentcola 12y ago

Yep. It's just one data point but I picked up an iPad 2 when they first came out since I was going to be taking a fairly long trip around southeast Asia (from the US) and I couldn't see myself toting my laptop across all of those flights and several towns/cities. It wasn't a cheap purchase and it was definitely a bit of a luxury since I already owned a desktop, a laptop, and a smart phone. Since then it's become pretty slow and a bit scuffed up with age (and even has a crack in one corner of the glass) but I can still use it as an ebook reader and to try out iOS-only apps as it's my only iOS device. For everything else, my other devices are more suitable. Phone is faster and more portable. Laptop is more powerful for more demanding mobile computing. Desktop is more capable still for media production and gaming. The tablet remains an "also ran" in my lineup. It still gets some use but not enough that I'm gonna shell out another $250-750 on a new tablet anytime soon.

collyw 12y ago

Having been one of the first netbook owners, my guess is that the form factor novelty wore off. It was great having something that portable, but the something that affected me maybe monthly at the most. Having a decent keyboard and screen is something that will affect you every day. Needless to say I am back using a normal sized laptop these days.