It was only a few years ago when if you needed a portable computer, a notebook was your only choice. Nowadays however, a consumer looking for a portable computing device has the choice of tablets (popularized by the iPad), netbooks as well as notebooks. While choice can never really be considered a bad thing, it can make life difficult if you don’t know which device will suit your needs best. Luckily, the team at Advanced Computers have come together to offer some basic guidelines to point you in the right direction.
Tablets – for those who like to consume and not create
Tablets are tailor made to consume large amounts of online and offline content such as web pages, video and e-books. In most cases they are not really that suitable for creating content such as long emails, documents or graphics. This is due to the majority of tablets favouring a touch screen with integrated keyboard in place of a dedicated (and easier to use) keyboard. While not having a dedicated keyboard is a disadvantage when it comes to creating content, it is a boon when it comes to portability hence the tablets suitability as an ultra portable content consuming device. Pros: – Ultra light weight – Long battery life – Great for consuming content (surfing the web, watching videos or reading ebooks) Cons: – No dedicated keyboard – Not suitable for creating content (long emails, documents, spreadsheets or graphics etc.)
Netbooks – content creation with maximum portability
Some have predicted that the netbook will die off as a result of the recent surge in tablet popularity. I’m not so sure this will be the case as netbooks do occupy a useful niche of their own. They are the perfect device where content creation abilities (emails, documents etc.) need to be combined with maximum portability. By marrying a dedicated keyboard with a small and slim profile monitor, netbooks offer much of the portability of tablets but are much more user-friendly when it comes to creating or editing content. Dealing with customers face to face in the Advanced Computers store, I have seen how popular netbooks are with travelling sales reps and self-employed tradesman and contractors. When you think about it, the portability, long battery life and dedicated keyboard make the netbook the perfect portable computing device for a mobile office. Pros: – Light weight – Long battery life – Great for creating content on the move (on the road, at school etc.) Cons: – Not quite as portable as a tablet – Small screen and keyboard size limits effectiveness as a portable workstation
Notebooks – efficient content creation on a true mobile workstation
If you are looking for a true mobile workstation where you can reply to a swag of emails, knock out a PowerPoint presentation or navigate your way through that ERP / accounting software you love so much then a notebook is the only way to go. The small keyboard and screen size of a netbook will drive you crazy if you are trying to get through a whole heap of work and a tablet will fare even worse. Of course in order to offer a decent size screen and the processing power to provide for a greater range of applications sacrifices need to be made. These sacrifices come in the form of weight and size (less portability) as well as reduced battery life. Pros: – Can run more powerful applications compare to tablets and netbooks – Large screen and keyboard allow for added productivity compared to other portable devices – Best choice for watching movies in bed (if that’s your thing) Cons: – Short battery life – Not as portable as tablets and netbooks
Horses for courses and having your cake and eating it too?
Unfortunately in the world of portable computing devices, it’s not always possible to have your cake and eat it too. Tablets, netbooks and notebooks each have their strengths and weakness and you will need to sacrifice certain functions and features when choosing one device over another. If the thought of sacrifice sends shivers up your spine, and your budget allows it, then a horses for courses approach where you own multiple devices and use each for their intended purpose could be the way to go.
Tablet specials for September 2011
To celebrate the ascendancy of tablets as the new ‘must own’ electronic device, Advanced Computers has a number of tablets on special during September 2011.
ACER Iconia A500 10.1″ 1GB 16GB Android
Only $768.99 inc. GST
ACER Iconia A500 10.1″ 1GB 32GB Android
Only $858.99 inc. GST
BlackBerry PlayBook 16GB
Only $819 inc. GST
For more information on the above specials or to find out more about our range of tablets, netbooks or notebooks, pop into our store or contact us.