I've been dreaming about such a machine since 1995 when I got my first Mac, but it took 15 years for technology to get up to it.
It's a dream machine for the writer on the road, or almost anybody on the road.
Update:
Tonya Engst (co-founder and -editor of TidBITS, the longest-ongoing tech newsletter on the Net) said...
I just bought a new 11" MacBook Air. Much as I enjoy my iPad, I've not been able to type as quickly on the onscreen keyboard as I can on a physical keyboard. Even for just email and Web, when I get into some of the more complex things that I do, I need to type a lot or to do a lot of complex things with Web-based content management or administrative tools. So, while I can do them on an iPad, it is a lot faster on a Mac, with it's bigger screen, more sophisticated text-entry options for inputting standard chunks of text, and ability to show two windows at once. I thought the iPad would be great for mobile email/Web even so (when traveling), but I need to do certain customer support tasks (even when on vacation/traveling), and the MacBook Air should make them faster and easier. Although the MacBook Air is bigger than the iPad, it's not bigger by much. The main downside is no built-in data modem [no cell phone network connection), so I'll be dependent on finding Wi-Fi or I could set up my iPhone in tethering mode.
I should add that I've tried traveling with an external keyboard for the iPad, and it was okay, but it was harder to pull out and use quickly, say, while waiting in the airport, harder to use while reclining on a hotel bed, and just generally more clunky than the ease of sliding a laptop out of a bag and getting to work immediately.
Thank you Tonya, helpful to hear this.
I think we will learn in what ways tablets are different beasts over the coming years, as they develop and we learn to use them for what they are best for. They may have some maturing to do before they can replace most computers as Steve Jobs predicted. The keyboard is an interesting factor, I wonder if there'll ever be a perfect solution.
Of course one might take into consideration that Tonya is not exactly the typical mass-market customer, being arguably a geek of geeks with specialized needs. Not that this changes the physical aspects of these issues of course.
8 comments:
Eolake said...
"It's a dream machine for the writer on the road, or almost anybody on the road."
So...I've been wondering: between this and an iPad...the Airbook is more practical, when, as you stated (dream of mine! :-) you're writing on the road, then; yeah? I wasn't sure I would much care for the on-screen keyboard of the Pad and...sure 'nuff ain't interested in carrying an extra gadget in an external keyboard...no matter how "cute," compact, or what it is! :-/
A book could be written about that choice. But in short, the Air is for more serious and complex work. And of course costs about twice as much.
Good points. Funny...I usually take cost into consideration but...when I'm just lookin' at something that I "want," for its functionality, I don't think as much about the cost. To me, the cost is worth it, if it will make my "work day" more practical; otherwise, I'd be back to a friggen desktop, if I always had to think about the cost! Thank GOD that I'm not always TRAPPED in that mindset! :-/
One of the things that I'm not terribly fond about the Pad is that it seems more "vulnerable," (no lid) compared to a laptop...even though I'm getting quite sick of lugging around on even a laptop, these days! (What a spoiled generation we are, hey?!) And...then, as mentioned, before...that onscreen keyboard. Not too thrilled about that...nor the schlepping around on an external keyboard.
What's the weight diff on those two? (Now, I'm starting to sound like you! lol! Not meaning to; just thinking of...practicalities, now! ;-)
Spoiled generation, yep.
I think the iPad with the Apple compact full-sized keyboard is a little lighter than the Airbook, and on its own maybe 60% of it.
For some people, the iPad as it is today, may take on all tasks they need, but far from for all.
Some like the screen keyboard, but I'm slow on it. So I certainly won't argue with your points.
I just bought a new 11" MacBook Air. Much as I enjoy my iPad, I've not been able to type as quickly on the onscreen keyboard as I can on a physical keyboard. Even for just email and Web, when I get into some of the more complex things that I do, I need to type a lot or to do a lot of complex things with Web-based content management or administrative tools. So, while I can do them on an iPad, it is a lot faster on a Mac, with it's bigger screen, more sophisticated text-entry options for inputting standard chunks of text, and ability to show two windows at once. I thought the iPad would be great for mobile email/Web even so (when traveling), but I need to do certain customer support tasks (even when on vacation/traveling), and the MacBook Air should make them faster and easier. Although the MacBook Air is bigger than the iPad, it's not bigger by much. The main downside is no built-in data modem, so I'll be dependent on finding Wi-Fi or I could set up my iPhone in tethering mode.
I should add that I've tried traveling with an external keyboard for the iPad, and it was okay, but it was harder to pull out and use quickly, say, while waiting in the airport, harder to use while reclining on a hotel bed, and just generally more clunky than the ease of sliding a laptop out of a bag and getting to work immediately.
Thank you Tonya, quite helpful, I'll add it to the post.
Agree 100%. I'm working on explaining this to my friends. If you want to type fast and lots of us that are the same age as Madonna or older were trained in typing. I'm over 80+wpm. We were trained where our fingers go automatically when hoovering over a keyboard.
I can not type on an iPad & have the first generation one. I bought the external keyboard and have to say I hardly use it at. If I have to type something, I'll use my iMac.
I use my iPad when I'm streaming something, sitting in bed, sometimes in the kitchen to follow a recipe.
I don't recommend iPad's to people who want to play a dvd or those that know how to type. Those get recommended an Airbook. Hands down.
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