S0 I got a tablet computer. I'm not quite what to say about it. It's another gadget. A nice one, I think. For me, it's more a reader than anything else. I can sit on the sofa or in a comfortable chair and read articles or blogs on it, holding it in my hand or on my lap.
I can put my recipe collection on it and use it as a cookbook when I'm working in the kitchen. I need to get a stand (docking station) for it, I think. Or just a book stand of some kind.
Reading material
I'll be using the tablet at home much more than when I'm out and about. It replaces printers, toner or ink cartridges, and paper. That represents a certain savings. I could go through a lot of paper in a year's time. It didn't get wasted — I could print on both sides, and then we could burn the used paper in the wood stove to get fires going. But still.
A photo viewer
The tablet will be handy when I'm traveling too, but that's not very often these days. I do plan a trip to the U.S. soon, and that will be the first test. I won't be able to compose blog posts on the tablet, or at least not easily, but I will be able to read blogs, and read and send e-mails. The tablet will be a lot easier to carry around than a laptop computer.
A tablet the size of a book, but a lot thinner
Because of the heft of the thing, both for holding as a reading device and for traveling, I decided to go for a tablet with a 7-inch screen. I decided it was more important to have a lot of internal storage space rather than a larger display. This one has 32 GB of storage. The screen is bright and sharp, and it's covered with a sheet of Corning glass that protects it.
Look what I just found: a picture-frame stand that can hold the tablet computer upright.
It's a wifi-only tablet, with no cellular phone access to the Internet. I'm not connected enough to need cell phone features — I don't use a cell phone. Alors — what tablet is it? It's a Google Nexus 7, produced by Asus (AsusTek Computers Inc.). After reading a lot of reviews, I chose this one. That was partly for price.
On my "fixed" income, I couldn't afford many of the competing models. I paid 249 € on Darty.com, with free shipping. That price includes the 19.6% sales tax (TVA). I ordered the Nexus on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday at noon, with the day's mail delivery. Once I decided to buy the tablet in France, so that it would have a legal (French) guarantee, I couldn't wait any longer.
Nice looking tablette Ken... hope you get the use out of it that you want... they have had good reviews... and presumably you can use it in "free wiffy" establishments?
ReplyDeleteThat surely would enable you to blog reasonably easily... has it got a card reader that is compatible with your camera?
It seems a very good price for the flexibility and freedom it will afford you.
ReplyDeleteA friend has a Nexus and is very pleased with her purchase.
Enjoy your new tablet Ken. I'm sure it will become your new best friend.
ReplyDeleteI got a Nexus tablet last month, and it's pretty impressive. I got a 16GB, since I don't need any more internal storage (I can always expand it with a flash memory). I also bought a bluetooth keyboard for blogging while traveling, and what's really useful is the folding plastic stand I got. It was something like $10, and adjusts to all kinds of positions.
ReplyDeleteGreeting from up the river in Chabris.
ReplyDeleteI have the same tablette. To link to the internet I create a WiFi hotspot with my mobile telephone and connect via that. Worked like a charm when we were in Spain recently, although I haven't seen the phone bill yet!
http://gardendesigncompany.wordpress.com/
It is beautiful I know you will fine many uses for it.
ReplyDeleteTablets are the cat's meow. You've given me the idea of putting on my recipes on mine (won in an online contests a few years ago).
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new toy!
Wow! Great, great, great :)))
ReplyDeleteI'll be curious for a report on how you like working with the keyboard (even if you only use it sometimes). Bob's idea of a bluetooth keyboard for blogging seems like a good one.
Youppiii!
Hi Ken—As you've seen, I travel exclusively with my tablet and find it totally adequate for when I'm on the road. For use in the kitchen, I bought 6 clips designed for mounting 1/4-inch thick mirrors and use those to hold my tablet onto the door of one of the cabinets. The total cost, including the plastic tape I purchased to cover the screws so they wouldn't mar the back of the tablet was under $5. By mounting it to the cabinet it doesn't use up counter space and is less likely to be spilled on. I can send you pictures of the set-up if you'd like.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like Peter Hertzmann's mounting-in-the-cabinet idea! I'd enjoy seeing the photos, myself, actually :)
ReplyDeletePeter, and Judy, problem is, we don't have doors on our kitchen cabinets. I guess I shouldn't screw those mirror mounts into the refrigerator door.
ReplyDeleteJ'en ai une aussi. C'est idéal pour naviguer sur Internet, mais bien sûr moins polyvalent qu'un ordinateur. Par contre, pour lire des roman, rien ne vaut une lectrice du genre Kinle avec un écran passif mat de type "papier électronique". J'en ai une aussi et c'est plus confortable que la tablette.
ReplyDeleteSuper, Ken, je suis contente pour toi !
ReplyDeleteNo, Ken, you probably don't want to screw it into the fridge *R*R*R*.
ReplyDeleteIs there enough wall space between the cabinets and the dining room door?
ReplyDeletePeter, that's a possibility if I move some things around. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteI thought your tablet looked familiar - I bought the same one last August and I really like it. I use it for surfing while on the couch and for recipes in the kitchen, and I also use it a ton when traveling since it fits easily in purse (though I guess that is not an issue you will have!) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sam, I'm glad to read your endorsement. I have a sacoche, not a sac à main. It will be nice to travel with the Nexus 7 instead of with a laptop. Next trip to the U.S. is coming up...
ReplyDeleteI almost bought one for the same reason reason as you...to use in the kitchen!!
ReplyDeleteKen,
ReplyDeleteSue bought me an iPad mini for Xmas and for me its been great for reading more books, blogs, etc.
But like you mine is wifi which means I eat more McDonalds - not good!