With the attention recently on tablet computers in the subway — perhaps for some of the wrong reasons — I have a guest post today from my friend Joseph Pawlikowksi. In addition to writing with me at River Ave. Blues, Joe also keeps up with everything BlackBerry at BBGeeks, and today, he offers up this primer on the best tablet for your commute. I’m an iPad guy myself. It makes reading the papers in the morning on the subway far easier.
Since the introduction of the transistor radio, people have used electronic devices for entertainment on the subway. Think about how many people you see using one on the subway. On some days you might be better off counting the people who don’t have an iPod, a Kindle, or some form of electronic entertainment. The latest trend has involved the tablet PC. The iPad got everything started, and now it seems there are dozens of different tablets making subway appearances. There are dozens of tablets on the market, and each one provides a different experience on the subway. Here are your best bets.
Apple iPad
Pros: It is the standard bearer of the tablet computer. More people own an iPad than any other tablet, so it’s easy to get recommendations on apps and cases from people who already own one. It also has the largest selection of apps, so you’ll have plenty of choices for your entertainment. The big screen makes for great video watching, and there is plenty of storage for your music, videos, and apps.
Cons: The size and weight can be a problem. If you have to stand up, your arms can get tired holding up the iPad while you watch, read, or listen. It’s also an obvious target for any subway theft.
Android tablets
Pros: They come in many sizes, so you can find one that fits your specifications. There are even some that have keyboard attachments, so you can get some work done if you find a seat. There are also tons of apps in the Android Market. Best of all, many of them are free where iPad apps cost money.
Cons: The app environment on Android is not as regulated as on the iPad, so there’s a lot more crap to sift through. While the variety of Android tablets makes it likely you’ll find one you want, there is an abundance of low-quality Android tablets on the market that will break with reasonable wear and tear. That is, in order to find a high quality Android tablet you have to do some homework. The software also isn’t up to par with Android smartphones.
BlackBerry PlayBook
Pros: It’s one of the most compact tablets, measuring 7.6 inches wide by 5.1 inches high. That can fit in the back pocket of some jeans. The video quality is on par with the iPad, even if the screen is a few inches smaller. It ranks among the more durable tablets as well, so if you drop it while sitting you might be able to avoid damage you would incur with an inferior tablet.
Cons: There still aren’t many apps for it, though the addition of the Android player, which gives users access to Android apps, will help. That should come in the fall 2011. There is also no native email and calendar, staples of the BlackBerry platform, though again those are due to hit the PlayBook in the fall. It works best when tethered to a BlackBerry device, so BlackBerry owners will benefit more than non-owners.
A note to subway tablet PC users
If you’re going to carry your tablet on the subway, the first thing you need to do is buy a case. It’s amazing how little of a drop it takes to damage them. As these guys demonstrate, even a waist high drop can ruin your tablet if you don’t have a proper case for it. If you’re on the subway, it’s the No. 1 essential thing you need.
4 comments
What gets me about these gadgets on the subway is the total lack of awareness on the part of those who use them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone unplug their earphones from an iPOD, iPhone, etc and get all pissy because the train passed their stop after the conductor announced 10 times that the train would do just that. And so many folks feel the need to bend forward and hunch over their gadget while sitting, as if they were protecting some state secret. Then they look up and yell “what station did we just pass?” because they were so unaware.
Maybe I’m just an old codger who has been riding the subway too long, but I was taught to look and listen all the time while underground. You can’t “say something if you see something” if you’re not aware enough to hear something.
There seems to be the iPad and then everything else. Even though there may be products that attempt to compete against the iPad, it’s as if there are actually 2 categories of devices, iPad and generic tablets.
Tablets are a super-trendy toy right now, but they’re really just too big / bulky / awkward (need two hands most of the time, one to hold, one to “manipulate”) for this sort of use, especially if you’re not lucky enough to get a seat. Smart phones, mp3 players, or simple old paperbacks, are a far better match for subway use.
Tablets may be trending up right now, but once the “OMG new toy!1!” fever dies down, you’ll see the number of tablet users drop precipitously. [There’ll always be a few of course — after all, there are hardy souls who use their laptops on the subway too…]
Hey, I’m one of these hardy souls. I’ve written parts of lecture notes and even checked emails on an NYCT bus.