I think it depends on how you use your "computer." For me, the deal-breaker on a tablet is the lack of a full sized keyboard and the terribly small screen real estate. If I were to abandon my big 24" LCD monitor with multiple windows open simultaneously, my second 19" CRT monitor extending my visible desktop, and my favorite keyboard, I would be in a real mess. I do a lot of digital photo editing - something virtually impossible on any tiny screen and without a mouse or tablet. I also spend a lot of time flying the Microsoft Flight Simulator which includes controllers for yoke, pedals, and throttle all connected by USB ports. A desktop computer is ideal for those purposes, yet for
reading it lacks, mainly due to the inability to recline, put my feet up and relax. So there is no real substitute for a large screen, 8GB of RAM and a fast 4.0GHz quad core processor for such programs.
Web surfing is another deal.
One question then, is whether or not the added color and screen size of a tablet is adequate for casual surfing the 'net and reading. If I have a powerful desktop, why do I need a tablet? My own answer is that I read magazines on my big 24" monitor, often using my big screen to open referenced links. I have yet to find a .PDF book of interest that is not also available in ePub or mobi format. PDF files I read on my Adobe Reader software on the big screen since most of them are either reference material (i.e. owners manuals, etc.) or they are short articles with a few diagrams. I can't think of a reason I'd want to read literature in color. In other words, magazines and manuals are usually quick, easy reads where comfort isn't a consideration, and if I want to watch a movie, the big HDTV at home is the obvious choice.
Another factor is that I'm often several days away from a re-charge outlet. When hiking and backpacking, it is nice to be able to carry a small, light reader with eInk screen that will last a couple of weeks. LCD screens are still too battery-dependent for maximum portability for my uses. As a retiree, I don't need constant access to the web or e-mail when away from home. A simple eInk reader is perfect and I'll read the colored stuff, what little of it there is, at home on the big screen. The slightly larger screen size of tablets for text is a non-issue when everything I read is in 12 pt. type regardless of screen size.
So tablets can be used as eReaders at a sacrifice in portability and charge cycling. But neither tablets or eReaders are good web surfers due to limited screen size with the exception of those web sites that create alternate, cut-down web pages for the smaller screen.
When my favorite web pages can be accessed on a tablet screen without scrolling, when size and weight is brought down to around 5-6 oz., when charge cycling is increased to a week or longer, then I'll consider one. Until then, for 99% of my reading away from home, the eInk reader rules for me.
