Tablet take over

ttomm46 · 08-12-2011, 02:49 PM

I read somewhere that the growing popularity of tablets will eventually cause dedicated e-readers to disappear.....the suggestion was wait for tablet price drops instead of getting an e-reader..anyone have any opinion on this?

Phogg · 08-12-2011, 02:57 PM

Vans will eventually cause Trucks and cars to disappear. /Sarcasm

Dr. Drib · 08-12-2011, 03:07 PM

Interestingly, when I went to the U.S. last week (after having been gone for one year), I went to Best Buy and saw quite a few tablets prominently displayed. This disply (along with ebook Readers) was NOT apparent one year ago, and I was startled by their presence.

I personally don't think eInk reading devices will disappear - not at all, in my opinion. I do, however, see tablets taking over some of the chores of ebook Readers.

I now have both: a tablet nook, an eInk nook STR, and my two Kindles (2 and 3).

What I like about the color nook is the ability to read at night, an experience which (for me) is somewhat different than using my Kindle with the light.

Personally, I would like to see a color "tablet" that is the same size as the nook STR - the nook technology in a smaller size. Perhaps wishful thinking, I know, and probably not even practical or viable, but it would be wonderful for me to have a Reader with that technology and with a lighter weight. I would want to use it mainly for reading and nothing else.

Don

Phogg · 08-12-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Interestingly, when I went to the U.S. last week (after having been gone for one year), I went to Best Buy and saw quite a few tablets prominently displayed. This disply (along with ebook Readers) was NOT apparent one year ago, and I was startled by their presence.

I personally don't think eInk reading devices will disappear - not at all, in my opinion. I do, however, see tablets taking over some of the chores of ebook Readers.

I now have both: a tablet nook, an eInk nook STR, and my two Kindles (2 and 3).

What I like about the color nook is the ability to read at night, an experience which (for me) is somewhat different than using my Kindle with the light.

Personally, I would like to see a color "tablet" that is the same size as the nook STR - the nook technology in a smaller size. Perhaps wishful thinking, I know, and probably not even practical or viable, but it would be wonderful for me to have a Reader with that technology and with a lighter weight. I would want to use it mainly for reading and nothing else.

Don

Dell just Discontinued US marketing of the 5" Streak, but you can probably get one on Craigslist or Ebay. It runs android 2.2.

taustin · 08-12-2011, 04:07 PM

Tablets, pretty much by definition, require more horsepower, and are thus inherently more expensive. Wait for tablet prices to come down? Sure. But ebook reader prices will come down, too. When Tablets are the $100-150 price that book readers are now, book readers will be $25-50.

If all you want is to read books, there will never come a time when a tablet will be as cheap.

VicLavigne · 08-12-2011, 04:24 PM

Tablets cannot function as well as an e-ink reader, despite their appeal. I have both. My tablet makes a good news and weather reader, and also great for magazines. But if I want to read a book, I set aside the tablet and use an ereader. I think you'll see the same behavior with many other people here.

Vic

wodin · 08-12-2011, 04:32 PM

Not me, but then before I got my tablet, I used to do most of my reading on my phone.

bbqncigars · 08-12-2011, 08:04 PM

I read magazines and watch some videos on my rooted Nook Color, but most of my reading is done on my e-ink reader (PocketPro).

Eisengoth · 08-12-2011, 08:20 PM

The Internet seems to be all about the dismissal of one technology over another these days... it's like everyone feels the need to pick the winning horse as early as possible, just so that they can say they were right later.

The things that an e-Ink reader does well - contrast, battery life, and simplicity - cannot be completely replaced by a tablet. It's just not possible for a backlit screen to provide the same ease of reading with the length of battery time which can be achieved with e-Ink.

I honestly think that the only tablet which could truly herald the merging of the e-Reader and the tablet would be one that seamlessly integrated both eInk and full-color backlit screens... like, not two separate screens, but a single layered one, or something, where either could be activated depending on what the user wanted.

As for now - if you can afford a tablet, and you want a quasi-computing device, then get one. If all you're looking for is to read books, both the Nook2 and the Kindle are great devices, and they're a hell of a lot cheaper than even the cheapest tablet.

Penforhire · 08-12-2011, 09:31 PM

It'll happen but not soon enough to recommend waiting. If you want to enjoy reading as a primary activity in 2011, buy an e-reader.

RainingLemur · 08-12-2011, 10:41 PM

I don't think that tablets are going to put dedicated ereaders over the edge any time soon.

aceflor · 08-13-2011, 02:40 AM

I have a tablet (acer iconia) and e-readers (kindle 3 and sony 650 and 350), and I use them. All of them. The tablet is good for indoors when I am seating comfortably and for nightime reading, but I always have my 350 in my handbag, it is in a cloth bag that contains said e-reader plus housekeys, carkeys, glasses and purse and will be transferred to handbag of the day and will be used anytime I can squeeze a bit of reading when running errands.

The K3 and 650 I use at home outside, at the pool or at the beach, I am reading different books on each (mainly I am reading 2 books at a time). It is crazy to have these different devices, I know. I am not going to get another e-reader on top, but should one die on me, I'd most probably buy another one. It is different reading, I am more concentrated on the e-ink ones than on the tablet (because I don't get the "ping" telling me e-mail just arrived probably), for me the combo makes sense and I am delighted e-ink devices exist and are still being developed.

If asked, I'd say the "real" reading is done on the e-ink devices, the tablet reading is more "entertainment". Does it make sense ?

Sweetpea · 08-13-2011, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VicLavigne

Tablets cannot function as well as an e-ink reader, despite their appeal. I have both. My tablet makes a good news and weather reader, and also great for magazines. But if I want to read a book, I set aside the tablet and use an ereader. I think you'll see the same behavior with many other people here.

Vic

Not me. Until there is a reader that incorporates a colour backlit screen with the battery life and outside readability of an average e-ink reader, I will need both a tablet and an e-ink reader.

mbelec · 08-13-2011, 04:57 AM

I imagine people thought desktop computers would stop being sold when laptops were becoming popular?

I think people will find a place for both technologies, myself.

cfrizz · 08-13-2011, 10:28 AM

The two technologies will coexist very nicely for a very long time.

08-12-2011, 02:49 PM	#1
ttomm46 Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 480000 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: none	Tablet take over I read somewhere that the growing popularity of tablets will eventually cause dedicated e-readers to disappear.....the suggestion was wait for tablet price drops instead of getting an e-reader..anyone have any opinion on this?

08-12-2011, 03:07 PM	#3
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,341 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Interestingly, when I went to the U.S. last week (after having been gone for one year), I went to Best Buy and saw quite a few tablets prominently displayed. This disply (along with ebook Readers) was NOT apparent one year ago, and I was startled by their presence. I personally don't think eInk reading devices will disappear - not at all, in my opinion. I do, however, see tablets taking over some of the chores of ebook Readers. I now have both: a tablet nook, an eInk nook STR, and my two Kindles (2 and 3). What I like about the color nook is the ability to read at night, an experience which (for me) is somewhat different than using my Kindle with the light. Personally, I would like to see a color "tablet" that is the same size as the nook STR - the nook technology in a smaller size. Perhaps wishful thinking, I know, and probably not even practical or viable, but it would be wonderful for me to have a Reader with that technology and with a lighter weight. I would want to use it mainly for reading and nothing else. Don Last edited by Dr. Drib; 08-12-2011 at 03:19 PM.

08-13-2011, 02:40 AM	#12
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	I have a tablet (acer iconia) and e-readers (kindle 3 and sony 650 and 350), and I use them. All of them. The tablet is good for indoors when I am seating comfortably and for nightime reading, but I always have my 350 in my handbag, it is in a cloth bag that contains said e-reader plus housekeys, carkeys, glasses and purse and will be transferred to handbag of the day and will be used anytime I can squeeze a bit of reading when running errands. The K3 and 650 I use at home outside, at the pool or at the beach, I am reading different books on each (mainly I am reading 2 books at a time). It is crazy to have these different devices, I know. I am not going to get another e-reader on top, but should one die on me, I'd most probably buy another one. It is different reading, I am more concentrated on the e-ink ones than on the tablet (because I don't get the "ping" telling me e-mail just arrived probably), for me the combo makes sense and I am delighted e-ink devices exist and are still being developed. If asked, I'd say the "real" reading is done on the e-ink devices, the tablet reading is more "entertainment". Does it make sense ? Last edited by aceflor; 08-13-2011 at 03:03 AM.

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08-12-2011, 02:57 PM	#2
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	Vans will eventually cause Trucks and cars to disappear. /Sarcasm

08-12-2011, 04:07 PM	#5
taustin Wizard Posts: 1,358 Karma: 5766642 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nook	Tablets, pretty much by definition, require more horsepower, and are thus inherently more expensive. Wait for tablet prices to come down? Sure. But ebook reader prices will come down, too. When Tablets are the $100-150 price that book readers are now, book readers will be $25-50. If all you want is to read books, there will never come a time when a tablet will be as cheap.

08-12-2011, 04:24 PM	#6
VicLavigne e-reading since 2008 Posts: 197 Karma: 112730 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hinesville Georgia Device: Nook STR, Sony PRS-T1	Tablets cannot function as well as an e-ink reader, despite their appeal. I have both. My tablet makes a good news and weather reader, and also great for magazines. But if I want to read a book, I set aside the tablet and use an ereader. I think you'll see the same behavior with many other people here. Vic

08-12-2011, 04:32 PM	#7
wodin Illiterate Posts: 10,279 Karma: 37848716 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: The Sandwich Isles Device: Samsung Galaxy S10+, Microsoft Surface Pro	Not me, but then before I got my tablet, I used to do most of my reading on my phone.

08-12-2011, 08:04 PM	#8
bbqncigars PDA dino Posts: 80 Karma: 1527072 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Palm IIIx, Rooted NC, Voyages(2)	I read magazines and watch some videos on my rooted Nook Color, but most of my reading is done on my e-ink reader (PocketPro).

08-12-2011, 08:20 PM	#9
Eisengoth Independent Author Posts: 47 Karma: 36836 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Sony PRS-505	The Internet seems to be all about the dismissal of one technology over another these days... it's like everyone feels the need to pick the winning horse as early as possible, just so that they can say they were right later. The things that an e-Ink reader does well - contrast, battery life, and simplicity - cannot be completely replaced by a tablet. It's just not possible for a backlit screen to provide the same ease of reading with the length of battery time which can be achieved with e-Ink. I honestly think that the only tablet which could truly herald the merging of the e-Reader and the tablet would be one that seamlessly integrated both eInk and full-color backlit screens... like, not two separate screens, but a single layered one, or something, where either could be activated depending on what the user wanted. As for now - if you can afford a tablet, and you want a quasi-computing device, then get one. If all you're looking for is to read books, both the Nook2 and the Kindle are great devices, and they're a hell of a lot cheaper than even the cheapest tablet.

08-12-2011, 09:31 PM	#10
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	It'll happen but not soon enough to recommend waiting. If you want to enjoy reading as a primary activity in 2011, buy an e-reader.

08-12-2011, 10:41 PM	#11
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	I don't think that tablets are going to put dedicated ereaders over the edge any time soon.

08-13-2011, 04:57 AM	#14
mbelec Addict Posts: 209 Karma: 1165996 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maine Device: sony prs-350, Ipad 3	I imagine people thought desktop computers would stop being sold when laptops were becoming popular? I think people will find a place for both technologies, myself.

08-13-2011, 10:28 AM	#15
cfrizz Wizard Posts: 1,566 Karma: 36389706 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Device: Samsung 54A, Kobo Libra H2O, Samsung S6 Lite	The two technologies will coexist very nicely for a very long time.

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