Most of you probably own and use a laptop or desktop computer and a smartphone. Many of you have a tablet. As we age, the tablet will become more and more important, and eventually the tech device we use most.
There are many reasons that the tablet will become our primary computing device:
1. For those of us that sell our family home and downsize, tablets take up almost no room.
2. If we develop arthritis in our hands, not needing to use a mouse will make computing much easier.
3. I already have trouble lugging a laptop around. Tablets, especially the mini tablets, weigh almost nothing.
4. With the newer laptop/tablet combination, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro 3, you have all the benefits of a real laptop. However, you can remove the screen and it becomes a touchscreen tablet. As more brands begin to make these hybrids, people of all ages might begin using them.
5. Tablets are the best computing devices for kids because of the apps and the size. As boomers become grandparents, having a tablet will be a big plus while babysitting.
The smartphone has almost all of the above benefits, however I think we will be using it less and less as we age. Having to grab our reading glasses all the time will become a nuisance. We can do everything from our tablet that we use our phone for except for calling. We can even make texts from tablets, as long as we have Wi-fi. And actually, if you have Skype downloaded on your tablet, you can make free Skype calls with Wi-fi or cellular.
I have been a very big fan of tablets since I bought my first iPad, and I’m an even bigger fan now that I have an iPad mini. I still need to use my desktop computer everyday because there are many work related tasks that the iPad can not do. However, I am sure that eventually there will be more tablets that will be able to act like computers and I’m looking forward to that day.
It is like the Papa bear, the Mama bear and the Baby bear – The Laptop is too big, the Smartphone is too small, but the Tablet is just right! What do you think?
Jennifer Wagner
In addition to writing two blogs, Connect with your Teens through Pop Culture and Technology and her new blog, Technology at Any Age, Jennifer Wagner has also published a book, The Gamer Generation: Reaping the Benefits of Video Games. She also writes about technology in education and social good on her blogs. She is married and lives in NYC and has two grown sons. Instagram: jenwag57
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Rena McDaniel
Thursday 28th of August 2014
I bought my tablet specifically because I have RA and I love it! Its so much easier to use. I usually work several hours in bed before sleeping and its perfect I can take care of Social Media and my email. It doesn't keep my hubby up since he wakes up at 4am, it's lightweight. I wouldn't trade it for the World.
Anne Louise Bannon
Thursday 28th of August 2014
I will probably replace my laptop with a Surface Pro (or whatever's priced low enough when it's time). I currently use my laptop more like destop, and my Android tablet with keyboard like a laptop. There are things each can do that the others can't and I'm fine with that. I also have an Android phone and love it, as well.
Laraine
Thursday 28th of August 2014
I have a laptop, an ipad, and an iphone, and used to lug all 3 with me for business trips. I think the ipad needs to be able to run more applications and have more memory, but these are very realistic future expectations. I can't wait for the iphone 6!
Jennifer Wagner
Thursday 28th of August 2014
penpen,
And just wait until you start using all the apps. That is really my favorite reason for using tablets.
penpen
Thursday 28th of August 2014
I've been eyeing a tablet for years--and trying to figure out why I need one. Thanks for the tips. The hybrid is the first to make sense for me: I can take it along to take notes on interviews and at conferences but it's still light enough to lug around wherever I go. And you're right about it being a great tool to have as we move into the era of parenting grown children and grandparenting their kids.