Hagrid
[H]F Junkie
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2006
- Messages
- 9,163
So that brings us to the opposite end of the spectrum... Why would anyone want to spend a grand on a convertible like the Surface Pro or even $600 on a Surface? Well I already touched on two points, office tasks are an order of magnitude easier to tackle when you have a real office suite, and when you can snap windows and apps side by side, and when you can use existing desktop apps, etc etc. Note taking is also vastly superior with a real digitizer and better software.
Forget those two very specific scenarios for a second tho, let's take a step back and look at the ultrabook comparison while ignoring stuff like touch and note taking. There's a ton of people out there willing to make some sacrifices in aspects like screen size in order to use one device that meets most of their needs... Nevermind that there's plenty of 12" ultrabooks already so some of the 11.6" convertible tablets aren't much of a step down as it is. Some people would rather not switch devices constantly and if they can access all their current work and data on a single hybrid device then that alone is worth a ton to them. Other people might view it as a value or travel weight advantage, why pay $200-500 for a tablet when a convertible that can handle most laptop duties can also work as a tablet when I decide to kick back on the couch/bed? (or why travel with the extra 2-3 pounds)
Looking further past that, let's say you're not big on convergence (I'm not, as I said, I'd keep a smaller tablet even if I owned a 10-12" hybrid)... Does a hybrid device still offer something the 12-13" ultrabook doesn't? Well sure, I already pointed out stuff like note taking that works better on Windows, but there's tons of demanding usage cases that can still benefit from a touch interface and/or a slimmer keyboard-less form factor...
Things like RAW photo manipulation and even browsing are between iffy and impossible on a mobile OS (nevermind the demanding hardware requirements) but can benefit greatly from a quicker touch interface or on-the-go form factor if you're a professional showcasing work for a client or you're doing rough field edits to try stuff out. Sure, there's ultrabooks with touch screens, but have you ever tried to use one by reaching for the display constantly over the keyboard? I've gone thru it on my TF. It's not fluid or intuitive, never mind usingit while standing or handing it off to multiple people for viewing etc.
There's many other similar scenarios... Showing off or previewing blueprints, medical records and tests. Accessing server/network data while standing in front of the server or in your boss' office, etc. You wouldn't or couldn't fathom many of those usage cases because as you've confessed, you're not a big fan of touch screens to begin with, but they're out there.
Ultimately the whole thing is about having a choice of form factors. Some people want do it all convergent devices, others don't. Some people need 8lb gaming laptops, others can get by with an ultrabook. Some people want a single tablet, others have bought into the form factor and can actually see owning multiples just like PC enthusiasts have owned multiple rigs for decades. Some want a tablet first device, laptop second, others vice versa.
You can't pass judgment on what a device is universally worth if you lack the imagination to see how it would be used. I'm not sure if my longwinded post answers the question you keep posing in different ways, hopefully it helps steer the discussion forward tho.
That is my purpose is to move it forward, discussing all points. I can see how it can be used to its fullest, but how many people will after spending that amount, and do they need to spend that for what they need.
Touch screens with a pen is fine as it doesnt smear it all up. I love my keyboard on my phone and wouldnt own one without it. i wonder if I can get a keyboard cover like the surface for my nook!