Issue 44.11
There are few things in the computer world as confusing as the sudden availability of numerous small touch screen computers. There is a wide variety of prices, capabilities and types of operation. Today we are going to examine the general categories and what they do even as we realize that there are specific products that blur the lines by providing options that cross boundaries.
E-Readers: These are computers, but very limited as to function. They generally do not do anything other than store and display books, magazines, recipes and other digital text files. Many of them can display graphics, but most are limited to black and white or greyscale pictures. The few dedicated units that display in color can let you read and enjoy graphic novels, comic books and photo intensive magazines. Prices start as low as $79 for a basic Amazon Kindle without a touch screen up to $250 for the Nook Color. Most download through your wireless network, but some can use cellular service to get content.
Personal Assistant Display Devices: The most well-known device in this category is the I-Pod, but there are now other similar devices such as the Samsung Galaxy. These typically use a 5 inch screen and use either the Apple OS (Operating System) or the Android OS. Most of these run in the $200-$400 range depending on memory, speed and software available. These capabilities are also often available in “Smart” phones (such as Apple’s IPhone 4s that just entered the market) and use cellular service to download data and programs instead of relying on your wireless network. Prices for the phone versions are usually about $100 more but are available at much lower cost if you commit to the phone service offering them for a 2 year period.
Touch Tablets: These typically come in two sizes – 7 inch and 10 inch and include the IPad (which has the majority of the market right now) and their competitors, most of which use the Android system. Again, these generally use your wireless network to connect to the internet, but the high end models also can communicate through cellular carriers, sometimes without additional cost. Because of their size and increased storage and speed capacities, these are more of a true computer and have better availability of advanced functions. They are a little more cumbersome to carry around than the PADDs, but more than make up for it in media enjoyment (watching movies, listening to music and cruising the internet). Prices range from $150 for a basic Android tablet with some limitations on functionality up to $830 for the top end Apple IPad. Entering the fray in the next couple of weeks is an intriguing new entry from Amazon called the Kindle Fire which is only $150 and looks to be one of the better offerings.
All in all, these are an exciting new addition to the computer market. I use my IPod all the time and am seriously looking at a tablet computer to travel with They are fun and the better quality ones are quite elegant and useful too. We will visit about the Android OS in another article, but it works pretty well. And remember, always be sure to back up any of your computer information that is important to you – particularly pictures, documents and financial info.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 30 years, 20 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or through his website at www.bitsnbytescomputers.com.