Comments on: Why Tablets Shouldn’t Have Keyboards Included With Them [Geeks Weigh In]

By: Sunjik Lee

Sunjik Lee — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:51:00 +0000

I’m not sure what decade you’re living in, but let me tell you the flaws of your extremely outdated argument.

1. downloading updates does not take any of your time, you just have to hit “OK”. I dont see the problem. You can also decide not to update, but that’s pretty stupid.
2. Computers do NOT take 10 minutes to boot. Have you used a modern computer? Not to mention these days most laptop users simply put it to sleep, especially mac users (since they don’t have the option to NOT put it into sleep when closing the lid). Not to mention SSDs are now an affordable option on laptops; cold boot takes less than a minute, hell less than 30 seconds if you don’t install a massive amount of startup programs. As well, waking from sleep these days is almost instant (maybe 2-3 seconds wait time - negligible).3. Laptop battery has improved tenfold. Seen the Thinkpad X220? +10 hours battery, more if you get an expanded battery option. 4. Speaking of options, you actually have them with computers/laptops. Bigger harddrives, expandable memory, etc. You don’t have to sell your device to upgrade specs by getting a new device.So again, if you’re going to make a point about something, make sure its actually viable to modern times.

By: Aibek

Aibek — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000

If I am not mistaken there are Android phones with a built-in keyboard. Some Droid models from Motorola for example.

By: pablo

pablo — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:57:00 +0000

So you say that a keyboard is uncomfortable, thus no keyboard is better??

By: Ashraf H Shourafa

Ashraf H Shourafa — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:55:00 +0000

what’s wrong with an optional keyboard that you are not forced to buy it ????… I don’t want windows compatible software, but I still need keyboard, I’m not a writer, but there is noway that touch screen can replace a keyboard for me, that’s why I was curious that my android mobile should have a built in keyboard.

By: M.S. Smith

M.S. Smith — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:47:00 +0000

What are you doing while walking around with your tablet that you can’t do on a smartphone? Does your smartphone not have service in Thailand? I realize that can be an issue while traveling, so perhaps that would add some value to a tablet with a keyboard…but you have to admit, that’s quite a niche.

By: Mark Anthony Cianfrani

Mark Anthony Cianfrani — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 00:54:00 +0000

I’ve also been struggling with an anwser to this dilemma. I’ll be completely honest, I now have no problem with touch typing. At first I was highly considering a bluetooth keyboard for my tablet but as you mentioned, I realized this just defeats the whole purpose of even having a tablet.

My solution was to take the plunge and see if there wad any ‘proper’ way to type on the iPad glass screen. I found that all it takes is a little time to ‘relearn’ the interface since it’s slightly smaller than the physical keybord that I am used to. It just takes some time and practice until you begin to acquire that unconcious muscle memory. I remember how awkward learning to type in the first place was.

Sure, I’m still not perfect at touch typing and my Words Per Minute are significantly lower (averaging 50 wpm on the iPad) but after putting in the time, I’m more than satisfied.

The problem of having those physical keys that respond to your touch is certainly an issue but one that I am recently overcoming. I’ve also read of some pretty interesting patents that involving piezo electronics and haptic feedback that will greatly improve this issue.

All in all, I highly recommend simply relearning everything you knew about typing. It had brought so much more value in productivity to my tablet.

By: JPD

JPD — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 07:17:00 +0000

Wow, how black and white. Sure, maybe in your
opinion, and what you demand of a keyboard it is all those things:
unpleasant, unnecessary… There are other people out there with wants and needs that differ greatly from your own. I own a transformer and keyboard and love the convenience, portability and freedom it offers.

I’m a sysadmin and I travel a lot – I’m from Portland as well but I’m
currently in Thailand. I pack the keyboard in my bag and carry the
transformer itself around for all the benefits a tablet offers. I pull
out the keyboard if I have to write a bunch of emails or if I have to
ssh into one of my systems or if I’m almost out of juice and there’s no
outlet to plug into.

I’m not doing full app development on it, or freelance writing so the
keyboard size is not nearly as important and I don’t have the virtual
keyboard covering half my screen while I’m trying to work. If I lived
in your world I’d have to carry the tablet and a full laptop which would
be more to pack around and much more expensive than the
transformer and keyboard.

By: DP

DP — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:56:00 +0000

With the keyboard it is the same price as a Galaxy or Ipad2. I bought it as a touchscreen tablet with also capabilities to expand to a full keyboard, not as a netbook with touchscreen capabilities. I think it’s priced just right.

By: Stephen Rice

Stephen Rice — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:40:00 +0000

If you go down the “it is a bit more convenient” road far enough you end up having to justify why you don’t hire a secretary to type something for you.

It just seems to highlight that there’s some things you might as well stick to doing on a laptop.

By: Stephen Rice

Stephen Rice — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:37:00 +0000

It’s also pretty expensive.

By: Fondy44

Fondy44 — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Based on my own experience with an iPad:
Typing in portrait requires long thumbs. Typing in landscape just about requires something to prop the tablet up against. Neither solution is ideal but it beats waiting 10 minutes for the PC to boot and download/install updates from Microsoft and Adobe. Also, I’m not tethered to a power cord or having to make sure I’m within close proximity to one.
Many of the keyboard cases and stands I’ve seen don’t seem very lap-friendly. Okay for a desk or coffee table, but not so great in a recliner.
The main advantage I see with a tablet is the freedom to leave the charger at home – something I learned not to try twice with a laptop.

By: M.S. Smith

M.S. Smith — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:36:00 +0000

Obviously, I’m not arguing that the keyboard option makes the Eee PC Transformer a tablet a less attractive tablet. What I’m arguing is that the keyboard is unpleasant, unnecessary and actually runs counter to some of the reasons you’d want to buy a tablet in the first place.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:14:00 +0000

you failed to mention, although asus could have put a usb port on the transformer, they keyboard comes with a couple, plus an extra battery that charges the eee transformers internal battery and powers it when its dead (which is great if you dont have a plugin handy!) and if you are writing somthing using the office app, it is a bit more convient to type on a physical keyboard for long periods of time as opposed to an on screen keyboard

By: James Bruce

James Bruce — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:24:00 +0000

You do realise that windows tablets existed 5 years ago? I know for a fact, I had one. It sucked then and it will suck now. Or do you believe Apple has done so well to introduce the world to the concept of a tablet that Microsoft is now safe to try launching them again?

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:09:00 +0000

I think that tablets shouldn’t have a specific keyboard attached to them, but the keyboard cases are very useful since you will need a case anyway. Also I do not think A tablets purpose is for heavy content creation. I do believe that eventually computers will be highly portable and powerful like a tablet.