What to buy? Phone, iPad, tablet, notebook, desktop, workstation?

There are LOT’s of choices TV Set Interfaces (AppleTV, Boxee, Roku, etc.) TV Set Interfaces (AppleTV, Boxee, Roku, etc.) Internet-Capable CellPhone Internet-Capable CellPhone “SmartPhone” (iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.) “SmartPhone” (iPhone, BlackBerry, etc.) Tablets (traditional or iPad type) Tablets (traditional or iPad type) Notebook (netbook, notebook, portable ws) Notebook (netbook, notebook, portable ws) Desktop (allIn1, SFF, desktop, tower, ws) Desktop (allIn1, SFF, desktop, tower, ws) eBook Reader (Kimble, Nook, etc) eBook Reader (Kimble, Nook, etc)

TV set - Internet First one was the Radio Shack “Color Computer”, which used a TV for a display. First one was the Radio Shack “Color Computer”, which used a TV for a display. WebTV devices came out, very limited functionality with a clunky interface. WebTV devices came out, very limited functionality with a clunky interface. Today – Samsung SmartTV, AppleTV, GoogleTV, Boxee Box, Roku – others – allow varying access to Internet browsing and streaming. Today – Samsung SmartTV, AppleTV, GoogleTV, Boxee Box, Roku – others – allow varying access to Internet browsing and streaming.

Usability TV interfaces are not full-scale computers, do not even approach iPad type tablet in applications. They are primarily for watching such Internet-based media sources as Netflix, but most do offer basic browsing and a few apps. TV interfaces are not full-scale computers, do not even approach iPad type tablet in applications. They are primarily for watching such Internet-based media sources as Netflix, but most do offer basic browsing and a few apps.

Internet-capable CellPhone This category includes cell phones that can connect to the Internet, but are not classed by the carriers as “smart-phones.” This category includes cell phones that can connect to the Internet, but are not classed by the carriers as “smart-phones.” This type device can be connected on an “ad- hoc” basis – charged by the megabyte instead of a monthly charge that includes a certain amount of download megabytes. This type device can be connected on an “ad- hoc” basis – charged by the megabyte instead of a monthly charge that includes a certain amount of download megabytes.

Example: LG VX5500

Usability “Just a phone” with capability of browsing, and a few apps like calendar, address book, calculator. “Just a phone” with capability of browsing, and a few apps like calendar, address book, calculator. Low-priced, don’t require an Internet connection, meet a certain need. Low-priced, don’t require an Internet connection, meet a certain need. Frequently easier to operate – a “one-trick pony,” but the trick may be well done. Frequently easier to operate – a “one-trick pony,” but the trick may be well done.

SmartPhone These devices have more capability of added applications than basic cellphones. These devices have more capability of added applications than basic cellphones. Added – , browsing, ability to purchase a multitude of applications for various purposes. Added – , browsing, ability to purchase a multitude of applications for various purposes. If you purchase one of these, the carrier normally REQUIRES that you subscribe to an online usage plan. If you purchase one of these, the carrier normally REQUIRES that you subscribe to an online usage plan.

Usability Primarily a phone, pocket-size, but can be used for , browsing, and a lot of apps (vary by phone OS). Primarily a phone, pocket-size, but can be used for , browsing, and a lot of apps (vary by phone OS). Require paying for monthly Internet access. Require paying for monthly Internet access. Browsing can be very slow – even the 3G systems are nowhere near broadband speed. Browsing can be very slow – even the 3G systems are nowhere near broadband speed.

Tablets Tablets come in two main categories: Tablets come in two main categories: The oldest is the tablet made by modifying a notebook computer to have a screen on top, usually with touch operation. Example: HP Slate. The oldest is the tablet made by modifying a notebook computer to have a screen on top, usually with touch operation. Example: HP Slate. More recent is the tablet design using a non- Windows or Mac interface, such as the iPad, HP TouchPad, Galaxy (Android OS). More recent is the tablet design using a non- Windows or Mac interface, such as the iPad, HP TouchPad, Galaxy (Android OS).

Traditional Tablets

Usability Mostly Windows or Mac OS based, can do pretty much anything that a notebook can do. Mostly Windows or Mac OS based, can do pretty much anything that a notebook can do. Optimized for use where user is constantly mobile. Optimized for use where user is constantly mobile. Touch screen and other features generally result in higher cost than regular notebook. Touch screen and other features generally result in higher cost than regular notebook.

Usability These tablets do not run either Windows or Mac OS – applications are more like SmartPhone apps. Many of them are closed-systems (apps must be approved or cannot be installed). These tablets do not run either Windows or Mac OS – applications are more like SmartPhone apps. Many of them are closed-systems (apps must be approved or cannot be installed). Apps available tend to be what I’d call “Hollywood TV star” – lots of flash and show, but little real utility. Apps available tend to be what I’d call “Hollywood TV star” – lots of flash and show, but little real utility. Limited storage. No printing. Limited storage. No printing.

Notebooks Categories: first called “laptops,” now divided into notebooks, netbooks, and portable workstations. Categories: first called “laptops,” now divided into notebooks, netbooks, and portable workstations. Operating system: Windows (or Mac OS) (others such as Linux can be used). Operating system: Windows (or Mac OS) (others such as Linux can be used). “Netbook” implies a small and lightweight notebook, with no internal CD or DVD drive. “Netbook” implies a small and lightweight notebook, with no internal CD or DVD drive. The first “netbook” came out long before the term – it was the Toshiba Libretto 20. The first “netbook” came out long before the term – it was the Toshiba Libretto 20.

The Libretto 20 – summer of Processor 486 at 75 mHz, 8 meg RAM expandable to 20, oh – and Windows 95. The Libretto 20 – summer of Processor 486 at 75 mHz, 8 meg RAM expandable to 20, oh – and Windows 95.

Current “Netbook”

Usability Completely usable as a larger notebook, but easier to carry around. No internal CD or DVD. Completely usable as a larger notebook, but easier to carry around. No internal CD or DVD. Can be bought with WWAN (wireless wide-area network), but there is subscription monthly charge like a SmartPhone. Can be bought with WWAN (wireless wide-area network), but there is subscription monthly charge like a SmartPhone. Can be attached to external devices, including large monitors, projectors, USB devices. Can be attached to external devices, including large monitors, projectors, USB devices. Most any program that will run on a notebook will run on a netbook. Most any program that will run on a notebook will run on a netbook.

Usability continued Processors and entire system optimized for mobile usage and lower battery usage. However, these processors don’t have the sheer raw power of those in better notebooks and desktops. Processors and entire system optimized for mobile usage and lower battery usage. However, these processors don’t have the sheer raw power of those in better notebooks and desktops.

Usability Almost anything that can be done with a desktop or workstation can be done on a notebook. Exceptions involve support for many and multiple hardware devices that could be fitted into a large tower case. Almost anything that can be done with a desktop or workstation can be done on a notebook. Exceptions involve support for many and multiple hardware devices that could be fitted into a large tower case. Power and usability generally on a par with desktops. Power and usability generally on a par with desktops. In fact, the turning point happened a couple of years ago – more notebooks are sold than desktops in both the consumer and business market. In fact, the turning point happened a couple of years ago – more notebooks are sold than desktops in both the consumer and business market.

Desktops Desktop Computers are made in different formats: Desktop Computers are made in different formats: All in One All in One SFF (Small Form Factor) SFF (Small Form Factor) Micro-Tower (mini-tower, tower) Micro-Tower (mini-tower, tower) Workstation (generally – more powerful, with high-end graphics for scientific and technical work). Workstation (generally – more powerful, with high-end graphics for scientific and technical work).

Usability The “all-in-1” devices are built right into the monitor housing, less “stuff” and cabling needed so they look better in a living room. The “all-in-1” devices are built right into the monitor housing, less “stuff” and cabling needed so they look better in a living room. The SFF (small form factor) can even be mounted on a stand that also holds the monitor, they excel in lots of power in a small space. The SFF (small form factor) can even be mounted on a stand that also holds the monitor, they excel in lots of power in a small space. The standard size micro- or mini-tower designs have more room for added devices (like a DVD reader and DVD writer for easier copying). The standard size micro- or mini-tower designs have more room for added devices (like a DVD reader and DVD writer for easier copying).

Usability - continued The workstation is generally a large tower case, that can hold a lot of processor, memory, video capability for high end CAD, scientific, math, heavy-duty computing. The workstation is generally a large tower case, that can hold a lot of processor, memory, video capability for high end CAD, scientific, math, heavy-duty computing. Most expandable of all systems. Most expandable of all systems.

eBook Reader Specialized computer for reading electronic books. Specialized computer for reading electronic books. Major ones include Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook Major ones include Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook Software to read these books is also available for many smart-phones, net-books, tablets, notebooks, and desktops. Software to read these books is also available for many smart-phones, net-books, tablets, notebooks, and desktops.

Usability The eBook reader capability is also available as applications that run on SmartPhones, tablets, netbooks, notebooks, and desktop/workstations. The eBook reader capability is also available as applications that run on SmartPhones, tablets, netbooks, notebooks, and desktop/workstations. However, the eBook reader is optimized for convenient use in reading books, thin and lightweight, text-optimized screen, and is another “one-trick pony” that does that one trick well. However, the eBook reader is optimized for convenient use in reading books, thin and lightweight, text-optimized screen, and is another “one-trick pony” that does that one trick well.

So, which one?????? ‘Ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer choice. ‘Ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer choice. Maybe more than one????? Maybe more than one????? You should now be better informed to make a choice that fits your own needs. You should now be better informed to make a choice that fits your own needs.

Content produced by Jim Cason Promised LAN Computing, Inc Carolina Avenue Trent Woods, NC (252)