As a Mac user interested in getting a windows device I just can’t bring myself to pull the trigger. I lose everything that makes my Macs so great. iMessage, text messaging, etc etc. ugh.
I think “real computer” is just shorthand for a certain idea of basic UI paradigms that we are used to. More open computing system. Multiple resizable windows, a file system with complete control, the ability to download apps outside of an ecosystem, the ability to interface better with accessories. Pro level applications.
What we have with iPad is something different. It’s mostly casual. By far. These just aren’t devices people use for serious programming or video editing or other specialized works for obvious reasons. It’s just a casual device that has some cool uses that CAN be translated to professional work, but it’s definitely more difficult. You CAN edit word documents on it, but people that do it for a living on a large scale definitely won’t. You CAN edit video on it, but if you do it for a living your needs will definitely require more.
The problem with iPad is it’s got tons of processing power but we don’t see pro level apps on it we see Luma fusion, but not final cut or adobe or Sony Vegas. And even if we did, are we gonna edit on small screens the whole time? Why can’t I connect it to a large 27inch monitor, put it with a keyboard and have something akin to a mouse? The interfacing experience for pro level work doesn’t translate well if it’s purely touchscreen. So it’ll always be small time “editing my weekend at Disney world” videos on iPad unless you change the way you can use it. The touchscreen ONLY interface holds it back.
But anyway I’m just ranting. I’ve been watching this “is ipad a real computer” for almost a decade while using an iPad as my main computer and these conversations always go around in circles. It’s always.
“iPad isn’t a real computer for X reasons”
Then people chime in “but I use it for some of my own X reasons”
Ok then. So it’s good for some and not for others. That’s how it’ll always be. Personally? I think the very fact we argue over these differences mean the tablet form factor won’t last forever. We will transcend ANY form factor and have a “computing everywhere” approach. There will be a way to compute through augmented reality. Through windows (literal windows) through VR. Through table surfaces. 20 years from now we will look at tablets and laptops and wonder how we ever used computers that were fixed in a certain form factor
I've been quite happy with Firefox for several years now... they made big speed improvements earlier this year too. You might want to check it out.
I recently checked it out and it's still horrendous for use on a touch screen, just abysmal. I like Firefox, I used it for years and years and honestly think it's much nicer than Chrome. But for touch screen use it really sucks. Chrome is just a little better, but still pretty crappy. I've been so incredibly spoiled by how great the Edge browser is on touchscreens I could never go back to any other browser.
I usually use Edge when I'm keyboardless... but for me Firefox is the daily driver. It works fine on my Note 8 also.
Still waiting for my GO to arrive, hopefully by end of week
Just tried Bluestacks Android emulator on my SB2 if it works as good on the GO then its a another thumbs up and another device (Tab S3) I can sell
https://www.bluestacks.com/bluestacks-2-features.html
Release date in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore) 28th of AugustYep, you'll be fine. Why didn't you buy/order from a local retailer - what is taking so long?
Release date in Asia (Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore) 28th of August
How has bluestacks advanced? I remember using it a couple of years ago on a SP3 and it was pretty crappy, just extremely slow and buggy. Have they improved it since then? Definitely had high hopes for this and would be very excited if it runs well.
I don't have any reference point to judge it with unfortunatly
It's a bit of a dog to load and I would assume it will completely consume the GO but I only have a few apps I need to run and more specifically one is a TV/Film streaming service so it's not like I would be jumping in and out and doing other things
I doubt you could leave it sitting in the background on the GO but otherwise the ability to cover some little gaps with a few android apps has an appeal
I was surprised the interface allowed trackpad or touch for somethings and accessing the playstore was easy. I can only assume it's main focus and advertising etc is game orientated it can't be that clunky but no doubt will have its oddities
I only tried kindle as someone was complaining about the MS app, bluestacks seems over kill to use the kindle app but if it's doable I suppose its a good thing but I assume will consume battery rapidly
The settings allowed you to specify memory, cores and screen res so maybe you can scale it back a bit and it will eat 2GB of SSD
It's just another string to the bow (GO)Cool, I think I will give it a try again, it's always neat to experiment with and I don't have any Android devices at the moment. For Kindle, the PC desktop app is very decent, I use it all the time. It's not perfect, but it works well for a non UWP app. Kindle stopped updating their store app unfortunately, but they still update the desktop app. I don't know that I'd go to all the trouble and overhead of bluestacks just for kindle when the desktop app works well.
I am sad for your loss I had such high hopes for youCouldn't resist the Walmart sale and picked up an ipad mini 4. I thought VERY long and hard about the Go, and while it is a nice little machine, I just could not get past that huge achilles heel of crappy battery life. I still wouldn't mind having one to play around with, maybe when they are selling nice and cheap 2nd hand.
I’m thinking of eventually buying a big battery that the Go can hook into. Anyone know of a good one?
I am sad for your loss I had such high hopes for you
Still waiting for my GO to be delivered
Yeah, I really thought I would prefer windows, putting aside the battery issue for a second. But on a small device it is nice to be free of windows. No more waiting 30 seconds for it to start up from hibernation, or having it suck up 1/2 of the battery while in my bag because sleep mode sucks in windows for power. I can definitely put up with that nonsense on the pro because it's a larger device and that's how I use it, but not on a smaller one. I already went that route with a MiPad2 which is currently being used for lullabies/white noise to put my baby to sleep.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LRQDAEII’m thinking of eventually buying a big battery that the Go can hook into. Anyone know of a good one?