After using his Nexus 7, David Chartier wonders why the 7-inch product category even exists.
Mid-sized tablets
After using his Nexus 7, David Chartier wonders why the 7-inch product category even exists.
Love my iPad, but a 7″ tablet has always felt like the more practical form to me. Better for eReading, carrying and so much more. Watching movies and playing games is not significantly downgraded by a smaller screen either. It exists because it is better for many people. Not all, but many.
Try holding a full sized tablet in one hand for a long period of time, such as reading a book. That’s where the smaller size, and lighter weight, see a big advantage.
The size and weight of the iPad have always been the two biggest factors preventing me from buying it. This weekend I tried using a friend’s twice, once in bed and once while enjoying a coffee on the patio, and in both cases I found it awkward and uncomfortable. It’s heavy in the hand, cumbersome to type even basic things like an e-mail address with in either orientation, and I feel like I’m always reaching to tap or swipe something on the screen.
I love the weight and size of my iPhone but the screen isn’t ideal for extended reading or web browsing.
I’m looking forward to the iPad Air and hoping it will bridge the gap between the iPad and the iPhone, where I think my tablet needs would be best met.
I have learned that when everyone has a supportable point of view then there is no right or wrong answer only a preferred answer for those individuals. One size does not fit all…
To be honest Jim, I think he’s the only one asking. Most people favour the form factor.
… as proven by the sales numbers?
7″ might be a good form factor for video and maybe even plain text ebooks (those that reflow properly). As I am using mainly Safari, email, desktop-class productivity apps (OmniGraffle, iThoughts HD, iWork) and read a lot of magazines on mine, I already find it a bit on the small side (a lot of European mags are more A4 than letter-sized, and already require a lot of pinching to be consumed). The weight has never bothered me. I would buy an A4 (or at least A4 minus reasonable standard margins) sized iPad tomorrow, a smaller one never.
If Apple eventually gets the component-weight down on the full-size iPad, don’t a lot of “comfort” arguments go away?
The weight never bothered me, but I like the heft of a good hardback book. That’s even lighter now with the iPad 2 and 3. And it’s no more unwieldy than trying to hold open and turn pages of a paperback while drinking a cappuccino. I see the use of a 7″ tablet though for people who prefer that form factor, but I don’t think there was a call for them until the iPad came and proved tablets like these were viable. Only then did people (general “people”) think they needed something in between it and a phone size.