After using a tablet and keyboard to take notes and compose text for the last three weeks, I’ve changed my mind somewhat about the viability of tablet computing in my world.
Some background: I Have a minimalist view of traveling with a computer. For the last half year I’ve relied mostly on an Acer S7 notebook that fits easily into my book bag, runs for hours without recharging, and which has a bright 14-inch screen and backlit keyboard.
But beginning mid April, I began to question whether or not I could use tablet with a bluetooth keyboard for most of the tasks I used my go-everywhere portable.
So i loaded my Galaxy into a book bag and electronically paired it to small keyboard that includes a backstand for my tablet,( which doubles as a folio cover when the Galaxy isn’t being used.)
(disclosure i’m handicapped and don’t have normal functionality in my dominant left hand)
The conditions of my experiment were representative how how tablets are used: persistent connectivity and reliance on Google’s cloud based applications.
I really thought I could use to use a tablet with a keyboard for most of the tasks I currently use a compact notebook for--note taking at conferences and lectures, loading pictures into a cloud based photo storage and editing application.
I’m almost four weeks into my experiment and the one absolute in the exercise is that I’m not a passive information user, so they only way a tablet fits into my life is if it has a reliable keyboard.
I freely admit to being a keyboard bigot. I’ve used Logitech products for years so I axiomatically reached to Logitech for a bluetooth keyboard to use in my “test.”.
Logitech’s keyboard for 10.1 inch tablets is a minimalist but rugged design, it doesn't include a keypad,or dedicated function keys, but it does have an Android Shortcut key and a dedicated function key that can be used to invoke basic functions in combination with keystroke commands.
Logitech’s Folio S310 bluetooth keyboard weighs less than seven ounces and can be used as an easel stand for your 10.1 inch tablet or as a flat folded folio. the keyboard is quite solid and unlike some of the others i’ve looked at in stores, does not flex from my heavty handed typing.here is no “flex.”
i recommend this $69.00 keyboard because it helps make better use of my tablet. which took two attempts to get the keyboard pairing code entered correctly.
I suspect many bluetooth peripheral vendors assume users have a deeper understanding of the technology than actually exists among users. In perfect world, you would be able to fire up a bluetooth device and have it pair with a device automatically, Unfortunately were not there just yet. .
Logitech gets high marks from me for providing good online product support and for delivering a keyboard that helped me make better use of my Samsung 10.1 tablet. If I ever upgraded this technology it would to a keyboard that includes a dedicated cursor controller and hopefully also had backlit keys.
the combiimation of a solid bluetooth keyboard, tablet running the most recent version of Android And access to Google;s cloud based applications were more than adequate for my note taking needs in lecture halls, trade show conference rooms as well as my local library and coffee shops.
however based on my experiences., I’ve come to believe the idea of tablets/keyboard combinations as replacements for ultrabooks is misplaced. To begin with bluetooth keyboards should absolutely support cursor control mechanisms because there are millions of users for whom cursor control is both an instinctive and necessary requirement
.Also all of my future cellphones will be big screen phablets, which in my world means i’ll stay with ultrabook portables, store my tablet. but the really good news here is that Logitech’s Folio S310 works as well with my ZTE ZMax phablet as it does my Samsung Galaxy tablet.
In general, If you want to get real computer-like functionality out of your tablet, you need to add a bluetooth keyboard, and maybe a USB gooseneck fly light. Or, you can just buy a 14-inch ultrabook with backlit keys.--Jim Forbes on May 15,, 2015
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