Does a tablet increase productivity?
I am not a gadget geek. I don’t always need to be up to date on the latest performance tests or OS reviews. I own and use regularly a laptop (Lenovo ThinkPad), a tablet (Nexus 7) and a smartphone (Nexus S). The Nexus 7 is my first tablet and I just bought it recently (yeah, I am somewhat late to the game, I know). I bought it because I figured it would fill the gap between smartphone and laptop. I wanted to use it to stay organized, do some relaxed reading and generally be more productive.
After using the Nexus 7 for a few months I have very mixed feelings about the need for a tablet. It is a great reading device, no doubt about it. Also for video and audio it has its merits. But for general business? For productivity? For getting things done?
Don’t get me wrong. I can see a tablet being used in hospitals and other places where people have to be very mobile. I also totally buy the concept of “touch” being more natural and all. However, for a “normal” desk job? For answering mails? Writing a term sheet? Preparing a presentation? Keeping a journal? I don’t think so. Until speech-to-text is really working well, there is nothing like a physical keyboard. Maybe the Microsoft Surface – with its build in keyboard cover – isn’t such a bad idea after all…
And yes, compared to a laptop it saves time on boot up. Also in the train it may be handy. I get it. It might even be that a 10 inch tablet would change my mind or that I am using my tablet “wrong”. However, right now it is not making me more productive.