MacBook Air or iPad Air

My wife recently went on a trip and brought her MacBook Air so she could do some work during her downtime. She used it for about 10 minutes and then shut it off to go play with grandkids. When she tried to turn it back on, nothing. We played with it a bit but decided to wait until we got home to really troubleshoot the problem. We got home and discovered she needs a new laptop. For the moment, she is making due with my old Chromebook I got for free but I have been wanting to replace it for the past 6 months. I figure I have a week before my wife will demand a replacement laptop.

Having used my Chromebook for around 6 years, it is a great device and will do everything my wife needs a computer to do. I thought about replacing her laptop with one and threw the idea out to my son, who works in technology. He suggested getting an iPad with a keyboard instead. This has brought on a research project over the past several days trying to figure out which device would be the best replacement.

Several months ago kids headed back to school or off to college and a number of articles appeared on the Internet as to which device parents should get for students. While my wife is not a student, she will use it like one and I found the articles very useful. I listed out what my wife uses a computer for and realized that a MacBook Air, an iPad Air, and a Chromebook would all work well. I could also throw a Windows laptop into the mix as my wife often uses Windows at work. Then I priced everything and discovered that if I get a keyboard for the iPad Air, the total price comes within $40 of the MacBook Air. Now I am shortcutting a lot of the technical details as you can find an older generation iPad for around $200, but I question the longevity of the device. When comparing computers, it is best to try and make the comparison as equal as possible with regards to CPU, RAM, and storage space. That is pretty easy with the Apple products, less clear-cut between them and Windows or Chromebook machines.

Right now I am leaning towards the Apple MacBook Air as it represents the least amount of a learning curve for my wife. It comes close to the same price as the iPad with keyboard but weighs significantly less. No it is not as versatile as you can separate the iPad from the keyboard, but knowing how my wife will use the computer, I think it to be the best choice. The only thing that can throw a wrench into those plans is that Costco has a Dell laptop that competes with the Apple one for about half the price. Ultimately I will leave it up to my wife to decide.

Spoiling Kids is Grandma's Job

Yesterday my wife called me from work and asked me to use my industry discount and pick up some console video games for a lady she works with. Naturally my wife wanted me to provide a recommendation or two. So the first question I asked is the age of the kid receiving the video game. He is seven years old. What do you get a seven year old kid? When my nieces and nephews come over, I have only one or two games I let them play. Most of them are older than that though.

When my wife came home from work, I asked her about the situation with a young person getting such an expensive video game console. I had to laugh when my wife told me that it is a gift from the child's Grandmother. Furthermore the Mom, with whom my wife works, is not happy about the gift. The kid originally asked for an iPad and when Mom said, "No," the kid amended the Christmas wish to a PlayStation 4. Grandma obliged.

Fortunately all of my kids are older and so I would have no problem if my or my wife's parents picked up an iPad or latest generation video game console for them. In fact I am wondering how I can get adopted and become this other lady's grandson.

For those of you looking for a recommendation on what video game to get a seven year old, I have no idea. There are a few games that I only know about because my company makes them. However I don't think that is very fair and so I will remain silent. If you can think of an appropriate game, please feel free to comment.

Reading the Sunday Newspaper

Last night I had the option of sitting down and watching a movie with my wife or reading a book while she read the Sunday paper. I watched a movie with my wife the previous two nights and so I opted to sit down and read a book. I am glad I did as it was very relaxing and enjoyable.

I know that electronic readers like the Kindle and Nook have replaced books while tablets have replaced newspapers. However there is something therapeutic about reading from something that doesn't require batteries. It is also nice to unfold a newspaper and spread it out on a table or ottoman as you can see much more at once than you can with even the largest of tablets.

Several years ago we stopped taking the daily paper and only subscribed to the one on Sunday. Truth be told, I like reading the comics. I'm not the only one as my youngest son used to call dibs on them when I was done. He is now living in Armenia but has asked that we forward him the Sunday comics on occasion. My wife is a bit more thorough with the Sunday paper. She likes to go through all of the ads in search of something interesting. Then she carefully reads each section of the paper paying more attention to certain articles and less to others. When she is done, she folds everything up and puts the paper in our recycle bin.

We are one of the few families I know that still subscribes to a physical newspaper. I think that is pretty sad as some of my fondest memories are from reading the Sunday newspaper when I was young. I enjoy and embrace technology as that is how I make my living. However sitting back on a Sunday evening and watching my wife enjoy reading makes it worth the small price we pay. If you haven't read a real newspaper in a while, spend a few quarters and pick one up. See if you don't feel a satisfaction you don't get from an electronic format. If you do, you may want to think about subscribing. Newspapers really aren't that expensive.

Using Your Tablet as a Second Display

I recently added another computer to my desk at work. The new computer came with another couple of monitors and so now I have 6 huge monitors on my desk. If I wasn't so swamped I would have them set up already. I did get one set up with my Mac laptop and it has been very nice.

In a couple of weeks I will be headed back to Japan and am hoping the flight will be as empty as it has been in the past. If that is the case, I will be able to spread out to the seat next to me. I have gotten used to having multiple monitors and was wondering if there is a way to turn one of my tablets into a second display. Guess what? It turns out there is software out there that does just that. It is called Air Display and a lot of people think it works really well. The program is not free but is reasonably priced at $9.99. I have yet to buy it and try it out but am thinking I should before my next trip.

Air Display works with Mac and Windows computers as well as iPad or Android tablets. It may even work with iPhones and Android phones but they are too small for me to use them as a second screen; even the new larger-sized iPhone.

Table Computers

I am working on a project for tablet computers and so I picked one up from the office before heading out on Friday. After playing with it over the weekend, I have to say that they are a lot more useful than I originally would have given them credit. Furthermore, my 15-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter have been using it non-stop. I was glad when they finally went to school today so I can have a chance to use it.

Tablets generally come in one of 3 flavors: iPad, Android, or WebOS. The tablet I have is of the Android variety and is comparable to the iPad in size. Given my preference, I would like to try an iPad as I am an avid iPhone user. However my tablet was free and so I'm not complaining. Once I got it connected to my home network, I let my son use it and he made sure to load it up with all sorts of games and utilities. A word of caution: the same household rules that apply to the family computer should also apply to tablet computers.

While I like using my iPhone to do quick lookups on the Internet, the tablet is a much better platform. The screen is larger and easier to read. When I have to use the on-screen keyboard, it has larger buttons and I can almost touch type like when I am on a full-sized computer keyboard. My son also loaded up some of the books I am in the middle of going through. The tablet makes a great platform for reading, especially at night when I don't want to disturb my wife.

Now the real question: Does it increase my productivity? I would have to say No. While it is easier to do certain things, it is also easier to play games like Angry Birds. Last night when I should have been getting ready for the week, I was having an Angry Birds match with my son. Oh well. I just hope my company knows I am not giving my tablet back. It is way too fun to play with.

Tablet Computers

When I first graduated from College 20 years ago, several computer manufactures announced tablet computers. None of them sold very well and it seems the idea was shelved. Then Apple announced the iPad. It was a huge success and now it seems everyone has a tablet computer, including the company where I now work.

Last night I found myself coming up with reasons to purchase a tablet computer. I have to travel once a week and would love to use one on the plane. The problem is that while I can rationalize all of the cool projects that I can do, the tablet would really just get used for games or watching movies. So that has me wondering if I should just get a portable game unit. I already have a Sony PSP and it doesn't get used much any more.

No, the appeal of a tablet is that it can be used for more than just game playing. That is why the iPhone and other smart phones have been so successful. You always carry your phone with you and to have it do more than one thing. On vacation with your family but left your camera at the hotel? Use your phone's to take a picture. On a long flight and are tired of reading your book? Watch a movie on the small screen or play a game. Maybe instead of getting a tablet, I should just get a newer phone.