The Apple iPadTablet computers have been around f
or quite a while. They are a very specific niche market. The Apple iPad did not exactly break ground with the concept. However, they did break ground by having a massive array of applications readymade to utilize a tablet computer. As well as this, it was also able to handle 3G connections for roaming Internet virtually anywhere you can get a 3G signal (in later models). While it may be cheaper for someone to just buy a notebook – and give you some greater functionality – it may not be as user friendly or accessible for some people.
The Apple iPad has a very specific niche market. You are not required to be technologically savvy in order to use it. In fact, if you have an Apple iPhone or use a similar touch screen enabled phone then the learning curve in learning to use the Apple iPhone will be non-existent. The Apple iPad is a device that is better suited to people who need or want to use mobile computing as well as have the opportunity to use the Internet anywhere without hassle. A good example of how the Apple iPad can be a great mobile computing device is for people who have limited space to carry a notebook while traveling and still want to be connected to their email, various entertainment options and a machine in which they can use to work.
I am in the habit of using having a notebook sitting on my coffee table as I am watching television. If I ever want more information (or want to keep an eye on my email, shares or just fill the advertisement breaks with something fun or interesting) on something I can see, I have an Internet connection right in front of me to do so. This can also be considered a niche that the Apple iPad fulfils.
Solid State Storage Devices
I dislike tru
sting my data with devices that utilize so many moving parts. They are easily damaged and have an extremely limited shelf life if used heavily. I notice that any mechanical hard drive I have does not last long and with the exception of the power supply it is normally the first thing to eventually die. Solid state storage is not exactly a new technological trend – however for the sake of the everyday consumer it is now accessible. Solid storage offers many advantages over traditional hard drive options such as speed and reliability. Because they are a solid device with a minimum of moving parts (most of the time none) they are less likely to suffer mechanical fault and are not reliant on the speed of the mechanical parts in order to transfer data.
Solid state storage relies on saving a charge that depicts the data. The charge can come from electricity or liquid crystal. Solid state hard drives can use the same interface as a regular hard drive and are normally a little more costly than a regular hard drive. This cost is quickly becoming cheaper however and it is assumed that eventually they will take over the market as the only hard drives available. They are generally not as ample in space as a regular hard drive, but you should be backing up your data regularly and really shouldn’t require a massive amount of storage for important files.
Currently, there are not many companies offering solid state hard drives. They are not hard to find however. The warranty that you get on a solid state hard drive is likely to be longer than that of a regular mechanical hard drive because they are much more reliable than a regular hard drive. Ensure you purchase your solid state hard drive from a trusted source.
Portable USB ChargersThese
are essentially devices that you can carry with you to give any other devices you have that are able to be charged via a USB connection some extra power while you are on the go. The device itself is recharged via USB as well. This is excellent for long trips where you may not be able to get to a power supply easily. For instance, think of a long journey on an aircraft where your device only has around four hours worth of charge when using it full time. The journey itself may be a twelve hour flight. It is unlikely that you will be able to recharge that iPod while on the plane so having a device such as this can help ensure you don’t end up having to speak to the person next to you.
The chargers are quite small and do not weigh much so if you are required to stay under a weight limit then there is a good chance that the device will not impact on the limitations. They also work with a fairly wide variety of devices. If you can draw power and recharge the item you want to charge via your computer, then it will most likely work with the portable charger. The price charged for these devices is not exuberant either. If it can save you a few hours of boredom on a long trip it is well worth the price.
The technology to charge devices through the power drawn from a USB connection is something that is potentially game changing. No longer have we had to rely on purchasing batteries to supply our walkmans with power. MP3 players now offer us a massive range of music through high capacity storage that we never have to travel with a back pack full of CDs.
