As a college student these moments can be bittersweet, however, because I know it will be a very long time until an iPad fits into my budget. Tuition, books, and rent tend to take over. Not that it isn't tempting to try and swing such a big purchase, trying to validate buying an iPad with the fact that my laptop is on its last leg.
With these thoughts running through my mind, I was excited when I read rumors of Amazon releasing a tablet that directly competes with the iPad, but at half the cost! Along with the tablet, Amazon is also creating an app for students that will allow students to buy and sell books, electronics, and other helpful things. The app includes a barcode scanner, making it simple to find exactly the correct product you're looking to buy or sell.
After my initial excitement cleared I thought about such a purchase more rationally. Would I really need a tablet instead of another laptop? Is a tablet going to fill all of my computer needs? Will it be fast enough and as easy to navigate? These are just some of the questions that come to my mind. Yes, it is prettier, smaller, lighter, and easier to bring to the library. But does it fill my needs as a student? That is debatable.
I am a Communication major and Economics minor. Most of my assignments are writing papers. I can type quickly on a keyboard, but when it comes to a touchscreen keyboard typing is slow. Obviously I could find a keyboard that I could connect to the tablet, but that negates the easy portability that draws me to the product in the first place.
There is no need to come to a decision yet. Amazon's tablet release is still only rumors. For now I'll just be crossing my fingers that my laptop makes it through my senior year. As for Amazon's app, that would be incredibly useful right now as I am ordering my books for the semester. The app would take a lot of the guess work and searching out of the book-buying process. I think the rumored tablet has the potential to attract many students, but their new app is most appealing.