One of my favorite ways to consume news is using the Flipboard app. But then again, I'm probably equally happy reading newspaper articles using that app on my iPhone. The great thing about tablets and smart phones is that you never have to be bored (as long as your device is properly charged). Unfortunately, Hulu forces you to sign up for Hulu Plus in order to access shows on your tablet, but Netflix doesn't. When waiting on a flight to arrive, I like to use the time to catch up on an old television series that's new to me.
7 Great Reasons to Travel With a Tablet Device
Photo: Rhys Asplundh
During the last year, I took the plunge and purchased a tablet device for travel and home use. Here are my top reasons for doing so, as well as my reasons for finally purchasing the one I did. (See also: 6 Ways to Save Money on iPads, iPhones, and Macs)
Avoid Eye Strain
If you make your living staring at computer screens and fine-print documents a great deal of the time like I do, you welcome any opportunity to avoid reading documents on tiny smartphone screens. Even with your favorite bargain eyeglasses, it can still be a daily ordeal for those permanently on the move. Granted, tablets are still much smaller than regular computers. But I don’t always have time to wait for a larger machine to fire up, or even to take it out of its packed hiding space between flights. A tablet device gives me a nice middle-of-the-road alternative.
Control Entertainment Costs
If I’m stuck waiting to check into my room or need to run a scan on my laptop, watching a show for free on Hulu or with subscriptions I’ve already purchased on Netflix or Amazon Prime keeps my entertainment costs stable when I’m on the road. There’s no need to track down the nearest movie theater while I wait or rack up the room tab with pay-per-view flicks when my tablet device will serve me just fine. In fact, paid in-room movies are one of the most easily avoided travel expenses if you travel with a tablet.
Social Media Work
While I find content creation on a tablet device to be an exercise in extreme frustration, I do find social media work to be somewhat doable, and the chances of me fat-fingering in the wrong characters are far less likely on my tablet device than on my smartphone. Granted, I prefer the apps I use on my laptop for this type of work, but even I have to admit it’s a thousand times easier than on the smaller screens of Blackberries and Androids.
News Consumption
Even if you’re used to relaxing in the comfort of Priority Pass lounges as opposed to the hard departure-gate seats, that doesn’t mean the television will be tuned to something you want to watch. Very often, it’s sports coverage, which really isn’t my thing. Or, if it is news, it isn’t on a news network I consider informative enough. With my chosen tablet device and a Wi-Fi connection, I can watch live-streaming international news from my favorite source. If there’s lots going on in the immediate area, plugging in a set of headphones helps me hear a bit better and keeps me from disturbing others.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Offline Research
If you need to get some extra work done during flight delays, a tablet lets you review work documents and research-related book titles regardless of whether or not you have internet access at the airport you’re stuck in. Another common irritation is when the hotel you’re staying at doesn’t have your room ready on time and doesn’t provide Wi-Fi in the lobby. At least I can review necessary items during that downtime from my device, even if there aren’t any electrical outlets available and a business center isn’t on the venue’s list of amenities.
Save Some Trees
One of the main travel supplies I purchase whenever I embark on an adventure vacation is a detailed guide book. Sometimes more than one. Lonely Planet is usually the first purchase, and if there are a fair number of archeological ruins and attractions to see where I’m going, then a Blue Guide also makes my short list. Since most guide books are available electronically now, there’s no need to purchase quite so much paper to carry along in my backpack. I like the fact that technology has finally become convenient enough to allow me this additional green perk.
Space Efficiency
If you prefer to travel light, then a tablet device is a great gear item to add to your packing list. You’ll take up less space than with the above-mentioned guide books, and tablets slide easily into the many flat pockets on various types of travel gear. You know, the kind that can only hold one item, and even that had better be flat? Even if you only skip one book, you’ll be ahead of the travel game space-wise.
While there are perks and quirks with any tablet device, there were several reasons why I purchased a Kindle Fire as my product of choice. One major point was content creation. It’s tricky from tablet devices in general, so I saw no need to pay the price of a fully functioning laptop for a tablet that would be nothing but annoying to develop and submit content from, even with a companion keyboard. I realize others have different travel needs than I do, though, so I welcome any comments about your personal tablet choices in the comment sections below.
Best of Wise Bread
Good catch on the Hulu plus upgrade to use the app, Shawanda. I had forgotten to put that into the piece, although for some reason it's still in my notes. I agree, though. It's definitely easier to stay entertained without extra cost on the road with a tablet device.
Horse hockey! Hype, hype, and more hype. For 65 years, I've travelled the nation, the hemisphere, and the world, on the highway, on foot, bicycle and motorcycle, airplane and boat, and horseback. I never had any of this infantile kids' games and toys crap, and never once needed any of this kid's tinker-toy stuff, ever. "Always direct your propaganda (and commercials) to the stupidest in your audience" - Josef Goebbers, Hitler's Propaganda minister and the guru of today's advertizing agent and government.
These people play the nation's idiot and morons like a banjo: I wouldn't care about any of it, but all of the nitwits who pay for this nonsense also vote - using the same brains.
Seriously? I'm not sure if this is a real comment or just a rant. I've traveled around the world a few times without a tablet device as well. As a result, I had to lug a ton of extra items and pay international shipping sometimes to get the guide book I wanted when I got where I was going. All in all, I paid more for the extras than I would have if the tablet I chose were available. Also, you don't seem to mention that with all of your traveling if you ever had to earn your living through content creation while you were at it, which is a major portion of this article. If you're going to throw insults, I'd prefer they were backed by information. This article was written for those who are debating whether or not to get one by someone (myself) who purposely did not buy a tablet until there was a hybrid device that met my needs. Just because yours were different doesn't mean people who travel differently are idiots. Maybe, they're just evolving with the times.
I have recently purchased a Nook Tablet, after getting a Nook Color last year (gave that to my father). I really love using it, I watch netflix, read books etc. One of the best investments I ever made in gadgets :)
There are also apps that allow you to save web articles for later reading offline. When traveling I often load up on several news articles when I'm at home or the hotel and then read them later that day on the plane or train when there isn't any wifi access.
And of course it's nice to quickly send an e-mail to loved ones telling them you arrived safely (it's often much easier and cheaper than even a short phone call).
