If you already own a laptop and smartphone, do you need a tablet?

Question

rachel776 · Accepted Answer

in symphony orchestras there used to be a music librarian who would catalog all the parts, mark up any changes the conductor wanted on thousands of pages, reprint and edit and combine scores where changes were to be made for a particular performance, and distribute all the parts to the musicians, usually 70 to 125. The process would take days, and hours and hours of follow-up, and it all had to be done so we the players wouldn't notice any distractions going on. The music librarian was often the first one at the venue, and the last one to leave

in just the short time i've been playing professionally, now we walk in with our iPads, all the parts are there, the conductor makes a mark on their device and it's instantly distributed to all the players, even if they makes the change in rehearsal. Switching parts or editing is done with a tap. This is especially useful on Broadway where you're bombarded with 80 changes a night and the old paper scores used to wear out just from all the erasing, or in television orchestras where it seems like there's some kind of change every minute of the session. as has always been the rule, we just play what they put down

If you already own a laptop and smartphone, do you need a tablet?

oh, and the pages turn automatically based on where the tablet hears the music is in the score. My mother, ever the sage of musical annoyances, says compared to the days when she had to carry around piles of way-oversized papers and get it sorted and resorted every time she wanted to practice, usually falling to the floor in a heap at some point, we should all be paid half as much again. i remind her, Ma Ingalls, she came up in the 1990s not the 1890s, but as with everything, it falls on situationally-deaf ears

you can pull up the score on your iPhone to study while you're walking or running (or swimming underwater with your Apple Watch, though then it's really, really hard to see), or whatever. Like my Pad Thai, it's already on your home laptop before you get there, and any other devices you might have. the orchestra can shut down your part when the show is over or let you keep it, usually having to do with copyright issues

every professional orchestra still has a full-time music librarian, they are themselves professional musicians and the union requires it, even though music libraries are closing down by the hundreds. i have no idea what they actually do now, and they still have the same snooty attitudes they did in the olden days. I guess they'll get Doge'd out someday

CindyRuns · Accepted Answer

I have a tablet for reading, playing games and I also get on it at times while laying in bed.

OneViewpoint · Accepted Answer

Need? No. I have all three and the iPad is frankly a "nice to have", not a "need to have". Better battery life and more comfortable for reading documents on a plane. I do a LOT of reading, contracts, prospectus, marketing information from investment banks handling the sale of companies. The tablet form factor is smaller, lighter, and has better battery life than a laptop. I can read on a plane or train, in a car, or in bed with a resolution close to paper.

The laptop is better for creating or annotating spreadsheets, presentations, email, etc.

The phone is better for the ultimate minimal footprint and portability plus apps that do all sorts of stuff like weather, fitness, texts, voice, music, quick web searches, etc.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

In most cases, no. That said, they can be useful in some cases.

I own (but did not buy) an iPad Mini - it was a gift from a customer, and I only kept it because it's useful in my job for testing with iOS, which I detest. Many of my customers are Apple users, though, so it's important that things work on iOS, and when they don't, I have to do my best to figure out why not, and having an iOS device helps. I do not use this thing for personal use, though, and wouldn't use it at all if it wasn't relevant to my job.

LiamS95 · Answer

I use my laptop mostly gor business and my phone is great for lots of things. Do I need a tablet. Probably not but they're handy to have and usually have a larger screen then a phone so to play the odd game or watch a movie in bed before I go to sleep or to take on trips they're great, but not an absolute requirement.

bowenw · Answer

We don't need anything, but a tablet is nice for when you're sitting, like watching TV, and you don't want a full laptop on your lap. You can use them for the same things you do your phone, only the screen is larger. I have the smallest iPad.

FreyaRed · Answer

No. Tablets have a niche in specific application like package delivery or answering some boring questions before doctor visit. At home is a tablet completely pointless.

AviatorTom · Answer

Need? No. But I have all three. I prefer my tablet for games because it has a larger screen, and I don't clutter my phone with lots of game apps.

BCRanger10 · Answer

No, especially since some laptops can even function as tablets. Mine has a touchscreen and a detachable keyboard.

NathanDavis · Answer

the in between can be useful and practical for many things, if you really need it... that is up to you

HelpfulWoman · Answer

tablet has its pros. I use mine as a glorified kindle/youtube player for baths.

slatyb · Answer

No, I would just choose one or the other. I have a Chromebook because I hate Windows and didn't want to join the Apple-verse.

MannMitAntworten · Answer

I have both the afore mention. Personally I have never found a use for a tablet beyond it being a expensive novelty. So no. I neither need nor want a tablet.

Redstang88 · Answer

Depends what for. I have both and picked up a cheap tablet too so I could watch football at work

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

Honestly, I didn't need the tablets.  I simply wanted them.

HungTexan · Answer

Up to you. I have all three. Use for different purposes.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

I've got several computers, a cell phone and 2 tablets.

dreamstar72 · Answer

Yes, because of because. Sounds weird but if you think about it it’s true.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

No. With how powerful phones are, a tablet is usually pretty unnecessary.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

You don't need it really.. It's just extra at that point.

NicholasRedone · Answer

The more the merrier - it's crossed my mind 📱 the last two years or more 😐

Dargil · Answer

I have two PS's, a Windows Laptop an Android phone and an Android Tablet

llorando · Answer

Yes, more portable than a laptop and bigger screen than a phone. I use my tablet mostly for gaming and watching TV in bed.

RedTiefling · Answer

Need? Naw If you like to draw or read, you could use the tablet more effectively for that maybe.  Depends on your intentions

DrPepper12 · Answer

Yes for watching TV, reading, games, different accounts, biz vs personal

douride2 · Answer

I have no idea why you would need a tablet if you already own a laptop & a smart phone.

nicfire171 · Answer

Some people just want it all! But you prob don’t need a tablet

Anonymous · Answer

Depends on your use cases.  Laptops tend to be windows or Linux, tablets tend to be android or iOS.  What apps would you use on the tablet?

monkeynutts · Answer

Depends on what you use it for. I have one. It's what I watch movies and shows on.

Wise4myage · Answer

I sure don’t, it’s overl kill in my opinion.

RedInnocent69 · Answer

No, but it’s fun showing off. It’s definitely better for scrolling on the couch or in bed

Communicationisking · Answer

Tablet is basically a big phone... Ie. no not needed

Alexandra1996 · Answer

No I have a laptop cause can’t do everything on a tablet or phone.

PeterLegg91 · Answer

I have a phone for insta etc and I watch YouTube on my ps5 so no tablet for me

LunarEclipse433 · Answer

Just more light weight and larger screen. Use your phone as a hot spot

Yellovv · Answer

I have all of them but I am thinking to buy desktop computer too, you need to think for what you need it..

Kelley1 · Answer

I don't have a tablet so I don't know.

exitseven · Answer

Nah, my wife has one so I could use that.

StevenMcGarrett · Answer

I don't own one and I get a long just fine.

jahaims · Answer

All of those are wants not needs.

OfDeath · Answer

I personally don’t think so.

fish5505_87 · Answer

You need, what you want!

Rohaan2020 · Answer

I don’t see a need of tablet

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Nope what would be the purpose of having all three

hello4433 · Answer

Nope. Never understood why people need it

Anonymous · Answer

Sure, if you're addicted to technology.

Alan19 · Answer

Yes, I like tablet

DishLady · Answer

Nope.

chrissykerdock · Answer

no you don't

dudeinohio · Answer

No, not really.

In_Trance · Answer

I don't think so

wkhan_87 · Answer

No , I don't need

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

Probably not.

bgnakey · Answer

No y would you

Professor-college · Answer

No i do not need one

Anonymous · Answer

No, thats just lame

If you already own a laptop and smartphone, do you need a tablet?

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