I wrote this article about tablets and their role as a device for leisure, not work. Do you agree? Can they be a substitute for a smartphone or laptop? What is their niche in a professional/office context, if any? Do you have one? Is it on your desk at work or your coffee table at home?

Well, tablets are coming to Venezuela, and friend bought one and, I think its great. The adventages are that you could use them in any place of the house, kitchen, bathroom, bed, but, they're more for leisure than to work, in the most of the people. It all depends of how you use them.

I think it depends on your job. I have a friend who is a chef, and he keeps his recipes on his tablet. He also researches/looks-up new ones. His has a USB port so he can transfer data between computer and tablet.

Ive a friend who has one, and, it surprised me, his tablet doesn't have USB prot.

port.

I was surprised also that it is not a standard port

This is an interesting article, but from the perspective of an IT department, we find them very useful. For one the mobility of the tablet, lets us complete diagnostic tests with apps very quickly, along with adapters that are readily available the general public, we can even test Ethernet ports. I can see if you were someone who must write a large amount throughout the day, how a tablet could interfere with your job. Even then in today's classrooms in college the number of tablets to laptops is even, if not more. As a student, I use my iPad more than my laptop in class, and the classes require writing an ungodly amount of notes. To be continued in the next comment.

Cont. Overall I would have to say productivity depends on the tablet, for myself the iPad's keyboard is well spaced out, and is easy to type on the screen, if I need a keyboard, I can use the Apple Bluetooth keyboard or the keyboard connected to the case I use. Therefore I believe the productivity depends on the size of the keyboard, meaning if a person uses a 7 inch tablet then the space of the keyboard will be smaller, but a 10 inch tablet should be sufficient. Sorry to ramble on, just wanted to weight in.

Great insight, coming from an IT department. There are two main points to my article. 1) Tablets belong at home where they are used to for entertainment. Josh refuted that, at least in the IT context. And 2) that a tablet cannot replace a smartphone or laptop.

So my next question is this (directed to anyone): If you could only have 2 out the 3 types of devices which would you choose?

The 3 devices being a laptop, a smartphone, and a tablet? And, which ones are they? Do I also have a desktop computer at home on my desk? And at work? Do I have to bring my own laptop to work? What is my job anyway?

What I'm trying to say is that it heavily depends on each individual's situation and the circumstances in which you ask this question. Everyone's needs are different. Some can get by without a laptop and tablet, using an old 'non-smart' phone.

I wrote "If YOU could only have 2 out the 3 types of devices..." I meant it literally. In your case, which two would suit you best? What do you need in a device you couldn't do without or would prefer not to do without?

I want to see which devices lend themselves to which occupations. Not what occupations lend themselves to which devices. Easier to analyze three general concepts than every job type.

For example, as a student, I need a laptop. It's mobile enough (albeit somewhat uncomfortable) & powerful enough. Next in line is the smartphone. It travels better than a tablet, I can use mobile broadband to check my email or the school's site to stay updated, and I can use social media to coordinate with people for serious stuff or for fun.