Are you a tablet skeptic?

It feels like modern tablets have been around a lot longer, but three years is still nothing to sneeze at. Reflecting upon the last three years of tablet mania, the Ars staff and contributors began to share stories about how our iPads or other tablets have changed how we interact with our devices and the Internet. Most of us were heavy tablet skeptics when the iPad was first announced, and some of us still are. So in honor of the three-year anniversary of the iPad, we decided to share some of our experiences with you on how our lives have changed—or how they haven't, depending the case.

Not everyone on staff feels like the iPad—or one of its competing Android or Windows equivalents—has made a dent in their lives. Here are the stories from those staffers who think the modern tablet has a way to go before it earns a permanent spot in their bags.

Read more at source:
"I was an iPad skeptic" | Ars Technica
 
At least for me, tablets have no use in a home environment. They may be of use in some business environments although I don't see how a laptop wouldn't be better apart from portability. People that I see using iPads use them for Angry Birds and not much else. I'm sure tablets have their own places to be useful where a laptop would not suffice. I'm not getting a tablet anytime soon.
 

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I almost only see benefits to tablets for home use. Generally speaking, they end up being low cost alternatives for email, facebook, youtube videos, etc. My kids are the primary users of my Android tablet. My son plays MineCraft, and my daughter watches videos from Netflix.
 

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    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    stock
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I don't own one, so I'm just making this up. But I think they have their place (and sales numbers show I'm right):
  1. private use for people that just use cloud service (facebook, browsing, email...), they don't need a desktop
  2. private use for people who have a main PC to do their actual work (writing a letter, photowork, datastorage etc.), but for their everyday use just want a quick device they can sit int he kitchen or on the couch or porch with. i myself use my main PC and my phone that way and if money wasn't an object a 10"tablet would work better than my 4.5" phone.
  3. Mobile business us where you just take notes, pictures, check email etc. and sync it with the corporate mothership. Back in the office they still need a real PC. With the MS surface Pro it also can be used for some mild actual work (for example an accountant could enter some wick data to get some results in a meeting)

and I think where the argument is that people don't understand tablets are often a supplement to a real PC, not a replacement So yes they have their purpose, but in many cases desktops have one too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64
    CPU
    Core i3 3.3 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB 1600 MHz
    Hard Drives
    SSD Samsung 830 128 GB
No I'm not. Touch and mobility are where its all going.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell
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    1280x800
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    Surface RT
What I found interesting about this article is the possibility that such research may have influenced Microsoft to introduce the RT before the Pro, which many have lamented as a poor decision. Perhaps it was a wise decision, but ruined by the fact that it confused many people and the lack of apps made it uninviting.

It also kind of supports the argument that the Windows 8 and RT functions should be separated, that is, make the Pro and all PCs pure desktop work devices and make the RT a cheap consumption device. Don't try and amalgamate the two. I know plenty of people with Apple and Android tablets and the last thing they want to do with them is anything work related.

Clearly there are some who do want to use them for work related things, but they are possibly in the minority, as far as the general public is concerned. We shouldn't confuse Apple and Android users that have tablets for specific work functions like airline pilots for logs and manual etc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
As I almost always have my 7" tablet with me and have loaded a few wireless Network test tools on it I find it useful when attending a first meeting with a client, I can check network reach, Channel overlap and such, plus I have all my email. diary and Tasks available, on a device which is a lot better to read than my phone, and fully synched with base, It also contains a useful library of PDFs

there are a couple of games on it, rarely used - It's a tool, that I've adapted, and adapted to :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64 x2 Windows 10 Enterprise x64, Ubuntu
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computing
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080 @60Hz + 1920 x 1080 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial 256GB SSD,
    WDC WD30EZRX-00D8PB0 3TB,
    Toshiba HDWD130 3TB
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)

    NAS
    Seagate ST4000DM000
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    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
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    AeroCool X-Warrior Devil Red Tower
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    Stock CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
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    Logitech Wireless M710 M185 & M570 Trackball
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    37Mb/s Down - 9.5Mb/s Up
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    Chrome
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    BitDefender Total Security 2017
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    Also run...

    Desktop - 6Core 8GB - Windows 10 Enterprise x64,
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Netbook - Ubuntu
    2 x Nexus 7 Android tablets
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    HTC One Android Smartphone
I'm am and always have been a phablet skeptic. Part of the reason why I was against tablets to being with was because of android and the ipad, they offer very little for me.

I am not a tablet PC skeptic however.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    ASUS
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    AMD FX 8320
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    Crosshair V Formula-Z
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    16 gig DDR3
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    ASUS R9 270
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    1440x900
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    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I'm not a tablet skeptic at all. I could give you many examples, but here is one instance of what I see happening in my industry.

Just got back from traveling to two days of meetings with a small national group of billion dollar retirement plan consultants.

A year ago at this same meeting, there were only three tablets, a couple laptops and the rest used paper.

At this year's meeting everyone had a devise: three laptops, eights iPads and one Windows RT tablet (mine). All the documents had been emailed out days before the meeting and we had them loaded on our devises. In addition, everyone was using them for note taking, retrieving information and documents from their company servers, sharing stuff by email during the meetings, etc. The meetings were very productive and not one of the tablet users would switch back to a laptop.

Tablets in the business environments are here to stay and MSFT is on the right track, IMO.

BTW, everyone wanted to see my Windows devise and were decidedly impressed, especially at how easy it integrated with my MSFT ecosystem -- not being able to always do so easily was some of the frustration the iPad users had. Two other Windows Phone users were sold and going to buy Win8 tablets ASAP.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro w/Media Center, Windows RT
I know a few people that wanted to buy an ipad, but didn't because of no USB ports or the fact you can't do anything on it that doesn't rely on a cloud service of some kind. That's the simple benefit of Windows 8 tablets, the little things you can't live without are there, especially the BIG ones too...
 

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System One

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    PC/Desktop
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    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I don't think tablets are going away, but I see a separation between tablets that replace laptops and tablets that serves purely as consumption devices. Consumption devices seem to be moving towards a 7" form-factor and work tablets seem to be 10"+.

That doesn't mean that one can't do work related things with a 7" device, but it's probably not ideal. This is perhaps what the RT should have been and the Pro the 10" work tablet. Do you really need apps on a Surface Pro tablet? Do you really need apps on a desktop?
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
I absolutely need a tablet pc. Why would I spend money on something half-assed when I can have everything I need in the palm of my hands. Made that mistake on an android tablet and had to deal with that for over a year. My life is finally complete. My Surface Pro goes everywhere with me watching flash tv, gaming, torrents, nzb's, etc., as easy as sitting at my old desktop.

I feel like a tremendous weight has been lifted off my shoulders and can finally relax and do the things I want to whenever and wherever I go.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Dell Venue 8 Pro, i5 2500K overclocked PC
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4gb Surface Pro, 8gb PC
Well stated, EMINENT, and good for you! :thumbup:

The RT is questionable, but I think the Pro will be a huge success.

I'm looking into it, but I'm not sure if it'll fit my needs for I need to view blueprints that are usually in PDF. I may need a bigger screen, so an ultrabook may be what I'll need to get. Any which way, it'll have 8 on it. :)
 

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  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
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    Acer Windows PS/2
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    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
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    IE11
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    Defender
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    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Considering that around 100 million iPads have been sold since they first came out, with Android tablets rapidly catching up (the best figures that I could find: Gartner Says Worldwide Media Tablets Sales to Reach 119 Million Units in 2012), it's clear that tablets shouldn't be dismissed. And the figures are just growing.

But those sales wouldn't have gone to business users in the main, but consumers; based on the fact that BYOD discussions are still a major contention within organisations. So while a relatively small percentage of users (such as in this forum) use tablets for regular work, they are in the minority. To that end, the points raised in the article perhaps do have some validity in how tablets are mainly used.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
Considering that around 100 million iPads have been sold since they first came out, with Android tablets rapidly catching up (the best figures that I could find: Gartner Says Worldwide Media Tablets Sales to Reach 119 Million Units in 2012), it's clear that tablets shouldn't be dismissed. And the figures are just growing.

But those sales wouldn't have gone to business users in the main, but consumers; based on the fact that BYOD discussions are still a major contention within organisations. So while a relatively small percentage of users (such as in this forum) use tablets for regular work, they are in the minority. To that end, the points raised in the article perhaps do have some validity in how tablets are mainly used.

As a consumption device, they're great. As you say, as a device to generate work(which does tend to be the minority), most people agree they suck, because they weren't built for it. Thats the nice part about the Surface Pro. It can easily do both.

But for Joe the everyday worker, they're mainly just a device to manage media and data streams(mail, tv, social networking, movies, games, etc).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 on the desktop, Windows 8 Surface Pro mobile
I see the need for someone that can't afford a pc to resort to a Nexus 7 or iPad mini. Absolutely. I however, cannot justify the price of $200-$600 for a giant iPod/phone OS. I have a smartphone for that. I love how idiots compare ipads to laptops. The people that weren't going to buy a laptop wouldn't have bought one anyway. There is no eating of sales if there weren't any to begin with. People buy ipads for fun because it's cool. They don't do it because they need a pc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Dell Venue 8 Pro, i5 2500K overclocked PC
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4gb Surface Pro, 8gb PC
I see the need for someone that can't afford a pc to resort to a Nexus 7 or iPad mini. Absolutely. I however, cannot justify the price of $200-$600 for a giant iPod/phone OS. I have a smartphone for that. I love how idiots compare ipads to laptops. The people that weren't going to buy a laptop wouldn't have bought one anyway. There is no eating of sales if there weren't any to begin with. People buy ipads for fun because it's cool. They don't do it because they need a pc.

What was that about idiots? More here if you don't get it

ipadmflight.jpg
 

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    7HP x64/7 Ultimate x32
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    6 x 2GB Corsair XMS3
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    HD4890 CF
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    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
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    2 x 150GB Velociraptors (RAID 0 ) - OS
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    Antec 1200
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    Stock
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    Razer Lycosa/n52te
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    Too damn slow :-(
I see the need for someone that can't afford a pc to resort to a Nexus 7 or iPad mini. Absolutely. I however, cannot justify the price of $200-$600 for a giant iPod/phone OS. I have a smartphone for that. I love how idiots compare ipads to laptops. The people that weren't going to buy a laptop wouldn't have bought one anyway. There is no eating of sales if there weren't any to begin with. People buy ipads for fun because it's cool. They don't do it because they need a pc.

What was that about idiots? More here if you don't get it

View attachment 19708

Exactly. Something to negate the need for paper, taking orders, etc. Things you don't need a pc for.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    Tablet
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro 3, Dell Venue 8 Pro, i5 2500K overclocked PC
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    4gb Surface Pro, 8gb PC
I like pen and paper. I run on a principle of I have a desktop and a laptop any situation where's it's awkward to use them while doing other things, is a situation I don't need a tablet for. I don't like tablets mainly as they encourage the kind of laziness where people barely understand their own hardware and use them for things they can do in real life, like writing with a pen and paper. People don't need to think less, if anything by the state of our world- we need to think more. I might write chapters and entire books at my desktop but I still use pens and have some autonomy from technology despite my love for it- the scary thing is the always plugged in environment. I mean, even I'm not that plugged into normal people who just interact with their smartphones and tablets- the former an actual really good reason why phone holding and driving is illegal.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 64-bit/ Windows 8.1 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Desktop: Allison Designs by Austin Computers / Laptop: Toshiba Satellite L50-A006
    CPU
    Intel Core i5- 4590/ Intel Core i5 processor 4200U
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte H97M-D3H/ ?
    Memory
    16 GB Kingston at 1600 Mhz/ 4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 760 OC Windforce (2 GB/256-bit)/ nVIDIA GeForce GT 740M 2GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio'
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 2216Vw 22"/ 15.6" Widescreen HD LED Backlit Display
    Screen Resolution
    1680*1050 / 1366*768
    Hard Drives
    2 TB Western Digital Black Caviar Drive (7200 RPM)/ 750GB (5400rpm) with Toshiba HDD Accelerator
    PSU
    Coolermaster 750W VS Series 80+ Gold Power Supply (Desktop Only)
    Case
    Corsair Carbide SPEC-02 Mid Tower Gaming Case (Desktop Only)
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    Two Case 120 mm fans and GPU, CPU, PSU cooled by own fans respectively. (Desktop Only)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wired Keyboard Desktop 600 (Desktop Only)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wired Mouse 600/ Toshiba Touchpad and Logitech Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer and Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Norton 360 by Symantec
Considering that around 100 million iPads have been sold since they first came out, with Android tablets rapidly catching up (the best figures that I could find: Gartner Says Worldwide Media Tablets Sales to Reach 119 Million Units in 2012), it's clear that tablets shouldn't be dismissed. And the figures are just growing.

But those sales wouldn't have gone to business users in the main, but consumers; based on the fact that BYOD discussions are still a major contention within organisations. So while a relatively small percentage of users (such as in this forum) use tablets for regular work, they are in the minority. To that end, the points raised in the article perhaps do have some validity in how tablets are mainly used.

As a consumption device, they're great. As you say, as a device to generate work(which does tend to be the minority), most people agree they suck, because they weren't built for it. Thats the nice part about the Surface Pro. It can easily do both.

But for Joe the everyday worker, they're mainly just a device to manage media and data streams(mail, tv, social networking, movies, games, etc).

That's the thing about the tablet form factor like the ipad and its android knockoffs, they're best used when you hold them close you, as they can't be propped up without third party solutions, and in the case of the ipad, it's "smart" cover is totally useless. Compare this with the Surface Pro, you have a tablet that has its own kickstand and it has a cover that is also a keyboard. Basically, it's like a netbook, or a small ultrabook. You can do work on either device that would normally be associated with such, and then real easily, convert over to a consumption device.

Also, if you want to use such a tablet PC, its form factor is real nice for on the go. But, you lose the desktop like computing such as a large monitor, a full sized keyboard, and/or a touch mouse if you need to use one for a certain program. Or ideally, a touch monitor. An ipad can't connect to an external monitor with ease, android can. Then again, you don't use android for AutoCAD or Photoshop, more like Autodesk Sketchbook or Photoshop Touch. Unlike that, the Surface Pro and/or the tablet PC can do such. Connect on external peripherals, you can get a desktop type setup: larger (touch)screen, a larger keyboard, and with a USB hub, external hard drives to use Storage Spaces or to store large files and such. It's an interesting setup.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
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