So, here’s the conundrum. If you had to work on a desert island, which device would you turn to first?
Smartphone
For many of us, a smartphone display is the first and last screen we see in the day. It’s what we reach for within minutes of waking up (to check our daily to-dos and appointments, for example), and its late-night glow often illuminates our bedside. In addition to calls, texts and emails, we use it to peruse the Internet, launch apps and take part in social networking. It’s no surprise the smartphone has become known as the most personal device.
Tablet
Enter the tablet. Not only can you do all of the activities above – including calls – but the bigger screen means you can browse and compose emails in greater comfort. So, does it beat the smartphone? It won’t slip into your back pocket, but as a device for getting things done, it gets our vote.
Laptop
Let’s not forget the trusty laptop. We’re somewhat attached to ours. Unlike its slimmer cousins above, it’s been around for a long time, so when we have to deliver a last-minute presentation, we know which device we like to have at the ready, dusty keyboard and all.
Internet
Okay, so it’s not a device, but without the Internet, the gadgets we’ve mentioned would effectively be 30-year-old tech. Your smartphone would become just a phone and your laptop an expensive word processor. Your tablet? Not much more than a poorly designed Frisbee. (You need the Internet to download apps, right?) Here’s the grim reality: that desert island is unlikely to have broadband.
So, where does that leave us?
The notebook
In our always-on age, it’s important to have a space where you can turn digital noise off. Opening a notebook and putting pen to paper can be the best way to do this. Whether marooned on an island or equipped in a café, the act of actually writing – as opposed to typing on a touchscreen or keyboard – can engage different gears in the brain. Next time you have work to do, start with a notebook before reaching for your device of choice.
Photo credit: browserd
