The 'Share' feature is your friend
From my experienced, old geek vantage point, smartphones/tablets with computer-rivaling processing power, at least in certain makes/models, may befit your use case better than ultrabooks – aka thin, light yet powerful laptops – due to their intuitiveness and mobility.
Further, although personal computers with new central processing unit (CPU) and/or graphical processing unit (GPU) continue to be introduced regularly, sales of personal computers have plateaued for markets worldwide for several years, except for the business sector. I've been using personal computers since 1983, since my first encounter with an Apple IIe in Japan circa 1983, when I knew I wanted to study computer science in the United States.
Apple was the first one to introduce the "copy & paste" feature in 1984, which has since become a staple with all modern operating systems. Of the other countless innovations packed into smartphones and tablets, which we have the late Steve Jobs to thank for, I want to single-out the "Share" feature today.
If copy & paste minimizes typos and makes the duplication of selected text/objects instantaneous, sharing between apps on your smartphones/tablets further reduces the steps needed to accomplish a task.
It can be something as simple as wanting to share a link, aka website address, of an interesting article you've been reading in your browser at wbvobserver.com for a friend to enjoy also in his/her own browser. The beauty of using the Share feature is that you get to choose which communication app, social media app or any other app that may be installed on your device, to communicate the link to your friend.
Once you select a communication app to use, for example your email app, the Share feature will automatically start the email app, open a new email message, fill in the email message subject field, and paste the link into the email message body. You only need to fill out the recipient(s) and tap the send icon. Contrast that to the traditional copy & paste method where you'll manually open the email app, open a new email message, fill the email subject field, paste into the email message body, fill out the email recipient(s), and finally tap the send icon. Three steps vs. six steps, a reduction of 50%, if you use the Share feature.
Another example may be sharing media like pictures or videos. Or you may notice that the "Print" menu item that is readily selectable on a browser installed on your computer is missing from the browser app's menu on your smartphone/tablet. You guessed it – on smartphones/tablets, the browser apps treat it as one of the destinations you can choose when using the Share feature.
Tak Sato
Strategist and technologist with over 30 years of experience in the private sector. Holds Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Science and Executive MBA from Cleveland State University.
As Founder of the Center for Aging in the Digital World, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering seniors with digital literacy, Tak connects the dots to help people utilize appropriate technology in their personal and professional lives while using digital literacy coaching as a tool for seniors to avoid loneliness and social isolation. Please visit EmpowerSeniors.Org for more information!