Tech combinations

A smartphone is a kind of “do everything” device. But how does it fare against equipment that is more specialised?

Smartphone + charger

Voicephone

Ultra-portable.
Sensible battery charge capacity.
Good ergonomics for making calls.
May have good audio quality.
Constitutes a physical firewall against the distraction economy, tech over-use, security issues, etc.
Often rather retro in terms of physical appearance and operating system.

mini tablet

About the size of a slim paperback book or city atlas, so will fit nicely in a bag or coat pocket.
Probably the smallest useable screen size for web browsing, working through emails, watching films, etc.
Can be used with an external, physical keyboard; some keyboards are built into a case.
Low cost.

Medium or large tablet

Trades portability for screen size, so not suitable for a handbag or coat pocket.

Phablet

A giant smartphone: phone-tablet. The name is mighty ugly and so are you – when you use one to make a phone call.
The screen is still too small for most purposes.
Too big for most pockets.
Too big for most hands/faces.

Ultra-portable laptop; 2-in1 device

Standard laptop computer

Almost the new standard full-size computer. But a 15ʺ screen is still rather small when compared to a desktop.
Keyboard almost as good as those available for desktop computers.
Can be used with an external screen. This brings both larger screen size and better ergonomics (top of the screen should be the same height as your eyes).

Desktop computer

Full-size screen that really allows you to get things done – multiple screens are possible. Good for watching TV or films, too.
Because miniaturising technology is expensive, a desktop is both cheaper and more powerful than the laptop equivalent.
Except for all-in-one products (e.g. the iMac), it is possible to upgrade components as time goes on – meaning that you can keep a desktop computer for much longer before it becomes obsolete.
With separate units, you have free choice as to what screen, keyboard and mouse you use. And you don’t have to replace them when the time comes to get a new computer.
Ethernet is faster than Wi-Fi.
More options are available for backing up. For example, a second hard drive can be built in for hourly local backups.
Optimal ergonomics: wider keyboard is better for your wrists/shoulders; eye-level screen is better for your posture.
The separate keyboard is the perfect complement to the ultimate tech upgrade: being able to touch-type.
A desktop’s lack of portability brings a very specific benefit: it makes it much easier to leave all that computer-related stuff behind, and go and do something off-line. When you’re not at your desk, you’re not at your desk.

Landline phone

Excellent ergonomics (unless modelled on a lobster).
Generally excellent call quality.
Extremely cheap to use, including for most international calls.
Total freedom from everything that is not your phone call. And in the age of distraction, that’s a major benefit.

Camera

Better image quality, when compared to a camera function built into a phone.
Physical switches, knobs and buttons.
Better focus within you. When you’re taking pictures, that’s all you’re doing. You’re not holding a device that does everything, means everything, wants everything.
Makes it easier to miss out on pictures. This is an essential part of being human: it shifts your memory back into you, and helps keep you in the here and now.

Satnav

Often already built into a car; readily available as a separate device, including for fitting to bicycles.
Means that you miss out on finding out about and connecting with the world around you, but sometimes that has to take a back seat.
Potentially useful tool for anyone seeking the freedom of not always having to carry a computer with them.

Digital audio player (a.k.a. MP3 player)

Often has far superior sound quality.
Most give you full freedom of choice as to what file formats to use, for example FLAC, which has a much higher quality than the MP3 format.
You can have music on the go without worrying about your phone’s battery charge level.
Very effective as a semi-static music system at home.
Not having a audio player built into your phone makes it easier to sometimes decide to hear what everyone else is hearing, rather than creating a private reality. It’s possible to get too much private reality…

Printer

Another useful ally in the fight against computer dependency. Printing out a travel ticket, rather than having it on your phone, may sound medieval but lots of people still do it and get on just fine.
Also handy for all sorts of other projects and activities, like signs, posters, photos, birthday cards…
Ultra-compact models are available, that can easily be stored away when not in use.
Printer owners always have lots of friends: “Okay if I pop round and print something out?”