10 Types of Tablet Users That Drive Us Nuts

A couple of years ago, as smartphone mania started gripping the nation—and the world—I wrote a tongue-in-cheek story that spotlighted the funny and annoying ways people use their smartphones. Today, smartphones are nearly ubiquitous, and tablet PCs are the new craze. With tablets come a whole new set of strange, silly and often aggravating gadget-toting characters. Here are the most common culprits.

Obsessive Stylus Girl doesn’t care if her tablet has a multi-touch display that was designed for use with human fingers. The stylus has been her input tool of choice since the days of the Palm Pilot, and she’s not letting go. One stylus is not enough, either. Obsessive Stylus Girl has a whole pile of styluses at the ready, she knows the perfect use case each one, and she’s prepared to detail each of them for any critics. In fact, Obsessive Stylus Girl is on a bit of a crusade to convert others to the way of the stylus, so it’s often better to simply ignore her.

You know a Tablet Showoff when you see one, because he or she holds up their tablet like a badge of honor. Tablet Showoffs frequently cradle their tablets like small children when walking around. Tablet Showoffs identify themselves, and others, based on their tablets of choice. The Tablet Showoff’s natural environment is the trendy coffee shop. And though they may sometimes seem intimidating or standoffish, Tablet Showoffs can be quite friendly—as long as they approve of your tablet of choice. (Tablet Showoffs are often, but not always, iPad users. And most Tablet Showoffs use only cases or sleeves that leave the Apple logo on the back of their iPad exposed, so everyone knows their technology vendor of choice.)

Ms. In-Your-Face Tablet Case cares more about her tablet’s case than the actual device inside of it. At least that’s the way it looks. She doesn’t use any specific type of tablet case, but her case of choice always screams for attention. Her tablet protection frequently doesn’t even look like a tablet case at all, but some kind of bizarre fashion accessory. And she’ll always have the colorful case in hand, not in a bag, so everyone can see what “interesting” taste in tablet cases she has. (Ms. In-Your-Face Tablet Case also has a male counterpart, but the two are rarely spotted together, for fear of drawing attention away from each other’s respective tablet cases.)

It’s not hard to spot Dr. Frankenworkstation; his tablet is propped up in front of him on some kind of stand; he has a portable keyboard between him and the tablet; and a mouse or trackpad—or both—sits beside the keypad. Frankenworkstation doesn’t use a keyboard case with his tablet, he builds his own workstation with an assortment of peripherals until he has the equivalent of a laptop computer… but much more awkward. He doesn’t mind carrying so many gadgets instead of just one notebook. In fact, he’ll tell you he likes it. The doctor can also frequently be heard talking about the “post-PC revolution,” and how it’s only a matter of time before tablets “kill off” PCs and laptops.

The Tablet Wardrobe Guy — who often carries around multiple tablets — buys clothing not based on style but on its ability to help him tote around his tablets. Unfortunately for Tablet Wardrobe Guy very few clothing manufacturers make tablet-friendly clothes, so he’s become adept at sewing. His jackets have custom tablet pockets. He buys cargo pants three sizes too large, with huge pockets, and then tailors the waists to fit. And he owns special gloves that let him use his tablets while outside in harsh climates. (Tablet Wardrobe Guys are also usually single, and have been known to live in their parents’ basements.)

12 Types of Cell Phone Users That Drive Us Nuts

Image Credits: rinhoo.en.made-in-china.com / techcrunch.com