You don't have to go back very far and I'd have not been a big fan of tablet computers. This is understandable, as I do quite a bit of stuff on the computer that wouldn't be suitable. Typing this blog entry for one. Historically, they've also been still too much like laptop computers, just with a screen that could swivel. They also seemed to involve utilising a pen.

I've now had a revolution, and while I don't hanker after the tablet devices of old, I'm certainly thinking the tablet devices of 2010 and onward are going to be great. So what's changed?

The main thing is the Internet. I probably spend too much time browsing websites and I also update Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin. Traditionally I've done this on my PC and that's fine. I even have a more portable netbook. They both have one problem: they're not immediate. It's the nature of things on the web that as you engage with it more, the need to engage with it in a more immediate mode increases. As we put more of ourselves in The Cloud, it also makes more sense to be able to access that stuff easily and quickly.

Then we have the convergence of digital media. Everything is a digital file, even books are slowly being dragged into the act. It was inevitable that the digitalisation of everything would eventually make the PC the wrong device to access them all from. It's been happening for years with all sorts of other devices coming out that allow you to play your digital content that isn't the typical PC. The tablet is wonderful for this. You can read books on it, you can watch video and you can play music, though anything audio wastes the screen a bit. Basically, the tablet absorbs a lot of the portable media player market. Think of all those digital photos? Just make sure they're on the tablet for when the relatives come around? Or not, just browse them wirelessly from the storage under the staircase from The Cloud.

I'm even experiencing the potential of tablet nirvana already with my iPod Touch. It's essentially a table device just with a more mobile phone form factor (rather than the 7 to 10 inch screens proposed for tablets). It turns on instantly giving me access to the web and social networks. It plays music. It plays video. It plays to that need for immediacy. I can update social networks when I feel like it when I'm lying on the sofa downstairs without needing to boot up a PC of one type or another. I've been listening to podcasts on the way into work and as I go on my dinner time walk. It's not only immediacy, it allows a more aggressive use of time as the time I'm listening to podcasts would normally be dead time.

You know what? I even love the keyboard. I'd not write anything beyond a social network update on it, but for the purpose it's designed for the iPod Touch virtual keyboard is a work of genius. Even for my large western hands.

The best bit? These tablets aren't supposed a cost an arm and a leg, we're talking less than netbook prices. Sweet. I'll be happy with the iPod Touch for some time, but tablet will feature in my future at some point. It just makes sense. Bring on the tablets.