You're not wrong that it's more socially acceptable.

It's insane though. IPad is fundamentally a media consumption device. I'm a touchless, fast, organized typer on my laptop (I used to be primary screensharer when I was ops manager). All that socially acceptable iPad would do is handicap me severely :-/

If you can type touchless, try putting the laptop off to the side, and typing your notes without looking at the screen. The presenter might feel much less ignored if he still has your eye contact.

If they can type touchless their laptop doesn’t even need to be within arms length.

Bluetooth keyboard and leave your laptop on your desk.

Yup; it's what I do now that I'm remote - I look directly into the camera while I type :). Alternatively, I screenshare so everybody sees / benefits from the notes.

> even try to get some work done.

The horror of trying to do sobering productive at work…

My guess is most of the gains in productivity during COVID are people not paying attention in pointless meetings and doing real work instead of placating socialites’ ego-driven meglomania.

> 90% of the time people will use their laptops to look at instant messaging, forums, emails, or even try to get some work done. So your boss is not wrong.

> even try to get some work done

I assume it's not what you meant, but it's interesting nonetheless: if being in this meeting does not mean getting work done, maybe the real problem mandatory attendance?

I think a well-known problem with meetings is that most of the time, no meaningful work can be done during them.

It has me wishing the TRS-80 Model 100/Dynabook form factor had caught on more.

Honestly, yes, I can understand this. A laptop screen pointed towards you feels like a private space, since other people can't easily see it. And indeed, I've definitely gotten work done in meetings for this reason. A device with a screen easily visible to everyone at the table I don't think would have this temptation.

I sometimes use a Model 100 when I need to take notes without distractions, actually.

A Clockworkpi DevTerm [1] is a modern equivalent of TRS-80 Model 100 and could work for this. Should try bringing mine next time I have to go to an onsite.

Could also use a proper one with a serial/wifi modem and telnet into a remote system to take notes [2].

1. https://www.clockworkpi.com/product-page/devterm-kit-r01

2. https://www.buildon.aws/posts/i-deployed-kubernetes-with-a-1...

I wish Clockwork Pi would release the DevTerm with a full-size keyboard. Same internals, same everything (even the screen could stay the same size). Without a full-size keyboard it's not really a solid replacement for the Model 100 for writing/notetaking.

Holy shit I’ve been dreaming of something like this. Might order one. Thanks!!