Repurposing old tablets is definitely worth a shot. I set up an ancient Nexus tablet as a control panel in my kitchen—took a bit of fiddling, but now it's super handy for quick adjustments. Plus, feels good giving old tech new life.
Totally agree, tablets can really come in handy for quick smart home setups. I've seen clients mount older iPads or Android tablets near entryways or living rooms for lighting and thermostat controls. Just make sure they're properly secured—had one client whose tablet took a tumble after a DIY mounting job...lesson learned.
Tablets can work, sure, but aren't dedicated smart panels becoming affordable enough now to consider instead? I've seen budget-friendly options pop up lately that are purpose-built for wall mounting, with cleaner wiring and better durability. Tablets might seem cheaper initially, but factoring in mounts, charging setups, and accidental drops (like your client's mishap...), is it really saving money in the long run? Might be worth checking out dedicated panels before committing to repurposed devices.
Yeah, dedicated panels have definitely improved lately and prices are dropping steadily. Still, I'd advise caution—some budget options skimp on responsiveness or app support. Worth researching user reviews carefully before committing...cheap isn't always cheerful in smart home setups.
"Worth researching user reviews carefully before committing...cheap isn't always cheerful in smart home setups."
Totally agree with this. I recently helped a client set up a budget-friendly smart home, and we learned the hard way that responsiveness really matters. We initially went for some cheaper panels that looked great on paper, but they lagged so badly it drove everyone nuts. Ended up swapping them out for slightly pricier ones after reading more user feedback—lesson learned. My advice: start small, test thoroughly, and build gradually as your budget allows...it saves headaches later.
