Tablet vs. laptop

[dgl24087]

My faithful Dell laptop of 8 years has finally reached the end of it's useful life. I am looking at tablets as well as laptops. Whatever I get will be used for accessing company network and email, and occasional web browsing when bored. No need for print capabilities, we generate minimal paper.

 

[WM75Guy]

I have both, a Lenovo Win 7 laptop and Lenovo Android tablet. I take both on the road. I leave the laptop in the room to do serious work or to do presentations. I use the tablet in conferences to monitor email and surf. My company uses Novell GroupWise for email and the GW Android app does a good job. The Lenovo tablet has about an 8-10 hour battery life. They complement each other. If I had to pick one I would take the laptop, there are some things where the tablet is too slow or cannot do at all.

 

[EarPlug]

Same as above. However a tablet with a real keyboard make them much more useful.

 

[Tenn_Blue]

I played with a tablet for a while, but went back to my notebook. Most of the tablets were more low horsepower and limited function for me. For email, web surfing, reading, and simple stuff a tablet is ok - the lack of keyboard can be a problem....

But I also carry a smart phone (Samsung s3), which, while a smaller screen, basically did everything the tablet would do. I use the phone for stuff that I would have done with the tablet. And I usually have the phone. And data syncs between the 2 so I can work on either platform. YMMV though.....

 

[troutsqueezer]

Depends how long your emails are and if you embed much in them. For long, involved emails and screen captures from the web, I'd steer towards the laptop but for reading things, more than writing things, I'd go for the tablet. I've got two desktops, two laptops, six Kindles and one iPad. I use them all for varying reasons (not so much the Kindle readers anymore). The Kindle Fires (7") are ok for reading books. The Kindle Fire 8.9 HD's are good for watching TV shows and movies. I like the iPad mini the best when laying in bed and surfing the net because the screen is just the right size and weight. The only thing I don't like about it is the screen resolution. With all those things in mind, what I would recommend, tablet-wise, is to wait for the iPad mini with retina display and get that. I think it is just a couple of days away.

 

[two_bit_score]

Both. LT for real work and spreadsheets, etc. Tablet for browsing and email.

 

[newbury]

I used to be a computer geek. Always the most powerful I could afford. I came out 44th in a distributed computing project, genomeathome. So I used to be a power user.
However the MOST useful computer is the one you can use when you need it.

OP - when you write "laptop" what do you mean? A 17" powerhouse or an 11" ultralight? When you write tablet is it a 10" or 7"?

Since about 1996 I've had a "pocket" computer. The present one is my largest in form factor. It's a Samsung Note 8. It's small enough to fit in my cargo pants pockets EASILY with room for it's case (an Otterbox defender) a tape measure and a set of pliers. Yet it's screen is big enough for surfing and movie viewing.

The problem with most tablets in an office environment is that they are not Windoze compatible. But if I had to choose between a laptop that didn't fit in my pocket or my Note 8 tablet I'd go with the Note 8.

I often take a picture with it, annotate the picture and then can email it to someone telling them what I need. I keep my pdf manuals on it for handy reference. I can use my BT keyboard if needed.

 

[JohnP3616]

My computer usage is down to once every two or three weeks. I use an iPad mini for just about everything, but, since I retired, about all I do is email and surf. I really like the little iPad mini, it goes with me everywhere.

John

 

[Western]

I use a Dell XP17 and love it for almost everything. The wife and daughter have the tablets and they like them also, but they do have the limitations the guys have pointed out.

Dell has some great sales going on ( I get the email offers) I like the WIN 7 machines they still have, since I prefer WIN7. I think they had a 13" or 14" for around $399??

 

[dmccarty]

A tablet or laptop? For me the answer is to have both. For what *** I *** do, a tablet cannot replace a laptop. Heck, it used to be a laptop could not do what I needed done and I had to have a desktop. The problem I see with tablet is the screen size and keyboard. I need a full size keyboard and the biggest screen I can get. At work, I use the laptop screen and two other display. At home I have a big 24 inch display that I use with my personal and work laptop.

If all one did was visit websites and maybe a bit of light typing for emails, I could see some tablets being a substitute for a laptop.

My conundrum about tablets is should I buy a slightly larger one to get a bigger screen? The Kindle I have is perfectly sized for traveling reading but a bigger screen would be better. I know people who have a laptop or desktop plus different sized tablets that they use depending on circumstances.

Later,
Dan

 

[Soundguy]

My faithful Dell laptop of 8 years has finally reached the end of it's useful life. I am looking at tablets as well as laptops. Whatever I get will be used for accessing company network and email, and occasional web browsing when bored. No need for print capabilities, we generate minimal paper.

in the laptop range, you can also still get netbooks. pretty much a small laptop with no built in dvd drive.

in that same concept.. you can get tablets with docking planes.. the docking plane folds up. the thing looks like a netbook. but the dock just has extra ports and a keyboard. pop the tablet off and walk away if needed.

i hate typing on a tablet...

 

[dgl24087]

I ended up buying a Toshiba laptop. I looked at the tablets very thoroughly and decided the laptop was a better option.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I ended up buying a Toshiba laptop. I looked at the tablets very thoroughly and decided the laptop was a better option.

What made you decide on the Toshiba? I'm considering a laptop too. I'll be traveling in Australia for a month, and I'm looking for something small, yet powerful, to travel with. I'll be using it for PowerPoint presentations, emails, Skype, and to log on to my desktop.

My budget for this is about $800 - $1000.

I've decided on a laptop, instead of a tablet, because I think the laptop will be much better for my needs. I already have a 17" Acer laptop that does all that I need, but it's a bit bulky for traveling. And, I have a 7" Kindle Fire that I'll probably bring with me, along with my iPhone 5S.

I looked at a Lenovo Yoga 11S Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga Ultrabook 2in1 11.6" TouchScreen Laptop 4GB Memory Silver Yoga 11S - 59385438 - Best Buy and it seems to be close to what I'm looking for.

I'd like to hear others experiences with smaller laptops for traveling.

 

[Chilly807]

For me, the tablet was the choice for both affordability and size. Just don't plan on a lot of typing and complicated documents. I chose the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, 7" screen. It's Ok for surfing on a limited basis, much better for an ereader than Kobo.

Sean

 

[/pine]

If you are used to a mouse and keyboard a tablet's touch capabilities can take some getting used to...

FWIW...I recommend using screen protectors for any touch screen device...put a quality protector on new screen and if you ever want to sell it...the original screen will be like new...

 

[Chilly807]

The protectors are good no question, and not expensive. I didn't bother with the tablet, although my phone has one. My trouble is, by the time I want to get rid of something no one else wants the old technology either..

Sean

 

[troutsqueezer]

if you ever want to sell it..

I give my old computers to Goodwill. Buying a used computer of any type, especially laptops or tablets, is a risky move. If you're lucky enough to find a buyer, you'll probably only get pennies on the dollar. Go for the tax write off.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I have already decided on a laptop, instead of a tablet.

My question is: Which laptop? Remember that I want one for traveling. Small and lightweight, yet powerful.

 

[/pine]

There is actually a pretty good market for used tablets for both buyers and sellers...Most are very easy to upgrade the operating systems on...if you don't just have to have the latest/greatest there are some good deals to be had on used tablets...

 

[dgl24087]

What made you decide on the Toshiba? I'm considering a laptop too. I'll be traveling in Australia for a month, and I'm looking for something small, yet powerful, to travel with. I'll be using it for PowerPoint presentations, emails, Skype, and to log on to my desktop.

My budget for this is about $800 - $1000.

I've decided on a laptop, instead of a tablet, because I think the laptop will be much better for my needs. I already have a 17" Acer laptop that does all that I need, but it's a bit bulky for traveling. And, I have a 7" Kindle Fire that I'll probably bring with me, along with my iPhone 5S.

I looked at a Lenovo Yoga 11S Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga Ultrabook 2in1 11.6" TouchScreen Laptop 4GB Memory Silver Yoga 11S - 59385438 - Best Buy and it seems to be close to what I'm looking for.

I'd like to hear others experiences with smaller laptops for traveling.

I bought the Tobisha based on price, didn't need anything exotic as far as capability was concerned. I paid $265 new.