The subject pretty much sums it up. Instead of upgrading my laptop I'd like to replace it with a Tablet PC.
I don't have much of an opinion, but my friend has an iPad as her only computer and loves it. I have another friend who doesn't even like computers, who loves the iPad.
As long as you don't take it to school, I mean seriously, who does that??
Quote from: Triple Zero on February 25, 2012, 07:19:35 PM
As long as you don't take it to school, I mean seriously, who does that??
:lulz:
What are you going to be using it for? Tablets are good portable web browsers, note taking devices, media centers and toys. They're not great for doing a lot of graphics or video (in my experience, open to differing opinions on that) or word processing. If you plan on doing any significant amount of typing on it, make sure to include the cost of an add-on full size keyboard to the total cost. You do not want to get too used to the built in keyboards on these things, it'll fuck up your regular typing.
personally I just got
http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/293334/asus-eee-pc-1215b-blk216m.html#tab:info
which is not a tablet, but a 12" laptop (they won't call it a netbook unless it's 10") except I paid 350 euros for it not 399 dunno why it got more expensive (unless there's something in those specs I haven't got but I can't spot it).
it's perfect. On a 12", the keyboard is small but big enough to be comfortable, the screen size is great too. the only downside to this particular model is that the screen itself is a bit low quality, some backlight LED bleeding on the left side, which bothers me sometimes.
I dunno why I'd want a tablet. Unless it's e-ink and has insane battery time. But this one lasts 6-8 hours. Actually I might be interested in a netbook with e-ink, but I dunno if they'll ever make one.
Quote from: Triple Zero on February 26, 2012, 01:34:57 AM
personally I just got
http://tweakers.net/pricewatch/293334/asus-eee-pc-1215b-blk216m.html#tab:info
which is not a tablet, but a 12" laptop (they won't call it a netbook unless it's 10") except I paid 350 euros for it not 399 dunno why it got more expensive (unless there's something in those specs I haven't got but I can't spot it).
it's perfect. On a 12", the keyboard is small but big enough to be comfortable, the screen size is great too. the only downside to this particular model is that the screen itself is a bit low quality, some backlight LED bleeding on the left side, which bothers me sometimes.
I dunno why I'd want a tablet. Unless it's e-ink and has insane battery time. But this one lasts 6-8 hours. Actually I might be interested in a netbook with e-ink, but I dunno if they'll ever make one.
They'll totally make one, they're in development right now! That's kind of something I'm anticipating too; it'll be really cool to have something that light and thin and readable.
Yeah but with a keyboard, right? And also I wonder what OS it would be running. Windows isn't made for e-ink.
Quote from: Triple Zero on February 26, 2012, 02:05:04 AM
Yeah but with a keyboard, right? And also I wonder what OS it would be running. Windows isn't made for e-ink.
The ones I read about were touchscreen, but touchscreen e-ink is going to have to get a lot faster before typing on it stops being annoying.
No I'm wrong, look! http://www.techdigest.tv/2012/02/amazon_readying.html
That's Kindle, which is not the model I was looking at before, but I can't find that link now. I'll keep looking.
Meh. I used to sell Nooks at a previous job. The tablet is fairly cool for the price, but I don't know that you'd want to replace a laptop with it. Most people get the nook tablet for price-related reasons.
I hear good things about the android from a few people that have 'em, though. It's kind of like Queen Gogira said...it's all about what you'll use it for.
Quote from: Queen Gogira Pennyworth, BSW on February 25, 2012, 08:37:21 PM
What are you going to be using it for? Tablets are good portable web browsers, note taking devices, media centers and toys. They're not great for doing a lot of graphics or video (in my experience, open to differing opinions on that) or word processing. If you plan on doing any significant amount of typing on it, make sure to include the cost of an add-on full size keyboard to the total cost. You do not want to get too used to the built in keyboards on these things, it'll fuck up your regular typing.
My plan is to use it for textbooks for Tafe and tabletop gaming, reading comics on, browsing the web and using it to view chord charts and lyrics, so I don't have to print out everything I want to play.
Turns out my decision has been made for me, I was talking to a friend and she says she'll give me hers that she never uses. Needs its screen to be repaired, but other than that it works fine. Thanks for everyone's input though :)
Getting the screen repaired on those things is a goddamn nightmare, you sure that's gonna be cheaper than getting a new one?
I'm not sure, no. The plan is to get a quote and go from there. It's a pretty cheap one, so it's more than likely not going to be worth it, but here's hoping. For those playing at home, it's a Pendo Pad .
I'm pondering one myself, and working out if a samsung galaxy 7 is worth the cash, or if I could shoehorn a kindle fire into typing/web/pdf viewing
I had a gander at the Kindle Fire, they're pretty cheap. There are others on the market at around the same price that aren't as locked down though. Have you looked at any of the comparison tables that are about?
The Kindle Fire is pretty heavily discounted for the hardware specs, since they expect you to use it mainly to funnel cash to Amazon. First order of business would be rooting the thing for regular Android use. Still, I'm wondering at the functionality, even rooted.
I haven't seen as good offerings in the ~$200 range from other companies, which leads me to just jump up to the Galaxy 7. What models would you recommend?
Honestly, it sounds like you've done more thorough research than I have. I was looking at the Nook Color to do what you're thinking of doing with the Kindle Fire. If money wasn't an issue I'd get something that could support the latest Honeycomb.
I'll check into the Nook. I've been kind of turned off to it by early iterations, but I should give the more recent versions a fair look-over.
I learned a lot having one of the early Asus netbooks and an Ipod touch. When I'm out and about (the reason for having a tiny sub spec device) I only really need books/music/internet/typing. Fast power - on and good battery are essential, as is decent typing ability. If I have internet, I can bang in text, no worries. Ebooks are easy enough, but being able to access a PDF file on a tablet with minimal fuckaround is essential too. Base kindle, Itouch, and netbooks never made it quick or clean enough.
Nook Tablet is essentially the nook color, but slightly lighter and a bit faster. Also it comes preloaded with netflix and hulu and shit like that, and the ability to read graphic novels.
When compared to the Fire, the basic pros and cons people get down to are:
* Tablet has expandable memory
* Fire Has Waaaaaay more apps
* Tablet has a larger selection of books
I might be missing some stuff. It's been a while since I had to pimp one of those things out.
I still don't have a tablet :(
Got an old laptop laying around? http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-tablet-pc-from-an-old-laptop/
That is fricken awesome! Alas, it would be easier for me to save my dollars and cents for a little while rather than take a project like this on.