- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
I need a second computer, is a tablet a good alternative?
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:05 pm
My wife and I have been sharing my 2009 MacBook for several months because her computer died. I have to work out of town quite a bit for the next few months, and I want have something bigger than my phone for the Internet.
I really only need something for media consumption, while she needs a full computer to work on some things at home.
While my computer is older, I'm not ready to drop a large chunk of change getting the computer I would really want.
So looking in the $300-500 range it seems a tablet would be my best choice as opposed to settling for another laptop.
The only thing I am apprehensive about getting a tablet is that I feel like the only advantage it has over my phone is the screen size. Thus I am torn because I don't know if I can put up with only using my phone for that long.
I really only need something for media consumption, while she needs a full computer to work on some things at home.
While my computer is older, I'm not ready to drop a large chunk of change getting the computer I would really want.
So looking in the $300-500 range it seems a tablet would be my best choice as opposed to settling for another laptop.
The only thing I am apprehensive about getting a tablet is that I feel like the only advantage it has over my phone is the screen size. Thus I am torn because I don't know if I can put up with only using my phone for that long.
9
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:07 pm to Bmath
man I got a tablet for the same reasons and I don't use it as much as i thought.
try a cheaper ultra book.
try a cheaper ultra book.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:07 pm to Bmath
The wife and I tried the tablet as the second computer, after that experiment we wish we would have just got the second computer.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:08 pm to Bmath
Nexus 7 16GB version is $230. What do you have to lose? Especially if you have an android phone already.
Browsing, netflix, etc. Under your budget.
I have an ipad mini and love it btw, but really because I have an iphone too, which makes the experience more seamless.
Browsing, netflix, etc. Under your budget.
I have an ipad mini and love it btw, but really because I have an iphone too, which makes the experience more seamless.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:10 pm to Bmath
A tablet is not a replacement device for a laptop.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:15 pm to Bmath
surface pro or bust if you want a computer alternative.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:17 pm to ShoeBang
quote:
I have an ipad mini and love it btw, but really because I have an iphone too, which makes the experience more seamless.
I have an iPhone 5, coupled with my MacBook an iPad seems logical. I looked at a mini yesterday, but it didn't feel that much bigger than my phone. Well, at least not enough that I feel I could justify the cost.
When I compare the last two generations of iPad the Retina is at the top of my budget, but is realistically more than I would like to spend. The older model really isn't that much cheaper, and I'm worried about the older chipsets sucking in the next few years.
Are there any ultra books in the $300-350 range that are worth a look?
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:21 pm to Bmath
Not new there isn't. The cheapest new one is around 600 but you can find refurbished models for around that price. Check out newegg.com
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:25 pm to brucevilanch
quote:
A tablet is not a replacement device for a laptop.
I don't really need a second laptop, just something in the 10-11 in range to watch Netflix or the DirecTV app, but be able to surf the web and such. However having a Windows 8 computer could be neat if I decide to get an XBone.
quote:
surface pro or bust if you want a computer alternative.
Unfortunately out of my price range.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:38 pm to Bmath
I got an Android tablet to mostly use for media consumption. It is a good size and is great for reading pdf documents and books. I really like the tablet but it is still a mobile device and many websites are still not perfectly set up for Mobile. And you can forget about watching anything in Flash. I really wish I had just gone with the ipad instead. My understanding is that the research shows that people who buy ipads use them with far greater frequency than those who buy competitor tablets use theirs. Also anecdotally, someone I know shared this anecdote:
"My mother-in-law had an Android tablet, and it quickly turned into an expensive paperweight on her kitchen counter. Six months ago she got an iPad mini, and she is inseparable from it. She won’t be buying another non-Apple phone or tablet."
If you want to use the tablet to write e-mails or use Microsoft Office, then I do not recommend any tablet. Inputting information like that is a still a huge pain, at least on the Android tablet. I could buy a keyboard to attach to it, but that is an additional $150.
"My mother-in-law had an Android tablet, and it quickly turned into an expensive paperweight on her kitchen counter. Six months ago she got an iPad mini, and she is inseparable from it. She won’t be buying another non-Apple phone or tablet."
If you want to use the tablet to write e-mails or use Microsoft Office, then I do not recommend any tablet. Inputting information like that is a still a huge pain, at least on the Android tablet. I could buy a keyboard to attach to it, but that is an additional $150.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:40 pm to LeonPhelps
quote:
And you can forget about watching anything in Flash.
Firefox converts flash to a viewable format.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:42 pm to Bmath
I haven't used a computer in over a year. iPhone/iPad user here and while it sucks as times(simple things like getting an image address/posting GIFs/etc) I haven't wanted to purchase a computer to make up for it. So much easier to carry around my iPad than it ever was to use my MacBook or Mini HP notebook.
If its only for media, I would recommend. If its for more than that, get a computer.
If its only for media, I would recommend. If its for more than that, get a computer.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:48 pm to brucevilanch
quote:
A tablet is not a replacement device for a laptop.
This.
But I will say, I bought a Google Nexus 10 last month and I have loved every second of using it.
Easy to carry, not difficult to use in public (sitting at a restaurant, coffee shop, outside, etc..). Just make sure you have access to wifi.
I don't travel and already have a desktop PC for home use, so I can't attest to it replacing a PC/laptop, but I highly recommend the Nexus 10 if you're in the market for a tablet.
This post was edited on 9/4/13 at 1:49 pm
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:51 pm to dcrews
yep, they're nice to have for doing things like that but when it comes to actual productivity they're almost useless(except for the surface pro).
I have a nexus 7 and love it.
Tablets are an accessory. Not a primary device.
I have a nexus 7 and love it.
Tablets are an accessory. Not a primary device.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 1:54 pm to brucevilanch
Perhaps look into a chromebook?
Posted on 9/4/13 at 2:03 pm to leRev
My wife uses her ipad most of the time. She rarely uses her computer but if she has actually work to do uses her laptop.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 2:09 pm to Mr Gardoki
I'll have access to a work laptop if I need to use MS Office, or type out a lengthy email. I just don't want be using it for anything personal.
I also think that a tablet will be nice when Im tired of browsing on my phone, and my wife steals my computer for work.
Thanks for all of the feedback!
I also think that a tablet will be nice when Im tired of browsing on my phone, and my wife steals my computer for work.
Thanks for all of the feedback!
Posted on 9/4/13 at 2:22 pm to LeonPhelps
quote:
use Microsoft Office, then I do not recommend any tablet
Switch to google drive and you have a free MS office on your tablet that syncs with drive on any Pc. I don't use MS office anymore. I use drive on my nexus 7 and PC
Posted on 9/4/13 at 2:49 pm to Bmath
I never use my tablet. It sits and collects dust.
Posted on 9/4/13 at 3:02 pm to SG_Geaux
I ended up using my tablet all the time. I got it because I figured it would be easier than lugging around my laptop for traveling. I didn't really look into the chromebooks and stuff like that, so I can't really compare the tablet to them. But it was pretty useful on my trip to India.
It hasn't left my side all that much, and once I loaded a swipe keyboard onto it, it became a lot less annoying to type on it.
I also use it as a streaming device for ESPN 3 and other stuff on my second TV using the HDMI output, so I can have two TVs going at once for football.
The tablet replaced my phone for lying around on the couch, and that is a good thing, because the battery sucks on my phone.
It hasn't left my side all that much, and once I loaded a swipe keyboard onto it, it became a lot less annoying to type on it.
I also use it as a streaming device for ESPN 3 and other stuff on my second TV using the HDMI output, so I can have two TVs going at once for football.
The tablet replaced my phone for lying around on the couch, and that is a good thing, because the battery sucks on my phone.
This post was edited on 9/4/13 at 3:03 pm
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News