Another Question About Tablets

[Francis Asis]

My laptop is abo to die and I'm thinking of getting a tablet to replace it instead of another laptop. Are there any reasons why I shouldn't? I use my laptop mainly for social media, keeping track of my finances, competition entries and listening to music. Obviously no CD drive is a major factor. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[sherrardk]

I've got a tablet (which I love) but I don't think I could use it for work or serious stuff - I associate it with fun & wasting time.

[rockyracoon]

Agree with Sherr, it won't replace a laptop that's for sure. Mind you I only boot my desktop up when my OH needs me to do some work on Word or I need to email some documents from it.

[boxtops]

I want to get something like an i-pad for more casual use - but I don't intend to get rid of my PC, I do too much work-work on it, and it's all backed up to the external hard drive.

[Yorky Lass]

I love my tablet but wouldn't want it to be my only access to a computer. I can't print and much prefer a proper keyboard.
It doesn't have a USB port either and even though I have a 32gb SD card no way would it be big enough to store all my photos, music, files etc.

[RSDonovan]

1. A proper keyboard Is easier to use than an on-screen keyboard if you type a lot. 2. For iPads, iPhones etc you can't access large data devices via USB. 3. Some programmes you need may not be available as apps.

Apart from that, go tablet. They're definitely the future of computing; I hardly ever use my laptop now.

[hc4361]

I love my tablet but it could never replace a desktop or laptop for me.

I enjoy my tablet because it is quick, easy to use and very portable - ideal for browsing the internet, checking mail, reading a book, playing a game, checking my bank accounts. I also use it as a satnav in the car.

Typing on it for any period is a pain in the neck. Literally. You either have to hunch over it to type with two hands or hold with one hand and type with the other. And of course the keyboard uses at least a third of the screen. You can buy natty little keyboards for them but then it stops being a handy, portable gadget and starts to become a faff. And using the keyboard would drain the battery very quickly.
On the whole, websurfing is great but there is still the occasional site that isn't optimised for smaller screens.

Then there is capacity. The storage is never going to be huge, nothing like even the cheapest laptop. You can store store music, videos and documents to the cloud but that means you have to be online to access them.

I am lucky in that my wireless printer does connect with my tablet so I can print from it. I know other people simply can't do that with their tablet/printer combo. Not a problem if you also have a laptop as you can send whatever it is from the tablet to that for printing.

It seems you don't need a high spec, top of the range laptop - a basic cheapie will do you very well then you may be able to buy a tablet as well.

[Francis Asis]

Thank you all very much. That answers my question nicely.