Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

historian

(2,475 posts)
Sat May 28, 2016, 08:43 AM May 2016

tablets, lap tops help!!!

I travel frequently and just want something simple i can use to watch movies, hear music, send mail and be able to book hotels on get onto airbnb.
NOthing fancy but to be honest, I cant tell the difference between chrome books, tablets etc..
Any suggestions would be most appreciates. thanks

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
tablets, lap tops help!!! (Original Post) historian May 2016 OP
Well How are the eyes? Egnever May 2016 #1
thanks historian May 2016 #3
I'm enjoying a very inexpensive chromebook. hunter May 2016 #2
If you want something simple a tablet is fine. blogslut May 2016 #4
thank you historian May 2016 #5
The MS Surface Pro is a great little tablet if you use Windows. ucrdem May 2016 #6
thanks historian May 2016 #7
 

Egnever

(21,506 posts)
1. Well How are the eyes?
Sat May 28, 2016, 01:03 PM
May 2016

Do you need something big? or does a 7 inch suffice? I personally prefer the 7 inch form factor but some people want something bigger.


Quick and dirty and reasonably priced I would go with one of these.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010FGJKWC?tag=tt88-20&keywords=ASUS+ZenPad+C+7.0&qid=1444719600&ref_=sr_1_1&s=pc&sr=1-1

Certainly not the best tab out there but solid and gets the job done without breaking the bank. Also should be able to get android M on it which has a big impact on battery life.

hunter

(38,319 posts)
2. I'm enjoying a very inexpensive chromebook.
Sat May 28, 2016, 03:58 PM
May 2016

The battery lasts a long time and I can type on it.

I don't like touchscreens. My cell phone is as stupid as they come, with real buttons to press.

blogslut

(38,004 posts)
4. If you want something simple a tablet is fine.
Sun May 29, 2016, 09:15 AM
May 2016

For me it's all about screen size, battery life, processor power and storage.

7-inch screens are okay but I find it difficult to navigate screens on websites without a stylus. I have a 1st Generation iPad and, while it's almost useless thanks to Apple's planned obsolescence, that extra 2 inches of screen space makes a huge difference when compared to my little 7-inch Windows tablet.

The iPad's battery life is really good. The 7-inch, not so great.

As for processing power, that's where the 7-inch tablet does better than the old iPad. Newer iPads are much faster but you're at the mercy of the day Apple upgrades and apps stop working because you dared choose to not buy a new device.

Chromebooks are cool. They're light and inexpensive. They run the Chrome Operating system which is meant to be integrated with Google's cloud-based apps, not a big deal because you can set a lot of the programs to run offline. The bonus with a Chromebook (for me) is that it has a keyboard.

Tablet or Chromebook, storage is limited. The more storage the more they cost. Most of these devices offer cloud-based storage.

ucrdem

(15,512 posts)
6. The MS Surface Pro is a great little tablet if you use Windows.
Mon May 30, 2016, 04:22 AM
May 2016

I have an iPad that I'm giving to a relative because it's just too useless. It's great for video but doesn't come with a stand, keyboard, mouse or Windows. Answering email for example is a pain.

The Surface Pro on the other hand comes with a built-in kickstand and Windows 8.1, downgradable to 7 with Classic Shell (not really 7, but better than 7) and upgradable to Win 10 if you want the latest voice- and face-recognition features touted in TV ads. It also has a detachable keyboard that doubles as a cover, though it's sold as an accessory, in 3 flavors: "touch" (no-click), "type" with real keys, and a type keyboard that includes a battery to extend the one in the device, which lasts about 4-5 hours depending.

The top model is called a Surface Book and has a laptop-size screen and lots of memory. It runs for a couple grand new, but you can get earlier models for less on ebay. I got a used SP2 with a "type" keyboard that I really like for just under 300 including tax, delivery, and a new power cord I had to buy separately. The screen is 10.5" x 7" and bright and crisp. Later models are slightly wider. More discussion here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/109517115

historian

(2,475 posts)
7. thanks
Tue May 31, 2016, 10:13 PM
May 2016

that was helpful. Im old enough to remember transistors so a lot of this is like going to the moon! Do appreciate your help though

Latest Discussions»Help & Search»Computer Help and Support»tablets, lap tops help!!!