Tablet or Mini Laptop?

[Richio1]

Ok so I need some input. I've got this addiction to this Pro Touring thing and for the past couple of years I have found myself spending countless hours on my iPhone during the day and on my PC at night reviewing threads on this site, Lateral-g and Camaros.net. Occassionaly I will stray and end up on Nasty Z28 and a couple others but my core addition is with the first 3.

So in order to make my wife a little happier and feel less excluded, I am thinking of getting a small laptop (like 10" screen size) or a tablet so I can spend time in bed with her while she watches her tivoed Dr. Drew, Phil and who ever else... thank God Oprah is gone! You know, a little give and take - she watchs her crappy shows and I waste time one these sites but we're in the same room and can talk a little more. Believe me, she doesnt get it!

Anyway my dilema is which direction to go, tablet like an iPad or one of the many 7" ones out there or go with the laptop. Really all I need it for is to access the net to surf these sites. I believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, but the tablets need a contract with a cell phone carrier so I can access the web. I could care less about the apps. I dont use many on my iPhone as it is. I have a wireless network so I can use that with a laptop... but which would be faster? The laptops I have looked at have smaller processors so I wonder how fast the pages will load and refresh. On my phone they are pretty fast but I dont want another data plan bill each month. I want something quick.

So, if you just wanted something portable to surf the web at night while spending more time with your better half which way would you go?

Thanks!

[Six_Shooter]

Tablets can use existing WiFi for web access.

Honestly, I HATE the small screens of the netbooks, I need a minimum of 13" screen, preferably no smaller than 15", so that I can i]easily[/i] read text without straining.

I would get a full fledge laptop, and for just interweb browsing you really don't need anything very powerful or expensive.

[Off Duty]

I have all three.
Full size 15 & 17" screened laptops, 9-10" netbook (can't recall exactly, haven't used it in a while) and just purchased a 10" Acer Tablet.

As mentioned, the tablet needs access to wifi. I purchased the Sprint Mi-fi to connect up to 8 devises, because I'm on the road a lot and need the ability to search and talk at the same time in many cases.
Otherwise, use your existing wi-fi (or somebody else's if it's open-lol) or use the one on your phone.

The laptop is also going to require either an internet connection, wi-fi or an aircard.

Of the three, so far I prefer my tablet.
Very lightweight, with the protective cover/stand that Acer puts out, it's easy to use, very clear, screen is easy to read and view, and has great color resolution.
It doesn't seem to get hot on my legs/lap when using it, is damned quick! Probably as quick as my desktop.

The FS laptop is relatively heavy and bulky and get's hot sitting in my lap/legs.
The netbook requires me to move the page around a lot to see everything. A real PITA.

My tablet was a little over $350.00 with my discounts and rewards points at Staples.
Overall around $480.00 just about anywhere else on or off line.
It beat the Motorola Xoom in comparison and saved me around $100-150.00 at the same time.

In conclusion, the tablet would be my choice for your uses or on the road business use.

HTH

[TT302Z28]

Tablet! I have 2 PC's, 3 laptops and 1 1st gen iPad.

The iPad goes everywhere with me. I did the "jail brake" unlock for my iPhone and now I have wifi anywhere.

[hifi875]

iPad all the way. I never use my laptop anymore. And there is wifi practically everywhere. And u could get a iPad w 3G just in case

[absintheisfun]

just be cautious with the ipad...it doesn't do flash and it really throws a kink in my wife's web surfing at times.

[sn75]

it doesn't do flash..................

That does suck IMO, but they're still pretty cool.

My plan is to get a 10" refurbished Dell netbook/laptop (they have 15 to 25% off deals from time to time, can get one for low $200's). Those are portable and with an external cd drive I an load software and tune with it (my 4L80E programmer and EFI software in the near future). Otherwise, if I didn't have to do those I would probably get an iPad or the like.

[sn75]

I did the "jail brake" unlock for my iPhone and now I have wifi anywhere.

Is the "jail brake" difficult or unstable (could it cause issues or crash system)? I may have an opportunity to pick up a first gen iPad from someone and was always curious about being able to use my iPhone for wifi/internet access.

Sorry OP for going off topic.

[Scott Parkhurst]

My old laptop was (is) slowing way down and getting tired. I researched all possible replacements.

I went iPad2 w/ wifi. No regrets. So far, it's just about replaced my laptop completely. I don't do MS Office docs on it (yet), but otherwise I'm on the iPad a lot more than the laptop anymore.

[wmhjr]

They all have their purposes. I have about 5 laptops of my own, an iPhone, a netbook (for my wife) and an iPad. The iPad (1st gen, with the ATT service in addition to WiFi) is really convenient for all kinds of stuff - AND really inconvenient for all kinds of stuff. Because it lacks native flash support, many sites just don't properly work. Many scroll windows and frames on sites don't work. Given a choice for a single all-around machine, I'd probably recommend a compact notebook - slightly bigger than a Netbook but smaller than a traditional laptop.

At first I spent tons of time with the iPad but as time has passed, I've been forced back to more traditional stuff because the iPad just can't handle what I need. It's great for grabbing when I'm going somewhere for "just in case" or taking when I'm waiting in a doctors office or something. No possible way I'd depend on it as a primary device.

[67rally]

I have an Asus netbook that I bought last year for travel. I decided against a tablet because I don't like to type on a touch screen. The netbook is good for caual surfing, but certainly not as fast as a desktop. The other downside of a netbook is that the keyboard on mine is close to full size (90%) but not quite full size. And if you are a good typer (not hunt and peck), you will find your fingers missing keys by a little.

The free wifi that you can pick up at airports and hotels is ok at best, but if you have a router at home, you should be much better off. Most threads on the sites you listed are quick to load, until you get to one that's picture heavy. That's when you want a computer with the fastest processor and most memory you can afford.

I guess if I weren't going to respond to a lot of threads, and just do more reading and surfing, then a tablet would be a great option. If you respond to a lot of threads, but can't type really well, then the netbook is a good option. If want something you can type on, then look for the smallest notebook with a full size keyboard.

[dj3]

I was looking at dells that seems to do both http://www.dell.com/us/p/d/campaigns...omparison.aspx not sure how good they are.

[wmhjr]

I guess if I weren't going to respond to a lot of threads, and just do more reading and surfing, then a tablet would be a great option. If you respond to a lot of threads, but can't type really well, then the netbook is a good option. If want something you can type on, then look for the smallest notebook with a full size keyboard.

Good point I should have mentioned. I "can" type on my iPad, but it's painfully difficult. I'm constantly missing the space bar, and even though I type REALLY fast on a keyboard, I'm forced to two finger type on the iPad. Typing, and the lack of flash, are the two most singularly difficult issues with it. A close third is the lack of a mouse - touch screen is great, but for "detail" work (such as selecting a string of text) it's really not friendly. Don't get me wrong - it's a great device, but it has its limitations and those (as well as the lack of ports) are at the top of the list. They seem insignificant until you start really using it. YMMV - it's a personal taste thing.

[Richio1]

Thanks guys... all great points. I went to the local Staples today and checked out a couple tablets and notebooks. Unfortunetly the notepad was locked... some jerk put in a password and the guy working there couldnt figure out how to unlock it. The new ASUS tablet didnt work either...Going to have to hit a Bestbuy which has more selection and knowledgable staff so I can check them out in person.

[Flash68]

At first I spent tons of time with the iPad but as time has passed, I've been forced back to more traditional stuff because the iPad just can't handle what I need. It's great for grabbing when I'm going somewhere for "just in case" or taking when I'm waiting in a doctors office or something. No possible way I'd depend on it as a primary device.

What he said.

[TT302Z28]

Still haven't had time to do the jailbreak modification yet but have seen it done. I work with people who have done this and have had no issues.

The no flash or WMV support does suck...

[dadto2jays]

Laptop for me is alot more convenient for my job. I do have an Iphone which does pretty well but for business a laptop is way better.