[mick_n3]

Looking for some peoples recomendations, need a replacement for a laptop. Do I go for an ipad or an android tablet (thinking of a Asus T300 or T700, Samsung), any thoughts, pros and cons
Thanks in advance
Mick

[Kerr]

Tablets are nice but not a direct replacement for a laptop in my opinion.

Most tablets only have 16 or 32GB and that is soon swallowed up with music, videos and photos.

The little Google Nexus 7 can be bought for £179 for the 32GB from the carphone warehouse.

That would be my choice but only as a back up to a laptop or desktop.

[scottc]

Have you thought about a Microsoft surface pro? Released in jan and will have a pc spec in tablet form.

[BanziBarn]

Don't get a tablet if you want PC functionality. I have an Asus transformer with the keyboard and it's a very frustrating experience because I'm expecting it to work like a laptop and it just doesn't. The main issue is with Web sites. Casual browsing is ok, but if you want to do online shopping or anything where there are a lot of forms to fill in it's rubbish.

Perhaps the only alternative I would consider for a Laptop is a Chrome Book.

[mowflow]

No substitute for a laptop. I have no problem with using either the iPad or any of the android tablets I've used for online shopping and general browsing. that is all I use them for though.

[mick_n3]

Thanks for the replies,
When I said to replace a laptop that maybe wasn't quite right. I work away from home all week moving medical scanners round hospitals so spend alot of time sitting waiting and want something for 1; web browsing and email. 2; looking up maps (google), 3; general messing around
I've seen apps on both Apple and Google play that will help me during my work.
Thought about going for a tablet rather than an other laptop because it would be easier to carry round and use, when out and about.

[Kerr]

If you want Google maps it has to be an Android then.

Apple moved to their own maps with a very problematic outcome.

[BanziBarn]

From what you describe, a tablet would be fine. Get a Nexus 7 - cheap but very very good.

[sylonien]

Had iPad since launch, recently got a Nexus 7. Actually don't mind using it daily basis. Screen bit small but convenient.

Next target, iPad Mini (when retina comes).

[kaishang]

I'd say iPad 4 (not 2 which is also still on sale)

Screen is 265dpi; a printed photo is 300dpi so it is not far off the quality of a printed photo and miles ahead of a typical laptop screen.

[kaishang]

They can't replace laptops as everyone has said though. Doing any actual work or keyboard intensive stuff is either not possible or a pita.

[magic77]

Ipad 4 is great however myself went for tf300 and havent looked back. All the storage and also has SD card slots. THe keyboard contains a battery which more than doubles battery life when docked. Price wise its also a lot less than IPAD.

Apps wise havent yet come across anything I could not find from Itunes and it works well and quick.

IF you have budget go for IPAD but otherwise cant go wrong with TF300

On side of nexus this on today register website http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12...for_christmas/

[doc_ab]

I almost never use my laptop as it as been replaced by my ipad. Typing is easy either on screen or with a Bluetooth keyboard. I have keynote, office HD. I don't know why form filling or shopping is difficult for some, no problems for me. Banking via apps, e mail, watching videos, iTunes, streaming to my Sonos etc. I can even use it to make call via face time or send I messages even though its wifi only. I can use Dropbox. The only problem is with sites that still need flash.

[BanziBarn]

I just find that the android browser isn't fully functioning. Go to Facebook or Gmail where the page has multiple frames and it's rubbish. Maybe Apple is better but friends of mine with apple products have reported similar problems.

I tried to order my Nexus 4 on the Tablet and this is why I missed out on the 1-2 week delivery schedule - when processing the order it needed to display Google wallet in a pop up window and the tablet couldn't do it so it just sat there. Ended up having to get the laptop out to make the order, by which point delivery was up to 4-5 weeks.

[Uk 330d]

People mentioning ipad 4, I'm sure we're only on the 3rd generation iPad, or have I missed something??

[BanziBarn]

Originally Posted by Uk 330d

People mentioning ipad 4, I'm sure we're only on the 3rd generation iPad, or have I missed something??

Nope, they released number 4 recently, only 6 months after the 3rd one! A lot of annoyed people!

[Uk 330d]

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

Nope, they released number 4 recently, only 6 months after the 3rd one! A lot of annoyed people!

Wow, I thought the iPad mini must have been classed as the 4, but it seems not, when was the 4 released?? I've been away on a beach for the last few weeks and had no interest in what was going on in the world.

I was going to buy the iPad 3, so glad I never now. I'm still happy with my iPad 2, does what I need it too.

[scottc]

Originally Posted by kaishang

They can't replace laptops as everyone has said though. Doing any actual work or keyboard intensive stuff is either not possible or a pita.

My new machine for work will be a surface pro, it will do everything a laptop can do with a full type keyboard as a cover. Can have all apps that run on windows 7 and 8, has USB 3.0 ports with expandable memory. Just because its in a form of a tablet doesn't mean it cannot replace a laptop.

I have an iPad 2 and yes it's no replacement for a laptop and neither will the nexus 7.

[mick_n3]

Thanks again, leaning towards Andriod after the comments and the reviews I've read and price. Need to go into PC World and have a play with a few before I decide.

[CarAbuser]

The main problem i have with anything running a mobile OS is browsing.

Both android and IOS are completely useless when it comes to anything slightly out of the norm and seem to struggle hugely with flash/java.
Android crashes out a lot, Firefox seems to be the best at handling most stuff but the stock browser and chrome are just terrible.

IOS is even worse, it won't crash but that's because it just flat out refuses to load flash.


The other serious issue is processing power and RAM, waiting any longer than a second for a page to load just frustrates me, they are improving over time but will always lack the brute force of a desktop.

If you want to do anything other than check Facebook and play angry birds then do yourself a favor and buy a real laptop or desktop!

[CarAbuser]

Originally Posted by mick_n3

Thanks again, leaning towards Andriod after the comments and the reviews I've read and price. Need to go into PC World and have a play with a few before I decide.

If you must choose between the two then go for an Apple product. I made the mistake of buying an android tablet. They look great on paper but the whole user experience leaves much to be desired.

I hate the whole Apple ethos but there's no denying they have a much more polished product.

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by CarAbuser

The main problem i have with anything running a mobile OS is browsing.

Both android and IOS are completely useless when it comes to anything slightly out of the norm and seem to struggle hugely with flash/java.
Android crashes out a lot, Firefox seems to be the best at handling most stuff but the stock browser and chrome are just terrible.

IOS is even worse, it won't crash but that's because it just flat out refuses to load flash.


The other serious issue is processing power and RAM, waiting any longer than a second for a page to load just frustrates me, they are improving over time but will always lack the brute force of a desktop.

If you want to do anything other than check Facebook and play angry birds then do yourself a favor and buy a real laptop or desktop!

Originally Posted by CarAbuser

If you must choose between the two then go for an Apple product. I made the mistake of buying an android tablet. They look great on paper but the whole user experience leaves much to be desired.

I hate the whole Apple ethos but there's no denying they have a much more polished product.

Having been an Apple user before moving to Android I would argue with the above.

I had more crashes and hard resets using the iPhone than I ever have with Android.

Android does have flash and Apple doesn't. You can still download flashplayer for Android even though it is no longer supported.

All the experts and tests prove the cheap Nexus 7 out performs the iPad 3 nevermind the iPad mini where it also undercuts in price by a huge margin.

Google have a 10" pad coming soon which will steal a huge market for them.

Apple make nice products but Android devices have left them behind in my opinion.

Spec wise the nexus devices win again.