Which way to go? (1 Viewer)

[GeriatricWanderer]

I currently have an ageing and unreliable Dell laptop and a Hudl1 tablet.

I need to buy something to replace the laptop.

My needs are: Excel, Word, downloading photos from a camera SD, linking to a free standing hard drive, web browsing.... and that's about it.
Everybody but everybody keeps nudging me to an iPad but I'm unsure if I would be able to manage and update all the MS and assorted files I already have.
I know tablets in the Samsung range would be OK, as would another MS based laptop.
Some time ago I had a Samsung N130 notebook which was very good and I'm tempted to get another.
I think it's the keyboards that drag me back (grew up with a typewriter) from the iPad route.

Any thoughts or suggestions very welcome.

 

[Alistair33]

While you can do excel and word on an iPad, they are by no means easy so my advice would be to avoid and get a new laptop, stick to what youknow

 

[JJ]

If you really want/enjoy the experience of learning new stuff and don't get too frustrated when your old system won't "talk" to your new one, then an Apple (spit) iPad might be okay but...

I chose an Android powered device and, although there was some new learning to undertake (and still is), I love the way I can do EVERYTHING on my one device.

It "talks" to my external speakers and printers and keyboards etc (all wirelessly) and has loads and loads of free software (apps).

For me Android Wins Hands Down .

JJ

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[meanders]

If you, like many, struggle with touch interfaces, then you can't beat a proper keyboard. I know you can get keyboards for Ipad's and indeed Android based tablets, but you then have two physical things to balance in order to use them, rather than a laptop that you can at a push use open while held in one hand. Of your 'must have' list, Excel is extremely difficult to use on a touchscreen although I expect others here would disagree, but suspect it depends what exactly you are trying to do with Excel. I also struggle to type at speed on a touch screen of any size as with membrane keyboards. It's a cognitive thing where you don't feel the positive moment of the key. A few years ago, Bell Labs did some work that showed that even the best touch screen user couldn't get above 50% of speed and 30% of accuracy of an equivalent tactile keyboard user.

Linking to an existing freestanding hard drive is likely to prove challenging from any Apple based device.

So you have to decide how important Excel is to you. If a real must have, then the lappie is the only way to go. Of course you could always opt for one of the laptops that converts into a tablet, but I'm unconvinced of the benefits over a tablet and keyboard.

 

[Ridgeway]

Excel on an iPad is no fun at all, it's the lack of cursor and trackpad/mouse that gets most people. Viewing any docs is OK on an iPad and I use mine daily with a keyboard like this one:

http://support.logitech.com/en_us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-mini

But for any data crunching or document generating then I find it hard to get away from an laptop....

 

[Allanm]

Don't know about the latest iPads, but most don't have external ports to connect anything like an SD card or USB lead, you would have to buy adapters that fit into the charging port.
Other than that, an iPad is brilliant.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mikebeaches]

Get a Windows-based PC with a proper keyboard.

I have an iPad mini and it's OK, but I wouldn't be without a proper laptop.

Have a look what they've got at John Lewis - never knowingly undersold - and where they have an extra year's free warranty (2 years instead 1). Available online or in store, and pretty good customer service if you encounter any problems. If you're not happy, they'll refund or exchange - whichever you prefer.

 

[TerryL]

You don't need the very latest state-of-the-art laptop for what you want. A bit of searching around can get you a machine that is perhaps one or two models older but still very serviceable - just beware of second-hand or refurbished, okay as long as the battery has been replaced. I've got a 10 year old laptop that is still going strong and does much more than you are asking - although I have had to buy a new battery for it.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Chromebook.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[buttons]

I currently have an ageing and unreliable Dell laptop and a Hudl1 tablet.
I need to buy something to replace the laptop.
My needs are: Excel, Word, downloading photos from a camera SD, linking to a free standing hard drive, web browsing.... and that's about it.
Everybody but everybody keeps nudging me to an iPad but I'm unsure if I would be able to manage and update all the MS and assorted files I already have.
I know tablets in the Samsung range would be OK, as would another MS based laptop.
Some time ago I had a Samsung N130 notebook which was very good and I'm tempted to get another.
I think it's the keyboards that drag me back (grew up with a typewriter) from the iPad route.
Any thoughts or suggestions very welcome.

I have all sorts but always much prefer to spend time on my windows 10 laptop. Office at my fingertips. my laptop is a Dell highbred which can be a proper laptop or an excellent windows tablet. Absolutely love it....