Is an tablet a good replacment for an laptop?
- Thread starter DR2K
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For those uses, yes. Without question.
If you don't need to do heavy computing or serious deep document work then a tablet would meet your needs. I use my iPad 95% of the time, barely need to touch my MacBook Pro anymore. I'd honestly say the iPad is my favorite computer I have ever used in the past 20+ years I been using computers.
I have a windows dell laptop for my needs at work, but at home it's all iPad all the time.
If you don't need to do heavy computing or serious deep document work then a tablet would meet your needs. I use my iPad 95% of the time, barely need to touch my MacBook Pro anymore. I'd honestly say the iPad is my favorite computer I have ever used in the past 20+ years I been using computers.
I have a windows dell laptop for my needs at work, but at home it's all iPad all the time.
PwnCakes193
Member
I would say more supplemental. I would be incredibly annoyed at doing half the tasks that I do on a laptop on a touch screen. Nothing replaces a good laptop at this moment IMO.
AngmarsKing701
Member
I picked up a wireless (Targus) bluetooth keyboard to go with my iPad. I did find typing on the touch screen to be problematic, especially posting on GAF.
NYR
Member
You've basically described an ideal tablet user. Unless you mean downloading movies and music in a non-iTunes way, and in that case, no, stick with a laptop.
Wait one month for the iPad 3 if you simply mean listening and watching to movies you get on a desktop or laptop and would transfer over...
With a keyboard it's fantastic. Swiping a screen is way more enjoyable than a mouse, keyboard makes all typing easy and for watching media undocking it and just holding a screen in your hands is unbeatable for personal media.
For someone like him with his needs I don't see why he wouldn't go with a tablet over a laptop.
freenudemacusers
Member
eh, half of the appeal of typing on a laptop is laying at weird angles on couches etc. Though it would be fine for desk use, obviously.
Plenty of options, I am using a zaggfolio keyboard on my iPad 2 as I post this.
OT: tablets are great for lazy internet browsing and such. I don't think I would toss my macbook pro yet, the power isn't quite there. But further down the road, maybe.
Osiris
I permanently banned my 6 year old daughter from using the PS4 for mistakenly sending grief reports as it's too hard to watch or talk to her
Was good enough for me to ditch my laptop for, but then I've a beefy desktop and the laptop only saw very minor use anyway.
I use my ipad daily, for media streaming (via Air Video), pdf/ebook reading and web browsing from the couch or bed, for anything else I use my desktop PC.
Or just streaming from PC to tablet too, hell I have both Air Video for standard streaming, a lightweight Web server running on my desktop to grab anything else that I want off it, and a RDP client (iTap RDP) to remote control the PC so I don't even need to get out of bed when I'm finished at night, just log on with the ipad to it via RDP and shutdown from bed XD
I use my ipad daily, for media streaming (via Air Video), pdf/ebook reading and web browsing from the couch or bed, for anything else I use my desktop PC.
Or just streaming from PC to tablet too, hell I have both Air Video for standard streaming, a lightweight Web server running on my desktop to grab anything else that I want off it, and a RDP client (iTap RDP) to remote control the PC so I don't even need to get out of bed when I'm finished at night, just log on with the ipad to it via RDP and shutdown from bed XD
StriKeVillain
Banned
I bought an iPad to replace my netbook. I was only using it for basic surfing and browsing while on the couch.
All the stuff he lists in the original topic fit that third criteria, and I'd say its a bit more than feasible. It's more enjoyable I'd say for most to watch movies and browse the internet on a tablet than a laptop
iPad 2 is pretty damn speedy at streaming media and loading web pages, it's more than efficient. iPad 3 will be even better than that.
Dreams-Visions
Member
I wouldn't say so. Unless you do very little productive with your laptops. At best, you can write some papers and made some presentations with one. Beyond that, you'll be begging for some deeper features that tablet apps just don't offer at the moment.
Or, wait and see what these Windows 8 tablets are about.
Or, wait and see what these Windows 8 tablets are about.
Vermillion
Banned
Captain Sparrow
Banned
I honestly can't get into the tablet love. I love the comfort of my laptop keyboard, not having to hold it always and being able to adjust the screen, the mouse is right by the keyboard which is more natural than touching the screen sometimes, multitasking is easier, I just love the freedom.
Good Job Bob
Member
It depends on what you use your laptop for.
If you just use it for mostly light tasks: web-browsing, music, videos, a little light word editing; than hell yeah an iPad could be a laptop replacement.
If you just use it for mostly light tasks: web-browsing, music, videos, a little light word editing; than hell yeah an iPad could be a laptop replacement.
Dreams-Visions
Member
outputted to TV? I believe so, yes.
freenudemacusers
Member
I think so. I have run 720p to a TV off the ipad fwiw.
Plenty of options, I am using a zaggfolio keyboard on my iPad 2 as I post this.
So basically you turned your tablet into a laptop while making it more cumbersome because of multiple parts.
Tablets are a fantastic adjunct. They aren't replacements for laptops/desktops yet.
Good Job Bob
Member
It'll mirror its 1024x768 display in 1080p to a HDTV, but it won't decode 1080p video.
The iPad 3 is for sure going to be able to do so however.
freenudemacusers
Member
I vaguely remember something about it being upped to 1080p, I've just never done it myself.
Slayer-33
Liverpool-2
Friend has this, so hot.
This was overlooked. You hinting at something?
All signs point to: Double the ram, going from a dual core processor to a quad-core processor, and a retina display (4x the resolution of iPad 2).
Most likely out next month.
Vicetrailia
Banned
I wish dual screens were possible on tablets (without lugging around a real PC monitor)
Al-ibn Kermit
Junior Member
This man is correct. I'm posting this from my tf101 transformer, and I love it pretty hardcore.
Bomber Bob
Banned
It's battery only lasts like two hours though.
lol what is this crap?
StalkerUKCG
Banned
Tablet Thread? Tablet Thread.
Iv been looking at picking a tablet up as a ... gadget (for lack of a better term) for sometime. Until now i was deadset on a ipad but im starting to think a Windows 8 Tablet might be the way to go.
Gaming is covered with PS3/360/Wii and PC
Handheld gaming is covered with a DS+PSP (and soon a vita and possibly a 3DS)
Im running a pretty well spec'd windows pc that doubles as a HTPC (linked up to my main display and a secondary 20inch monitor) for all my media usage
Iphone 4 for a phone/media player.
Something Android would be nice but id imagine im going to get more power from a Windows 8 tablet.
Im new to tablets completely so any advice at all would be nice, Pros and cons for
Android Tablet
Ipad
Windows 8 Tablet
would be great, and some recommendations on actual models of android tablets (no real price range, nothing crazy)
If you think id be better off with a Laptop/notebook/Macbook than a tablet id appreciate the input aswell.
Iv been looking at picking a tablet up as a ... gadget (for lack of a better term) for sometime. Until now i was deadset on a ipad but im starting to think a Windows 8 Tablet might be the way to go.
Gaming is covered with PS3/360/Wii and PC
Handheld gaming is covered with a DS+PSP (and soon a vita and possibly a 3DS)
Im running a pretty well spec'd windows pc that doubles as a HTPC (linked up to my main display and a secondary 20inch monitor) for all my media usage
Iphone 4 for a phone/media player.
Something Android would be nice but id imagine im going to get more power from a Windows 8 tablet.
Im new to tablets completely so any advice at all would be nice, Pros and cons for
Android Tablet
Ipad
Windows 8 Tablet
would be great, and some recommendations on actual models of android tablets (no real price range, nothing crazy)
If you think id be better off with a Laptop/notebook/Macbook than a tablet id appreciate the input aswell.
CliqWriter
Member
I also own one of these beauties and it is a must have if you need both
a tablet/computer feel. Best of both worlds with the attachment !
Al-ibn Kermit
Junior Member
It's generally a good idea for your tablet and phone to have the same OS since there's little to no learning curve but if you're willing to mess around and learn, then it's worth it to try out everything and see what you actually want.
Windows tablets will use the same ARM processors as the Android tablets (likely Tegra 3) but there will be some tablets with x86 processors. The ones with the x86 processors will have more processing power and will be able to run normal Windows programs, the disadvantage is that you're probably looking at only a few hours of battery life while a tablet with a Tegra processor is probably going to last around 10 hours.
Android tablets can use the same apps as those made for Android phones so that's a nice thing. Also widgets.
The iPad has a very smooth, consistent experience and it'll probably feel very familiar to you. Any apps have to be remade for it though.
Those are just the general differences. Go to the stores and try out all the tablets that are in your size/price range as most of your decision will come down to how it feels to use.
Honestly, it would be best if you just wait about 6 months though. The 1080P Android and iPad tablets will be out and Windows 8 tablets should also be out by then.
Well dual-touchscreens aren't a completely new concept. Take the Kyocera Echo:
The idea behind it is that you can simultaneously run two different apps.
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