Tablet vs Laptop?

[Hook#3287]

The diversity and knowledge on this board continues to amaze me.

I'm planning on purchasing either a laptop or tablet.   I want something I can take with me, with the Valk service manual (now it's Valk related), along with the service manuals for my Bobcat and Volvo Mini, on it.

I'm planning on using it in different shops, so it will need to be hardy.

Will the tablet have enough juice for the file size?  Will a tablet even do that?

How do you load files into a tablet?   Down load only?

How about batteries? 

I'm guessing a laptop is more to what I'm going to need.

Any suggestions or advice?

Thanks
Hook

[Serk]

For me the deciding factor of if I take one of my tablets or one of my notebooks (I've got multiple of each  ) is if I'm just planning on READING stuff, or if I plan on POSTING as well...

If I'm JUST going to be reading/consuming, the tablet is fine. If I plan on doing much CREATION, writing posts, emails, documents, whatever, I'll take the notebook for it's real keyboard. And yeah, you can add a real keyboard to a tablet, but overall the tablet just isn't as easy or natural for content creation as the "real" computer is.

Just my opinion of course...

[Jess Tolbirt]

laptop is my guess,, tablets dont have hard drives in them and they only work with apps,,i think thats what i understand anyway...also you have to have a data plan,,

[Serk]

Oh, and on your other questions, (My only experience is with Android tablets, but I'm sure those old junky Apple ones can do the same things ) tablets have hard drives, they're just solid state instead of mechanical (And many higher end notebooks have solid state hard drives now too). Copying stuff to them is as easy as connecting it to your main computer where the tablet will show up as an extra hard drive.

The shop manual is a PDF file I believe, and there are multiple PDF readers available for Android, so getting the shop manual onto a tablet, storing it and reading it wouldn't be doable.

And even with the reduced size of the storage in most tablets, you would be able to put several thousand copies of the shop manual on even the smallest of them with no issues.

[Gryphon]

I agree with everything Serk just stated.  I've got an ASUS Transformer so it is a tablet with a detachable keyboard.  I use it as a tablet most of the time, but I can reattach the keyboard if I have to do a lot of writing.  Several of the new Windows tablets, mine's android, also have this function according to the commercials I've been seeing lately.

[bscrive]

Save yourself the angst and just get the new tablet/laptops combos.  2in1.  Problem solved.   

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/31/its-a-laptop-no-its-a-tablet

[RainMaker]

I bought a Lenevo Netbook (S9) for my travels on the Valk.  It's little, light, is a real computer and I can do almost anything on it that I can with my home system, just slower and on a small screen. Gets 3-4 hours on the battery. You can pick them up for $100-$125 used on evilbay.  A couple of my friends also bought these units and they are happy with them.

[LandElephant]

I'm doing the same thing as to whether comvert to a tablet.  The one thing I have noticed that a number of Computer manufacturer are making convertibles.  That is a laptop that can be used like a tablet.

They have more memory space, can load the applications needed, and have more storage.  But are pricey right now.  Most are running Windows 8.  You do have to add an external source to load software (DVD).

Most come with 128 Gig hard drive, and associated ports, as well as a keyboard.  My biggest reason for looking to the tablet is to trim down size to fit in my trunk of my wing and still have the engineering software capabilities that I need for my field work and office work when away from my home office (trailer).

THe Galaxy 10.1 seems to have the best battery time at about 14 hours and you can add a 64 gig Sims card for more memory.

It runs the Android Apps, and you should resarch apps (applications) that might run the function that you need. I've also looked at the ASUS T-700 that seems to have some of the functions I need.

I would probably recommend that you find a store that has someone knowlagable and a number of different tablets to see if it meets your needs.  I'm presently run my whole business off my laptop but looking to find something that I can take to the field that is being convinient.

I also run a MiFi unit to give me my internet and I need that type of portability.

Just my humble thoughts from my quest of the tablet.

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

[Titan]

laptop is my guess,, tablets dont have hard drives in them and they only work with apps,,i think thats what i understand anyway...also you have to have a data plan,,

Jess, tablets do have "hard drives" in them. They're just not the kind that have motors and spin round and round. They are solid state devices (memory chips) which store your stuff the same way any hard drive does, and are many times faster. You can get tablets with up to 64 gigs of storage.

As for them only working with "apps", so does your computer. Apps open and/or create files. You can put your files on a tablet and then use those files with your apps. Works just like any other computer.

[salty1]

Consider the need for peripheral devices such as downloading photos from your GoPro or to show a movie with portable drive. If It doesn't come with a USB port, it could severly limit your options. A mini laptop should have you covered.

[hubcapsc]

I bought a Lenevo Netbook (S9) for my travels on the Valk.  It's little, light, is a real computer and I can do almost anything on it that I can with my home system, just slower and on a small screen. Gets 3-4 hours on the battery. You can pick them up for $100-$125 used on evilbay.  A couple of my friends also bought these units and they are happy with them.

I've only ever had laptops at home. I haven't bought a new one in a long time, just "recent"
used ones from eBay, never had a problem. Winders is so bloated now, that you need a
fairly recent computer to even be able to stand using it.

A few months ago, though, I did buy a new laptop... a Lenovo X1 Carbon... not cheap, but man,
it is the best PeeCee I ever used. Thin. The fastest new cpu (I7). 256 gigabyte solid state drive.
14 inch screen. "only" 4 gigabytes of memory, though. It boots and shuts down so quick.
I can open a bunch (four or five) giant images in Gimp and nothing slows down. It is ruggedized,
so I expect it will have no trouble riding around in a Valkyrie saddlebag, and it is so thin
it will be like it isn't there...

-Mike

[Ramjet]

Think of a tablet as a big smartphone.  Limited memory.  Do whatever you do on a smartphone only with a bigger, better display.  Email, web browsing, games, reading type stuff. 

[BF]

Think of a tablet as a big smartphone.  Limited memory.  Do whatever you do on a smartphone only with a bigger, better display.  Email, web browsing, games, reading type stuff. 

I read somewhere that all tablets run on phone chips.....and laptops/notebooks all run on computer chips. 

That's why the tablets are supposedly limited on their capabilties compared to a full-blown laptop. 

But don't quote me on that as I'm a computer idiot.      

[Serk]

Think of a tablet as a big smartphone.  Limited memory.  Do whatever you do on a smartphone only with a bigger, better display.  Email, web browsing, games, reading type stuff. 

I read somewhere that all tablets run on phone chips.....and laptops/notebooks all run on computer chips. 

That's why the tablets are supposedly limited on their capabilties compared to a full-blown laptop. 

But don't quote me on that as I'm a computer idiot.      

They do use different makes of CPUs, but the lines are getting more blurred all the time. (Apple is hinting they might start using their tablet CPUs in their desktops, for instance.) The real difference is in the OS design and architecture. A tablet is designed around a touch interface whereas a computer is designed around a keyboard/mouse interface (Although Microsoft is trying to swap that around too with Windows

But, even the CPUs in current midrange tablets (Or phones for that matter) can easily surpass a desktop CPU of just a few years ago. (My phone, for instance, has a dual core 1.5 Ghz processor in it)

[Dogg]

I have an andriod and an ipad2. The andriod has usb ports and accessibility is greater as far as apps are concerned. Andriod is geared more to business than the ipad, in my opinion, and you can buy external keyboard and others accessories to make life a little easier. Transferring data from computer to tablet is so simple. Without a mac or special apple software i cant get my pc and ipad to talk. And with the software, it still isnt easy to transfer files. I use the ipad for stuff like this,, reading and playing games. The android is mostly about business, i have tuning software loaded on it of certain atuo manufacturers, bikes, and what not. But the new laptops that are convertibles are awesome. Dual purpose computers. And windows 8 isnt that bad once you get used to it. I took to it quickly because it is like usi g a tablet. Same basic functions, but ALOT more flexible.

[olddog1946]

Save yourself the angst and just get the new tablet/laptops combos.  2in1.  Problem solved.   

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/31/its-a-laptop-no-its-a-tablet

10-4 on that. My next computer will be a convertible one. I have a 10" el cheapo, Velocity Cruz that I got from Big Lots ($149 -20% coupon) and added a 32G micro SD card. Works well, but I don't like the using the touch keyboard.

[Titan]

I have an andriod and an ipad2. The andriod has usb ports and accessibility is greater as far as apps are concerned. Andriod is geared more to business than the ipad, in my opinion, and you can buy external keyboard and others accessories to make life a little easier. Transferring data from computer to tablet is so simple. Without a mac or special apple software i cant get my pc and ipad to talk. And with the software, it still isnt easy to transfer files. I use the ipad for stuff like this,, reading and playing games. The android is mostly about business, i have tuning software loaded on it of certain atuo manufacturers, bikes, and what not. But the new laptops that are convertibles are awesome. Dual purpose computers. And windows 8 isnt that bad once you get used to it. I took to it quickly because it is like usi g a tablet. Same basic functions, but ALOT more flexible.

Uhhh... I have to differ with you on this one. And I believe some other folks will too.
-------
Apple vs Android in the enterprise: Not even close
http://drewcrawfordapps.com/2.0/apple-vs-android-in-the-enterprise-not-even-close/

[Kidd]

I recently had to make the same decision .
I went for the laptop

I wanted it to be protected  by folding it closed , that was my most  important issue .
Tablet  has no key board  .
Lots of used laptops on Craig's  list for cheap

[ragincajun]

I use an iPad2 for my work.  There is an app you can get that opens and edits Microsoft programs (Word and Excel) if you need that.

Basically I e-mail any document to myself (iPad allows easy set up of a G-Mail account that I only use for my tablet).  You open the e-mail, then use the option to open in the app and voila, it's on your tablet and easily accessible.

The iPad also had a keyboard accessory which would be nice if you plan to do a lot of posting.  I have the 32GB and that's plenty.  You won't be installing a ton of games or programs to it like on a home computer or laptop.  The laptop will be bulkier and the boot up time will slow you up (some).  But it really depends on what you want to do beyond reading some manuals on it.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Just got my 7" tablet and it really isn't much more convenient than my smartyass phone, so far!
Pictured: L. to R. Netbook, PC, Smartyass, Tablet. "Man with two watches never know what time it is!" Sigh!

[Dogg]

Ipad doesnt work with pop3 email accounts, which is the most popular unless you have some sort of web mail. It must be imap or better to functional. I like my android better. It is more versitile than my ipad. Software is similar but, i have an office app from microsoft, makes life easier. Plus i have software for engine diag for vw-com, gm flash capable and my super X, yamaha, kawi tunes on it also. The apps i have arent made for the ipad yet. So i guess its just a matter of what you are doing with it that would determine which to buy.

[Titan]

Ipad doesnt work with pop3 email accounts, which is the most popular unless you have some sort of web mail. It must be imap or better to functional. I like my android better. It is more versitile than my ipad. Software is similar but, i have an office app from microsoft, makes life easier. Plus i have software for engine diag for vw-com, gm flash capable and my super X, yamaha, kawi tunes on it also. The apps i have arent made for the ipad yet. So i guess its just a matter of what you are doing with it that would determine which to buy.

Well, I don't know why you can't have POP3 email on an iPad? I personally have e POP accounts and a couple of IMAP accounts on mine and have no problem with any of them. I also have many clients with POP accounts on iPads.  So, yes, you can have POP email accounts on an iPad.

[FLAVALK]

I have both.

I take the tablet (iPad 2) on all my trips. Battery life is excellent and it does what I need it to. There are a few drawbacks to the tablet ...but it's still the one I toss in the suitcase.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Was thinking about one of these for the wife for Christmas. She'd mostly use it at home and I'm assuming it would tie into our wireless network or any wireless network without problems???

Where do they fit in? Are they a tablet?
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bkws&utm_medium=ha

[hubcapsc]

Was thinking about one of these for the wife for Christmas. She'd mostly use it at home and I'm assuming it would tie into our wireless network or any wireless network without problems???

Where do they fit in? Are they a tablet?
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bkws&utm_medium=ha

I think these "cloud" computers might be OK if you have a good (fast) internet connection,
and maybe not so much otherwise... no personal experience...

-Mike

[Dogg]

My ipad2 doesnt give me an option for pop3 mail account. Only imap. Im only speaking of what i experience with mine.

[Titan]

Was thinking about one of these for the wife for Christmas. She'd mostly use it at home and I'm assuming it would tie into our wireless network or any wireless network without problems???

Where do they fit in? Are they a tablet?
http://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/devices/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bkws&utm_medium=ha

Here's an article all about these things.  Seems to me that it would be pretty useless.  It's not good for anything without an Internet connection.

If you buy one, make sure the store has a very liberal return policy.  Better yet, get your wife a nice iPad for Christmas! She won't be disappointed and you won't have to stand in the "Returns" line. 

http://www.businessinsider.com/google-chromebook-review-2012-10

[Colin]

My ipad2 doesnt give me an option for pop3 mail account. Only imap. Im only speaking of what i experience with mine.

Ignore the 'wizard' options and just set up a manual account. That is how you set up a pop account on an ipad or iphone. I don't have any imap accounts but do have 11 pop accounts on my ipad.

[cookiedough]

besides the 2 ipad touch's out one for 399 and the new one for 499 16gb memory,  the next greatest tablet I have been reviewing is the google nexus 7" for 199 normal price and will not be going on sale anytime soon.  ONLY downside is the camera is only 1.3 megapixel and the sound quality is o.k., but not as good for listening to music.  The HD kindle fire for 199 is better for using as an mp3 player and camera, but doesn't offer as many apps, etc. as with google play offered with the google nexux 7" tablet.

If I was in the market, I'd go google nexux 7"tablet all the way for 199 vs. apple ipad for 400 bucks on up but the apple mini is also very nice 8" screen for 325 bucks but that is still way too high for my liking.  If I was going to spend over 300 bucks, I'd all the way buy a laptop.

Go ONLINE NOW (black friday deals can order online now) at bestbuy.com   and they have some very nice 14"laptops in mulitiple colors like lime green or matte pink for the misses for 250 bucks made my ASUS but the ONLY downside is have to buy an external CD/DVD drive for around 40-50 bucks they also have black friday deal for 40 bucks online can order as well external drive.  For 250 bucks good deal on what looks to be a nice smaller more portable 14" laptop.  Get er' done!!!! 

[Jess Tolbirt]

My ipad2 doesnt give me an option for pop3 mail account. Only imap. Im only speaking of what i experience with mine.

you can read your pop3 email here,, http://www.mail2web.com
i use it all the time...

[Titan]

My ipad2 doesnt give me an option for pop3 mail account. Only imap. Im only speaking of what i experience with mine.

All iPads run the same operating system and all iPads can do either POP mail or IMAP mail.
Here's some instructions on setting up POP mail on an iPad. If none of these sites do it for you, search the web for "how to pop3 on iPad" or something along that line. You'll find many sites with instructions for doing this.

http://www.names.co.uk/support/email/1180-how_to_setup_a_pop3_account_on_iphone_ipad.html

http://auprogressivedesign.com/websitetips/2012/02/16/setting-pop3-email-account-ipad/

http://help.enertiasolutions.com/email/iphoneipad-setup.html

[Toledo Mark]

I have the iPad 3, and several laptops.  When I travel I usually take the ipad. I don't use it to manipulate any photos or files.  That is like working on vacation.  With my ipad I don't alway need wifi because it also uses 4g to connect.  Mine is just the 32gb but I also use an app called Dropbox to store stuff in.  It is kind of like a hard drive in the sky.

With Dropbox I can be on my computer at home, drag I file to the Dropbox folder, then go to my iPad or iPhone and it is there.  Dropbox allows me to sync whatever files I want to any computer, iPad, iPhone, etc. that I have set up my account on.  You get 2gb free but I have paid for more becuse I store a lot of crap.  

Sounds like a commercial but I am not connected to them in any way.  But if you click this link Dropbox i do get a little more space added to my Dropbox if you create one for yourself. 

Oh, I do ride a Valk and have been a member here since about 1999 when I purchased it.  I just really like Dropbox and use it daily between work and play.

[Momz]

I prefer a notebook PC. HP makes some really nice minis and they are tough as hell. I've been using one for about three and a half years now and it's seen many miles in my saddlebags as well as everyday use.

[Serk]

Better yet, get your wife a nice iPad Android Tablet for Christmas! She won't be disappointed and you won't have to stand in the "Returns" line. 

There, fixed that for ya'... 

[Titan]

Better yet, get your wife a nice iPad Android Tablet for Christmas! She won't be disappointed and you won't have to stand in the "Returns" line. 

There, fixed that for ya'... 

Coming from a Windows sufferer, I can see how you would go for a knockoff copy of the real thing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[xman]

Being a computer user all day, I couldn't get by without USB ports, keyboard mouse etc. If internet connection is all you need tablets can work. Typing on screen is no fun, see all the add on keyboard made for tablets.  I get by fine with a net book, 3 usb's, built in broadband and wifi. My phone is a I 5, it's a very well done.

[Valkpilot]

The Asus Transformer series of tablets give you almost-a-laptop experience.  They can be used just as a tablet or they have a keyboard dock that essensially makes it a laptop.  

With the keyboard attached, the battery time doubles to 18 hours, you've got USB and SD card storage slots and the ability to use a bluetooth mouse.

Without the dock, it's a one of the best Android tablets available, and features a microSD storage slot.  

I keep my Valk manual on my tablet.

http://eee.asus.com/en/transformer-prime/features

[Oklahoma_Valk]

ASUS Transformer
ASUS Transformer
ASUS Transformer

YES!

[Titan]

The Asus Transformer series of tablets give you almost-a-laptop experience.  They can be used just as a tablet or they have a keyboard dock that essensially makes it a laptop. 

With the keyboard attached, the battery time doubles to 18 hours, you've got USB and SD card storage slots. and the ability to use a bluetooth mouse.

Without the dock, it's a one of the best Android tablets available, and features a microSD storage slot.   

I keep my Valk manual on my tablet.

http://eee.asus.com/en/transformer-prime/features

Here's an excellent article on an Android fan site comparing the Asus Transformer to the iPad 4. It's a very fair comparison.
Their closing remarks were...

"Conclusion
As much as I would like to be able to say that the Android ecosystem has a tablet that can rival the Apple iPad 4 in all possible areas, the reality is that while Android tablets have definitely made strides in the right directions, the Apple iPad 4 is the undisputed king of the tablet market for the moment!"

----------
I've looked all over and read a lot about the Asus Transformer and I'd have to say that it's probably the best Android tablet on the market. It's a beautiful machine, well made, and I'd take it over any model Samsung, if I were ever going to go to the Android world, which won't ever happen. But the problem with this machine is... Android. Even if thought the Android operating system was a good system, the massive fragmentation in their whole eco-system brings it down to a huge mess. It doesn't matter if you like Android or not, you can still end up with a device that can't ever be upgraded and you're stuck with running an antiquated system, unless you're a tinkerer.

If you're someone who's trying to decide between an iPad or Android you will probably find this article worth reading.

http://www.androidauthority.com/apple-ipad-4-asus-transformer-infinity-125467/

[Valkpilot]

The Asus Transformer series of tablets give you almost-a-laptop experience.  They can be used just as a tablet or they have a keyboard dock that essensially makes it a laptop. 

With the keyboard attached, the battery time doubles to 18 hours, you've got USB and SD card storage slots. and the ability to use a bluetooth mouse.

Without the dock, it's a one of the best Android tablets available, and features a microSD storage slot.   

I keep my Valk manual on my tablet.

http://eee.asus.com/en/transformer-prime/features

Here's an excellent article on an Android fan site comparing the Asus Transformer to the iPad 4. It's a very fair comparison.
Their closing remarks were...

"Conclusion
As much as I would like to be able to say that the Android ecosystem has a tablet that can rival the Apple iPad 4 in all possible areas, the reality is that while Android tablets have definitely made strides in the right directions, the Apple iPad 4 is the undisputed king of the tablet market for the moment!"

----------
I've looked all over and read a lot about the Asus Transformer and I'd have to say that it's probably the best Android tablet on the market. It's a beautiful machine, well made, and I'd take it over any model Samsung, if I were ever going to go to the Android world, which won't ever happen. But the problem with this machine is... Android. Even if thought the Android operating system was a good system, the massive fragmentation in their whole eco-system brings it down to a huge mess. It doesn't matter if you like Android or not, you can still end up with a device that can't ever be upgraded and you're stuck with running an antiquated system, unless you're a tinkerer.

If you're someone who's trying to decide between an iPad or Android you will probably find this article worth reading.

http://www.androidauthority.com/apple-ipad-4-asus-transformer-infinity-125467/

This exerpt from the article seems as relevant as the quoted conclusion:

"On the other hand, with an Android tablet, you'll be able to do almost everything you want: customize everything, install apps from any source you want to, even change the way that the OS works (by installing custom mods). With an iPad, you're kinda stuck with the simplicity that Apple has designed for you, and there's no way to change that. In addition, all iPad apps need to be pre-approved by Apple before they get into the Apple App Store – the only way to install apps on an iPad."

The bottom line is that if you want an iPad, get one.  If you want an Android, you probably won't do better than an Asus Transformer, which is really good by itself plus has added functionality provided by the keyboard dock.

But, depending on your needs, a laptop might still be required.