Thread: Tablets vs laptops

I know we have some pretty techy guys on this site - can anyone give me a heads up on getting a tablet vs a laptop for my son when he starts college in the fall

He will only be going part time as he has a full time job but he needs something

He wants a tablet but I have always been a fan of laptops because of the document programs, typing etc.

He was looking at the Microsoft Surface Pro - Does anyone have experience with this tablet?

Any suggestions would help

TIA

Approximately what are you looking to spend?

A PC with webroot will be just as bullet proof as a MAC that is 3X the cost..

While the surface pro has full windows 8.1, from experience writing a 10+ page paper while doing research is best done on a computer with a proper keyboard but that's just me.

for college and taking notes, get something with a GOOD keyboard. Tablets are terrible for typing out long sets of notes or papers on. There are some tablets now that have keyboards that you can clip a keyboard onto..but test those out typing for a while.

Also..the laptop will generally have a dvd drive..and...usb ports that will be HUGE need, as opposed to many tablets that do NOT have USB ports. Also, a laptop will ahve the ability to plug in a cat-5 cable..or...cable directly to the modem for faster internet connection when he has the ability to plug in (instead of always using wi-fi). The laptop can of course go wi-fi as well.

Personally... for college work, papers, and taking notes, I absolutely would recommend a laptop. For my lifestyle, the tablets are much more handy.

Originally Posted by Ravage!!!

for college and taking notes, get something with a GOOD keyboard. Tablets are terrible for typing out long sets of notes or papers on. There are some tablets now that have keyboards that you can clip a keyboard onto..but test those out typing for a while.

Also..the laptop will generally have a dvd drive..and...usb ports that will be HUGE need, as opposed to many tablets that do NOT have USB ports. Also, a laptop will ahve the ability to plug in a cat-5 cable..or...cable directly to the modem for faster internet connection when he has the ability to plug in (instead of always using wi-fi). The laptop can of course go wi-fi as well.

Personally... for college work, papers, and taking notes, I absolutely would recommend a laptop. For my lifestyle, the tablets are much more handy.

I'd go with a laptop too.

We just got my daughter the Sony Vaio Flip. Best of both worlds, but a bit pricey.

The screen locks in place while using it as a laptop, the top folds in half and flips down over the keyboard for use as a tablet. I liked this one the best, because the others folded to the back of the unit, leaving the keyboard exposed.



It has USB ports and is Ethernet or wireless. It does not have a built in DVD/CD, but I have a portable one if she ever needs it. We got the 8Gb of RAM and a 500Gb hard drive.

I'd get a dedicated notebook OR touchscreen hybrid, not just a tablet.

Touchscreen Win8 notebook sounds right.

Getting a tablet only would be a mistake, IMO.

i am on a touch screen win8 notebook - bigger than a tablet, smaller than a laptop but does the same as both

Originally Posted by daveaitken18

i am on a touch screen win8 notebook - bigger than a tablet, smaller than a laptop but does the same as both

For college....or the job I have, I have to have a real keyboard and something with a lot of memory. I can't type fast enough on a touch screen.

I would get a tablet with a removeable SD card, like my Samsung Note and buy one of those little Asus mini towers and call it a day. My laptop just sits connected to my TV as a media device at this point.

The one I have is cheap as fuk , so the memory is crap. But the keyboard is sound.

A mid priced 11/13 inch netbook will suffice for most people needs, be it work or play - probably not for gaming though.

Originally Posted by Al Wilson 4 Mayor

For college....or the job I have, I have to have a real keyboard and something with a lot of memory. I can't type fast enough on a touch screen.

That's the main thing I was thinking about. Typing on a touchscreen isn't very good...and terrible if typing a lot.

If she gets him a Note he can write with the pen taking notes in class and doesn't have to type.

Laptops are way heavier and suck the batteries down much faster too.

Unless he plans on sitting under a tree in the park banging out papers, I would get a desktop or mini tower with a real keyboard for his apartment or dorm and use the tablet around campus.

You could always go with one of the convertibles like Joe put up there. It's the best of both worlds as he can use it like a laptop with stylus and touch screen or use it as a full laptop. The surface is pretty good but that cover/keyboard is a better cover than keyboard. It's better than using the tablet to type but writing papers, etc, it will fall short.

Originally Posted by Slick

If she gets him a Note he can write with the pen taking notes in class and doesn't have to type.

Laptops are way heavier and suck the batteries down much faster too.

Unless he plans on sitting under a tree in the park banging out papers, I would get a desktop or mini tower with a real keyboard for his apartment or dorm and use the tablet around campus.

That's what I would do for MY life as well.... but when everyone is 'typing out their notes at 80 words per minute".. how fast can he write? It seems that EVERYONE in college classes are typing now days while the professor talks.

I prefer the desktops at home to type on as well, however, he's in college. THey go to coffee shops, go hang out at other dorm rooms or apartments, and study groups to do their homework together. Homework, studying, and papers tend to be a group activity on a lot of cases.