Need a new tablet/netbook

[mattdee1]

Looks like a good choice!

I've got a Surface 3 (i.e., non "Pro" version) and I think it's great. I know the Atom processor sounds like it would be wimpy, but after 6-7 months of use, it seems snappy enough to me. I use it heavily in my homebrew workflow, with Beersmith 2 installed, and OneNote/Excel for record keeping and organization.

I think everybody was laughing at Microsoft's vision for mobile with the dual desktop/touch interface of Win8 (myself included, even though I got used to it), but now the whole idea of being able to switch between "tablet mode" and "desk top" mode seems like the obvious way forward for those who want to be able to do real computing on the go. Restricting compact tablet-like devices to tiddlywink apps with big fat buttons and gimped features made a lot of sense when that was all that affordable technology could support, but that's not the case anymore.

 

[Newsman]

I think everybody was laughing at Microsoft's vision for mobile with the dual desktop/touch interface of Win8 (myself included, even though I got used to it), but now the whole idea of being able to switch between "tablet mode" and "desk top" mode seems like the obvious way forward for those who want to be able to do real computing on the go. Restricting compact tablet-like devices to tiddlywink apps with big fat buttons and gimped features made a lot of sense when that was all that affordable technology could support, but that's not the case anymore.

I, for one, dislike the "dual-interface" on a desktop-only machine. Granted, Win10 has come a LONG way from Win8, but it still seems kludgy to have the "app store" on a desktop when you can't use mobile apps!

 

[Homercidal]

I, for one, dislike the "dual-interface" on a desktop-only machine. Granted, Win10 has come a LONG way from Win8, but it still seems kludgy to have the "app store" on a desktop when you can't use mobile apps!

It's awful on the desktop, but I'd welcome it on a dual-mode machine with touchscreen. I have to scratch my head in wonder at MS's decision to do away with the option for desktop interface ON A DESKTOP!

 

[Newsman]

It's awful on the desktop, but I'd welcome it on a dual-mode machine with touchscreen. I have to scratch my head in wonder at MS's decision to do away with the option for desktop interface ON A DESKTOP!

Yes, I can see the benefit of it in a "convertible" Laptop/tablet, but on a freaking DESKTOP??? *sigh* Guess I gotta find a way to get it off my task bar so I don't constantly hit it to try and install new stuff.

 

[Yooper]

It's supposed to arrive on Friday, so I'll be checking it out soon.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[mattdee1]

I, for one, dislike the "dual-interface" on a desktop-only machine. Granted, Win10 has come a LONG way from Win8, but it still seems kludgy to have the "app store" on a desktop when you can't use mobile apps!

In Windows 8 I used to think the store apps were goofy on a desktop PC because they had that forced "full screen" look to them and they behaved so much differently from desktop software. Now with Windows 10, you can window the apps, close them, open them, pin them, etc. the same way as traditional software--so that problem is more or less gone.

Granted, there aren't many store apps that I use on my desktop PC, but I'm finding that some of them are actually nice to have. YouTube, social media, and news readers come to mind as examples where the dedicated apps are nice alternatives to the more traditional browser-based options.

I have to scratch my head in wonder at MS's decision to do away with the option for desktop interface ON A DESKTOP!

When did they do that? I still have a desktop interface on my desktop... heck, I have one on my tablet as well, if I want it.

 

[Yooper]

Well, the computer just came.

It's much bigger than I thought it would be- it's bigger than my old netbook- but it's very lightweight.

It seems like a quality product, not flimsy and metal (not plastic) for the most part.

Now, to get used to Windows 10....................

 

[brewprint]

Ahhh windows 10. I simply do not care for it. Why can't they just keep 7?

I know I'm not even touching what 10 can do. I don't have the heart to upgrade one at one of my offices from 7 to 10 but I suppose I should.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

My old netbook died, and I want to replace it.

The thing is- I have no idea what I want! I loved my little netbook.

I have never used an iPad or a tablet, and I do like the idea of having a keyboard available for my long trips but a tablet for shorter trips. So the idea of one of these sounds good to me: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00URGA106/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I have a desktop at home, but I spend some nights at my cottage, two or three months at a rental house in Texas in the winter, and I travel a fair bit.

That's why I loved my netbook- small and lightweight but fully functional.

Can you guys help me decide which way to go, and tell me what you'd recommend? Price is important to me- I'm a cheapskate!

I mostly just moderate this forum, check email, look up news articles, etc, and don't play games or anything on the net. I don't use chromecast but I might at some point.

I'd appreciate any pointers you could give!

I would recommend a chromebook. I'm sure someone else would as well, but Chromebooks are basically little travelling chrome web browsers. Anything you can do in google chrome on a PC you can do there. With almost no risk of viruses and they're super fast because it's a light OS that doesn't intend on you storing media there, it uses flash storage.

They lack the value of a PC. PCs are still in general a bit better per pound on what you get vs what you pay because they don't use flash/SSD storage and generally smaller HDD which lowers cost. But IMO in the performance vs. price Chromebooks are better.

If all you want to do is go online, get a chromebook. I have a powerful desktop, a surface, and a chromebook. I probably use the chromebook the most overall.

 

[slym2none]

Too late, dude. Read the thread.

 

[Yooper]

I would recommend a chromebook. I'm sure someone else would as well, but Chromebooks are basically little travelling chrome web browsers. Anything you can do in google chrome on a PC you can do there. With almost no risk of viruses and they're super fast because it's a light OS that doesn't intend on you storing media there, it uses flash storage.

They lack the value of a PC. PCs are still in general a bit better per pound on what you get vs what you pay because they don't use flash/SSD storage and generally smaller HDD which lowers cost. But IMO in the performance vs. price Chromebooks are better.

If all you want to do is go online, get a chromebook. I have a powerful desktop, a surface, and a chromebook. I probably use the chromebook the most overall.

I decided that a chromebook or a tablet isn't going to work for me, because I "need" some hard drive space. I got my new Dell yesterday, and it's bigger than I thought it would be, but so far it seems really nice.

When I'm in Texas, my netbook has to function as my desktop so it should do everything I want.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I decided that a chromebook or a tablet isn't going to work for me, because I "need" some hard drive space. I got my new Dell yesterday, and it's bigger than I thought it would be, but so far it seems really nice.

When I'm in Texas, my netbook has to function as my desktop so it should do everything I want.

Fair enough. I personally am not a huge fan of tablets. I have an 8 inch one that I barely use as my Phone and Chromebook/Surface dominate the usage. I think at some point soon tablets will be able to wipe out the small laptop market, but that time hasn't come, tablets need to get cheaper and faster.

You can use external storage with a Chromebook if you want to. I know you went elsewhere, but just putting this information out there for others.

 

[Firewalker11]

Yooper, when you get past the start screen and start using it, make sure you have your update settings where you want them and make sure to get the last HUGE update that just came out last week. Do this before you migrate data etc.

If you dont know how to do this, just click on the windows icon at the bottom left of the screen, click on Settings, click on Update & Security, Check for Updates.

You can select if you want to install them (you do) and even when you want them to install if you select the automatic function. No matter what who says what about this, Update does not always install updates, I dont know why but it happens a lot.

Once you are fully updated in all windows, then migrate your programs and data. Once done, make a full hard drive back up, Acronis makes a fantastic full disk copy (True Image) and while I don't work for them in any way shape or form, I think they have the best software as of today.