Tablet Choice - Advice needed

[chassamui]

My 5 year old compaq laptop is on its last legs. As I plan to do quite a bit of travel over the next year or so, I need to replace my 17" screen with something more portable. It should still have excellent speed and storage capacity, while being robust enough to withstand the rigours of travel.
No idea on the limitations of these tablet things or prices so please use simple language without worrying about causing offence.
I will need wi fi skype and some mobile storage capacity, with the assumtion that I can use a seperate HDD to hold archive material.
Budget, as I said no idea on prices but 25-30k seems reasonable?
TIA

[Necron99]

If you have never owned a tablet, they don't really replace a laptop.
Buy a lightweight laptop and a cheap tablet.

[harrybarracuda]

Surface 3 is probably the one, and it will support Windows 10 when it comes out next year, so you'll get your five year lifespan.

New Surface Pro 3 Tablet - The Tablet That Can Replace Your Laptop

[somtamslap]

My laptop packed up yesterday and I've literally just bought a Acer Aspire Switch 10 - it's, erm, interesting...

[bankao dreamer]

I use a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 it's ok for lots of things but like Necron said it can't replace a laptop. However that Surface thingy looks the bollox.

[chassamui]

Surface 3 is probably the one, and it will support Windows 10 when it comes out next year, so you'll get your five year lifespan.

Like the adaptabilty and add ons but the basic one is at the top end of my budget. Would need a case plus keyboard and software on top of basic model. Pushing it a bit.

[chassamui]

Pricing and availability

Microsoft is offering the Surface Pro 3 in five configurations, all with the Surface Pen included, at BaNANA IT and IT City stores nationwide, starting from 29,500 baht:

Intel Core i3 / 64GB 29,500 baht
Intel Core i5 / 128GB 35,500 baht
Intel Core i5 / 256GB 44,500 baht
Intel Core i7 / 256GB 53,900 baht
Intel Core i7 / 512GB 69,900 baht

The Surface Pro Type Cover, which includes a Pen Loop for the Surface Pen, is available separately at 4,490 baht.

[chassamui]

If you have never owned a tablet, they don't really replace a laptop. Buy a lightweight laptop and a cheap tablet.

Would it be more effective to just buy a 10/12" notebook, bearing in mind I want to eliminate clutter and duplication for travel reasons?

[klong toey]

I have just got an android tablet its no good for work but okay to have a quick browse on the internet and watch a movie.
Don't want a blue tooth keyboard so if you have a fair bit of typing to do get a notebook.
Also not easy to connect external usb to my tablet need OTG cable tablet has to be rooted.

[Necron99]

If you have never owned a tablet, they don't really replace a laptop. Buy a lightweight laptop and a cheap tablet.

Would it be more effective to just buy a 10/12" notebook, bearing in mind I want to eliminate clutter and duplication for travel reasons?

Not really, they are just different beasts imho.
Tablet is great for throwing in the car for a short trip or going down to the pool/bar.
Good for reading books, light browsing, playing music.
Notebook is for your room on a desk, typing watching movies etc.
A tablet as a replacement will always remind you of it's limitations. Needs a bag full of peripherals that annoy to even come close and still be not as good as just opening a laptop and doing something.

[chassamui]

I get the point about tablet limitations but would a small, lightweight notebook be the best compromise? Something similar to Slaps acer but with a bit more storage and functionality?

[kingwilly]

Nope. Buy a smart phone instead. Tablets are old technology and getting squeezed at both ends as phones become more powerful and laptops smaller and more lightweight.

[klong toey]

Could try a Chromebook.

[chassamui]

Nope. Buy a smart phone instead. Tablets are old technology and getting squeezed at both ends as phones become more powerful and laptops smaller and more lightweight.

Nice idea willy and I already have a smart phone. Trouble is with my eyesight I need glasses to find the bloody thing.

Could try a Chromebook.

Thanks KT actually looking at some right now.

[Dillinger]

Intel Core i5 / 128GB 35,500 baht

You can pick up a Surface Pro 1, which also has an i5 processor, Windows 8.1, full HD, 128gb SSD drive, USB3, for nearly half the price of that new Surface pro 3.

I have one, pisses all over an Android tablet

รุ่น WiFi ความจุ 64GB - 15,990 บาท
รุ่น WiFi ความจุ 128GB - 18,990 บาท

Surface Pro | ??????????? ???? ???? ???????????????

[Bettyboo]

My laptop packed up yesterday and I've literally just bought a Acer Aspire Switch 10 - it's, erm, interesting...

Is this you, Slaps?

[Bettyboo]

However that Surface thingy looks the bollox.

& costs and arm and a bollok...

Lennova Yoga (tablet or ultrabooks) are cheaper than the Surface 3, but similar bits of kit.

I've recently been thinking about a bit of kit in this area, and kinda reckon that:

1) A nice ultrabook might well be the best all round option (as mentioned above).

2) Maybe a Lennova Yoga tablet (with keyboard) or ASUS transformer might do the tablet job if you leave the keyboard section at home (or the occasional lightweight bluetooth keyboard).


Just a BTW, full windows will take about 32GB of the storage space on any Windows tablet, so you'd be wanting at least the 64GB version if not higher; then the price starts going up...

[harrybarracuda]

Surface 3 is probably the one, and it will support Windows 10 when it comes out next year, so you'll get your five year lifespan.

Like the adaptabilty and add ons but the basic one is at the top end of my budget. Would need a case plus keyboard and software on top of basic model. Pushing it a bit.

Well save up then.

Or do you want to have to buy another one in two years time because you were too cheap to buy a decent machine now?

[chassamui]

Well save up then. Or do you want to have to buy another one in two years time because you were too cheap to buy a decent machine now?

Honestly Harry I am grateful for the advice, but given the combination of my usage and my capabilities, I reckon something along the lines suggested by Dillinger might be suitable. Surface 1 or 2 should do the trick, and leave some extra wiggle room for airfares.

Thanks everyone for the well intentioned advice on a suitable solution.

[harrybarracuda]

Well save up then. Or do you want to have to buy another one in two years time because you were too cheap to buy a decent machine now?

Honestly Harry I am grateful for the advice, but given the combination of my usage and my capabilities, I reckon something along the lines suggested by Dillinger might be suitable. Surface 1 or 2 should do the trick, and leave some extra wiggle room for airfares.

Thanks everyone for the well intentioned advice on a suitable solution.

Furry muff.

But airfares will be as cheap as chips in a month or so because everyone will avoid flying because of the dreaded Ebola.

[Topper]

Here's a question...what are you wanting to do?

Read and post shite on the internet? Create spreadsheets and word documents? Post meaningless crap on facebook?

[Topper]

I use my Samsung tablet to do the following:

Read books, using Kindle (though I download all my books)
Email, text message and if absolutely necessary, call people.
Consume internet content, from facebook to teakdoor, Andrew Drummond to CNN.
Download TV/Movies using torrents for viewing.

[somtamslap]

My laptop packed up yesterday and I've literally just bought a Acer Aspire Switch 10 - it's, erm, interesting...

Is this you, Slaps?

Pretty much, Betsy.

Same stature... but I'm not sure I'm quite as satisfied with my purchase as that jolly fellow.

It serves its purpose pretty well, mind.

[klong toey]

^That looks like it will be in more than two pieces after a week.

[somtamslap]

^ On the contrary, dear boy. Yesterday evening's screening of Robson Green's Extreme Fishing was a textbook affair - utilising the 'tent' option on this occasion.