Time to Buy a Small Pad-Type Computer. Need Freeper Input.

11/24/14 | chickensoup

[Chickensoup]

I want to buy one of those pad type of computers so I can use the Internet, check my email and perhaps read books on the road. I do not have a smart phone, and do not want one. I will only hook up to wifi and not have a "data package" for the machine.

there seem to be several opeating systems. Apple, Google and Microsoft.

Apple eeeh.

Google? I am not keen about feeding the Beast.

I happen to like Microsoft products. Yes I know I am the ONLY Freeper who does, but what the heck?

I cannot really figure out the products well enough to compare them.

Freeper tech ping?

[angryoldfatman]

Given all of your requirements, ChickenSoup, I’ll throw in a vote for a Kindle Fire.

Runs Android, which is only tangentially related to Google.

They now sell them at Best Buy. They have them there on powered up displays where you can actually play with them and see what they can do, as opposed to buying a pig in a poke. There’s usually five or six models to look at, everything from the old style paperwhite one (mainly for e-book reading) all the way up to the Kindle Fire HDX.

[FreedomOfExpression]

I bought an Android tablet last year. While I have learned to use it fairly well, I would recommend sticking with a Windows based system.

Flash player is not generally supported in Android systems, so some web content is not displayed.
Also, the Polaris Office application on my Galaxy Tab 3 is exceedingly and frustratingly difficult to use. Maybe there is something better for Android, and I think they introduced a newer version of the office app with a real menu system on a later version tablet than mine, but if you will be creating documents, beware and check carefully.
Lastly, It takes time to learn to use a new operating system well. If you have some spare time to do so, no problem. If not, stick with what you know.

[humblegunner]

Needs Sriracha.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

You might consider the recent McDonald's Microsoft Cash Register Interface... I think it is called "surface". This is especially true if: 1. Cost without any consideration of value is [unfortunately] a necessity for you. 2. You don't mind being an unpaid technician for Microsoft. 3. Viruses, malware, rootkits, etc. are of no real concern to your data - because your data has no value. 4. Your privacy is not a concern (you can check this by seeing if you have curtains in your home). Good luck.

[Mad Dawgg]

Mine are 2nd gen kindles and the fire phone is awesome. I used to carry my Kindle fire around when I leave the house but now my Fire phone is all I need.

And the camera on the phone is astonishing. I am not a big cell phone user but we dropped our home phone so I got to have something. But I use my phone more for a camera and to read than anything else. Also to check Pinterest and keep up with the family on FB.

[Gene Eric]

In my experience, iPads are quite durable, but the Surface Pro 3 is really nice from a Windows productivity perspective. SP3 can certainly replace one’s (Windows) laptop for example.

[Incorrigible]

I agree with Ted above.

I use my Dell Venue 8 more than anything else. It includes Microsoft Office and if you want to turn it into a desktop, you can plug in a USB hub.

http://www.dell.com/us/p/dell-venue-8-pro/pd?ref=PD_OC

[Mad Dawgg]

"In my experience, iPads are quite durable, but the Surface Pro 3 is really nice from a Windows productivity perspective. SP3 can certainly replace one’s (Windows) laptop for example."

Yep my daughter is getting one for Christmas. She is a big laptop user but she says it will stay in her dorm room once she gets her new Surface.

She tells me lots of kids in her classes are transitioning to Surface from their regular Windows and Apple Laptops. I like what I see so far but I always wait for a bit to let them work out the kinds in a new product line

[miliantnutcase]

Go demo a Surface Pro 3, I have one as well. Other notables are the Lenovo Yoga pro 3, Acer switch 11 etc..

[ozaukeemom]

I forgot to add that I refuse to use Apple or Dell products, so that does color my recommendations. lol

[TurboZamboni]

bump for later

[ican'tbelieveit]

This is very true. My son had a custom laptop built when he transitioned to the university to be powerful enough to run the applications he needed to. After a month, he bought the Surface Pro 2. Leaves the big guy home unless he needs to work on programming with teams, just carrying the Surface for day to day class work.

[hummingbird]

"I cannot really figure out the products well enough to compare them."

------------------------------------------------->

I am interested in the same thing you are but not only do I not understand the products, I don't know how to use the products I have.

Tried to change day, month, date and now everything in tool bar is in German! I know just enough German to get by and just enough German to ruin everything...

I need a LOT of "Hilfe" so I'll follow your thread info request!

[Erik Latranyi]

Refurbished Surface Pro 2 from Microsoft on Black Friday sale for like $199

Yes, a full PC in a tablet for $199. You can run full Office, Photoshop, etc.

[Gene Eric]

I can’t speak to its durability, but I’m impressed with its overall ease of use especially if travel is involved. The keyboard easily detaches (magnetic), the power easily attaches (magnetic), and a few good storage and processor options. No built-in cellular, so I hot-spot using my iPhone.

BTW, Windows 8+ shines on the Surface; though, I’m still a Win7 desktop user. FWIW, I also have iMacs, iPhones, iPads, Samsung tablets, linux, etc... so I’m not necessarily stuck on MS products.

Microsoft did it right this time with the Surface.

One more thing. I purchased the extended damage waiver not being confident it can handle the abuse I’ve seen the iPad endure.

[MHGinTN]

I HAVE A BOTTLE OF THAT LIQUID FIRE IN THE FRIDGE FROM MY SON’S VISIT OVER A YEAR AGO. I DON’T THINK IT EVER GOES BAD ... BACTERIA CAN’T LIVE IN IT!

[GOPJ]

Great site - thanks. I’m looking for a new laptop...

[molson209]

I bought a 9” Hipstreet Flare when it was on sale about 7 months ago and I still can’t find a use for it

[USS Alaska]

[humblegunner]

No, it’s good forever.

Good on everything, actually.