Word Processing

[chanel5]

I want to buy a portable device solely for word processing. All internet activity is done on my PC but I need to be able to type up documents on the go, with a proper (not touchscreen) keyboard. Should I buy a small laptop or is there a device available purely for Word Processing? Portable typewriter is too bulky and heavy - need something small and sleek for carrying around.Thanks in advance.

[hc4361]

I have an old netbook that I find perfect for word processing on the go as it has an excellent keyboard and is small. Netbooks have dropped out of favour but are available second hand.

If you want something more up to date, consider a Chromebook. These have very small hard drives as everything is stored in the cloud but are good value for money. Not suitable if you use Word or similar, though. You can get a decent Chromebook for under £200.

A small laptop is also an option or you could consider a 2 in 1 - a tablet with an attachable keyboard that turns it in to a laptop. Also available at under £200

[hc4361]

This seems excellent as it has 4GB RAM.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3433636.htm

Check the price elsewhere, though, as Argos isn't always the cheapest.

[hc4361]

A cheap tablet could also do the job - long battery life, very portable and you can connect a small bluetooth keyboard to it.

[Huderon]

If you want something second hand, and Alphasmart Neo would probably do the trick. They're no longer manufactured, but it seems Alphasmart still provide suppoet for existing users.

Aletrnatively, why not use a tablet which can be linked to a Blutooth keyboard ?

You could run something like Kingsoft Office (AKA WPS Office), which is free software, on the tablet, and save what you write in MS Office format.

There are a number of Bluetooth keyboards around, some of which come with a case which doubles as a stand for a tablet, or you might be able to buy a tablet case which incorporates or comes with a keyboard.

[Buenchico]

A few years ago I would have suggested going for a netbook. (I find mine very useful for word processing on trains). However they've fallen out of favour with manufacturers and consumers and are no longer manufactured. (They're available secondhand or 'refurbished' but you might find that the battery life of such an item isn't very good, forcing you to fork out for a new, expensive battery).

So I'd recommend a laptop instead. However there are two things I'd avoid:
1. Chromebooks. They're designed on the assumption that you'll always be online and that you'll largely use cloud-based storage and programs. I hate the idea!
2. Laptops that come with 'free' Office 365. You actually get a year's subscription (that's simply been added onto the cost of the laptop anyway) and you'll then find yourself tied into paying Microsoft annually thereafter. PC World/Curry's seem to have an arrangement with Microsoft to only sell laptops that come with Office 365 pre-installed, so I wouldn't even consider shopping there. (OpenOffice does everything that Office 365 can and it's free!).

Something like this might be suitable:
http://www.very.co.uk/acer-es1-131-intelreg-celeronreg-processor-2gb-ram-32gb-storage-116-inch-laptop-with-optional-microsoft-office-365-personal-red/1461244939.prd?aff=google&affsrc=acquisition&cm_mmc=google-_-PLA+-+Electricals-_-Electricals+-+Computers+-+Laptops-_-_63938667418&k_clickid=053b7e43-456e-4365-a1f8-e68b00e6ff0a&gclid=CI_s0puro8cCFUXItAodV9ICRQ&kpid=17419453
(Note how much adding Office 365 would cost if you wanted it with that laptop. It adds on £90 extra. Why pay that when OpenOffice is just as good?)

[hc4361]

That one has a very small hard drive, BC.

[VHG]

I saw an advert for the Hudl 2 tablet from Tesco at £99 plus an add on keyboard/case (but cant remember the price for that).

That may be a nice combination.

[VHG]

Here is the Hudl 2 keyboard / case

http://www.tesco.com/direct/hudl2-bluetooth-keyboard-case/598-0516.prd

[Buenchico]

Hc4361:
Chanel5 only needs the laptop for word processing. I've just taken a look at the file size of the first 100 pages of a novel that I've got on my hard drive. It only uses 305Kb. Even writing at Barbara Cartland's world record rate of 23 novels per year, Chanel5 wouldn't get anywhere near to filling the hard drive of that laptop, or even its first gigabyte, in its (or her) lifetime!

[chanel5]

Thanks guys. I'll look in detail at your answers and think long and hard. I might go for the tablet with detachable keyboard. Don't know yet. Need to have a think. thank you all again.

[bednobs]

how do you plan to get the documents off the device?

[hc4361]

That's not a problem to anyone, bednobs. If the printer isn't wireless, upload the document to dropbox or any cloud service and print it off from the main pc.

Or email it as an attachment to yourself.

[bednobs]

yes but to do that you need to have a device with the ability to do that ( i e connectivity)