Tablet Or Small Laptop?

[piggynose]

everybody seems to be raving about tablets. I am looking at replacing my old laptop, and felt the weight of a mates recently, god arent they light!!
but can it do everything a laptop can do, eg word process, usb connect to a scanner, and a printer.
thanx in advance

[BlueToffee]

I'm fortunate enough to have both a lap top and a tablet, both compliment each other, but I couldn't choose between them. If you can, go for both.

[VHG]

A tablet does not have a keyboard so typing is done on a virtual keyboard, which is fine for short messages but not for typign a long document.

Not all tablets have USB slots.

Most tablets dont run Windows so you cant install your Windows apps on them. (Microsoft have recently started to bring out some Windows tablets but they are not as common as ipad or Android tablets).

As bluetoffee says, there is some overlap but not a total overlap so they both have their place.

Tablets are really best for just casual internet based activities and not what you may call serious work.

[snags]

I have both: in my opinion tablets are toys/for entertainment rather than work tools.

[EvianBaby]

Agree with Snags.

My iPad is permanently attached to me but I wouldn't use it for any 'proper' stuff I needed to do.

There's a lot you can't do on tablets.

[cazzz1975]

tablets are good for browsing and reading, laptops are good for everything

[AB Editor]

Pop into John Lewis and have a look at one of these: http://www.johnlewis.com/microsoft-surface-tablet-with-windows-rt-touch-keyboard-32gb-wi-fi-quad-core-tegra-3-10-6-/p231836601

It might get you to a nice middle ground.

If you decide on a Tablet, please spend a bit of money to get a descent one - there's a great deal of crap out there...

[murraymints]

Use my kindle for browsing checking mail etc...music photos and iPlayer....but pc for anything that requires printing or a lot of typing.....

[gingejbee]

Agree with Ed...If you go for a tablet, go for a decent one. Lots of virtually useless ones around and cheap prices.
If it's only one or the other...laptop every time.

[AB Editor]

Murrarymints is talking about a Kindle Fire, which is dedicated to consumption - there's very little productivity kit available.

If the Surface (running Windows RT) looks no good to you then you're best off looking at one of the Windows 8 tablets that run the full version.

[murraymints]

Bang on ed....kindle fire hd 32 mg....great for shoving in bag and use on the go....answering e mail.....etc. but pc or laptop for documents spreadsheets...

[piggynose]

thanx folks