Tablet PC for Old Folks

[deandec]

Ok, my grandkids have I Phones and I Pads and I have a Laptop and Motorola Razr.

I like the idea of a Tablet for its size and portablility but do not know what I would do with such a tool.

Email, web browsing, home finances, and photo storage seem to be my primary uses. I spend a lot of time reading news and sites like IRV2 on the browser.

I/we do not twitter, facebook, text, or video chat. We are not away from the house much except on errands. Cell phone calls are few.

So, will the tablet replace my laptop? Should it replace my cell phone?

Thanks for any insights based on your experience.

[Izzyblueye]

I can't help you, but I am wondering the same thing, I will be watching the response you get. Hope you don't mind.

[Elf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec So, will the tablet replace my laptop? Should it replace my cell phone? Thanks for any insights based on your experience.

And the answer is......it depends.

I travel a lot for work and have had an iPad for about a year. I have not taken the laptop with me since I got the iPad. However, when I am at home, or now since we are in the RV for an extended period there are times it is nice to have a "regular" computer. My wife has her laptop with us so that works out well. Big picture is, for me, the iPad does almost all I need but on occasion I need a bit more.

I don't have an iPhone but do have an android based smartphone that has served me well. With the iPad, though, I would be fine with a standard non-smart phone while on the road.

When I bought the iPad my wife just thought I was wasting money on a "toy". Now she thinks it's the best thing ever.

I don't know if at is any help, just my experience.

[jackrobinryan]

I would plan on it just replacing your laptop. And for your stated uses, be a good fit.

For even the smallest of tablets, I think we are too used to having cell phones in yet smaller, more convenient sizes.

Might use the tablet for Skype calls, but still expect to have a cell.

I am just starting to look at this myself, as my 5 yr old HP laptop's screen is starting to fail.

[jillie]

My hubby and I each have an iPhone and will probably get an iPad3 when they come out. We use our phones for navigating, for finding campgrounds, diesel stops, etc when we travel as well as all the normal stuff like surf the web, look at photos, listen to music and check email. It would be great to have a larger display. We'll get the $25 per month plan which is cheaper that the $60 per month plan that I use for my air card.

If you haven't had your hand on one yet, visit a store and try it for yourself. See if you like the interface before buying. Do your research; there are a number of tablets available. See what others are saying.

[deandec]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzyblueye I can't help you, but I am wondering the same thing, I will be watching the response you get. Hope you don't mind.

This would be good. Now the cost of the info can be split between us!!

[texnet]

Tablets are great for many uses. However they are not at a level that I would replace my laptop/desktop. One of the things you mentioned that you used a computer for was home finances. At this point in time I do not know of any apps that would replace Quicken or other home accounting programs. Also, there is no way you can type with a tablet like you can with a laptop/desktop without adding an additional keyboard and the one's I have seen are not as comfortable to use as a standard keyboard.

The future is in tablets and many years ago, like in the 80's, a company called Grid came out with some of the most advanced tablets and "converteribles" that had ever been produced. They had one that the screen could be closed and used as a tablet or opened and used as a laptop. Unfortunally they were not in the price point of the consumer and the company finally failed. I still have several of those computers and would still use them if they had enough processing power and memory to run Windows 7! Several companines have tried since the grid to make a tablet that the public would accept and Apple has done it, but it still doesn't replace a laptop/desktop for all users.

Yes, we own a iPad... bought it for OUR anniversary last year and now it is my WIFE'S iPad... I get to use it with permission

Every RVer's should have a tablet.. just too many things to use it for but don't throw away the laptop/desktop!

[450Donn]

Personally I would consider a tablet, Just not the Ipad. While they are nice, there are others running the Android operating system that offer more for less. Some that have dual cameras that offer video conferencing, ie talking to the grand kids while on the road, that would make them a good option choice. However I would also consider upgrading to a smart phone and a new laptop too. A modern smart phone can do almost everything that a tablet or laptop can do in a smaller package. For the times you really want a laptop tethering via your smart phone allows you full computer access.

[gr8grumpy]

I'm typing this on my Samsung Galaxy Tab 7. It has the android operating system just like my smart phone. Before this, I had an iPad. There were several things about the iPad that I didn't like. One was the lack of flash player which it need to view a lot off web content. Also, I find the smaller 7" tablet more comfortable to hold and work with.

On my tab, I can access email from any source. I can surf the internet. My banks, insurance companies and credit cards have apps for doing business with them. I have several different navigation apps, my favorite being Copilot Live. I have a financial app that I was able to import 14 years of quicken history into from 10 different accounts. I can also download any additional data from institutions just like quicken.

The virtual keypad takes some getting use to. I have Swype on mine. You run your fingers over the keyboard and it fills in the word or presents a list of possible words to pick from. You can also use a number of blue tooth keyboards with it. My Apple wireless keyboard works with it.

It connects to the internet using wifi or 3G. You need a wireless carrier and data plan for 3G. If you have a hotspot application on your cell phone, you can use that.

[diepenj]

I've had an iPad for about a month and like it a lot but it can't replace my laptop. The two shortcomings are
1. I use MS Office a lot and the iPad cannot equal the "useability" of that software. Yes, there are APPs that can similate some of the functions but they cannot replace a laptop.
2. There is no USB port so it can be a bit of a hastle getting files (such as pictures) loaded. I like taking an SD card from my camera...putting it in my laptop and transfering the pictures to my hard drive. It's not that easy with an iPad.

Now for the good news. There is no start-up time like a laptop. I love opening the cover on my iPad and having "instant-on". It's great for emails and surfing the web.

If I had to choose between to two...I would choose a laptop but we will travel with one laptop and the iPad. I'll bet the iPad will get more use but there are some things it can't do.

[FlyingDiver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by diepenj 2. There is no USB port so it can be a bit of a hastle getting files (such as pictures) loaded. I like taking an SD card from my camera...putting it in my laptop and transfering the pictures to my hard drive. It's not that easy with an iPad.

Do you have the camera connection kit with the SD card adapter? I never had any problem just getting photos from the SD card into the iPad. The problem is that you then have to copy them somewhere else for long term storage because the iPad's memory just isn't that big.

The new Photo Sync in iOS 5 should make that a little easier, if you have a good network connection. Which unfortunately isn't usually the case for RVers.

joe

[diepenj]

Nope, I don't have the camera kit. Actually, I didn't know there was such thing until I just read your post. I'll have to look into that. Thanks.

[deandec]

Thanks to all for the comments and advice.

Unfortunately, there is no compelling reason to get a tablet except my desire to join the crowd.

We have the 5 yr old laptop which we travel with successfully. The tablet might afford a second computing device, increased portablility/accessiblity and instant on access which the laptop does not.

Since our cell phones are now deemed to be "not tetherable" by ATT I would like to solve that problem.

Maybe a smart phone and the old laptop would be the least incrementally expensive.

Decisions...Decisions

[Jol912]

I have had the iPad since it first arrived on this planet. I got rid of my laptop but regret it. The iPad is great, I never go anywhere without it, but it does have it's limitations. You cannot install programs like a laptop. If its not in the form of an app, you will have to do without. Yes, there is no flash player, a big negative for the iPad, so this means alot of web sites you cannot view. Since mine is first generation there is no camera, so Skype is done by typing, no video yet. The newer iPads have a camera so this has been fixed. I still prefer my iPad over any Windows based tablet. Jobs before Gates has always been my personal choice. You need to try them before making the plunge.