Laptop or tablet thingy... Guidance would be appreciated!!!

[Smokin Joe]

Get a laptop with approx. 15" screen, anything smaller will make typing a hassle. You may be able to find some with Windows 7, which is infinitely preferable to Windows 8. I bought a desktop PC mid last year with Windows 7 on it, so it may still be sold here and there.

I can't understand all the fuss about 8.1. Download Classic Shell and it works just like Win 7, only faster.

 

[andyfraser]

I can't understand all the fuss about 8.1. Download Classic Shell and it works just like Win 7, only faster.

I actually like Windows 8.1. I have it on my desktop PC by choice.

 

[the_mikey]

A bit off topic but my biggest gripe with Windows 8 is the multi-touch gestures, even when they've been disabled in Windows there are still some occasions when they'll pop up and surprise you without warning, unexpectedly zooming into a webpage when all you want to do is scroll down for example. When I use a mouse on my windows 8 laptop I bump into fewer issues.

 

[perplexed]

Thank you so much one and all...

It's looking like another laptop is the best bet, so I'll do some further investigating on the suggestions thus far!

 

[fossyant]

Word type stuff then laptop. Tablets are great but there are times when you put them down. Form filling on a Web page on a tablet can be a challenge.

 

[luckyfox]

For your needs...laptop!

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I can't understand all the fuss about 8.1. Download Classic Shell and it works just like Win 7, only faster.

That's what I did, and the very fact that we have to download and install a third-party application just to make Windows 8.1 useable shows how annoying it is.

 

[ColinJ]

I really like my Galaxy Tab tablet, but once it comes to doing much typing, I prefer to be back on my old Dell D430 laptop which I am using to post this.

Screen sizes are a very personal thing. I have no problems with any laptop from 11.6" and up. I can see the screen ok and the use the keyboards well. I have a 11.6" and 14" Chromebook, both with chicklet keyboards, and a 15.6" old school laptop with old school laptop keyboard. In order of ease of seeing the screen and typing it's the 14" then the 11.6" then the 15.6". Have a look at a few in PC World to get some idea.

This Dell has a really nice keyboard and a 12" screen. I find it a good size to actually use on my lap. Since my DVT problem, I have not been able to sit at a desk or a table for longer than about 30-40 minutes without my damaged leg giving me problems, so I spend most of my computer time now stretched out with the Dell on my lap. A bigger computer would be too heavy to do that with for long.

So, I vote ... smallish laptop for work, tablet for play!

 

[hoopdriver]

This requirement alone says laptop to me. Swipeing on a tablet keyboard requires lots of corrections to words constantly and tapping individual letters to make words is time consuming.

I've just done that sentence on a tablet and has to correct 6 misdetected words as it was.

Totally agree.

I have both a laptop (Macbook Pro) and tablet (iPad Air II). I love the both. Both have their uses and with their uses they are brilliant. But if you need word processing, it HAS to be a laptop. No other realistic choice.

 

[Smokin Joe]

That's what I did, and the very fact that we have to download and install a third-party application just to make Windows 8.1 useable shows how annoying it is.

Correct, but you only have to do it once and it downloads in seconds.

Apparently, Win 10 is going to be a free upgrade?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Apparently, Win 10 is going to be a free upgrade?

And we all know how smoothly upgrades go.

 

[andyfraser]

I really like my Galaxy Tab tablet, but once it comes to doing much typing, I prefer to be back on my old Dell D430 laptop which I am using to post this.


This Dell has a really nice keyboard and a 12" screen. I find it a good size to actually use on my lap. Since my DVT problem, I have not been able to sit at a desk or a table for longer than about 30-40 minutes without my damaged leg giving me problems, so I spend most of my computer time now stretched out with the Dell on my lap. A bigger computer would be too heavy to do that with for long.

So, I vote ... smallish laptop for work, tablet for play!

I agree with that. Truth be told, my 14" Chromebook is a little on the large size but at the time they didn't do any other Chromebooks with 4GB RAM. I love the 11.6" ones.

I had DVT too. I seem to have got off lightly though. My right calf is permanently swollen and gives me the occasional twinge but nothing too serious.

 

[andyfraser]

Correct, but you only have to do it once and it downloads in seconds.

Apparently, Win 10 is going to be a free upgrade?

I heard that too. At least that's what the tech press is saying.

And we all know how smoothly upgrades go.

I went from Windows 7 to 8 then 8.1 without a hitch. I'll give Windows 10 upgrade a go.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I heard that too. At least that's what the tech press is saying.

I went from Windows 7 to 8 then 8.1 without a hitch. I'll give Windows 10 upgrade a go.

I've seen way too many fail and screw things up badly to expect any upgrade to work. Worked in IT too long.

 

[Smokin Joe]

A quick bit of online research and the opinion seems to be that you will have to pay for W10 but all future Windows upgrades will be free.

I think I'll stick with 8.1 after all. I've never actually upgraded any OS, I just wait till I need a new PC which obviously has the latest pre-installed. I suspect that's what most users do too.