PC vs tablet

[mill4six]

So the laptop is on it's way out and I'm wondering do I really need a new one? Would a good tablet suffice? Given that all I use it for is email , Facebook, forums, a few photos and some very basic word processing and spreadsheets. I ask because even now I use my smartphone a fair bit especially as it's immediate whereas the pc takes a while to boot up and even then It's usually blocked by the kids. Phone is a bit of a faff though. Any recommendations?

[Psamathe]

There is still quiet a large "gap" between functionality of a laptop and a phone/tablet. Photo processing (e.g. Photoshop/Lightroom), Office (e.g. MS Word/Excel/etc), etc. not available (as of today) for phone/tablet. There are cut down versions but they have "limited functionality". For example, Apple's Pages, Numbers (their word processor/spreadsheet) were dramatically reduced in functionality when release for phone/tablet.

To what extent those limitations might affect you depends totally on the detail of your use.

I find typing a lot faster on a proper keyboard that using an on-screen keyboard (but I have got faster on-screen). But if you are only typing in 140 character posts most of the time, probably not a big issue.

I think the software market for phone/tablet apps is becoming rather messy at the moment. They are still designed as complementary to a desk/lap-top computer (though can operate without one). And every company wants to direct you to their services. Thus Apple need/require you to use iCloud (Google their own services), whilst Microsoft apps (for iOS and Android) require you to use SkyDrive, Adobe apps only use their "cloud services", etc. Instead of giving you the freedom and configurability of desk/lap-top systems, they reduce functionality and tie you in more (offering you less).

Ian

[[XAP]Bob]

MrsBob's latest book was authored on her tablet - they are perfectly good computers.

Bluetooth keyboards are excellent.

My personal opinion (which I have stated previously) is that tablets are the way to go. Unless you have a "killer app" which reqyires a PC (e.g. Sage requires windows).

Word processing on Pages, Google Docs, Polaris or whatever you have is fine for 99% of people's needs.

Personally I have a nexus tablet, and a folding BT keyboard. Takes care if everything I need, because anything sophisticated I do on a remote linux box (as in it's in a data centre somewhere). MrsBob uses her iPad pretty much exclusively. I can happily recommend either.

[[XAP]Bob]

wrt photos - what do you do with them?

[rjb]

I still use a desktop pc. I often use it to convert audio LP's and cassette tapes to mp3 format, This isn't even possible with a tablet or even a laptop due to the lack of a stereo audio input - all the ones I have seen only have a mono mic input. So life in the old dog yet.
On the other hand I use an ipod for emails, facetime calls, checking the weather and other useful apps.

[mill4six]

wrt photos - what do you do with them?

Sometimes (occasionally) I look at them, that's it!

[al_yrpal]

From what you describe, its quite basic. I have a desktop all in one Acer PC, must be 5 years old. The things I do on it are: -

Anything financial, bank accounts, shares etc
Photo editing with Photoshop and Lightroom
Booking anything like flights hotels etc
Spreadsheets (a real fag on a tablet)

I have a Nexus 7 tablet with a bluetooth keyboard and whilst its useable and easy to print from, I don't find it that comfortable to use. Personally I don't like laptops either they seem to be poor substitutes for a desktop pc with a proper mouse and keyboard.

Al

[Paulatic]

Had an ipad over a year now. Switched on laptop twice in that time purely to print something.

[horizon]

I get the impression that most people don't need or use a PC except at work; the rest of the time it's just checking emails and the TV schedule. In fact, on that basis most people don't even need even a smartphone (just do without it for a day to see, it's quite easy). I don't have a device of any sort other than the landline and a PC (my mobile is generally switched off and uncharged). At work, it's totally different - most people are still equipped with full-on PCs of some sort unless they are out and about e.g. traffic wardens. I've mentioned on here before about how potentially useful a tablet/phablet/smartphone is for cyclists due to its size but I'm still struggling to see a real need for one. I'm not being Luddite about this - I reckon that phablets and smart phones are going to blow a huge hole in the great PC myth: that they play a major role in people's lives outside work. They don't - smartphones can give you the weather, Facebook, a few emails and your bank balance. Away from my work desk I don't even bother with that. No wonder Microsoft is going down the pan.

[[XAP]Bob]

I still use a desktop pc. I often use it to convert audio LP's and cassette tapes to mp3 format, This isn't even possible with a tablet or even a laptop due to the lack of a stereo audio input - all the ones I have seen only have a mono mic input. So life in the old dog yet.
On the other hand I use an ipod for emails, facetime calls, checking the weather and other useful apps.

Erm...

Ok, my tablet only has mono input, but I have an external recorder, which is quite decent, all I need to do is import and trim/convert/etc the files. And for the price difference between a decent tablet and a decent PC then a decent recorder can be obtained, with much higher quality inputs than an average PC...

[honesty]

Remember windows 8 tablets are full PCs...

[Mick F]

........... I reckon that phablets and smart phones are going to blow a huge hole in the great PC myth: that they play a major role in people's lives outside work. They don't - smartphones can give you the weather, Facebook, a few emails and your bank balance.

Yep.
Spot on.

[VanDeRooster]

I very rarely switch on my laptop these days. It only gets used to store and process photos.
Most other things are done from either my iPhone or iPad.

[Cunobelin]

Remember windows 8 tablets are full PCs...

... Windows 8

That excludes it for me!

[freeflow]

I have a Sony Xperia Z ultra smartphone that I use for most things except work (including riding my bike). Its a little bit smaller than a Nexus and easily fits in my pocket but for most peple is probably a bit too expensive. For work I can't get by without at least two large screen monitors. For music Amazon now provides downloadable MP3 copies of most CD's which you get automatically when you buy the CD but any other ripping or audio fiddling I definitely do on my PC. Oh, and smartphones are no replacement for the full on first person shooter type games which my inner child still enjoys playing .

Most android devices happily support bluetooth keyboards and bluetooth mice.