Computer/Tablet Recommendation
Tim-M
Posts: 522
Hey Guys and Gals,
Our primary home computer (a desktop) went down hard yesterday and it's time for a replacement. Not having owned a tablet or any touch product for that matter as yet, I'd appreciate your advice about which way to go... desktop, laptop or tablet, and what's the better bang for the buck. Our primary use for that machine was online R&D, online banking, email and technical document storage.
The budget is kinda tight right now but I'm always willing to spend more up front for better hardware or a better result, so don't let cost get in the way.
A tablet has advantages of portability, but my eyesight isn't the best and I hedge a little bit at the small screen size... I also want to have schematics and technical docs handy and am wondering if there are PDF or other file type limitations with tablets like there used to be.
Appreciate the help and advice,
Tim
Our primary home computer (a desktop) went down hard yesterday and it's time for a replacement. Not having owned a tablet or any touch product for that matter as yet, I'd appreciate your advice about which way to go... desktop, laptop or tablet, and what's the better bang for the buck. Our primary use for that machine was online R&D, online banking, email and technical document storage.
The budget is kinda tight right now but I'm always willing to spend more up front for better hardware or a better result, so don't let cost get in the way.
A tablet has advantages of portability, but my eyesight isn't the best and I hedge a little bit at the small screen size... I also want to have schematics and technical docs handy and am wondering if there are PDF or other file type limitations with tablets like there used to be.
Appreciate the help and advice,
Tim
Comments
I have a lot of programs I need for work, for example, the Propeller Programming tool, and the Basic Stamp Editor. These will not run under the iPad or Android systems.
I bought a Samsung ATIV 11" tablet running Windows 8 with full touch screen functionality, and it was one of the best investments I've made. It's only got 32 GB of main storage, though, but it has a micro SD card slot in which I've stuffed a 64GB card, and I use that as my archival storage.
For portability, it can't be beat. It also has USB slots, something iDevices lack - but are required for stamp/propeller programming, as well as several other external items I need to hook up on a daily basis. Its networking is as standard as any other device, so I can transfer files around when my other systems are on the same network.
With a Windows 8 tablet running touch screen functionality, you'll find it pretty easy to use. Windows 8 without touch (ie., mouse only) is counterintuitive to say the least and very clunky.
Running Android or iOS will give you issues with file formats like PDF, etc., that vary from system to system. You will possibly need to download apps to handle various files that a full Windows system will handle with ease.
All tablets and laptops offer accessibility options to increase font and icon sizes as you like. Under Control Panels, look for the Accessibility Options control panel and experiment until you get the interface to a comfortable viewing experience.
If you've never owned a touch device before - I wouldn't worry too much. It's an extremely intuitive interface. Be sure to get a device that has good touch tech, however. Look for a glass-like, shiny screen that takes very light finger drag. iPads have an excellent touch response. My Samsung ATIV does as well. Avoid the "matte" finished screens - you'll find they need more time to figure out what you're touching and they have poorer resolution, and you'll get frustrated quickly.
Cost wise, my Samsung ATIV has an 11" screen and ran me around $425.00. It's been worth every fraction of a cent I spent.
Keep us posted on your progress and choices.
Dave
gorilla hands syndrome using it.
Tablets are media devices, not programmers tools, but it sounds like that's OK for what you need (you never needed
the desktop really).
One little caveat. DVD drive. Tablets don't come with any removable drives other than USB / SDcard (perhaps there's
a monster one or two that do, but as a rule...).
Really good points made about what software that tablets will run and USB port availability, etc. these are exactly the reasons why I have the laptop I'm using now. Even though the primary uses are as listed, I'd like to have the portability of a tablet, but also the convenience of being able to run programming software, use external devices, etc.
@ Dave/xantos, thanks for your detailed writeup. I looked up the Samsung ATIV and it appears to come in several flavors... is that the case and do you mind sharing which model you have?
All these changes seem to come at a nuisance cost. Trying to preserve open architecture and open source code.
Nonetheless, the Samsung Galaxy devices seem to be a good value.. if you must. Today's Taiwan Times has an article claiming 1 billion touchpad telephones are now in use. I am still using a clam-shell phone.
It's model # XE500T1C, 32gb, 11" screen. I also bought the external keyboard that goes with so that when I need to do just a bit more typing than is comfortable on-screen, I can use it as a regular laptop. The voice recognition on this unit is also very, surprisingly, good. I can control it or dictate letters by voice alone.
That said, I do also have a Sony VAIO laptop running dual monitors for my more involved, tedious from-the-ground-up design work. Dual monitors are really indispensable in that capacity... but the convenience of the tablet when travelling and/or field programming is incredible.
FYI, I'm typing on the tablet's screen keyboard right now... not too bad!
http://www.asus.com/in-search-of-incredible/us-en/asus-transformer-book-t100/
I am just not willing to make the jump from Linux to Android or to Windows 8... that seems a step backwards.
I priced out a build this morning for a mid range desktop using top quality parts:
Intel Core i3 3.3 GHz with HD4000 Graphics
4 GB DDR3 PC-1600 RAM
2x USB 3.0
4x USB 2.0
Gigabit Ethernet
SATA III 6 Gb/s
HDMI/DVI/D-Sub video ports
Samsung 128 GB SATA III SSD
SeaSonic 520 watt Active PFC Modular power supply
Price including a decent $50 case to put it all in was $519
You would, of course, have to decide on an operating system. If Windows, then add another $100.
The all-in-one/transformer idea looks interesting, appearing to give the best of full PC capability and offering portability, I'll take a closer look there Loopy, thank you...
I appreciate the desktop bang-for-the-buck and the build-your-own advice, strong considerations there too. Thanks for the taking the time to price components and specs RDL2004!
Dave/Xanatos, I'm going to take a hard look at the Samsung lineup... Thanks for specifics on what you've got in front of you. I'm kind of surprised to hear you were posting from the touch screen... that you are comfortable enough to type that much by that method.
This is great feedback everybody and I'm grateful. I'll let you know where it goes.
Tim
Thanks very much,
Tim
Mine came with XP but I'll be installing Win7 soon.
Erco - The machine I'm using now is about a 5 year old Acer Aspire. It's done well for us so I can see why you still enjoy yours.
We did get to take a lap around Best Buy this afternoon and I'm happy to say that choices have dramatically improved and prices have come down considerably since I last looked about 3 years ago. I'm still in homework mode and didn't walk away with something new yet, but some decisions have been made.
- I will run a full OS, have USB ports/full connectivity, and the ability to run semi-specialty software for programming uC's, PLC's, etc..
- I'd like a Solid State Hard Drive or Hybrid combo so boot times will be fast.
- Portability may be nice and so the all-in-ones or docking tablet styles have draw.
- I feel pretty out of date, so I'm wondering if a touch product would be good just to bring me up to speed a bit... everything has gone that way already.
Wow, tablet screens sure are nice now! My wife really likes the idea of being able to surf and check email from an easy chair rather than sit at a desk all the time.
That's the latest everybody. Thanks again for your help and keep the info coming as you think of things, it's really appreciated. All of you are a great resource!
Tim
Tim
I may be a bit late at chiming in, but I just purchased an HP Envy Touchsmart m7 Sleekbook.
It' my 1st attempt at moving forward in time to more recent technology.
This I my thoughts so far:
1: Touch screen is nice, but I don't like my screen looking like a dog was licking on it.
I cleaned the screen after a couple of days use, and have't touched it since.
2; The mousey pad works ok, but I've always had trouble using those, so I purchased Logitech mouse - the mouse works very good and pretty much eliminates
the need to use touch screen or mousey pad.
3: Windows 8.1 - I had the geeks install it, Windows 8.1 is very different from anything I've ever used. I spent many hours trying to find out how to turn things OFF.
After abut 20 hrs or so, Windows 8.1 is starting to feel relatively natural.
4: I'm currently attempting to install some CAD software.
So far I'm stalled out, but am hoping that I'll be able to evaluate, reinstall, uninstall and be able to get things working
THE FUTURE:
I have an HP DraftPro DXL plotter.
It's very obsolete, but I use it on my old XP DELL computer on a regular basis.
Not much help appears to be available and my original documentation from time of purchase has been lost.
I'll need to get some type of converter from USB to the DBx connector and also find some type of Driver that will work.
It's yet another adventure.
While typing this, it appears that the auto spelling and grammer corrector does not agree with me.
I'm hoping this post turns out to be readable.
Just my Two Cents worth.
Garyg
Thanks for your help and input,
Tim
P.S. My wife and I are planning to move from the Pacific NW to Wisconsin soon to be closer to family. We'll get to share that cold weather with you! You sick of it yet?
I'm attempting to schedule a trip to the Pacific North West to see what it's like.
Wisconsin is interesting in that depending on where In Wisconsin you are located, weather in the winter is either cold or very cold.
East coast of Wisconsin - on lake Michigan is normally the warm part of the state.
Where I live - East coast, it's pretty much like a desert
Very cold, not that much snow.
Normal is <32 f from about mid December until sometime in March.
I've been sick of it for years, but family ties keep me here.
Good luck on your endevour. Either you will like it or you won't.
Garyg
Thanks for your well wishes Gary. We have a pretty good idea of what we're in for... and cringe a little bit about it. My wife grew up in Illinois and I lived in Wisconsin as a young kid. Family is important and that's what takes us there now.
Holler if you have questions about the Pacific NW, I've been here since 1990 and there are others in the group from the area too. It is a beautiful place to live. Western Washington is lush and green with mild winters, all of the seasons are pretty mild actually. The biggest complaint comes from those who stay... the long stretches of gray skies and low light can wear on your head after a while. Washington has a lot of beautiful variety to offer.
Tim
In both cases the performance was the main requirement, so the habe a lot of memory and a good graphic card. I recently purchased the notebook (a gamer's Asus), and it comes with windows 8.1
I usually call my programs clicking on the start menu and typing part of the name, so windows 8 is not what I like.
First thing I found is classicshell.net which brings back the usual interface.
I use a wired mouse (the touchpad only if really necessary and for the shortest time).
If you want to keep room for future improvements consider the performance boosts are more memory and SSD.
Don't try dual monitor!!! It is addictive... I cannot live without it anymore... software like CAD with floating bars scream for a dual monitor...
Massimo
Tim
I'm doing laser scans, and have big huge point clouds to visualize. In my case the best trade off was a gamers notebook.
With any machine a little bit of room for improvement doesn't hurt. With a notebook you cannot upgrade graphic card or processor.
Memory and disk offer margin for the future.
I'm not a fan of costly machines, after all when you hold a new notebook it in your hand it's already old by definition.. :-)
Massimo
How old are the 'remains'?
Is the monitor still OK, or is it something you planned to replace anyway?
If it was the HDD that died, and the rest is 'not too ancient', it may be 'cost effective' to just replace it With a decent SSD.
(It's what we're planning to do With 3year old machines, and even some of the 4year olds, at the Office)