Big tablet

I'm very happy with my Nexus 7 and plan to use it til it wears out. However, lugging a laptop around is getting rather tiresome. I need the laptop for certain things, though, even on vacation. Some simple tasks, like answering email, can be done on the Nexus, but the 7" inch screen is too small for real work, and the on-screen touch keyboard is a pain to use.

What I figure I need is a 10+" tablet and a keyboard. Something I won't carry around everywhere, but can use on a desk or table as needed. I'd prefer a mouse, too, and even Windows.

And this is where things get complicated. Windows tablets run Win 8.x, naturally, which is good enough for touch but not for desktop work. The current Win8.x Update makes desktop work easier, but apparently may not be available when a touch screen is present.

A Microsoft Surface is out of the question due to cost. There are alternatives, though. Any advice?

Thanks.

As I understand it, most people buy the wireless keyboards to work with the Nexus 7.

But what you are asking for (large tablet and keypad) is inherently more expensive than a laptop or chromebook.

Quote: Pacomartin

As I understand it, most people buy the wireless keyboards to work with the Nexus 7.

The screen is still too small.

Quote:

But what you are asking for (large tablet and keypad) is inherently more expensive than a laptop or chromebook.

Oh, not at all. It migth be with a Windows Surface Pro, but not really otherwise. I don't want to connect a great many periferals, use it for extensive periods or anything like that. I don't even want a big deal of RAM. Just the realtively big screen and a keyboard. The idea is to sue it for very light work, not even to carry it around.

My laptop is a rather old (c.2008) Toshiba running Windows Vista (yes, I know that's better than Windows 8.x) Home Premium. My problem wiht it on vacation is that it weighs a great deal and uses up a rather large bag. A tablet and keyboard would weigh a fraction, take up less room, and require a smaller, lighter bag.

I think I should be able to get that in a range of $400-500 easy.

Quote: Nareed

I think I should be able to get that in a range of $400-500 easy.

Microsoft Surface (The original tablet) - 64GB with black Touch Cover is on sale for $329.
Screen: 10.6" Resolution: 1366 x 768 Chip: NVIDIA Tegra 3 | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) | Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology Up to 8 hours mixed activity
Two 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facing Stereo speakers and microphone

Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet (128 GB Hard Drive, 4 GB RAM, Windows 8 Pro) by Microsoft is around $600.


Are prices higher in Mexico? I sort of remember them being higher.

Quote: Pacomartin

Microsoft Surface (The original tablet) - 64GB with black Touch Cover is on sale for $329.
Screen: 10.6" Resolution: 1366 x 768 Chip: NVIDIA Tegra 3 | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) | Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy technology Up to 8 hours mixed activity
Two 720p HD cameras, front and rear-facing Stereo speakers and microphone

My fear is that it's outmoded, possibly surpassed by third-party hardware and I've no idea whether it can be upgraded to Win8.1 Update 1. The touch cover is a physical keypad, not a keyboard. I'd still need a real keyboard for it.

I've seen similar offers here and they were all RT. I already have useless hardware to prop doors open at need ;)

Quote:

Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet (128 GB Hard Drive, 4 GB RAM, Windows 8 Pro) by Microsoft is around $600.

Likely without a keyboard. As I said, outrageously expensive.

Quote:

Are prices higher in Mexico? I sort of remember them being higher.

For MS and most other brands, certainly. I got my 2012 Nexus at a bit under the price for a 2013 model in the US, even when considering the reabte.

Spekaing of tablets, I've been noticing deteriorating performance in my Nexus 7. Nothing major, but some recently updated apps tend to lag a bit sometimes. Also I'm getting tired of the notification to upgrade the OS to Kit Kat (who's the genius who caem up with this idea??) So I'm thinking abuot doing the upgrade, knowing full well I may regret it (I like Jelly Bean as is well enough)

So, should I? Will it help if I do?

MS announced and presented the Surface Pro 3 today. This means the Surface 2 (RT) and the Surface Pro 2 should soon drop in price.

I really don't want Win8 anywhere near myself at any time, even with the most recent 120-degree update (it didn't turn a full 180). But I might be able to tolerate it for short periods. I do like the Windows type covers, too. Lastly I'm hoping the S2Pro can be updated, when the time comes, to Win9. At the very least I could install Stardock.

I looke at some "big" tablets today, including the Surface Pro 2, and I'm rethinking my idea to get a big tablet.

I think what I need is a smaller, lighter laptop/ultrabook I can carry on trips more easily. My current laptop I got free when my mom bought and Apple desktop. She'd used the laptop as a desktop replacement, so it's big but also rather heavy. More so with the power brick, though for long trips I pack it in a suitcase. I'd pack the laptop in a suitcase, too, but 1) it eats up weight and space, and 2) the way I've seen bags handled I wouldn't put anything remotely fragile in one without some protection.

Then there's the matter of cost, too.

I've been looking at a variety of notebooks and tablets. Some are at a decent enough price and have adequate dimensions.

I just can't bring myself to get a Windows 8 device.

Oh, I can fix it. I know how. But I'll still wait for Windows 9 and see what that's like. Alas, I don't think it will be out in time for my next vacation.

Speaking of waiting, Google anounced yesterday the upcoming version of Android. As yet it has no name, just a project name ("L" which is as original as naming a casino D). This looks like a really big change and I'm guessing I'll have to update. For now that means I'll never update to version 4.4.2 "Kit Kat." Not that I'll be thrilled with the next version, be it 5.0 or 4.4.4 (or 5.0), which will undoubtedly be saddled with another cutesy name(*), but I'm guessing many apps won't run well unless I upgrade <sigh>

At lest I'll wait a few months for the bugs to manifest themselves so most can get fixed. Then I'll upgrade.


(*) If anyone at Google has a mean streak and a sense of history, and given how Android may overtake Windows in number of "devices" in the near future, they should name the next version "Longhorn."

Not that I expect many people to know why that would be mean and appropriate.