Tablet or Laptop Transformer?

[Gloamglozer]

I've been looking at either getting a tablet or a laptop transformer such as the Asus Transformer Prime.  But I'm not sure if the transformers are worth it.

Any thoughts?

[shinny]

Depends on your intended purpose. Tablets are purely for media consumption (e-books, videos/movies etc) versus a transformer which has the added benefit of media creation (typing up notes and assignments). I think the added weight of a transformer makes it less ideal for a media consumption role so it really depends what your primary purpose is I guess.

[86]

You may want to go with a transformer. Microsoft just announced their new tablets running Windows 8, called the 'Surface'. Even the most basic version, the Surface running ARM and Windows 8 RT, weighs only about 670 or so grams. And that includes a small stand at the back to keep it upright, and an incredibly thin touch-sensitive keyboard that probably weighs next to nothing.

It's Microsoft's answer to the insane popularity of the iPad. It's also a big deal because how often do Microsoft enter the hardware market? Not often

Read more:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/the-only-post-you-need-to-read-about-microsofts-t

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2012/06/what-is-the-microsoft-surface-tablet/

http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/18/microsoft-surface-tablets-the-differences-between-rt-and-window/?a_dgi=aolshare_twitter

And have a look at the trailer video. Quite a dramatic departure from the typical Windows videos if you ask me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzu3HM2CIo&list=FLfskJDaDz3KpDiChJbvWDeQ&index=3&feature=plpp_video

Depends on your intended purpose. Tablets are purely for media consumption (e-books, videos/movies etc) versus a transformer which has the added benefit of media creation (typing up notes and assignments). I think the added weight of a transformer makes it less ideal for a media consumption role so it really depends what your primary purpose is I guess.

Tablets alone can go beyond media consumption - you can use the virtual keyboard if you wish for typing documents and such. Although, without a keyboard attachment, e-books and pdfs are so much better to read. The added weight from a keyboard attachment shouldn't be too much of a bother, they don't weigh that much in the first place anyway.

Edit: Replaced 'Windows' with 'Microsoft' - very silly mistake.

[shinny]

Tablets alone can go beyond media consumption - you can use the virtual keyboard if you wish for typing documents and such. Although, without a keyboard attachment, e-books and pdfs are so much better to read. The added weight from a keyboard attachment shouldn't be too much of a bother, they don't weigh that much in the first place anyway.

I'm well aware that tablets can type, but they're undoubtedly incredibly inefficient at it. I'd use my iPad on the very odd occasion for replying to an email but even that is a pain. Formatting is also made quite difficult without a mouse. If I wanted to do something serious like type up a report, I'd have to wait until I get a laptop or a desktop before I'd even consider doing so.

[Phy124]

Windows just announced their new tablets running Windows 8, called the 'Surface'.

[Gloamglozer]

Tablets alone can go beyond media consumption - you can use the virtual keyboard if you wish for typing documents and such. Although, without a keyboard attachment, e-books and pdfs are so much better to read. The added weight from a keyboard attachment shouldn't be too much of a bother, they don't weigh that much in the first place anyway.

I'm well aware that tablets can type, but they're undoubtedly incredibly inefficient at it. I'd use my iPad on the very odd occasion for replying to an email but even that is a pain. Formatting is also made quite difficult without a mouse. If I wanted to do something serious like type up a report, I'd have to wait until I get a laptop or a desktop before I'd even consider doing so.

Yeah that was my main thought: to kill to birds with the one stone.  If I just needed for lecture slides, or media consumptions as you said, just whip out the tablet.  But if I needed to work on an assignment, just slip on the keyboard and I have a laptop.

But then it got me thinking, wouldn't that be an overkill?  Additionally, with the Asus Transformer Prime and other Android operating tablets, I don't think the word processing software is that good?  Like I'd have to convert it back to a .doc before I can open it on Microsoft Word?  Not quite sure, please correct me if I'm wrong.  I've only played around with it in the display of shops.

[Graphite]

Like you say, probably a good idea to get a transformer so you get both a netbook and tablet.
I think Asus is getting a new one released in July (Asus infinity transformer)
Not sure about the file conversion thing though, but on my phone I can get microsoft word and use that directly so do you think we can do the same on a tablet?

[paulsterio]

My advice is to get an ultrabook, or a thin, lightweight notebook. I have an ultraportable (not an ultrabook) as well as an iPad and a desktop and really, the only time I really use my iPad is when I'm in bed because a laptop is quite awkward, like, I have to sit up instead of lying down.

Just everything is quite frustrating with the tablet because it has so many limitations. Web browsing isn't just as fast as a laptop. Apps are most of the time a bit of a gimmick, storage is limited and control is limited. One of the most frustrating things with a tablet (Android is better in this regard than Apple) is that they don't have a file system, so unlike Windows, you can't "browse the drives".

In many ways, I reckon, it's the fact that I have a laptop which I always carry around and the fact that I'm so used to Windows (which I've been using for the past 16 years or so) which just makes me connect more easily with my laptop.

Essentially, the only things I end up doing on my tablet these days is using it when it's impractical to use my laptop, using it for quick things such as checking my timetable and using it to watch movies and read books.

[Somye]

Tablets alone can go beyond media consumption - you can use the virtual keyboard if you wish for typing documents and such. Although, without a keyboard attachment, e-books and pdfs are so much better to read. The added weight from a keyboard attachment shouldn't be too much of a bother, they don't weigh that much in the first place anyway.

I'm well aware that tablets can type, but they're undoubtedly incredibly inefficient at it. I'd use my iPad on the very odd occasion for replying to an email but even that is a pain. Formatting is also made quite difficult without a mouse. If I wanted to do something serious like type up a report, I'd have to wait until I get a laptop or a desktop before I'd even consider doing so.

Yeah that was my main thought: to kill to birds with the one stone.  If I just needed for lecture slides, or media consumptions as you said, just whip out the tablet.  But if I needed to work on an assignment, just slip on the keyboard and I have a laptop.

But then it got me thinking, wouldn't that be an overkill?  Additionally, with the Asus Transformer Prime and other Android operating tablets, I don't think the word processing software is that good?  Like I'd have to convert it back to a .doc before I can open it on Microsoft Word?  Not quite sure, please correct me if I'm wrong.  I've only played around with it in the display of shops.

You can definitely make word documents with an android tablet, it's a matter of buying/ 'finding' the right/best apps to do it. Documents to Go isn't a bad one and Quickoffice is pretty good as well.
Definitely agree with Paul though, getting a small laptop would be better as it gives you so much more functionality than a tablet and even a transformer. I know that I barely use my GTab for extensive work simply because it becomes too frustrating to type/edit

[Graphite]

What are the functions that a laptop offers but transformer doesn't?

[paulsterio]

Graphite, you can't just answer that question outright, it's more than just "functions", it's what the devices were designed for. Tablets are designed for different purpose to computers, they were not designed to replace computers, but they are designed to be a supplement to computers. They're essentially a consumer electronics device and it's what you'd say is a cross between a phone and a computer, getting some of the "functions" of both, but making sacrifices in order to get that.

One of the things about tablets is that they're not designed for productivity, so software that we take for granted on a computer such as photoshop...etc. won't be available. On top of that, limited storage, the fact that touchscreens are inaccurate compared to mice and also the lack of true multitasking (viewing two programs at once) is really what holds it back for me. It can replace my computer 90% of the time, but the 10% of the time it can't, it's really annoying.