'Progressing' from Desktop to laptop and now ? tablet'

[Deleted User]

Technically I am a very slow learner. After a long time I'm now wondering if I could, as a beginner, manage to 'work' a tablet. Would one work off my exisiting wireless router (like my Toshiba Laptop) and would I need new software? I have Microsoft Word, Excel and I use Microsoft Outlook for email.

Would I need to load things like anti virus such as Microsoft Security Essentials to a tablet? I apologise for my ignorance but would I be able to open my emails on a tablet in the same way as I do on my Toshiba Laptop or would I need a different email address etc?

I am really interested but I'm apprehensive. If it is possible I would like something 'fast' and not too small - maybe about 10 inches - but I am very open and would welcome any suggestions and advice etc.

Many thanks.

Crimson

neilwoods

Might be an idea to say what sort of budget you looking to spend.

[Deleted User]

neilwoods wrote: »

Might be an idea to say what sort of budget you looking to spend.

If I thought I could learn adequately to use a tablet - maybe up to £400. Would that be a 'good enough' budget or not, please? Thank you for replying.

Crimson

flashg67

The easiest transition would be to buy a tablet running Windows - and it looks like the range is about to expand - see here http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/windows-8-tablets-release-date-specs-and-prices-916134

Tablets from Apple or one of the many Android based tablets around will have a steepish learning curve initially and will mean 'changing your thinking' a bit. They're not difficult to master by any means but will mean using different software in some cases, eg for email.

Just to add, connecting a tablet to your wireless network is just the same as connecting your laptop

[Deleted User]

flashg67 wrote: »

The easiest transition would be to buy a tablet running Windows - and it looks like the range is about to expand - see here http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/windows-8-tablets-release-date-specs-and-prices-916134

Tablets from Apple or one of the many Android based tablets around will have a steepish learning curve initially and will mean 'changing your thinking' a bit. They're not difficult to master by any means but will mean using different software in some cases, eg for email.

Just to add, connecting a tablet to your wireless network is just the same as connecting your laptop

Thank you very much, flashg67. I'll look at the link you have provided. I really am slow to learn technical things but, once I get the hang of it, I'm usually OK.

Crimson.

penrhyn

A tablet is essentially a large smartphone( without the phone) and should be thought of as such. If you want one to check emails, twitter facebook and play angry birds then its just what you need. If you want to do serous work, word processing, spreadsheets and the like you need a proper computer not a toy.

PS I have a Nexus 7 and enjoy it for what it is. Serious stuff is done on the desktop.

PPS ipad mini on sale on November 2nd for £269.

neilwoods

penrhyn wrote: »

A tablet is essentially a large smartphone( without the phone) and should be thought of as such. If you want one to check emails, twitter facebook and play angry birds then its just what you need. If you want to do serous work, word processing, spreadsheets and the like you need a proper computer not a toy.

PS I have a Nexus 7 and enjoy it for what it is. Serious stuff is done on the desktop.

PPS ipad mini on sale on November 2nd for £269.

Would hardly call Asus tranformer pad a toy

[Deleted User]

I use email a lot, don't play any games, do on line banking and as well as general surfing I use eBay and purchase on line a fair bit. (I could still use my laptop for Microsoft Word and Spreadsheets etc.)

Would a Tablet do the job, please - bearing in mind that (even after a long time learning!) I'm still not too good with technology?

Thank you.

Crimson

Pikeyp

neilwoods wrote: »

Would hardly call Asus tranformer pad a toy

.. and I certainly wouldn't call a Microsoft Surface a toy either!!

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-gb

To answer your question , a tablet would certainly do the job very nicely!

BigRonW

Deleted_User wrote: »

I use email a lot, don't play any games, do on line banking and as well as general surfing I use eBay and purchase on line a fair bit. (I could still use my laptop for Microsoft Word and Spreadsheets etc.)

Would a Tablet do the job, please - bearing in mind that (even after a long time learning!) I'm still not too good with technology?

Thank you.

Crimson

A tablet would do ALL of the things you describe more than adequately; a tab' makes an ideal "couch surfer" - a gadget small enough to sit on the coffee table, and be picked up and used as easily as a magazine would be. Browse the web, pick-up and reply to emails... buy and sell on EBay... Speaking as an Android fan (that's the operating system found on most current tablets that aren't made by Apple) I'd say that versions 4 and 4.1 are very easy to use; we used to use the word "intuitive" of computers. When you enter a room at night, and you reach for the light switch, the switch tends to be "where you'd expect it to be", even if you've never been in that room before in your life. And that's what "Intuitive" used to mean when applied to computers. The most recent versions of Android HAVE been fairly "intuitive". Learning to use them well enough that they WORK takes almost no time at all, particularly if you already use Windows or Mac OS. The main surprise will be the ease of getting hold of and installing software and the cost. Most software is free, and a tablet generally costs less than a laptop.

[Deleted User]

BigRonW wrote: »

A tablet would do ALL of the things you describe more than adequately; a tab' makes an ideal "couch surfer" - a gadget small enough to sit on the coffee table, and be picked up and used as easily as a magazine would be. Browse the web, pick-up and reply to emails... buy and sell on EBay... Speaking as an Android fan (that's the operating system found on most current tablets that aren't made by Apple) I'd say that versions 4 and 4.1 are very easy to use; we used to use the word "intuitive" of computers. When you enter a room at night, and you reach for the light switch, the switch tends to be "where you'd expect it to be", even if you've never been in that room before in your life. And that's what "Intuitive" used to mean when applied to computers. The most recent versions of Android HAVE been fairly "intuitive". Learning to use them well enough that they WORK takes almost no time at all, particularly if you already use Windows or Mac OS. The main surprise will be the ease of getting hold of and installing software and the cost. Most software is free, and a tablet generally costs less than a laptop.

Thank you++ BigRonW. That's really a great help for me and lets me know that an Android Tablet is the way forward for me. I'm now very comfortable with Windows and would be (too easily) confused by anything significantly different. (Would I still use Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers on a tablet as I do on my present Toshiba laptop?)

As soon as I can make the financial 'investment - appreciating that value is as important, if not more so, than price' what do you suggest I should investigate and buy? Should I wait for something (like Windows) new coming soon or what do you think? I'd like something as fast as possible (once I learn how to use it - I wouldn't even be sure how to connect it to my wireless router as I needed professional help the last timewhen I moved from my PC/desktop to my present Toshiba laptop) and, within my capabilities, to keep pace with technology.

I have a small Sony Smart TV and have no idea how to use the Smart facility - I only use it on Freeview all the time - I was drawn to the Smart one because of its good picture and sound quality. My Netgear wireless router is at the opposite side of the room from the TV and I would not know what to plug in or where - at least not yet. (More homework!)

I'll be grateful and glad to receive any further advice, please.

Crimson