cheap tablet with optional detachable keyboard?

overcharged

Hi Guys

Any tips or thoughts for a cheap tablet with a compatible optional detachable keyboard?

For my girlfriend - a student - She needs it just for word processing (typing up essays) and that's it.

She wants a tablet since they're extremely light and she has to cart it about in her backpack (the laptop she has at the moment is ancient and weighs a ton -- not good for her bad back).

She's not bothered about fancy internet stuff or anything. Ideally a compatible wired or bluetooth detachable keyboard could be attached to it. A USB port too to save docs to a memory stick also.

Any thoughts or tips whatsoever much appreciated!

Warm regards

overcharged

So far I'm thinking:

Tesco Hudl
Amazon Basics Keyboard ( http://www.modaco.com/topic/365711-amazonbasics-bluetooth-keyboard/ )
She could hopefully use Google Docs offline on the Hudl without any internet connection -- is this possible?

macman

If she has to lug the k/b around as well, what's the point? A netbook with a proper k/b and screen would be a a better option.
Any USB keyboard should work, there are tablet covers available with a keyboard built in.

Tigsteroonie

I have a 7" inch android tablet with a case that incorporates a small keyboard (connected by usb). Personally I find I cannot type more than a couple of lines of email on it - the keyboard is just too small.

overcharged

macman wrote: »

If she has to lug the k/b around as well, what's the point? A netbook with a proper k/b and screen would be a a better option.
Any USB keyboard should work, there are tablet covers available with a keyboard built in.

Bit confused when searching for Netbooks with proper keyboards. My iMac keyboard is 16 inches width (40cm) but can't locate Netbooks with that size of keyboard. Still searching though

macman

You won't find full sized kb's on a netbook-typical netbook screen is 10 or 11", so the width for the kb will obviously be less than the screen diagonal.
By 'proper' kb I mean a physical kb, not the virtual one on a tablet.
But even a netbook kb without a separate numeric pad will still be vastly better than a tablet's virtual one for productivity.

tyllwyd

Does she always have to carry the laptop around? Could she maybe get a tablet for making notes in lectures etc, and keep the laptop at home for when she wants to write essays?

I agree that a 7 inch screen is going to be hopeless for trying to write. We've got a 10 inch netbook, and that is fine for emails and web browsing and OK to type on, but I wouldn't want to do a long essay using it.

anotheruser

Not the cheapest but the best at the moment is the Microsoft Surface.
Save some money and get the RT version... it comes with MS Office in the purchase price.

Surface 32Gb RT - £250ish

A type keyboard "cover" (one with actual keys) is around £100 (£89 from ebay, £109 from MS direct).
A touch cover (a keyboard with touch sensitive pressure pads) is cheaper but harder to use for some people as you're not pressing down on anything, just tapping an area of the keyboard.
Having a completely separate keyboard will be more difficult to lug around than a laptop.

However they are as light as ever, good tablets and a new OS which will work for what she needs it for.
You want something that will last.

overcharged

Some great advice here guys - thanks to everyone who has contributed Serious food for thought here!

overcharged

Swooped for a used Samsung XE303C12 Chromebook apparently in good nick with warranty still active until May for £156 from Ebay -- better than a poke in the eye! Can save onto mem stick, has a keyboard, long battery, and she can use Google Docs offline.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm tempted to get one for myself, so I may well delve back into this thread!

bad-head-day

overcharged wrote: »

Swooped for a used Samsung XE303C12 Chromebook apparently in good nick with warranty still active until May for £156 from Ebay -- better than a poke in the eye! Can save onto mem stick, has a keyboard, long battery, and she can use Google Docs offline.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm tempted to get one for myself, so I may well delve back into this thread!

If we can Shoehorn Linux on to it, then I'll be able to run it up the flagpole and push the button on that.