PC v iPad v Laptop

square_bear

Hi all

I have a small dilemma.

My PC is on the way out, it's slow and keeps having all sorts of issues lately.
My family still use the PC for schoolwork, e-mails and household bills, but I find it a bit bulky sat in the room with all the cables and the printer.
I have a bit of money put aside and wondering if to:

1. Update the PC to make it faster, clean it up and add a bigger memory.
2. Get rid of PC and replace it wirth an iPad.
3. Get rid of PC and replace it with a Laptop.

Thanks

securityguy

My heart says that it's possible to do everything with an iPad, but I suspect that reality is rather different, especially for homework where there's an expectation that stuff is delivered in MS formats. I'm a Windows-free household, and we don't have Office on the machines in general use either, but I'm (a) in a position to sort some of the issues out technically and (b) if it comes to it, willing to have a row with the school about their obsession with Office (and it's a middle-class school where we're not the only people who don't use Windows or Office, which makes life easier).

iPads are also difficult for multiple users, as they have no support for it.

And all sorts of websites have little gotchas which make use with an iPad a pain, although over time such websites are being fixed or dying.

Sadly, at the moment, a laptop is probably the best move if it's your only device.

ukcarper

Having both I would say an Ipad is not a replacement for a PC or Laptop. Whether option 1 or 2 is best depends on present PC and if you really want to get rid of cables and would appreciate the portability of a laptop. You would still need a cable to connect to printer unless you have a wireless printer and personally I would use a mouse with Laptop.

InsideInsurance

As much of an apple fanboy I am, I agree with the others that they are not yet a replacement for a full computer. Great for surfing the net on the couch, fine for typing the occasional email etc but not something I would ever consider writing a long document on or manipulating business spreadsheets etc.

Desktop -v- laptop is an age old argument. We are fortunate and have both but the desktop is an all-in-one iMac so has a very small footprint. You obviously get more bang for your buck with a desktop as you arent paying for miniturisation or cooling/ power issues but these days many computers have far more bang than your average user needs anyway.

Desktops have bigger screens so much nicer to work at but do require a perm set up taking up space. If you have that space and dont need the flexibility of working anywhere then I'd stick to a desktop. If it takes up valuable space in your home or you need/want to be able to work from the library etc then a laptop.

Voydra

The other option depending on finances available is to go for a combination laptop/tablet such as a MS Surface or Lenovo Yoga where you have the full desktop experience with the added portability of a tablet.

If your working on a budget then a laptop will do you for most everyday activities.

StuC75

PC & Laptop are a direct comparison, and its always more convenient and less bulky to have a laptop instead as doesn't overwhelm the room.

Ipads are good but are a different type of device in terms of where there use is convenient. Have you considered a Surface type device so as to have a laptop \ tablet combination??

RumRat

iPad is OK for coffee table use but the rest of your usage, as others have said, would preclude it from the choices.
As for the rest of it, I guess the de-clutter solution is a laptop, but, with the whole family using it, personally, I would replace the PC and monitor. You could get a wireless PC and place it somewhere else in the room/house or use Powerline adapters to re-site it.

closed

post a hijackthis log, along with physical ram total and commit charge from task manager,

or backup and reinstall windows, problem solved

John259

Another variable if you opt for a laptop: Windows, Apple, or Chromebook?

I_have_spoken

The 1st gen of laptop/tablet hybrids like the HP Envy X2 are now around the £300 mark 2nd hand.

Being Windows (all be it 8.x), PC programs you already have should install OK.

Robisere

Nobody asking you these questions: -
* What do you do with your PC now?
* Do you want to carry on doing that, or add something else (ie games, etc.)

If you want to go more into gaming, a desktop box is best, with a good graphics card and monitor. Gaming laptops are very expensive.

If you only want low-level games and/or internet shopping, FBook etc, get a good laptop. Check this out, from CCL:

http://www.cclonline.com

In the "Search box", type NOT 9807 - that is the CCL code which will find a very nice Acer Aspire laptop for £339.99, with £40 cashback.

I have used CCL for years, my wife has an HP laptop, now 4½ years old, from them. First one had a minor fault, they sent me a Returns box, replacement delivered day after I sent it back.