It is time for me to get a new device to replace my 5 years old laptop. I carried my laptop at least once a year on the VFR. (tmac) My 15.6” laptop is a little cumbersome in the bike trunk. I would like to get a somewhat motorcycle friendly device. I have been debating among a tablet, ultrabook and laptop. These are the advantages I see. What are your thoughts? What would you pick (or have) for yourself and why?
Tablet:
Smaller
More durable
Last longer per charge
Smaller charging cable than laptop and same as my phone.
Can be charged while riding
Easily can act as a GPS
Laptop/ultrabook:
Better to type on.
Bigger screen.
Can store pictures/videos from camera or GoPro.
I could use it for school.
The first question is what do you want to use it for? Typing out or editing papers, intensive web browsing or spreadsheets I'd go with a laptop/ultrabook, maybe a 14" screen with one of the SSD drives. Some laptops are coming with touchscreens too, check HP.
I use my 7" Kindle Fire "on the road" when I know I'll need more than my phone for email and web but don't want to lug around my old laptop. Fits nicely in a tankbag. Battery life is a huge plus. If you don't go with a 3 or 4G tablet, most with just wifi will tether to your phone wirelessly, like I do with the Kindle.
When I get home though I always revert back to the laptop, not sure I'm ready to give that up for just a tablet. Although there are the add on keyboards/screens/storage devices to expand them.
ACER Aspire 100, used to run Ubuntu netbook remix, which was great. I need to find a more modern lightweight version of Ubuntu, but that's not quite what you're asking...
I'd still choose some sort of netbook - something with a real keyboard.
So call me a dinosaur.
Glenn
Up untill now I haven't been interested in a tablet, but as my laptop is also getting close to the end of it's life cycle I am interested in the soon to be introduced
Surface by Microsoft that looks like it can be used as both.
This is assuming that you have a desktop at home that you can do real work on when you need to.
If you need to do any normal computing or file storing, then you have to go laptop. If you just want something to check email on or look at some web pages while you're on the road, then any cheap tablet will do the trick. I picked up an old Micro Velocity tablet for $50 that can serve that purpose. Well, actually got it for the shop to see if it could replace the 15 year old rolodex (it can). And I wouldn't use it as a GPS. The cost of the data plan alone would let you buy a decent to nice GPS with more functions (and probably work with gloves on).
Can't really recommend a netbook unless it is really cheap. Not something you want to live with. Slow and not that nice to work on. Great for portability though.
If you don't have a desktop at home, then you probably should get a laptop. Asus Zenbook UX31E is a pretty nice one. Lenovo Ideapads are pretty good too, but pricier.
I carry a Glock 26.
+1 G23 and my backpack! Soon to be carring an iPhone if I can find a mount that'saffordable and works.
I carry a Glock 26.
:+1: That's exactly what I was thinking. Either a Glock 26 or 36.
Kel Tec PF-9 WHY? for virus protection.
Kel Tec P3AT Mostly for zombies.