Undecided between netbook and tablet

[Ivo]

I'm going to the U.S. soon and I was planning to take the opportunity to buy a cheaper machine (lower taxes and favorable exchange rate). But I am having trouble deciding what to get.

I have a netbook (an Asus Eee PC 1000H). It is shared with another person and as we are not together all the time it has become inconvenient as sometimes we both could use it. Still it makes me consider a tablet much more seriously as I would still have the option of swapping the tablet and netbook around (although not all the time).

I will be using whatever I get mostly for traveling so a lighter tablet seems appealing. The main purpose is browsing / e-mail, but even beyond the mails I need to edit or enter some text (which is why I'm not sure if I should go keyboard-less tablet).

So, advice, opinions?
Any particular model recommendations are also welcome.

[elslasho]

I've always been interested in getting this if I ever invest in anything tablet-wise:

http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/asus-ee ... 67853.html

Just my style; cheap, thin, and has a nice add on keyboard that makes it great for text editing.

[KDub]

Indeed, I was never interested in a tablet until the Transformer. Asus makes great hardware too.

[isiolia]

The thing with most of the tablets on the market versus a netbook is that they're running lighter OSes. iOS, Android, WebOS, etc. There are tablets n' slates running Windows as well, but they're probably above the price point you were considering.

Most tablets do have an external keyboard you can use, though it's usually an additional cost. The software keyboard on the iPad (at least) is serviceable, but not great for doing a lot of typing. Those devices are being made to view content, not create it - though I've seen my iPad balk at plenty of content. No Flash, of course, but it also doesn't handle particularly large images, lags on scripts, that kind of thing. It can be a pain to click small page elements (thread page numbers for example) without zooming in as well.

The use is kind of different. A tablet is more of an appliance. There are some uses that the touch interface is better suited to - but web browsing or text editing aren't really among them. The instant-on nature of them makes for a lot nicer of a secondary device to have around the house. The form factor can often be more comfortable to use when there's no convenient surface to put a laptop on.

If it's a secondary device to a good desktop PC or something, I'd probably go with a tablet. While not as overall capable as a netbook/laptop, as a second computing device, it's probably something you'd use more often, even when not traveling. The iPad is probably still the best overall device there.

If you do look at a laptop, a lot of netbooks out there are well behind the curve. Depending on the reasons you're looking at one, you might be better off spending a little more on a full-featured laptop.

[Ivo]

I have full desktops in more than one location. I used to have a full-fledged laptop several years ago when they used to be 15'' 4x3 (now they tend towards 17'' 16x9 I think). It was in the "desktop replacement" category that probably and it was a brick to carry around when traveling. I've been satisfied with the netbook for travels but because I already have one (just not full-time) I'm unsure if I should try a slate.

Indeed I've watched the Asus transformer (although the keyboard extension - with extends the battery life as well - is a bit expensive at 100 bucks or so).

I've also seen some Windows tablets at lower price tabs than the 1k one linked here!

Ivo.

[pakopako]

Just wanted to throw this in -- tablet PCs
I've got an old (OK, a very old) Toshiba M200 which is essentially a larger netbook with tablet features that's priced competitively.
HP and DELL both offer more modern versions, but you will be paying a more modern price.

I reiterate what isiolia speaks -- you get a tablet to facilitate everyday tasks. Buying movie tickets, checking Facebook, etc. It's like an easier-to-see smartphone. A netbook (or ultra-portable notebook) is more for full-function PC use. This includes image editing or going to more fully-featured webpages or forums.

Or you could look into the small PC with a touchscreen, the Pandora.

[isiolia]

I've also seen some Windows tablets at lower price tabs than the 1k one linked here!

Windows tablets, sure. HP makes (well, made, though they're still on the market) some cheaper models, offhand. Slates are less common, and usually more expensive. The ASUS I linked to uses an SSD in it, an i5, and so on, which will keep the price up there a bit. It's not a netbook with a touchscreen.

A lot of laptops still trend towards 15" or 17" form factors, despite that they're not particularly great for actual portability. There are plenty of other choices though - 14" notebooks are usually a decent compromise, or you have smaller ones. Alienware's M11x is a popular option for a small machine with good battery life, and it has a decent GPU to boot. New Macbook Airs are very portable too. While those easily put you in the $700-1000 range, a not-base-model tablet + accessories will tend to as well.

[CRTGAMER]

Both Features
Get a touchscreen netbook that has a keyboard. The kind that spins the screen around into a tablet. There are some that are no thicker then a tablet.

[deathsled]

I snagged an Acer w500 about 2 weeks ago for $380

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... cer%20w500

It's a full blown Windows 7 PC. I have no trouble using it without a keyboard. The best part is it's windows so it runs everything. Hulu? no problem. Netflix? No problem. Download a torrent? No problem. Emulate Sega Saturn? Try that on your Android! lol

[CRTGAMER]

My clumsy fingers needs a keyboard. Even my cell has a slide out keyboard as well as the touch screen keyboard. A Touchscreen Netbook with built in real keyboard can work this way too. I really don't get why anyone would want a computer without a keyboard. A pain typing term papers or blogs. Yeah I know a USB keyboard can be attached, but it kills the on the go portability concept.