Cheap Android tablet
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If the text editing is a major part of your requirement, I would suggest that a tablet might not be the most appropriate form factor.
Henry Minute Do not read medical books! You could die of a misprint. - Mark Twain Girl: (staring) "Why do you need an icy cucumber?" “I want to report a fraud. The government is lying to us all.” I wouldn't let CG touch my Abacus! When you're wrestling a gorilla, you don't stop when you're tired, you stop when the gorilla is.
Major, but only occasional.
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Any recommendations? I was tempted by the forthcoming Archos A80 Turbo, but as they are delayed, I am looking for something else. I just need it for a bit of text editing, Google Mail and light browsing.
I purchased a tablet with the idea that I would have a small and convenient device to carry around to do some writing, rather than a laptop. My first foray was into the HP pad, which got returned to Staples the next day because the office software only supported read-only! Glad I did, as a week later HP announced they were getting out of the tablet market. I went with my original choice, a Galaxy Tab. The tablet is wonderful, I sometimes use it next to my desktop because it's a nice small second screen. But for text editing, the touchscreen keyboard just doesn't cut it. For one, the pad is to big to conveniently type on it. I ended up getting a Microsoft bluetooth keyboard, which I consider an absolute must-have if you're going to spend more than 5 minutes typing. Marc
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Any recommendations? I was tempted by the forthcoming Archos A80 Turbo, but as they are delayed, I am looking for something else. I just need it for a bit of text editing, Google Mail and light browsing.
Define cheap.
Charlie Gilley “In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson “I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
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Major, but only occasional.
It isn't the cheapest tablet out there, but I wouldn't trade any tablet for my Asus Transformer TF101/TF101G). The detachable keyboard dock (which by means of the extra battery built into it extends battery life of the tablet by 6.5 hours...) makes it a versatile beast of which there is no comparable device. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Cheers, //L
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I purchased a tablet with the idea that I would have a small and convenient device to carry around to do some writing, rather than a laptop. My first foray was into the HP pad, which got returned to Staples the next day because the office software only supported read-only! Glad I did, as a week later HP announced they were getting out of the tablet market. I went with my original choice, a Galaxy Tab. The tablet is wonderful, I sometimes use it next to my desktop because it's a nice small second screen. But for text editing, the touchscreen keyboard just doesn't cut it. For one, the pad is to big to conveniently type on it. I ended up getting a Microsoft bluetooth keyboard, which I consider an absolute must-have if you're going to spend more than 5 minutes typing. Marc
Thanks for that, Marc. I just really want an 8" tablet to take on holiday, and to keep in the house for quick browsing without firing up something more powerful.
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Define cheap.
Charlie Gilley “In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson “I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
As little as I can get away with paying for something that isn't complete Luton.
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Any recommendations? I was tempted by the forthcoming Archos A80 Turbo, but as they are delayed, I am looking for something else. I just need it for a bit of text editing, Google Mail and light browsing.
I would follow the peanuts->monkeys principle. You pay peanuts you get monkeys. Just put some money to it (if you can) and enjoy!.
Alberto Bar-Noy --------------- “The city’s central computer told you? R2D2, you know better than to trust a strange computer!” (C3PO)
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Define cheap.
Charlie Gilley “In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson “I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.” – James Madison
charlieg wrote:
Define cheap.
Katie Price.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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It isn't the cheapest tablet out there, but I wouldn't trade any tablet for my Asus Transformer TF101/TF101G). The detachable keyboard dock (which by means of the extra battery built into it extends battery life of the tablet by 6.5 hours...) makes it a versatile beast of which there is no comparable device. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Cheers, //L
Seconded... I love my Transformer... But it's not as good as a normal laptop/netbook for lots of text entry... I find that when it's time to work on my novel, I'm still whipping out the old EeePC (netbook), because word processing on a tablet (Even with a keyboard dock) just isn't as efficient.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
It isn't the cheapest tablet out there, but I wouldn't trade any tablet for my Asus Transformer TF101/TF101G). The detachable keyboard dock (which by means of the extra battery built into it extends battery life of the tablet by 6.5 hours...) makes it a versatile beast of which there is no comparable device. I wholeheartedly recommend it. Cheers, //L
Seconded/Thirded As Ian says, it's very good and versatile, but still short of a net-book.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
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Seconded... I love my Transformer... But it's not as good as a normal laptop/netbook for lots of text entry... I find that when it's time to work on my novel, I'm still whipping out the old EeePC (netbook), because word processing on a tablet (Even with a keyboard dock) just isn't as efficient.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)How secure is the dock connection? Would it survive for long being used on a lap for instance?
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charlieg wrote:
Define cheap.
Katie Price.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
I disagree. To be that skanky has cost the ol' mutton a fair bob or two.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
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How secure is the dock connection? Would it survive for long being used on a lap for instance?
Verily yay sire! Mrs Wife and the Ickles use one mostly with the keyboard docked and it has the same form as a notebook in that configuration.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
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How secure is the dock connection? Would it survive for long being used on a lap for instance?
It's solid. The problem isn't the form factor... It's the keyboard (chiclet instead of actual keys) and the fact that it's designed as a tablet, so keyboard shortcuts are lacking and it's MUCH slower to, say, go back and delete a few words or a line... Tablet OSes just aren't designed for word processing.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels) -
I disagree. To be that skanky has cost the ol' mutton a fair bob or two.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
There's girls in Sunderland who achieve that just for the cost of a couple of Bacardi Breezers.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
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Seconded/Thirded As Ian says, it's very good and versatile, but still short of a net-book.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
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There's girls in Sunderland who achieve that just for the cost of a couple of Bacardi Breezers.
Forgive your enemies - it messes with their heads
"Mind bleach! Send me mind bleach!" - Nagy Vilmos
My blog | My articles | MoXAML PowerToys | Mole 2010 - debugging made easier - my favourite utility
What, even the matching pink & crystal car, phone, dog, house, horse, 'lucky rabbit' and douche-bag boyfriend?
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
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Agreed, but it does go to great lengths to wipe out the line between them. Now, a Tegra3 based Transformer running Win8... That's my wet dream these days. //L
Media2r wrote:
Now, a Tegra3 based Transformer running Win8... That's my wet dream these days.
TMI.
Panic, Chaos, Destruction. My work here is done. Drink. Get drunk. Fall over - P O'H OK, I will win to day or my name isn't Ethel Crudacre! - DD Ethel Crudacre I cannot live by bread alone. Bacon and ketchup are needed as well. - Trollslayer Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb - they're often *students*, for heaven's sake - Terry Pratchett
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It's solid. The problem isn't the form factor... It's the keyboard (chiclet instead of actual keys) and the fact that it's designed as a tablet, so keyboard shortcuts are lacking and it's MUCH slower to, say, go back and delete a few words or a line... Tablet OSes just aren't designed for word processing.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)Ian Shlasko wrote:
it's MUCH slower to, say, go back and delete a few words
Doesn't it have arrow keys on it?
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Ian Shlasko wrote:
it's MUCH slower to, say, go back and delete a few words
Doesn't it have arrow keys on it?
Yes, but they don't work as well as on a desktop/laptop... Remember, Android is designed around touch input, not around cursors and keyboards... So that part of the interface feels like it's been hacked and patched in. It IS something that Google and/or Asus could fix with firmware or OS updates... I'm not sure how much it would take. But right now, it's not great for word processing. Usable, but not great.
Proud to have finally moved to the A-Ark. Which one are you in?
Author of the Guardians Saga (Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels)