advice - tablet or notebook?

[mohawk miss]

Hi guys,

this is one for the computer types out there.

I have a spare 2G usb internet connection, & i am looking at a cheap tablet or notebook for uni, mostly for my daily 2 hours commuting time.

I am not savvy with either device, looking at a Google notebook or a cheap Hardly Normal tablet - both running Android.

Need to be able to access my e-textbooks and uni site mainly.

Any suggestions or advice welcome, thanks

[mick_dundee]

Very few of the tablets have USB ports.

[StuMiller]

I bought an ASUS TF700T transformer tablet, which is fantastic. Comes with a detachable keyboard with a USB port. When you remove the keyboard, it is a normal full HD tablet.

Highly recommended!

[Johnnie5]

Very few of the tablets have USB ports.

android tablets i have used have a mini/micro usb port

but the smart way would be to use a smartphone as a hotspot so you can make use of your
included data plan eg boost $40 a month unlimited calls and 3Gb of data

usb dongles have gone the way of the dodo bird

plenty fo cheap android tabs for $100+

[dilligaf]

I teach at uni and the kids all have tablets. they don't even take notes anymore, just photograph what I put up!

[Blurr]

If I ever get a new tablet I would go a 4g version and get a pre paid sim. It is a PTA to connect to hotspot all the time and I struggle to get a day out of my phone battery now without adding that drain on my battery.

USB port would also be good

[StuMiller]

http://www.gadgetreview.com/2012/09/asu ... eview.html

Good unit.

[Lurch]

Be aware that the Google Chrome books (pretty much) have to connected to the net to do anything. They're essentially just an operating system running a web browser.
Most modern Android tablets have host-enabled Micro-USB ports, so you just need one of these for your modem: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251353553920

[MrWasabi]

do yourself a favour and dont buy a "cheap" android tablet. If you are going to buy android, buy something decent. Many complaints you see online about android arise mainly from the cheap china brands knock offs and poor hardware choices by some manufacturers.
The Asus pad i can swear by, the best thing about it is that you can use it as a notebook or a tablet. The keyboards have full size USB connectivity, HDMI, SD card and they double as an extended battery, i have seen them last for weeks before needing a charge. Also ditch that dongle and get yourself a prepaid data plan, you dont want to be using 2G, it will be frustratingly slow and will pretty much bottleneck any device you get today.
Given the choice i wouldnt think twice between the Asus or chomebook, albeit that i do very much like the chromebooks, but the Asus tablet outweighs it in features

[Lurch]

Another option could be one of the newer Win8 Tablet/Hybrids
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/tabl ... ku-453172/

I have a similar spec'ed Acer and for basic stuff it runs like a dream.

[mohawk miss]

thanks for the thoughts guys.

Blur, hadn't considered a prepaid sim, but could be a plan.

While the Asus is good, it is far above what I will need.

I will oganise my textbooks for now, (how f^&%ing exxy are those things!) and keep looking for a tablet. Maybe a bit cheaper before xmas.

Thanks again

[StuMiller]

Keep in mind, you can update tablet OS very easily, where as with a laptop, it's a far bigger process....

Good luck.

[Smitty]

...you thought about a netbook??

I cart mine around when travelling (locally and overseas)
cheap long battery life and standard windows stuff (no surprises there) run fine and will dual boot Android and Windows (if you like)
Its an ACER Aspire D57... similar to this

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Acer-Aspire- ... 2584e84773

[mohawk miss]

I have indeed thought of a netbook, can get a Google netbook with Android for about $130 AU, but wasnt sure if it would suit.

[badruss]

I have the iPad mini, Telstra 4g as reception where I work was crap for my Optus phone. One of the best things I've ever bought, $55 pm with 4 gb a month data.