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Tablet vs Laptop

Which do you prefer using? A tablet or a laptop? Or do you use them for different functions, or at different times of the day?


Created By on 17/07/2014

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SuffolkSilver
19th Sep 2015 23:35:26
0
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As a long time computer user I feel that there is a place for both tablets and desktop/laptop computers. I find it preferable to work on a traditional keyboard if I am doing what I would call 'serious' computing, such as writing an article or updating my website (silverhairs.co.uk) or a spreadsheet of household accounts. But the mobility of computing on a tablet, upstairs, downstairs, in a pub or wherever, makes it preferable in many situations. The versatility of a tablet is a great boon, for taking (and displaying) snaps and video or playing music, Youtubes, news programs and so on. For people who have never got into the depths of Windows programs, just to be able to tap a screen and get results is a great help. As other commentators have mentioned, it is child's play! I am sure this has encouraged millions more 'older generation' folk to get into the world of computing, which I feel is very beneficial. There are still several million people in the UK who are not on line and chipping away at this number is difficult. But persuading someone to get something like Tesco's Hudl, (a very capable tablet) for under £100, is much easier than suggesting they pay several hundred for a laptop or desktop, which they think they might not be able to manage. Personally, I cannot say the same about the ubiquitous smartphone which, although it may be able to perform many of the same functions as a tablet, I find far too fiddly to type on. Perhaps I ought to use the voice recognition facility more but then I find I have to check everything I have dictated and correct the errors manually. NOT my cup of tea. I would be interested to see whether other people my age find it just as difficult.
Response from TerryR made on 2nd Nov 2015 23:16:03
I agree with you, there is a place for Desktops, Laptops, notebooks, tablets and smart phones. Serious applications are done on a desktop (I have a big monitor cos the wife had cataracts at one time) so it's nice and easy to read. Laptop is used for surfing the web etc, connecting the camera etc, my 2 in 1 (Tablet with a detachable keyboard) can be used with a wireless mouse and demo'ing things to a U3A group I belong to cos it's nice and portable. Android tablet for while I am on holiday as with the smartphone. Trouble is I have too many devices now so I am forever charging this and that just to keep them up together!
PatriciaB96
29th Jul 2019 19:59:19
0
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Good evening , myself personally I prefer a tablet , its easyier and you can put in in your hand bag , its so thuritile .
Goldfynche
12th Jan 2019 21:26:01
0
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I’m now on my 3rd iPad. Started off with an iPad 2. Gave it to my daughter when I acquired an iPad mini. Didn’t like that so cruised through a range of Androids (all 2nd hand) then was totally gobsmacked at an iPad Pro that she bought. The picture and the sound (4 speakers) were incredible! So. I had to have one too! Thank goodness for the Cex shop, 2nd hand dealers. We both use ours frequently for Netflix, where as I’ve said. Both picture and sound are brilliant. I also love the way it automatically transfers information, pictures etc. to my iPhone 6 Which was also a daughter hand me down.
[deleted]
21st Oct 2018 09:38:54
0
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crunchie
1st Oct 2016 22:04:06
0
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I prefer using a laptop just because of the simple fact that the screen is bigger, but its easy to watch tv in bed on a tablet,
klyne
1st Oct 2016 20:20:05
1
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Having used computers for the last twenty odd years my view is that a desktop/laptop is the way to go. I am a keen photographer and I run my own website and this would be impossible on a tablet. I use a desktop at home and a windows combi laptop in my motorhome. From a productivity point of view a proper computer wins hands down. In my view a tablet is fine for e-mails, games and general web surfing but as soon as to need to undertake more complicated tasks a desktop/laptop wins hands down. I appreciate that many older people might not have got into computing had it not been for tablets but to me they have a very limited range.

David
MorrisandDoris
30th Sep 2016 10:23:56
0
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My set up is an iMac desktop and an IPad plus I also have a laptop which I don't use very often since I bought the Mac.
The Mac is wonderful to use once you get used to the difference from Microsoft to Apple but they are very expensive to buy compared with your standard PC .
Robs sister
30th Sep 2016 09:41:29
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I also have a desktop, mine is now 11 years old so you can imagine that soon it will need replacing, it has served me well as it is doing now with a proper keyboard etc, loads of wires, what will be my next one, a desktop of course. I will have to get one before they become obsolete.
Freddo Frog
30th Sep 2016 08:00:24
0
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I have a desktop (which is out of sight under the stairs) with a wireless mouse and keyboard, which plays through the TV. This is used for "Catch-up" TV and backup. My main computer is a laptop. I also use a HP Mini Netbook with a 10" screen to drive a projector for when I give talks.
Tablets irritate me - I want a "real" keyboard, not a touchscreen with gestures.
And something with USB ports that I can connect devices to (external HardDrive for backup, Printer).
i don't need the unnecessary frustrations of using Wireless printers - wht complicate things?
SageBrush
28th Jul 2016 03:00:19
0
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The difference is what you cant use them for... until seperate or included keyboards came about.. a tablet was useless as a laptop or desktop writing device...

However, when it comes to portability .... and general web use and email and minor document work..a tablet is winner hands down... (good tablet not cheapies)
John Bailey
1st Dec 2015 21:27:29 (Last activity: 13th May 2016 16:50:37)
1
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Laptop for me. I have a desktop as well but it is getting a little long in the tooth and the monitor in particular is not as good as my laptop screen. As a keen photographer I have to have a proper computer. I prefer a keyboard although I'm just as happy with a touchpad as with a mouse. IOS and Android are great operating systems for smartphones and small tablets but real computing needs Windows (or OS X or Linux....)

I've been a computer user since 1968 - yes, genuinely - and I was paid to look after them for 37 years from 1970 onwards. Consequently technology doesn't scare me !
Response from Loodt made on 13th May 2016 16:50:37
John, Hope you have discovered the pleasure of the new solid state drives. I only recently upgraded to these units and found the improved performance the biggest step change I have experienced in all my life since I started working with computers 26 years ago.
Loodt
13th May 2016 16:43:24
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Just a general comment that applies to both desktops and laptops. Recently, that is like this year, I read an article in the Telegraph about the benefits of the solid state drives. The prices of the Solid State Drives have dropped dramatically in past couple of years and the capacities of these expanded to more than 1 terabyte. I did buy a replacement hard drive for my desktop, a Samsung, and installed it. The increase in performance was just astounding. The boot-up time have dropped to mere seconds. The desktop was so fast that I did the same on the relatively new laptop which I bought for my wife a year before she passed away. Again, the performance and start-up time improved dramatically.

I work on my desktop most of the time as I do enjoy the benefit of having a big screen, 24". Once you are used to that desktop real estate using a smaller screen just feels so cramped.
Crystal1950
8th May 2016 15:11:48
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I prefer to use my laptop in front on the t.v. The laptop has a good size keyboard and being a fast typist I find this more convenient than using an IPad/'phone or Tablet. The laptop I use for internet research, the desktop for banking and shopping, as works with 2 partitions - one for mouse use and one partition for touchscreen - fabulous for uploading and viewing photos and playing games as it has such a large screen. However, the internet connection in my study is so very bad that working on the desktop is frustrating when it drops connection within 5 minutes of logging in. (BT say "no ISP will be any better as the connection is at the very end of the line..", and that "Fibre Optic is the only way to go". Financially being a pensioner, I find that I cannot afford the monthly cost and will need to put up with what I have now for the foreseeable future!
bluemoon239
9th Mar 2016 11:49:07
0
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Have been using my laptop for years, smartphones and tablets with those terrible touch screens never appealed to me. Then I was the lucky winner of an iPad Air 2. I kept it unopened for a week ,thinking of selling it , but in the end I decided to keep it. I'm so glad I did, i do just about everything with it, great photos, very handy for Skype calls and web surfing, radio, films, then of course all the apps.
grotrel
22nd Feb 2016 18:20:54
0
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Have a lap top but find the tablet much more versatile and use it almost daily whereas the lap to is gathering dust! Only wish it would find me a chat buddy grotrel
Nip
3rd Feb 2016 15:22:16
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Hello I am new to this group but I would like advice on buying a tablet.I have a desk top also a huddle which I love.I need a tablet which is simple to use .
petesline9
1st Feb 2016 18:37:08
2
Thanks for voting!
Hi I have had an Apple iPad since Steve jobs
brought them to the market,
And to be honest I find my iPad quite indispensable
I use it all the time
I have friends in the states & South Africa
Who I am usually in contact with most days
These are great days for new technology
niccollins
29th Jan 2016 10:24:02
0
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I ditched my laptop in favour of a Surface Pro 3 last year and haven't regretted it. The biggest advantage is that when using it as a tablet I still have access to all my 'desktop' software and Windows 10 is very clever at switching between the 2 modes. The docking station makes up for the lack of ports if I'm using it for serious work and for me personally the freedom of ripping off he keyboard and wandering around a classroom wireless presenting is great :-).
ZAK32
23rd Jan 2016 12:43:20
0
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Perhaps its me, but I do prefer using my laptop during the day, whilst at night I use my tablet.
william63
7th Jan 2016 18:51:23
0
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I have an Asus laptop and found it fantastic to use, the only thing I don't like is when it changed from windows 8 to windows 10, I preferred 8. I also have a desktop as a standby
JohnHerb
6th Nov 2015 13:15:55
1
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