Tablet vs Netbook

Sharon, Perhaps it's a good thing that you're resurrecting this discussion, especially considering the season. Perhaps a few of the HelpLine members will have a shiny new "tech device" under the tree this year. My preference is definitely a Netbook, as I feel that provides the best features for my particular uses. I'm sure there will (once again) be numerous differing opinions, but some of the criteria that are important for me: > Keyboard - I function MUCH better with a physical keyboard! I learned to touch-type a long time ago, and that's what I'm most comfortable with. > Memory - Most tablets are limited to 64GB of solid-state memory. One of the most important uses for my Netbook is backing up photos, and 64 GB is just not going to work (I probably have more than that in memory cards for my DSLR). > Transferring Photos - Most Netbooks are equipped with a built-in SD Card Reader, which is very convenient. I have to use an external Reader for CF cards, but that's not a big issue. > Form factor - When it's folded, the Netbook is a bit more compact and easier to fit into my Daypack. My perception (whether accurate or not) is that a Netbook is also slightly more robust and able to withstand "bumps & knocks" that sometimes occur when travelling. A Netbook does come with a few "compromises" though. Compared to my MacBook Pro, The 10.1" display requires a bit of adjustment, as does the smaller spacing on the keys. However, I got used to those fairly easily. Good luck with your decision!

Sharon, My wife, also Sharon, has an iTouch and an iPad. She takes the iTouch on our trips and uses it entirely for emails. Wherever there is WiFi, and that is just about any where, you can send and recieve emails. That is enough communication for us, and we do it about every day. She has also downloaded our photos on it so whe can show them to people we meet. The iPad has been left at home because of its weight. A very few hotels charge for WiFi use, and on our last rrip we never had to pay. In some hotels it is available only in the lobby, some everywhere in the building. It seams that just about every hotel has a different protocall for logging on to WiFi. If we have a problem Sharon goes to the front desk and someone there can usually help.

The I-Touch sounds like a possible solution. I wonder if there's something similar that's not from the Apple family?

I took a trip to France in October and too my new Ipad2. I LOVED having it with me. I was able to email, text message and Facetime my kids (for free!!). We even downloaded a movie one night, we were tired of French TV, it was a cold night, and we were staying in. It was fun to cuddle in the bed and watch a movie for a few hours! The Ipad2 isn't heavy....I don't know where people get that. It's much lighter than most computers that people haul with them on travels. We didn't download photos, I wait and do that at home. I love that I can Facetime my family at home (of course, they have to have an Apple product with Facetime on it) I've enjoyed playing some games when bored in the airport, and surfing the web is so easy. So, count my vote for a table, and I highly recommend the ipad2 (skip the 3G connection, just go for the wi-fi version)

I do so much work on my netbook when traveling - updating by website, writing in my journal, keeping track of my expenses - in addition to cataloging my photos and sending email - for which a real keyboard is necessary or at least desirable. The phoney keyboards on most tablets would be entirely unsuitable. I also like the replaceable battery. I have a 10 hour one for the plane trips, but I sometimes have to swap it out for the 3 hour one that came with the netbook.

This is an interesting discussion for me. The timing is great. I remember about 6 months ago or so discussions here about smartfones versus netbooks. Now its Tabs. I follow several tech blogs and podcasts on my way to and from work and according to them, the Tabs are the thing, but there are many they don't like for various reasons. Myself, I use and have have used for a while a Netbook. I use a Samsung NC10Plus, my second one. My original NC10 still wanders around the house but has lost its wifi-ability and it has to be tethered to an ethernet cable. My second one has been all over with me. I'm using it now, and rarely use the various other bits of computer kit I have including a very powerful desktop with big screen. All my participation on this helpline is done on a laptray holding my netbook. It works great, full sized proper keyboard, decent screen, fast enough and quick to charge. When we travel, no problem, just chuck it in the bag or in the car and go on with life. It is super easy to connect to either wifi or ethernet. Doesn't have 3G so no open plug-hole on my bank account. And it has all the other bits of kit I always use, and easy to upload photos and has all my music and old photos... just me. Never had a Tab. I'm sure if I had a Galaxy Tab or a fruit version given to me I'd love it. Not if I had to pay the fone bill, though. any how ...

Netbook... for the reasons stated above, but most important one is being able to back up images after downloading into Netbook. I use an Acer and it was about $300 and weighs a few pounds and can fit in a purse. Makes life really easy. Also has Photoshop and imaging programs so I can play with my images if I feel like it.
@Lee... what Netbook do you use? and if Acer it has a 10 hour battery?

Right now, I travel with: Ipod Touch Bluetooth Folding Keyboard MyBlueBoost portable battery charger
USB charger with cords (can charge 2 USB devices as once) Very lightweight (just over a pound), it gives me a real fullsize keyboard to use, I don't have to worry about running out of "juice" on a long flight or train trip, and does everything I need.

Sharon, you said you had used your son's iPad last time. First, you need to define how you are going to use it. What was your experience with that? We have used a Asus netbook but recent switched to a iPad2. There is no going back. By far simpler and more convenient to use for how how we used. We are using it for general information, skype, face time, email, photo storage. We are not keeping a detailed journal or log so the typing is not the biggest issue. If you are not very computer literate than iPad2 could be just right for you. It doesn't require a lot of computer knowledge. We found the Asus to be pain since it is based the MS operating system. And logging into wifi sites tended to be iffy. I would go with the iPad2. It is the standard in the field and everyone else is trying to match it.

Sharon, There is a pretty important piece of information missing here; You say you borrowed an iPad last year. Well......how did it work for you??? Was there anything you wanted to be able to do that you couldn't do? It seems to me the answer (for YOU - not for anyone else) is pretty obvious; If there were things you wanted to do that you couldn't with the iPad (and I mean really couldn't, not that you haven't yet discovered you actually can) then you should look into a netbook. If not, the iPad is probably the better choice for you. The tie-breaker, should you not really have a preference, is which item will get used more when you are NOT on vacation. I strongly suspect that would be an iPad since almost everyone I have ever met finds them a joy to use while netbooks are, at best, functional in a utilitarian sort of way. For real computing a real laptop or desktop at home is SOOO much better. For surfing the web, media and moderate emailing, the iPad is ideal. PS; The issue of photo storage is a big deal for serious photographers who shoot in "RAW" (probably about 3% of the population). If you want to store "JPEG" photos, like the other 97% of us, you will be "limited" to somewhere between 5,000 and 100,000 on the iPad, depending on your camera and the memory on the iPad. If you can "get by" with "just" 5000+ photos on your trip, you can back all of them up on the iPad just fine (with the $29.99 SD card kit).

@terry kathryn, Which processor does your Acer Netbook use and what is the screen resolution? The computer dealer indicated that even PhotoShop Elements won't work with Netbooks. He deleted Elements from his own Netbook as it was painfully slow. I thought that Paint.Net might be the answer, but it doesn't handle CR2 files, so is useless for me.

I was given an Ipod Touch as a gift, and used it on a trip recently. One of the downsides for me is that the Wifi chip doesn't appear to be able to detect older routers/hotspots using the A & B protocols (there are still a lot of those being used). Whereas my netbook I also brought along had no problems detecting all the routers; old & new. Also, this year all new windows PCs (desktops/laptops/netbooks) were installed with new BIOS chips which make boot ups/reboots infinitely faster. It now only takes about 15 seconds to power up or reboot and your up and running. The same amount of time it takes my I touch start up when its turned completely off.

I used an Ipod Touch last summer in central Turkey and had no problem connecting even in remote villages to check email, weather, maps. It's not what I want to travel with in Western Europe, however. Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro is too heavy to lug from home, so your opinions are very, very valuable.

I think our tough decision has just been taken away from us. Our son just told us he bought us an I-Pad for Christmas. So, now we need to come up to speed on it. When we borrowed our son's for our most recent trip, we did so with no experience with Apple products. It worked but was a bit frustrating. We don't travel until May so we'll have time to learn it better before we go. Thanks for all the input.

The local Apple store has dozens of free classes on how to use iPad. Attend a couple.

I will absolutely do that! Thanks.

Sharon, I'm curious, what aspect of using the iPad (or other Apple products) did you find "frustrating"? I've been using both platforms (Apple & Windows) for many years, and find that Apple products tend to be easier to use and more intuitive (I'm typing this reply on a Mac). I recently upgraded my prehistoric-era Cellphone to an iPhone, and was up-to-speed and fairly comfortable with it in a few hours, without having read any instruction manuals. I second Frank's suggestion on the classes, as that's the best way to become comfortable with the product in a short period of time. Is your Son going to let you try your new iPad before Christmas? Have fun with it!

Apple products drive me mad because there is no universal "back" button. Sometimes there will be one on a particular screen, but not always. You have to go back to main menu and start all over far too much for my tastes. Just to answer a question Sharon asked earlier, yes, there are ipod touch equivalents that are made by someone other than Apple. An android or Windows smartphone will do everything a touch will with the phone features turned off. In addition, they will act as a phone should you want that, too. Smaller screen is an issue, but the advantage, of course, is less weight and bulk. On caveat to using a phone, touch, or tablet: Many hotels do not have a wifi connection but do permit Internet connection by cable. I'm not familiar with anything short of a netbook or laptop that comes with a connector for a wired setup. If there is a tablet that allowed use of a cable, I'd be interested. Finally, just to repeat what I've said many times before, in Europe if you are using something that connects over a phone connection, you can get a prepaid package that permits you to get on the Internet without worrying about finding an available and open wifi signal. Much, much more convenient, but admittedly a bit slower.

@Paul, Could you provide further details on the "universal back button". I can't recall using that with either Mac or Windows. Regarding Wi-Fi access, every Hotel that I've used for the last few years has offered Wi-Fi. In most cases this is "free" and included in the cost of the room, and in other cases there's a charge (which ironically is usually at the higher priced Hotels). In my experience, the Hotel Wi-Fi typically works reasonably well, although in some cases it's a bit "intermittent", or only available on certain floors.

" ...Regarding Wi-Fi access, every Hotel that I've used for the last few years has offered Wi-Fi...." My experience during the past few years has been that a lot of newer or remodeled business style hotels, only offer wired LAN internet service, as it's more reliable. Though most lodgings that cater to leisure travelers use WiFi. Given the choice I'd rather have LAN; it's typically faster with no deadspots....makes it easier to stream video or do a video call with Skype.

Ken, our son gave us the I-Pad today, so we do have it early. I'm anxious to start with it and take a class or two. So, what was frustrating for us (perhaps me?) - how do I explain....we had about 30 minutes of trial before we left for the trip with our son's I-Pad. Both my husband and I had log ons so we could check our e-mails. For some reason I had a very hard time (part of the time) going from his e-mail to mine and vice-versa. We really didn't know what we were doing. I was afraid to move into an Apple product because of this experience but now we'll take some lessons to be more comfortable with it and have until we leave in May to get up to speed.

Sharon, It's great to hear that you already have your new iPad. That will provide an opportunity to become familiar with it prior to your next trip, and the classes will definitely help with things like setting up E-mail accounts. I'm assuming it's an iPad 2 model? You may want to buy the optional SD Card & Camera Adapter to transfer photos (I believe it's about $35). AFAIK the iPad Power Adapter is designed for "world operation", but it would be prudent to confirm that. The small Power Supply provided for my iPhone 4S specifies "100-240 VAC", so I'm assuming the iPad is the same. Of course, don't forget Plug Adapters. Hope you enjoy your new iPad!

Ken, every Android phone (and actually most every phone I've ever used) has a "back" button. Pressing it will usually take you back to the screen you were on before. On Apple iPads, iPhones, Touches, etc. there is no such button. Sometimes the software will put a back button on the screen, but other times you have to press the home key to go back to the start screen and start all over. I'd have to borrow one of my daughter's gadgets to give you an example and it is hard to pry them away from her. The word is that Steve Jobs didn't want any buttons at all on Apple products, hence the lack of buttons that appear on other devices. I just find it to be a nuisance.

Last year we traveled with a Kindle and a net book (Acer). This year I replaced the Kindle with a Xoom tablet and am delighted how much easier it is to read the maps in Rick's books, plus I was able to scan pages from some other travel guides and save them as PDFs. So as we tour, we have the guides on the easy to read tablet, and in the room we can access wifi from both the net book and the tablet. I kept the net book because I want the ability to upload my photos, do some journaling, and keep a spreadsheet, which the tablet cannot handle. Plus, hubby and I are sometimes competing for the electronics, so this way we both can access when needed. He carries the net book and I carry the tablet. Especially nice to have both on our month long trip. And our luggage is still light: a backpack and a day bag each.

Paul, Thanks for the clarification. I may have misread your previous post, and thought you were referring to a "back button" on a Mac or PC. Although I'm not completely up-to-speed yet on all the features and "quirks" of my new iPhone, I haven't found the lack of a dedicated "back button" to be a problem. Most screens have a "back arrow" at the top, and that's worked well so far. Using the "home" button is always a last resort, but I don't often have to use that. I've found over many years that there are "hidden" functions built into the Apple OS to perform these functions, but it takes a while to learn how to access them. My iPhone purchase didn't include an Owner's Manual, but it's accessible as a PDF file if needed. I've been slowly learning some of the "tricks" by going through the manual. Cheers!

Sharon, I just gifted myself an IPad yesterday for an early Christmas present and have been playing around with it. There is some frustration, in that I am so used to having an actual keyboard and there are times while surfing the net, when I think I am going to lose my place or, like today, I kept opening up the same web page but didn't really know I was doing it and because there was no "back button" I couldn't figure out how to get out of that webpage. Well, come to find out, it was just my touch on the screen that wasn't working when hitting the "x". It takes some practice as I am discoverying. Definitely going to sign up for some of the free classes @ the Apple Store. Have fun with your new IPad.

I love my iPad for travel. Be sure and take the class; it really helps. I like that I can have several websites ( up to nine) open and easily go back and forth. And I really like how easy Google maps is on this thing- just slide to what you want to see, flick your fingers to enlarge it. So much easier than using the move left or right and zoom functions on a regular computer. It is a great travel tool; I check out satellite view and street view for the places we want to stay. I can now visit Venice ( from satellite view anyway) whenever I want. My only gripes are the lack of Flash Player ( some websites will not function) and the way it "corrects" my spelling. Somethimes you have to outsmart it to Google search something with an obscure or foreign name.

I took my iPad 2 to Europe this year (Spain & France) and had no problems charging it with the charger that came with it. You will only need the plug adapter. Actually, I was able to use the same charger for the iPad and my iPod, so it required less chargers. When I get my iPhone (one of these days...holding out for the iPhone 5), it will make travel even easier! I bought the device that allowed me to transfer my photos from the camera card to the iPad. It was great to see the photos as I went, as opposed to waiting until I got home. Once you figure out how to use it, I predict you will love your iPad!!

@Ken... My Acer is about 3-4 years old and I have consistently used it with Photoshop. It is 144 gig and I am running it with XP Home, the screen resolution is 1024x600 and the Color is set at Highest 32 bit. I have Photoshop CS2 as well as Painter X and numerous filters as well as an editing program (ProSelect) Back up and Burn and ProShow Gold for creating slideshows and all work fine. I don't think it is 'painfully slow' but I am not in a huge rush when I am working on my images while I am on vacation. I am working on jpeg fine images and typically not Raw, however if I need to go back to the Raw because I am off on exposure or some other issue I definitely can do that without any problem.

terry kathryn, Thanks for the additional information. I'll have another look at the specifications for Photoshop Elements, to see if it might work with my Toshiba NB-305. I normally use DXO Optics Pro when at home, but there's no way that will work on a Netbook so Elements should suffice during travel. Cheers!

Happy Holidays Paul.

Do iPads coordinate well with capris?

Paul, That's rather a narrow view of the question. There's also the aspect of function so this isn't just about style. Each traveller has different needs, so it's important for each to choose the best product for their particular application. As I stated in my earlier post in this Thread, one of the most important functions in my case is photo storage, and the meagre 64GB of solid-state RAM in an iPad is woefully inadequate for that. I also prefer a normal Keyboard over a virtual Keyboard, and it would be annoying to pack along an external model. It's great that the iPad works well for you, but it's not suitable for all applications, regardless of how stylish it is. Cheers!

Wow...that's great. Now I can buy some 'style' to impress the Europeans and other American tourists, and hopefully will no longer look like a geek. Ken... as a fellow photographer we know what works and what is all for show.

I have a nice lightweight Asus netbook, used only for travel, to which I attach a 32 gig flashdrive and my photocard. Safeguards my photos in case both the camera and the netbook are lost.