Tablet to replace Laptop
Discussion
scotlandtim said:
Laptop has reached the end of its life.
Im hoping to replace it with a ?windows tablet.
Needs to run office software, be compatible with bluetooth mouse / keyboard. Do any have HDMI for monitor??
Would appreciate advice if anyones done the same thing?
thanks!
I too have made the change from a desktop to a tablet, but in my case an Apple iPad. Im hoping to replace it with a ?windows tablet.
Needs to run office software, be compatible with bluetooth mouse / keyboard. Do any have HDMI for monitor??
Would appreciate advice if anyones done the same thing?
thanks!
Everything I do work wise, is cloud-based so no issues there. I am a big user of MS Word and MS Excel so have downloaded them as an App for the iPad - they’re not as good but do the job more than competently for what I need.
I bought a USBC to HDMI converter from Amazon which was only £12 from memory and that has sorted the external monitor(s) out. This was the most easiest of issues to overcome. Bluetooth mouse and keyboard are fine.
The only drawback is I have had to drop back down to one ‘window’ open at a time and cannot spread window-panes about over the three monitors like I did have - if I could find a solution for to have multiple applications spread over more screens from the iPad I would be a very happy man.
I bought a new laptop this week: windows 11 was the only MS option.
“New” outlook is utter garbage. Doesn’t now let you configure the name you want recipients to see (only gives them the email address)… no idea why they’ve removed something that has been standard in email clients for 30+ years, but they have.
Fortunately, if you search, MS will let you download the previous version.
“New” outlook is utter garbage. Doesn’t now let you configure the name you want recipients to see (only gives them the email address)… no idea why they’ve removed something that has been standard in email clients for 30+ years, but they have.
Fortunately, if you search, MS will let you download the previous version.
I'd go with either a Surface Pro or an Android tablet.
I have the latter and MS apps work just fine. I only use the touch screen so you'd need to check the specific specs for the Bluetooth mouse & keyboard and monitor connectivity though.
My son has a Surface Pro with keyboard for school and loves it.
I have the latter and MS apps work just fine. I only use the touch screen so you'd need to check the specific specs for the Bluetooth mouse & keyboard and monitor connectivity though.
My son has a Surface Pro with keyboard for school and loves it.
ADJimbo said:
I too have made the change from a desktop to a tablet, but in my case an Apple iPad.
Everything I do work wise, is cloud-based so no issues there. I am a big user of MS Word and MS Excel so have downloaded them as an App for the iPad - they re not as good but do the job more than competently for what I need.
I bought a USBC to HDMI converter from Amazon which was only £12 from memory and that has sorted the external monitor(s) out. This was the most easiest of issues to overcome. Bluetooth mouse and keyboard are fine.
The only drawback is I have had to drop back down to one window open at a time and cannot spread window-panes about over the three monitors like I did have - if I could find a solution for to have multiple applications spread over more screens from the iPad I would be a very happy man.
iPadOS 26 lets you have multiple open windows , resize them and move them to an external monitor, I have MS Word doing that right now, one document on the iPad screen and other on the external monitor. I only have one additional monitor connected, not sure about three, In iPadOS, just swipe down from the top then open the Window menuEverything I do work wise, is cloud-based so no issues there. I am a big user of MS Word and MS Excel so have downloaded them as an App for the iPad - they re not as good but do the job more than competently for what I need.
I bought a USBC to HDMI converter from Amazon which was only £12 from memory and that has sorted the external monitor(s) out. This was the most easiest of issues to overcome. Bluetooth mouse and keyboard are fine.
The only drawback is I have had to drop back down to one window open at a time and cannot spread window-panes about over the three monitors like I did have - if I could find a solution for to have multiple applications spread over more screens from the iPad I would be a very happy man.
mikef said:
iPadOS 26 lets you have multiple open windows , resize them and move them to an external monitor, I have MS Word doing that right now, one document on the iPad screen and other on the external monitor. I only have one additional monitor connected, not sure about three, In iPadOS, just swipe down from the top then open the Window menu
Thanks for that - appreciated. I’ll give it a go when I’m back in the office on Monday and report back. 
t compared to an IPad or Android tablet, no drag to scroll, no pinch zoom etc..No, the Surface is nothing like a generic windows touchscreen laptop. It does indeed have pinch to zoom etc. TBH, I use mine 99% of the time on my lap with the keyboard, and the touchpad, but I use touchscreen for menu/dialogue boxes, scrolling, etc. You end up using a mix of both. It's a PC make no mistake, but the touch interface works. In fact, its really good.
I've just been looking at how I use it, and the best I can explain is I use it as a tablet, with touchscreen, until it comes to typing, and then I use the keyboard, or until it comes to things like spreadsheets, and then I prefer the accuracy of the touchpad. It really is the best of both worlds (and I love Android tabs)
I use mine for work as well as leisure. Android tabs were all crippled by the typing. Even with BT keyboards (which are never where you need them, and miss keystrokes) - The surface keyboard is attached in a way that makes lap and knee typing very intuitive. Chrome OS was too finickey when it came to media playing on external devices, and I'm not an Apple guy.
I ended up with a Surface Pro.
I've just been looking at how I use it, and the best I can explain is I use it as a tablet, with touchscreen, until it comes to typing, and then I use the keyboard, or until it comes to things like spreadsheets, and then I prefer the accuracy of the touchpad. It really is the best of both worlds (and I love Android tabs)
I use mine for work as well as leisure. Android tabs were all crippled by the typing. Even with BT keyboards (which are never where you need them, and miss keystrokes) - The surface keyboard is attached in a way that makes lap and knee typing very intuitive. Chrome OS was too finickey when it came to media playing on external devices, and I'm not an Apple guy.
I ended up with a Surface Pro.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Saturday 29th November 17:32
Another option possibly.
My daughter has had a couple of Spin laptops from Acer. The screen opens up 180 degrees and you use it as a tablet. She had a Spin 14 during 6th form for A levels - my wife is now using it. We got a Travelmate Spin for university in the USA, and she loves it. Both direct from Acer with a big discount.
My daughter has had a couple of Spin laptops from Acer. The screen opens up 180 degrees and you use it as a tablet. She had a Spin 14 during 6th form for A levels - my wife is now using it. We got a Travelmate Spin for university in the USA, and she loves it. Both direct from Acer with a big discount.
My daughter uses an android tablet with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
Primarily because her college use Google docs so it works. She has MS excel and Word installed, but tends to use the android equivalents......
I believe a second monitor can be used.
Easier to carry and work on her 2.5 hour commute on bus, ferry and train.....
I have had an android tablet for quite a few years now, instead of a laptop. Far better solution for my use-case too.
Primarily because her college use Google docs so it works. She has MS excel and Word installed, but tends to use the android equivalents......
I believe a second monitor can be used.
Easier to carry and work on her 2.5 hour commute on bus, ferry and train.....
I have had an android tablet for quite a few years now, instead of a laptop. Far better solution for my use-case too.
I use both laptops and tablets. My tablet is a Samsung Tab S9 Ultra, 14.6" screen. It's got a lot going for it - great screen, excellent battery life, quite light for what it is, no windows, convenient etc.
If I was using a machine for work I'd still have a laptop though. Put simply, they are just better for work. And you already know how it works. Anything work related is just easier. You could make the tablet work for sure, but I think you'd overall find it the second best option for working.
If I was using a machine for work I'd still have a laptop though. Put simply, they are just better for work. And you already know how it works. Anything work related is just easier. You could make the tablet work for sure, but I think you'd overall find it the second best option for working.
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