Lap tops versus tablets

I know many of you are tech folks and I hope you can give me some assistance. My ex handled all the computer buying he always bought on line and specifically ordered.

My Asus lap top is almost 4 years old and has issues and should be replaced, this is my main computer. I just dropped my Samsung 10.1 tablet so that also needs to be replaced.

I have been reading but I am stumped. I don't know if I should purchase/replace 2 separate items or some type of hybrid. Any assistance would be appreciated. I use e mail, Facebook, picture storage, read headlines,Vegas forums, play minor games but not a major data hog. I also used my tablet to read the best invention ever when traveling for weeks at a time.

To keep a little Vegas related. I am going for my 4th time this year in Sept. WOHOO. I read LVA daily.

You might consider something like an ASUS Transformer Book that's a laptop, but the screen detaches to become a tablet. The other manufacturers have them too.

https://www.asus.com/Commercial-Notebooks/ASUS_Transformer_Book_T300_Chi/

If you can only afford one I would recommend the laptop. Data entry is a pain on tablets.

Ipad is the only tablet I've ever had and Imlove it. but I suspect if you go to Dell.com they will give you a good deal if you buy both a laptop and windows tablet.

I agree my tablet can be a pain to enter data but I know many of the new hybrids have regular keyboards or you can buy keyboards as an add on. Also with tablet you have speech capability and a word type program. Price is a factor but not the driving force.

I use to take my lap tops on vacation but I got a tablet almost 2 years ago and loved it. The only drawback I couldn't do trip reports/keep a journal of what I was doing.

Thanks for the input so far.

4th time this year!! good for u. been a long time since I did 4 in one year. departing tomorrow am at 6:45 for vegas -- my 2nd time this year. I'm no techie, so i cant help ya, but good luck with your purchase.

Laptop will be your best bet as your doing some gaming, also data entry is better. You get the added benefit of being able to upgrade (tablets don't allow adding much to the base unit).

If you truly want a hybrid, The Microsoft Surface is the best on the market IMO as it can be used as a laptop or tablet. It also has an incredible pen input. The odd thing about the device is you have to buy the keyboard and possibly the pen separately depending on which model you buy. The Surface Pro will be just as powerful as a full-fledged laptop as it comes with an i3, i5 or i7 depending on how much you want to spend. A lot of the lower end hybrids end up being slow as they run chips made more for phones/tablets than full-fledged computers, so while you can technically use them as laptops it would likely be a frustrating experience.

This is a pretty simple problem. If you need extensive typing and data input, then you either need the laptop or the hybrid. If you only need limited data entry then you want the convenience of the tablet.

Thanks for all your input it gave me a great place to start. I have been doing research all morning on the net. I think I will be happy with a hybrid.I am off to the store in the next days to see what the Asus Chi 300 and the Microsoft pro 3 feel like. Does anyone have either model?

I got lucky with Vegas this year. Next year I will be lucky to go 2x being as I just closed on a house and it needs some work.

FWIW, I have a laptop (actually 2), an Android tablet, as well as two smart phones. One laptop is my main computer, used for everything. I do not need to take it with me anywhere, anymore, and treat it like a desktop.

Meanwhile, my tablet now sits, unused, on my desk next to the laptop. It is there because I can not find a better place to keep it. I did use the tablet for a Kindle reader, and also to use "Overdrive", a book reader for public libraries, as well as "computing". Did not like it for computing.

I "discovered" audio books about a year or so ago. Tried them and liked them. No eye strain, could wear a headset to listen, etc.

Than started using my Android smart phone for library loaner books. Even better, because it's much easier to use due to size/dimensions.

I'm using my phone to for some email addys, NOT all of them, and respond when necessary. I also occasionally surf, read forums, etc. The phone screen is small for much surfing, but I prefer doing that at home anyway. Music or books are enough to entertain me when away from home for a day.

With "Sync", everything I do on my phone is also on my laptop.

If I were asked, I suggest this approach.

BTW: I just purchased a new Samsung phone because my LG phone charging port crapped out. It is under warranty, but I need a phone all the time and could not do without. When the LG comes back, I will use that as a second "tablet", and possibly hook it up with a free cell phone provider. (ie: freedompop.com )

Yeah, I have no external keyboard, etc. But I can use voice commands, etc for input, and by using my phone as a tablet, it is always with me.

JMHO, of course. AND a cheaper alternative if money is the primary motivation.

But a tablet and also a computer? I have my expensive Nexus tablet sitting, for practical purposes, unused for about a year now.