topic Re: Do You Really Need A Computer in Electronics

Do You Really Need A Computer

Jordan2 — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 19:51:47 GMT

I have a laptop that must be at least 5 years old. I have 2 Kindles, iPad Air, and an iPod Touch. I am currently saving up for a new computer (possibly a MacBook Pro or Air). I read an article from PC Advisor that tablets will out sell laptops &PC's combined in 2015. My question is would my money be better spent with a tablet or a laptop? Really all I do with my laptop is surf the web, watch videos, look up info, etc. I'm not tech savvy and don't have enough information to form an opinion on this. I know those of you that are techies will be able to give me some advice!

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

millieshops — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:24:38 GMT

I'm not techy either, but I do not plan to have only a tablet and a smartphone. I have both and I have the laptop I'm using right now. Given my old-lady eyesight, I can't imagine being comfortable using my tablet or my phone instead of the laptop. I like the bigger keyboard and the bigger screen and just see no real advantage to giving up those 2 features.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

chickenbutt — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:35:03 GMT

I know I do because I don't do computing on a phone or other small, mobile device. Mine are laptops, though, because I do a lot better with laptops than I did with desktops.

I also don't fancy the idea of reading or viewing on a really small screen or typing on a tiny, plinky type of keyboard. I like a full keyboard and I need at least a 15" screen for reading and viewing. I have an old Dell 19" screen upstairs that is hooked up to my office laptop, along with a keyboard and mouse. I also use mouses with all my laptops (marble mouses of course).

But, YMMV. A lot of people now like the smaller devices so the good thing is that there is something for everybody. You will assess what are the best choices for you, just as others do for them. Maybe both!

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Moonchilde — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:36:56 GMT

There are tasks that are not able to be done comfortably and easily on a tablet. I don't think that's going to change in the next few years. I have an aged laptop and an iPad, as well as an iPhone and a Kindle. I will be getting a new laptop once the kinks are more worked out of Win 10.

I do a lot of photo editing (lightweight) and store a lot of photos. CAN I do that on my iPad? Yes. But I *prefer* to do it on a laptop. I also prefer to type on a larger keyboard and view some things on a slightly larger screen.

I no longer need cutting edge, however. I will buy up from my current laptop but not that much more up - it would be a waste of money for me. Everyone needs to decide that for themselves. But I don't feel the need to spend what Apple computers cost, no matter how attached I am to my iPad. A PC laptop at half the price is fine for my uses.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Nuttmeg — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:37:32 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I have a laptop that must be at least 5 years old. I have 2 Kindles, iPad Air, and an iPod Touch. I am currently saving up for a new computer (possibly a MacBook Pro or Air). I read an article from PC Advisor that tablets will out sell laptops &PC's combined in 2015. My question is would my money be better spent with a tablet or a laptop? Really all I do with my laptop is surf the web, watch videos, look up info, etc. I'm not tech savvy and don't have enough information to form an opinion on this. I know those of you that are techies will be able to give me some advice!

I would have a hard time managing without a computer. I collect and play a lot of music. I really like using a desktop computer with a 24" display, and streaming TV content.

I do enjoy using a tablet, but it is not a subsitute for a computer.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Sooner — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 20:44:06 GMT

My husband used his tablet for almost everything for a couple of years, I bought him a MacAirBook and he hasn't picked up the tablet in 6 months. He teases me asking me why I let him use that thing! It's good for games, browsing a little, but not for banking, doing taxes, and things where you need to type like e-mail like a real laptop is--it can do about anything. He reads on a Kindle Fire. Yes, you can get a keyboard for a tablet, but it still isn't a lap top. And the MacAir's are SOOOOOOO light and wonderful!

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

mima — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 21:01:20 GMT

I would think you could answer that better than we could. First of all if you have Ipads and kindles, you don't need another "tablet".

Can you picture yourself going without your compuer or laptop and only use your Ipad. If you can, then you don't need a laptop/computer.

I personally want a laptop along with my Kindles. I don't ever want/need a pc for home use again.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

circles — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 21:05:54 GMT

I have two tablets and a laptop....I could never use my tablets to do my banking...paying bills...making copies....they are used for playing games...and reading my e-mail if my computer isn't on...

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Meowingkitty — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 00:00:23 GMT

There are things that take too much effort on an iPad. I just bought an Apple MacBook Pro about a month ago and I find doing taxes, word documents and their version of excel much easier to use than on a pad. I have an old Dell that I am trying to see if it will upgrade to Windows 10. So far no luck. That is why I went with the Apple.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Jordan2 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 00:05:30 GMT

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to wait and think about what I'll do. I read that by years end there should be an iPad Air 3 and iPad Mini 3 coming out. I also read Samsung is coming out with a new tablet too. Also I got an email from QVC , the TSV for tomorrow is an HP laptop and printer. I don't remember the details because I knew I wasn't interested. I have a printer that is only a year old that I like. I would rather get a better computer and not a printer I don't need.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

feline groovy — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 00:54:40 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
I know I do because I don't do computing on a phone or other small, mobile device. Mine are laptops, though, because I do a lot better with laptops than I did with desktops.

I also don't fancy the idea of reading or viewing on a really small screen or typing on a tiny, plinky type of keyboard. I like a full keyboard and I need at least a 15" screen for reading and viewing. I have an old Dell 19" screen upstairs that is hooked up to my office laptop, along with a keyboard and mouse. I also use mouses with all my laptops (marble mouses of course).

But, YMMV. A lot of people now like the smaller devices so the good thing is that there is something for everybody. You will assess what are the best choices for you, just as others do for them. Maybe both!

Yep...

Plus you can't play CD's and DVD's on a small(er) netbook, tablet, or smartphone.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Nuttmeg — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 01:23:17 GMT

@feline groovy wrote:
@chickenbutt wrote:
I know I do because I don't do computing on a phone or other small, mobile device. Mine are laptops, though, because I do a lot better with laptops than I did with desktops.

I also don't fancy the idea of reading or viewing on a really small screen or typing on a tiny, plinky type of keyboard. I like a full keyboard and I need at least a 15" screen for reading and viewing. I have an old Dell 19" screen upstairs that is hooked up to my office laptop, along with a keyboard and mouse. I also use mouses with all my laptops (marble mouses of course).

But, YMMV. A lot of people now like the smaller devices so the good thing is that there is something for everybody. You will assess what are the best choices for you, just as others do for them. Maybe both!
Yep...
Plus you can't play CD's and DVD's on a small(er) netbook, tablet, or smartphone.

Great Points!!

Many laptops do not have a CD/DVD drive to save weight. You have to buy a separate drive. Many people are using cloud storage.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Mindy D — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 06:49:11 GMT

I have an iPad and a new HP laptop.. I'm mostly on the iPad. If you are working as a teacher, working on a blog, write for a living, taking a college course; then yes. If you just use the Internet with not much writing, you would be fine with an iPad. I do have Word, Pages and a zillion writing apps on the iPad, too. I even watch Netflix on my iPad.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

glb613 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 09:00:06 GMT

I need one. In fact, I use my iMac 80% of the time. I love the big 27 inch screen for everything expecially playing games and my photos/video.

I wouldn't let other people's choices influence me about which device to use. We all have different needs, wants, and lifestyles.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

151949 — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 12:54:36 GMT

I prefer a little larger screen and so for that I have a 15" chromebook. I also have a tablet to take with me. My DH prefers to have the computer sitting on a table so he has a Dell PC. For my taste windows takes too long - I like the speed of an android device.

If I was using my computer to do any actual work and needed a lot of memory and programs , of course I would get a windows laptop or desktop, but for just entertaining myself on the computer - an android device is fine.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

gardenman — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 13:37:49 GMT

Just a note about screen sizes, screen size is relative to how close you sit to it, or hold it. A laptop typically sits on your lap or a similar distance away while a tablet is often held much closer. When I hold my seven inch tablet six to eight inches from my eyes (a fairly typical viewing distance for me) it completely blocks my 21.5" monitor from view. At my normal viewing distances for both devices the tablet screen, despite being one third the size, appears bigger.

When I set my tablet up on a TV tray between me and my 40" HDTV at a viewing distance of about a foot, the tablet is just about the same image size as the HDTV which is about eight feet away. Tablets and smartphones are made for close-up use, so screen size isn't a huge issue for them.

I'm finding myself forced to do pretty much everything from my tablet or smartphone these days and it's not so bad. I'd prefer to sit at my computer, but I can't turn my back on my mother with dementia these days, so it's all portable devices all of the time for now and it's okay.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

feline groovy — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 03:57:30 GMT

Sending out good vibes to you, your mom, and your family, gardenman.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

apple1964 — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 12:09:09 GMT

All I know is when I retire I am never going to use a Ipad, computer, Iphone, smart phones or tablets again .....I have only 13 years left till then.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

gardenman — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 13:09:17 GMT

@apple1964 wrote:
All I know is when I retire I am never going to use a Ipad, computer, Iphone, smart phones or tablets again .....I have only 13 years left till then.

Mark my words, you won't have any choice in the matter. You'll have to use a computer or similar device just to function. Right now it's hard to function without a computer. Things like filling in forms, applying for refunds/rebates, ordering things, etc. are often only able to be done on computers. Unless you move to an Amish or Mennonite community, you're going to need a computer, or some sort of connected device to function.

Re: Do You Really Need A Computer

Shorty2U — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 04:55:50 GMT

I will always have a laptop as long as they make them. I cannot surf right on the cell, the iPad, my other tablet, or my kindle. I always ask my children and grandchildren how they can stand watching movies or surfing the net on smaller devices. Not me! I use my laptop the most (17 inches). The bigger the better! lol.