[Q] Laptop or Tablet?

[rhodestech]

Hi Guys, 

 

I'm a Software Engineering Student and I'm in the market for something portable. I was thinking of getting the new Nexus 7, then I remembered about the limitations of tablet processors (inability to run x86/x64 desktop class applications). So, I'm thinking of an Intel Atom x86 based Windows 8 tablet or an Intel/AMD based Laptop, my price range is £399.99, and I can only buy from Currys as I have a £250 gift voucher. I'm a novice when it comes to mobile tech. 

 

Looking forward to the responses!

 

Matt

[Hirad123]

Well if you're going to be writing code I would go laptop.

[Kirihuna]

Laptop, tablets are severely limited in terms of applications.

[rhodestech]

Well if you're going to be writing code I would go laptop.

The portability of a Tablet is the appealing factor. I find typing ok on touchscreens. In terms of a tablet, I was thinking of something like this -  http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-miix-10-1-touchscreen-convertible-laptop-silver-21426633-pdt.html

The downside is the premium for the tablet portability, when you look at the spec list.

[Bluethulhu]

Laptop all the way.

[Slaeowulf]

Depends entirely on your use case. When I did my Masters at Uni I had a laptop throughout because they are just perfect in lectures, and I find tablets hard to type on at speed. Now I am working full-time testing software I will be using a tablet (either a Nexus 10 2 or Surface Pro 2) to access my gaming PC at home (As I live away form home during the week for work) so I'll always have access to my files and will be able to let it do all the leg-work.

If it were me I would definitely go for a laptop during Uni

[Warcony]

It sounds like laptop for you.  Is it 400 WITH the 250 voucher or 400 without it (i.e. you can spend <= 650)?

[TheMail]

+1 for laptop

[Slaeowulf]

The portability of a Tablet is the appealing factor. I find typing ok on touchscreens. In terms of a tablet, I was thinking of something like this -  http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-miix-10-1-touchscreen-convertible-laptop-silver-21426633-pdt.html

The downside is the premium for the tablet portability, when you look at the spec list.

 

To be honest portability wasn't an issue for me at Uni. Just stick it in your backpack with your lecture notes and what not. 

[Hirad123]

The portability of a Tablet is the appealing factor. I find typing ok on touchscreens. In terms of a tablet, I was thinking of something like this -  http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-miix-10-1-touchscreen-convertible-laptop-silver-21426633-pdt.html

The downside is the premium for the tablet portability, when you look at the spec list.

Personally if I were in your situation, what I would do is get the smallest laptop in terms of weight and size then get a nice ten keyless mechanical keyboard that'll fit in my bag such as: http://codekeyboards.com/  and then use the keyboard when typing. Just me though, it looks to me like you want the best possible portability so just go with the thinnest lightest laptop you can find.

[Dudenstein]

Generally laptop would be vastly superior although if you need the portability of a tablet then the Surface Pro 2 or another equivalent would be a good option as it can hook up with a keyboard and external peripherals as well as be able the run full windows applications

[rhodestech]

If I could afford to I would buy the Surface Pro 2 in a heart beat, but I still need to get a GPU for my Desktop PC. You've all made valid points for a Laptop, I was thinking maybe this one? - http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-vivobook-s500ca-15-6-touchscreen-laptop-dark-grey-19765625-pdt.html

[rhodestech]

It sounds like laptop for you.  Is it 400 WITH the 250 voucher or 400 without it (i.e. you can spend <= 650)?

£400 including the voucher, So I would be spending £150 of my own money.

[Warcony]

£400 including the voucher, So I would be spending £150 of my own money.

Oh ok. If you could go 30 over then get: http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/acer-aspire-e1-571-15-6-laptop-21286170-pdt.html

 

If not go with: http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/laptops/asus-vivobook-s500ca-15-6-touchscreen-laptop-dark-grey-19765625-pdt.html

[HK6]

I would never even want to attempt trying to program on a touchscreen. Hot keys/shortcuts, and easy access to symbols/special characters would be out the window. I would suggest this one. I've owned two Satellites, and I am currently using one of them in my computer programming course.

 

Reasons to pick the Satellite over the ASUS VivoBook you linked:

• Better CPU
• Double the RAM (having IDEs and dev tools open takes up a lot of RAM)
• 250 GB bigger HDD (some libraries you might use can take up a couple GB each)
• Gigabit ethernet port (I shouldn't have to explain the benefit here)
• DVD-drive (yes, you might still need this at some point)
• Only 0.2 kg heavier