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Just my $.02...
I stuck with Windows because it works well for me and I can't stand the hardware limitations and higher prices imposed by the Apple platform. I tried the Mac OS a few years ago and I couldn't see any advantages for me (and plenty of disadvantages for me.) I never do Windows updates unless there is a requirement specifically imposed by one of my applications, which is very rare.
We all have different needs and I love that there are different products for each of us.
Now back to the computer: Do you even need a portable (tablet or pad) or do you always work from your desk? Do you type a lot? Do you watch media on your system? HD? Do you use a CD/DVD drive frequently? Do you do any video recording or editing? Here is one that is often overlooked: if you are using a portable how much on-board storage do you need minimum? Is privacy and security a major concern?
I probably missed a important point so someone please add to this list?
1. No, I don't really need it more transportable than a regualr laptop
2. Yes I type a lot.
3. I play a game called Good Game Empire. I use it as strategic planning skills, and fun.
4. I don't watch videos other than an instruction video on youtube, with very, very rare exceptions.
5. I do use my CD/DVD drive to watch instructional videos.
6. I do not record or edit.
7. I have no idea about storage, isn't that was flash drives are for?
8. Privacy and security is a major concern, but we all know how that goes.
That narrows it down to a “Pad” or a laptop.
Yes I type a lot.
So, a “real” keyboard is a must? Laptops have keyboards. Some Lenovo pads have a micro USB Port. Apple makes two great bluetooth (wireless) keyboards for under $50.00.
I play a game called Good Game Empire. I use it as strategic planning skills, and fun.
I did a bit of checking on this. On a Mac, you should be able to play this through “Chrome”with a download from Google, at least people are reporting that they are playing it successfully.
The so called new Windows 10 probably will probably not be able to play this game (at least for some time, and only if enough people complain).
I don't watch videos other than an instruction video on youtube, with very, very rare exceptions.
Any Apple Pad or Laptop will be comparable here.
Windows 10 will require purchasing a media player program of which there is currently no selection. It wont be to long before these become available.
I do use my CD/DVD drive to watch instructional videos.
You get to make three choices here:
A. Get a laptop with a built in drive.With With Windows 10 you will need a media player that is not available yet but should be soon.
B. Apple with a iPad you will need a WiFi CD/DVD drive and an ‘app”.
C. Some Lenovo pad models have a “micro” usb port and there are a few players that can use this as long as you can plug in a external supply.
I do not record or edit.
Then you do not need a lot of computer power.
I have no idea about storage, isn't that was flash drives are for?
On a tablet storage is memory that takes the place of a hard drive for bulk storage of your files and work.
On a laptop it is usually your hard drive space.
It doesn't sound like you have been bitten by the archive bug yet so storage isn’t probably a big concern.
Privacy and security is a major concern, but we all know how that goes.
All Apple products are still way ahead of anything else when it comes to privacy and security.
No one I know likes Windows 8 which is the current version on any new PC.
I stayed away from giving advice in the dialog above.
I started working with Windows with the first commercial version, and DOS before that and HDOS, before that (most people have never heard of HDOS).
I started working with Apple with the old Apple II.
I personally use the top version of the Macbook Pro (I plug this into a large monitor on my desk and I run Windows 7 Pro on this computer for some tasks) and have a iPhone because I’m lazy and these are “Easier, Cheaper (in the long run), faster, and smarter”.
That might not work for you, if you are not willing to “convert” even though it isn't that difficult.
From what you have said, you should be able to get by on a high end Pad, or just above the low end laptops. One piece of advice I will give is get twice the “Memory” that is advertised with the lowest model in that class. Example: Low end models usually come with 4GB of memory. I suggest you get 8GB memory.
With either choice don't forget to consider the accessories and new software you will need. You might also want to consider what you will want in the future. For example: if you start "Archiving" books, records, pictures, etc. that this will change what you need in a computer.
One thing I cant leave unsaid now that I have been introduced to Objectivism; I do not believe Ayn Rand would like either Microsoft or its founder, because in my opinion they have done their business exactly as depicted in the character of Orren Boyle.
You don't seem like a heavy user, and I have seen a lot of problems fixed by adding more memory, especially with Windows. Windows 7 seems to be a good stable operating system.
Something I didn't think to mention, is you might consider finding a used computer that is a bit newer. When new operating systems come out people often just buy a new computer, and it is easy to tell if a laptop has been dropped. If you do buy a used one be sure that you get any "original" disks that went with it. If you can, get your computer person to look at anything you plan to purchase used.
For office software, if you don't want to run Office 2013 and you're afraid (rightly so) of getting f&*ked over by paying MS $10 a year to use, I'd further recommend using LibreOffice: a great alternative to MS. Just my .02 as well.
I might try to get new chips (like 12 gigs or something in my old computer and upgrade from Vista and perhaps that will fix the problem. I know Vista takes a lot to run. I don't know if I can upgrade directly from Vista to Windows 10 when it comes out, or if I have to do an intermediary with Windows 7 first. I also have not checked the price. It might be more cost effective to just get a new computer IF I can find one without the built-in camera. I had to look hard to find the one I have without the camera, and that was 8 years ago.
It probably would be better to avoid the pain of upgrading using your current H/W & thus deal with the old system maxing out on RAM usage and CPU percentage and just get one that's one year old ~ saving $$ in the process. Newegg, or tigerdirect should have rather good deals.
Got a computer with a camera? No problem: ensure it is shut off AND put a dark sticker over it! Hackers, China, DHS, FBI...whomever thinks they're so slick that they can activate without you knowing will see nothing but black. That's what I do to mine and the wife's.
The two best investments to speed up an older PC are RAM and a flash drive in place of a standard drive. The drive will give you the largest visible speed increase.
Example, my gaming laptop took several minutes to boot fully using a standard drive, even though it was a faster 7200rpm one. I replaced the boot drive with a flash drive and its now 20 seconds or so to fully boot.
Go to meeting and Skype, are two of the drivers for that, especially Skype.
I am going to guess that right now you use a camera that plugs into a usb port. You can still go that route on a new computer.
Disabling the on board camera is easiest done with tape/paint, next easiest driver, next easiest is in the BIOS if is an option.
You could physically disconnect it, but that means disassembling the screen to get at it on a laptop. Not something I would recommend doing yourself as a general rule, but a local PC service place could do it pretty cheaply. I don't recommend it as a do it yourself option because of the flex data cables used behind the screen. Very fragile and easy to fracture the conductors. And a hairline fracture will give you an intermittent problem that will drive you insane.
I think Win7 is much more stable and somewhat more efficient than Vista. I wouldn't go to Win10 yet, and if you have W7 you can wait a year and still get an upgrade to W10 for free. (But I have a habit of waiting until 3 or more years after a new Windows is released to switch. I stopped giving MSFT free consulting to debug their software 20 years ago.) You may not like the way W10 looks either. They make no attempt to do 3D icons or windows anymore. imo, it looks horrible, like a 1980s screen. BTW, it should be possible to run W7, XP, and W10 on the same machine selectable at bootup, in case you want to just get a taste of W10 without losing what you already know and (may) like.
Also the windows 8 interface is hideous in my eyes, looking like something put together by a six year old with color perception problems. If you want to go windows, it may be worth your while to wait for the windows 10 release.
The only thing I really use my windows laptop for now is gaming. Windows has a much greater variety of software, especially for gaming. But my windows laptop is very high end and has windows 7, not windows 8.
It really comes down as much to what you want to use it for as anything else. Any gotta have software that is only available for one platform is going to force decisions on you. Any mac only software means you need a mac, any windows only software means either windows or else run windows as a secondary operating system on the mac. Either as a dual boot with boot camp, or run windows under OS X in a virtual machine with Parallels desktop or equivalent.
I still use Apple and Sony laptops regularly for other tasks, but if I just want to crank out a book chapter and not have my hardware get in the way, the Surface is the way to go. Also, unlike an iPad or some combos like the original non-pro surface, the Surface Pro line runs the full Windows OS so you can install anything that runs on a windows laptop.
As I understand it, a real tablet's supposed advantages are lighter weight and longer battery life when untethered to ac power. Another difference is the user interface that uses a touch screen and your fingers instead of using a touch-pad or mouse. If the same operating system is being used for both tablet and laptop there may be an advantage to either laptop or tablet. If the operating system interface is designed for laptop then ease of use for the tablet would suffer, and if the interface is designed for tablet then the ease of use of the laptop would suffer. That was one of the problems with windows 8. It removed the relatively easy to use laptop interface in favor of one that emphasized tablet use. Laptop and desktop users were outraged and didn't buy it.
Another issue to consider is that in order to get better portability and better battery life for a tablet the capability of the cpu of the device may be downgraded. This means that a true laptop would do more things faster than a laptop/tablet while the laptop/tablet would have a longer battery duration unplugged from an ac outlet.
The "tablet" is designed to be used for web surfing and email as primary uses, not things that require a lot of cpu power. Laptops are designed to do a more balanced range of tasks that may require more cpu power in some cases, and that means faster response times on virtually everything except those tasks that are performance limited by the internet connection, e.g., web surfing and email.
If your primary use will be surfing the web and email, and you are more concerned about battery duration than speed of using other applications like Word, Excel, Photoshop, etc, then a tablet may be ok for you.
If you have more substantial tasks to perform that are speed-limited by the power of the cpu in a tablet combo, then you may want to stick with a laptop instead of a tablet combo.
I recently bought a 2nd laptop with a smaller screen for added portability and battery life (about 4 to 5 hours.) I got it 2nd hand (3yr old being returned after a lease) with a year left on warranty from Dell. I had to buy a new battery for it and it's working great. I wouldn't be happy with a tablet.