Small laptop

[Milkfloat]

If she is going to be lugging it around all day then you should be looking at an ultrabook, they are not cheap though. For pure documenttation then a Chromebook is also a good option, but I would suggest that only if she is fully in the Google Apps ecosystem.

https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/m...best-ultrabook-18-top-thin-and-lights-1054355

What is your budget?

 

[mjr]

If it's going to be used primarily for entering data (as you seem to be suggesting) a laptop will beat a tablet every day of the week. It's what they're designed for

You can use a tablet for data entry of course, but it's a compromise and isn't as efficient at this as a laptop

How's a laptop better than a tablet with keyboard in your opinion?

 

[Adam4868]

Thanks for all your contributions.Its purely for university,writing her dissertation and such.She wants a smaller one to take on a train and the like.Basically something cheap and cheerful.Im paying so emphasis on the cheap !

 

[MichaelW2]

The industry seems to hate cheap, effective netbooks and kill them off at every opportunity. It is a great concept and Asus showed how popular it could be. If you are typing, you need a proper keyboard.

 

[vickster]

Thanks for all your contributions.Its purely for university,writing her dissertation and such.She wants a smaller one to take on a train and the like.Basically something cheap and cheerful.Im paying so emphasis on the cheap !

What application is she using? MS Word? Also Excel, PowerPoint? Anything else?

 

[Fnaar]

iPad mini and a bluetooth keyboard

(Mind you, I have a laptop too)

 

[DCBassman]

Thanks so you think that's ok ? She has her phone for WiFi/internet.Just for her college/dissertation work.Ive not a clue what I'm looking for,but it's down to me !

It's what my son uses for exactly the same things. He gave me his tablet as the Asus made it redundant.

 

[Adam4868]

What application is she using? MS Word? Also Excel, PowerPoint? Anything else?

Now your asking.I know we have Windows 10 on a laptop at home.

 

[vickster]

Now your asking.I know we have Windows 10 on a laptop at home.

It’s quite important, best check with her. Windows is one thing, MS office another (as a student she can get a deal on the software)

 

[DCBassman]

It’s quite important, best check with her. Windows is one thing, MS office another (as a student she can get a deal on the software)

Indeed, a student subscription of Office 365 might be doable as a deal with the machine.

 

[vickster]

Indeed, a student subscription of Office 365 might be doable as a deal with the machine.

If she doesn’t already have a licence at home

 

[Adam4868]

If she doesn’t already have a licence at home

Thanks no don't think we have.So is there a big difference.Do these not already come with software on ?

 

[vickster]

Thanks no don't think we have.So is there a big difference.Do these not already come with software on ?

Not normally no

Student licence = Free (maybe)

https://products.office.com/en-gb/student/office-in-education

Home licence = £80ish

 

[nickyboy]

How's a laptop better than a tablet with keyboard in your opinion?

Although a bit of a generalisation, tablet keyboards are not as comprehensive as laptop keyboards.

For example I often do some fairly heavy duty data input for reports and spreadsheets and find a laptop keyboard more efficient

It all depends on the actual use of course. If it's answering a few emails etc then a tablet would be fine and I'd recommend that. Heavy duty input I'd go laptop

 

[Adam4868]

Not normally no

Student licence = Free (maybe)

https://products.office.com/en-gb/student/office-in-education

Home licence = £80ish

Thanks that's handy,she teaches and studies at a university so should be ok for that.