Any computer people here??

Alan here for what it is worth...

An alternate to both Apple and PC(x86) is linux. I prefer Linux Mint but there are many flavors available. I have discovered linux on an average PC hw system will usually run circles around either a PC or a Mac. Of course you may need to search for software solutions but I have never had a problem finding an open source program to do what ever it may be that I want to do.

 

We started way back when with Apple computers when the kids were growing up…IIe and IIc and whatever they were called. They were kid proof and bulletproof and they were under heavy use. We switched to PCs after the Apples became obsolete. When the kids went to college we sent the off with PCs. Seems like we were always fixing something or other. Then the kids decided that Macs were what they wanted. And by golly kids get what they want in this world. They both became devotees and evangelists… The wife and I kept PCs. I even made fun of the little brats by stealing their cute little Apple stickers and putting them on my PC. I would tell them that the Apple logo was the only difference.

Then the wife caved. "I want a Mac"…. she said over and over as her PC crashed and got infected with viruses repeatedly. To the untrained ear, in fact, it might have seemed like whining. So I bought her a Mac and SHE became a groupie.

Christmas a year ago, I got my first Mac. A nice little MacBook Pro. I can't believe how much less time I spend on maintenance. It seemed like I needed 3 different antivirus programs and utilities to keep everything straight. And even with the highest rated antivirals, I still got infections.

The last straw was when I got the infamous FBI virus. This horrible virus took over my computer. It took a picture of me on my web cam and showed it to me saying that it would be evidence that would be used to convict me of visiting child porn or bestiality sites if I didn't send money. It used the FBI letterhead, etc. It put me into a loop where I couldn't use access the internet without it redirecting me to the FBI warning page. I had to use a different computer to download a specific antivirus program to get it out. Scary stuff.

I've been using the Mac virus free for 14 months now and I'll not go back.

 

Having worked in computers for many years training retail sales people for hp and Sony I am forced to ask what you will be doing with it?

The truth may be that a tablet is what you need. Most people don't need the versatility or issues of a computer anymore.

 

We are using a Sony Vaio laptop for a couple of years now and overall it has served us well. I am thinking of getting a tablet for our "odyssey". My uses primarily are pretty simple...email, internet searches, blogging, Facebook, maybe a spreadsheet, and Word; perhaps Skype. What are impressions of Windows 8 out there? I have heard it is cumbersome...is that true?

 

Depends if you mean windows RT (tablet only) or full windows, which will also run on a tablet. I'm going to assume you mean RT. RT is fine for tablet use.

Here's what I think are the criteria based on your list... Will you be needing cell service built in to the tablet? Or just WiFi only and you'll have a hotspot or go to the McOffice when using the device? Knowing that piece of it will help narrow it down for device types. The other consideration (again, only my opinion), what are you comfortable using? What do your friends use? If you had to 'phone a friend', what could they help you with? What type of phone (smart phone) do you have? I'd stick with the same os in tablet form then certainly.

Windows rt, android, and ipad... Any of them would work for what you listed you want... But to me its about the service contract you may or may not have, what phone os you are used to, and what your friends use.

Windows rt doesn't have the depth of 3rd party programs yet like iPad or android have. What you listed as must haves rt does... But you may find that it's not what you really want long term.

If it helps, I have both a windows tablet (full, not rt) and an android tablet. I use the android tablet much more...but is that because I have an android phone? If I had a windows phone would it be the opposite? I couldn't say for sure.

 

We have apple phones and iPads. I just got a new iPad air 2 and it comes with pages, numbers etc which makes it much more like full use computer. My desk top is also an iMac. I love the ease of use of these products. We use our iPads strictly wifi and with the new iPhone 6 plus size, I find it is much easier to use it a lot like my iPad. Just my 2 cents.
Gina

 

Valerie used to be an iPhone and iPad user. When her iPad died, we replaced it with a windows tablet. That worked well so she recently switched to a nokia windows phone and loves it and said she would never switch back to an iPhone again. So we just bought her a Lenovo all in one windows pc which she also really likes.

She moved off the laptop because when mobile she did everything on her phone.