tablets

Surely any new computer can do that.

NT

The Oregonian has turned into "the Portland Oregon Newsletter". Its web interface is actually worse than reading what little is there in print.

So, you'll probably need to search out some real news sources to go with your tablet.

I have a Google Nexus 7 tablet. 32GB, wi-fi only, 2nd generation (2013). They sell on eBay for about: Make sure you get the one with the 1920x1200 screen, not the 1280x800. I've had it for a few years and like it. It's not too big to carry and small enough to fit in my jacket pocket. It's fast (quad core), reliable, dual band wi-fi, and easy to use. Google also seems to be giving it priority for the latest firmware as I seem to get my updates before other tablets. Recommended.

However, I've given up trying to read full page newspapers and cluttered web pages on the small screen. My eyes are no longer good enough. So, I've switched to using a Chromebook. I have an Acer C720 with 4GB RAM and 16GB SSD. It does much the same things as the tablet, with a bigger (11.3") screen, but fewer dots (1366x768). I use "reader view" in Firefox to make things easier to read, but it doesn't always work. I also do quite a bit of email, so having an attached keyboard is more convenient than poking at the screen on the tablet. 8 hr (theoretical) battery life means I don't drag around the charger. The Acer C720 is a bit too old to recommend, but one of the newer and better Chromebooks would be a possible alternative.

If you want cheap: Looks like the stock of refurbished Chromebooks is down thanks to the Christmas shopping frenzy.

I was going to recomend a Chromebook too. One neat feature is the ability to do a complete reset/recovery. Sounds like it is very unlikely to get corrupt.

Cheers

I've been using a Lenovo A10 for a couple of years. Great battery life. I got a hard back mag latch cover. Using it for periodic email and news I can go over a week without plugging it in.

Also works great with BT keyboard and mouse when I need them.

If your eyesight will handle it you can get a 8" Fire for 60 bucks.

Seems like every news outlet and local station has an app these days.

a Toshiba thrive is a very well made tablet. The construction of it better over many others, also it has full size USB, Micro USB, HDMI port. flash card slot etc.... PLus of course the two camers. etc..

Pricy over the other low ends but the construction is worth it.. and yes they are in the 10 " range.

You can connect USB standard items to it like keyboard, mouse etc,,, I paid a lot more for mine but I see they are now down to 190 bucks for a 16G one and you can get the 32GB at 500..

Jamie

But it has to sit on the kitchen table along with breakfast. Mousing and eating is tricky, sharing my right hand.

A tablet is about the right size.

So get a better newspaper? Sadly, the only half-way decent newspapers in th e US get published on the east coast (the Washington Post does come to mind ), and John probably wouldn't like them, since they won't give him his main tenance dose of denialist propaganda.

Perhaps what he actually needs is an education - he learned some stuff at T ulane, but only what he thought was useful, which clearly wasn't enough.

My phone works perfectly for that use. It fits in my pocket so I can carry it everywhere.

Yep. Also, it's nice to have two difference Chromebooks, both with the same account, neatly sync each other. If I want to loan a customer one of mine, I just powerwash (clear) a Chromebook, login with their Google login, and instant demo machine. When they're done, I powerwash again, login with my Google ID, and it's back exactly as it was before I cleared it. Very nice for try before you buy.

Unfortunately, I have managed to trash my Chromebook using the Developer Mode and installing or running Linux. I usually run Linux from an SDHC card. Not a problem, but sometimes Linux goes insane, and trashes parts of the ChromeOS partition. When that happens, I can either do the powerwash ritual, or reload the entire ChromeOS firmware from a USB memory thing.

The only time I got into trouble was when I picked up some malware on Facebook that attached itself to the Chrome browser on my Chromebook. I quickly realized what had happened and disabled syncing with Google Drive to prevent propagating the malware. I could have carefully removed what was probably an unwanted Chrome browser extension or add-on, but I was in a hurry. I just powerwashed it, logged back in, let it update from my Google Drive, and I was back to normal, without the malware.

A tablet requires a reader stand to be used hands free. Something like this should work. You probably already have one: One size fits all tablets.

Some have built-in stands, or covers that are also stands. I find that I never use it, though.

I also don't use the built in stands on the covers. However, I do use the PCB holder in my photo. The problem it solves is that I often take photos of the computahs before disassembly and need the photos during reassembly. Since I wear higher power glasses when working, I want to keep both the work and the tablet at the same distance from my eyes, so that I don't need to change glasses between reading and fixing. The stand places the tablet at the required distance.

Depends on whether you can live with having to support both software environments. If you are already using Apple else where and can afford it then they make nice kit. I have my wife's old cast off iPad as a toy.

I also have an Android (actually two). Both have their strengths and weaknesses and size options. Apples tend to have a better camera but not always. Read the reviews carefully and you can pretty much get exactly what you want. Many of the screens now have resolutions that exceed

If you are already a Unix person then Android might have the edge since the Apple way of doing things is less flexible. Androids will accept USB sticks for instance.

It is also worth considering an ASUS T100 tablet/keyboard combo (not made of liquid metal). I have one as an ultra portable on the road but it can be used as a 10" tablet without the detachable keyboard.

Internal memory is limited but you can add a usD card for more.

Thanks for the Chromebook recommendation. I've been thinking of a laptop for xmas.

George H.

Make sure you understand /your/ use cases.

When my daughter was looking, she explicitly mentioned that she needed to be able to use a device on a train when not connected to a network. Even the salesdroid recognised that ruled out a chromebook.

Oh, thanks Tom. So no chromebook then. (I'll fly whatever purchase by my 15yo son... he now knows more than me about what I want. :^)

George H.