Viewsonic G-tablet as laptop replacement?

[LxMxFxD]

Has anyone done this? I am considering getting one for my girlfriend as her 7 year old, winxp laptop is dying fast. A 10" screen is the same as a netbook and with the handy dandy USB port, she could plug in a keyboard for class or when writing emails, etc.

My real question is, the primary uses for this for her would be:

1. Writing papers for class
2. Writing emails
3. Surfing
4. Using skype with video webcam

She doesn't really spend a lot of time chatting or facebooking or anything of the like, but she'll definitely have to write papers hopefully with docs-to-go or variant. I realize android rooted is not windows 7, but before I pull the trigger on this, are there any drawbacks that I'm not thinking of?

 

[Zebulon]

Well, skype doesn't have video chat available yet for android, but otherwise, the G Tab will do pretty well, especially with a keyboard. I just spent the last week at a Bible conference, using my G Tab for taking notes during the sessions, for browsing during the breaks, and as my Bible. It worked great, and a single charge lasted all day.

 

[LxMxFxD]

Well, skype doesn't have video chat available yet for android, but otherwise, the G Tab will do pretty well, especially with a keyboard. I just spent the last week at a Bible conference, using my G Tab for taking notes during the sessions, for browsing during the breaks, and as my Bible. It worked great, and a single charge lasted all day.

Thats great! This is what I was hoping for. Are you rooted and all that? I would have figured skype would have it built in by now, that is very strange (I dont do the video skyping). I'll have to look into that, thanks for the heads up.

 

[Zebulon]

Thats great! This is what I was hoping for. Are you rooted and all that? I would have figured skype would have it built in by now, that is very strange (I dont do the video skyping). I'll have to look into that, thanks for the heads up.

Yes, I am rooted and running VEGAn. There are other video chat options for android, but so far skype hasn't released it yet. I think it has to do with the huge number of variations on android hardware.

 

[Aardvark1971]

Looked up Skype on the Market and seems as they yet have implimented video chat, but an article via Google said they are working on it, although an early leaked copy has problems, so just a keep your eyes peeled thing me thinks!

* In other words they are working on it!

 

[PSkeptic]

I don't know about replacing a notebook, but it can replace a netbook.

I've replaced my netbook with my g tablet. With a USB hub, I can use a mouse, keyboard, and most other accesories. And, coupled with a stylus, I even take hand written notes on it now

For video chat, Yahoo, Fring, or any SIP service. Skype has no video yet.

 

[LxMxFxD]

Yeah she skype's with people in Canada where she lived for a while. She can't really change clients, because.. this is what THEY use. Looks like she's stuck with her old notebook until then. Glad I checked on skype before pulling the trigger on this. She'd be super pissed if I was like "You can't video skype using this thing". Oh well :-/

 

[VanDums]

I use mine for pretty much everything. It is just as quick as my wife's netbook if not quicker is some aspects. I do not have an Office suite, but you can get Office to Go for $15.

 

[SolidOrange]

you can get QuickOffice for free from XDA:

Notion Ink Apps ported for G-Tab any ROM (7 - apps + keyboard) (UPDATED) - xda-developers

 

[newDroid2010]

I don't think for the money you should get a new gTab to use as a laptop replacement. The price is generally 2-300 for a gTab and you can get a netbook for 3-350 there are enough buggy things with the tablets that unless you are very technical they would bug the hell out of you. I am running VEGAn (its the best ROM that I have tried). I think that (and am probably wrong) most of the readers of this forum are very smart technical people. Take it from someone who has a wife is the total opposite - dont replace a windows based system with something new for her. It is familiar to her already, and works as she would expect it to. If you really want to try it -get a gTab for yourself and try it... but get her a cheap laptop.

Have you thought about how you are going to print? Writing a paper for school makes me think she is going to print it to give to the teacher. I dont think you can easily hook up a printer to the gTab. I have never tried.