Did you replace your laptop?

[alprazolam]

I am curious to know if the combo of the keyboard and tablet has completely replaced your laptop/pc. Do you still have to pick up the PC for certain tasks?

I basically surf the net, play videos, and use MS Office to do basic tasks such as writing and simple Excel sheets for keeping budget and whatnot. I don't edit photos (Photoshop) or use other tasks that require loads of memory. I've been toying with using Google Docs to replace Office, with mixed results. What say you?

Edit: I almost forgot one important thing that may or may not be important. I do like to flash ROM's to my phone and some of the methods require a PC or Linux Distro. Anybody successfully use Linux for such tasks?

 

[Cobravision]

In the sense that I never had a laptop and now this is my laptop, yes. But when I'm home, I've been using remote desktop from phone and tablet for a couple of years now. I rarely actually sit down at my desk at home.

 

[wynand32]

I tried replacing my notebook with my original Transformer and dock combo, and couldn't do it. I don't think I'd be able to do it with the Prime and dock combo, either. No knock against the Transformer family, but some things are just faster and more comfortable on a notebook.

For example, if I'm doing a lot of research and writing simultaneously, which involves switching from the browser (with many tabs open) to Word to Evernote (where I store research notes) and back again, it just isn't fast enough or reliable enough on Android's equivalents. One issue is that Android has a tendency to close apps without warning, and none of the Office doc editing apps (as far as I'm aware) autosave open documents before they're closed. So, you have to be VERY careful to save edits before you switch away to another app, or there's a really good chance that those edits (or new documents) will be lost. That doesn't happen on my Windows machines.

In terms of outright productivity, what I've found the Transformer/Prime + dock combo to be best for is when I'm single-tasking over long stretches while on the road (or lying in bed, where the notebook is uncomfortable). For example, doing a great deal of research by itself, which I'll use later for writing on my notebook. Or in long, face-down draft writing sessions when all I'm doing is putting words on the screen. And it's great for those things--portable, great battery life, comfortable screen for long sessions, etc.

But when it's time to put everything together, I do it on my notebook or desktop (which remains the best tool, because of the multiple screens). So, it really, really comes down to how you tend to work.

 

[rockstarinlife]

Before I bought my first tablet I went through a bunch of pros and cons of either buying a new 11" Macbook Air or buying either an iPad or Android Tablet.

I ended up buying the 11" Macbook Air first and then just recently bough the Acer Tablet A500.

There is no way that I could replace the laptop with a Tablet.

I like to do some video editing on the Macbook Air as well as a few other tasks that either cant be done on the Tablets or would take too much time to do.

I bought my tablet to watch movies, surf the web, check email etc.

I also own a Verizon iPhone 4 and jailbroke it so I can use it as a Wifi hotspot for my MBA and Tablet.

I just bought the Breffo Spider tablet stand and used it attached to my car visor watching shows and movies while my wife drove from North Cali to Laguna Beach (7:30 hour trip).



Worked great and the battery lasted the entire trip

My Macbook Air would have only lasted about 3 hours or continuous movie watching.

 

[theandies]

I find myself going less and less to my computer to do things at home. I've even thought about using my Prime at work to view .pda's We use .pda's for our electrical schematics and pinch to zoom works great to zoom in on a particular part of the schematic. I just don't want to use it at work without a nice case that is cleanroom proof (yes I work in a cleanroom). I

 

[alprazolam]

Thanks for the input so far.

wynand32-I am very ADHD when it comes to browsing because I end up having ten tabs open and many different topics going at once. There is the very real possibility that I will go back to school at any time within the next year or so. That means research and writing...lots of it. As you well know.

rockstarinlife-Just out of curiosity. What made you decide not to go with the Ipad since you are in that environment with the Mac? Would an Ipad with a keyboard compete with the Macbook Air? I realize that you said you do video editing, which is out of the question without some real processing power and memory.

Edit: theandies-you and I posted at the same time. Yeah...I'd still have access to a laptop for that type of editing if the need arose. I just want the use of a laptop/desktop to be very minimal. I have a Kindle Fire now and I barely use it. It has great features on it...it's just faster to get my trusty old netbook out and type with a keyboard.

 

[rsarno]

The answer for me is no, here are some of the things i still do on my laptop

1) world of warcraft

2) speed browsing (i cover 3x as much content on my laptop vs just using the tablet without keyboard)

3) taking pics off my cameras. I have a 3yr old and a habit of taking a zillion pics and vids. I use my laptop to plug in the cameras and pull all the pics off

4) organizing my pics. With over 70,000 pics i am a bit OCD with organizing and filing them. Not possible (i dont think?) on android yet.

5) MS Word. I know we have document processors and editors. But nothing beats MS Word on a decent pc. Android CAN handle some tasks, but for major tasks or mass document management, Windows cant be beat (yet, for me anyhow)

I didn't buy the keyboard because i didnt want to attempt to replace my laptop. I have a laptop at home, one at work, and a tablet for everything in between.

Not even sure if this is the right tablet, which is why ill buy an ipad3 also when it comes out. The loser gets handed to my 3yr old haha

 

[alprazolam]

rsarno-Must be nice to be able to try till you like! I'm gonna have to make a very informed decision because the purchase that I make will have to stick for at least a year. I have read a couple of instances in which people put down their PC/Mac for a tablet. One reviewer complained that even with a keyboard, the browser experience is much slower on an Android tablet. This was done with a Prime 1 though. Has anyone experienced a significant enough improvement to negate this issue on the ATP?

 

[rsarno]

I am not a fanboy of either, so i have a somewhat unbiased view.

honestly i wouldn't say android browsers are "slower", but they definitely cannot compete with the smoothness, or butteryness, or silkiness, i dont know what to call it. Apple browsing just "feels better" in my opinion.

The battle will never be solved, Android vs iOS. But each absolutely has its pros&cons.

here is my PERSONAL opinion that i always post when asked this question:

I work in mobile software development, so i have access to both. I am often asked this question and ill try to detail my answer here.

The iphone does (lets say) 10 things. It plays music, has apps, has a map, etc etc .. it does these 10 things flawlessly, and gorgeously!

The android does those same 10 things, but maybe not as polished. However the android does countless additional things! Most of which just aren't possible (or allowed by Apple) on the iPhone!

I dont like my dialer
on iphone, im SOL
on android, i download any number of new dialers to try

I dont like the keyboard!
on iphone, im SOL
on android, i download any number of keyboards to try

I dont like the music player!
on iphone, im SOL
on android, i download any number of music players to try

I dont want to open an app to see the weather, i want it on my homescreen!
on iphone, im SOL
on android, i create a widget in less than 5 seconds

etc
etc
etc

That list can literally go for an hour.

Bottom line .. iPhone does what it does, pretty amazingly! They definitely set the bar for user-experience, and created this industry we are all wrapped up in!

BUT in the long run i am much happier with Android because it has limitless possibilities. I change what i want, including the entire OS if i want to. And im not lacking anything that iPhone users have.

and here are a few threads you can review:
http://androidforums.com/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime/468476-prime-vs-ipad2-why.html

http://androidforums.com/android-lounge/446521-android-v-iphone.html

 

[rsarno]

and FYI relevant and off topic at the same time ..

when i read your questions i was on my tf201, i closed it so i can reply on the laptop lol. The tf201 is amazing, but given the option .. im hopping on my laptop if i have much typing to do.

typing is less of a pain on an ipad IMO, due to the fact its a bit smaller.

 

[Treknologist]

I'd have to say it has replaced my work laptop...when I travel on business. I have always hated using the business laptop to do personal stuff (check email, watch movies, etc.). I now can, instead, use my Prime for my personal stuff. So, I take the laptop and the Prime but, in the hotel room, I use my Prime exclusively.

 

[alprazolam]

and FYI relevant and off topic at the same time ..

when i read your questions i was on my tf201, i closed it so i can reply on the laptop lol. The tf201 is amazing, but given the option .. im hopping on my laptop if i have much typing to do.

typing is less of a pain on an ipad IMO, due to the fact its a bit smaller.

The whole typing thing is what confuses me. Maybe this will be solved by going into a brick and mortar to experience it for myself. I look at the tf201 with the keyboard dock and wonder how it would be different from my 10" netbook that I have been using for the past two years (typing wise). From the looks of things, you have a tablet that turns into a netbook form factor when docked.

As an aside, I began to look at notebook alternatives, expecting to see prices WAY below the Prime/Dock combo and was surprised to see steep prices on the decent ones. The Ultrabook prices? Geez!

 

[golfernut78]

no and yes.

no - because i do a lot of autocad, 3d modelings, photoshop, word/excel/powerpoint (using templates we've created) - things no tab can do easily with or without a keyboard dock (which i did get). i actually have a 16.4" laptop and a work desktop and home desktop. autocad can be a bit difficult even on a 16.4" laptop. that all said, i am looking to get a new, powerful laptop later this year that will replace both my home and office desktop and will have docking stations at home and work to connect it to a keyboard, mouse and 23" monitor.

yes - i travel a fair amount and in some cases i only took my laptop to use for reading pdf's that pertain to the jobsite i was visiting and for taking care of e-mails (rather than using my phone). in this case, the tablet is perfect and rather than taking the laptop i will be taking the tablet only. for longer trips - 2-3 day trips i'll probably end up taking both the laptop and tablet, but will only be using the tablet on the plane for entertainment rather than trying to use the laptop to watch a movie.

 

[alprazolam]

no and yes.
yes - i travel a fair amount and in some cases i only took my laptop to use for reading pdf's that pertain to the jobsite i was visiting and for taking care of e-mails (rather than using my phone). in this case, the tablet is perfect and rather than taking the laptop i will be taking the tablet only. for longer trips - 2-3 day trips i'll probably end up taking both the laptop and tablet, but will only be using the tablet on the plane for entertainment rather than trying to use the laptop to watch a movie.

Dang! That is pretty much what the consensus comes to on the use of the tablet. For that use, I may as well keep my Kindle Fire and look to replace my netbook. I have been so bent on making this work, but it looks like the timing it just too soon. I wonder what Windows 8 on ARM will do for replacing the PC...

 

[kronie]

My plan is to use the Prime for traveling and my iMac will be for the office. I need a real computer for, well, real computer stuff. Photo shop, Lightroom, M$ office, and data storage. Eventually I will find the right VNC client to access the files on my desktop.

 

[Treknologist]

Dang! That is pretty much what the consensus comes to on the use of the tablet. For that use, I may as well keep my Kindle Fire and look to replace my netbook. I have been so bent on making this work, but it looks like the timing it just too soon. I wonder what Windows 8 on ARM will do for replacing the PC...

I hope you are not surprised by this. Current tablets are not true "computer replacements" at this time. They are very nice devices with a lot of capabilities but they still can't take the place of a full computer (i.e., laptop). I do think that Windows 8 may change that paradigm, IF Microsoft plays the game correctly. That is fine by me since that only pushes competition.

 

[golfernut78]

I hope you are not surprised by this. Current tablets are not true "computer replacements" at this time. They are very nice devices with a lot of capabilities but they still can't take the place of a full computer (i.e., laptop). I do think that Windows 8 may change that paradigm, IF Microsoft plays the game correctly. That is fine by me since that only pushes competition.

i look at what my parents use a computer for - web browsing and email - and for them minus the screen size because they are near blind, a tablet could do all they need. for me, it's an aid, but not a replacement.

 

[alprazolam]

I hope you are not surprised by this. Current tablets are not true "computer replacements" at this time. They are very nice devices with a lot of capabilities but they still can't take the place of a full computer (i.e., laptop). I do think that Windows 8 may change that paradigm, IF Microsoft plays the game correctly. That is fine by me since that only pushes competition.

Not surprised so much but disappointed nonetheless. Around Christmas-time, I messed around with a Toshiba Thrive and BT keyboard combo. I found it to be cool but was doubtful that Android was ready to replace a PC or Mac. With the speed of this quad core, I wanted to test the waters again. Not to mention that I look at my aging netbook and see that a tax return is due and so is a new computer.

 

[theandies]

I might add that I do not have the dock yet. I see a more favorable split to the prime once I do get a dock since right now it's about 50-50 on when I use my prime and when I use my laptop. Touchscreen typing is still a bit of a chore IMO.

 

[rsarno]

To be fare, I guess i should discredit my posts above slightly.

The question if the TF201 has replaced my laptop ... i gave my answers, but in fareness i dont own the keyboard dock.

So my intent was never to replace my laptop which is why i never bought it, my intent was solely to get a sick tablet ha

 

[alprazolam]

The keyboard is a real biggie here. There is no way that I would even attempt to replace my laptop with a tablet that I have to use a touch keyboard. I have a Kindle Fire that does that. Great for a book, movie, or to check out my twitter feed. Terrible to come on here and write my long essays.

 

[sgosnell]

I have a Linux laptop, a Nook, and a Prime. I rarely turn the Nook on, and I wouldn't have bought one anyway, it was a gift. I still use the laptop for some things, but it's not that often. There are certainly things that Android just can't do, so I have no plans to get rid of the laptop, but I don't use it that often. Without the keyboard dock, I just wouldn't have bothered with a tablet at all. But the keboard makes all the difference, and makes the tablet usable. It's close to having a laptop with a touchscreen, and it's excellent for most of what I do, but I still plan to have the Linux box handy. I don't own a Windows computer, and have no plans to ever own one. I have to use Windows at work, and it's extremely frustrating to be forced to use it.

 

[alprazolam]

I have a Linux laptop, a Nook, and a Prime. I rarely turn the Nook on, and I wouldn't have bought one anyway, it was a gift. I still use the laptop for some things, but it's not that often. There are certainly things that Android just can't do, so I have no plans to get rid of the laptop, but I don't use it that often. Without the keyboard dock, I just wouldn't have bothered with a tablet at all. But the keboard makes all the difference, and makes the tablet usable. It's close to having a laptop with a touchscreen, and it's excellent for most of what I do, but I still plan to have the Linux box handy. I don't own a Windows computer, and have no plans to ever own one. I have to use Windows at work, and it's extremely frustrating to be forced to use it.

I made the jump and I'm with you on this. My dock is on the way and my laptop usage has already dropped significantly. With the dock, maybe once per week.

 

[LateNiteMike]

No I didn't replace my laptop,...although I was (secretly) hoping to. I have no problem with my Toshiba Portege laptop even though it is old. It still works very well and does everything I want it to do. It is however a MS Windows device,...and I hate having to use 'Windows'.
In my quest for a device that could/would be a possible replacement for my old WinMO phone I discovered Android. I trashed my old WinMo phone and bought my SGS (Galaxy S) and I was thrilled with the experience.
So, ever since then I've been wanting to do the same thing with my WinXP laptop. I now have my new TF201 Prime and I love it. My laptop now sits idle almost all of the time. However, I have found that there are things that I can do on my laptop that I cannot (as yet) do on my Prime. Photo editing is one example. I use Picasa and Ulead Photoimpact on my laptop. In something as simple as email I find that I cannot edit my text with bold, underline, italics....nor can I change the color of the text on my Prime...in email. These are things that I find myself limited in doing when using my Android tablet....and yes I do have and use the keyboard dock.

So, I'm hoping there will be apps, or email enhancements, or firmware upgrades that will address these issues and allow my to do a complete switchover....but as of now I still use my laptop to do several things.

 

[madixxx]

The answer for me is no, here are some of the things i still do on my laptop

1) world of warcraft

2) speed browsing (i cover 3x as much content on my laptop vs just using the tablet without keyboard)

3) taking pics off my cameras. I have a 3yr old and a habit of taking a zillion pics and vids. I use my laptop to plug in the cameras and pull all the pics off

4) organizing my pics. With over 70,000 pics i am a bit OCD with organizing and filing them. Not possible (i dont think?) on android yet.

5) MS Word. I know we have document processors and editors. But nothing beats MS Word on a decent pc. Android CAN handle some tasks, but for major tasks or mass document management, Windows cant be beat (yet, for me anyhow)

I didn't buy the keyboard because i didnt want to attempt to replace my laptop. I have a laptop at home, one at work, and a tablet for everything in between.

Not even sure if this is the right tablet, which is why ill buy an ipad3 also when it comes out. The loser gets handed to my 3yr old haha

OH NO!this is bad news as i was actually hoping to stop using my laptop altogether!
i need to do:

a) lots of writing -often on the go
b) muchisimo mailing( i more or less got it now as per my 'i am new ' post.) so that should be fine
c) browsing properly and STORE pages in browser -not sure how the browser bar will look when i customize as haven't started yet.

and worse d) more or less same amount of photo handling as you !!!! yiiiiiii!!

so my next post was just going to ask that =is it possible to handle photos via the android OS as i do today on my laptop with picasa, g+ and soon to come the google cloud service- (which i am waiting for!) did you try that on the prime RSARNO?

and you have no dock station to your prime, i thought they came as a set?