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Technology

Small computers?

(33 Posts)
Greatnan Wed 05-Dec-12 22:38:37

When I am in Manchester for Christmas, I want to buy some small device to take to New Zealand instead of my laptop. I am confused by all the different types - tablets, ipads, etc. I don't want to pay more than £200. All I need is something to send/receive emails and access the internet. No bells and whistles. Can anyone recommend something suitable?

jO5 Wed 05-Dec-12 22:46:07

Oh! That's funny. I had an advert come up a little while ago. It was for a Google one. Sure it said it is £200. I forgot to click on it. Think I might like one of those. Probably won't see the ad again! hmm

jO5 Wed 05-Dec-12 22:51:55

Perhaps it was this one

I need to find out if it's any good. Great price!

annodomini Wed 05-Dec-12 23:33:34

this tablet is the main rival to the Kindle Fire

Greatnan Wed 05-Dec-12 23:38:49

I think that one is just a bit too big - I would like something with a 7" screen

Greatnan Wed 05-Dec-12 23:49:16

Posts crossed, anno! I like having a proper keyboard as I touch type, rather than just touching letters on the screen. I think the 7" Acer might be suitable. So many on offer, it really is confusing.

annodomini Wed 05-Dec-12 23:53:37

There are lots of Android tablets available. Some are remarkably cheap - if you are going for one, get the latest operating system - jelly bean, believe it or not. The i-Pad mini is more expensive and probably doesn't give you much more for your money. You can buy cases for most of these tablets which have integral keyboards.

Greatnan Thu 06-Dec-12 00:56:56

I have found some Android 7" mini laptops for under £70 - I can't believe they can be any good!

Greatnan Thu 03-Jan-13 12:52:22

Hooray! I bought myself a Kindle Fire 7" Tablet for £129 from PC World/Curry..
It is hard to get used to tapping the letters with a stylus after years of rapid touch typing but it fits in my handbag and I can access Facebook, e-mails, etc. I won't be using it to post long messages but it was good to be able to keep in touch when I went to stay with my nephew in Glasgow for Christmas. I can't use it at my sister's house as she has no connection, so I am back in the library today.
The covers are a rip-off - £20 for something which must have cost about £1 to make, but the Kindle Fire is a little larger than the ordinary e-reader.

Nelliemoser Thu 03-Jan-13 13:14:17

greatnan I like your style! Is it Gransnet that calls you to spend out on this technology just to keep in touch? wink

jO5 Thu 03-Jan-13 13:16:17

Sugar me!!!

I paid £159 in John Lewis the other day! [runs to find receipt] shock

Do they still do that price matching thing?

Ana Thu 03-Jan-13 13:25:55

£129 on Amazon as well....

Riverwalk Thu 03-Jan-13 13:39:07

J0 you must have the posher HD version?

jO5 Thu 03-Jan-13 13:41:47

Ah yes. That would be it Riverwalk. Son was spending my money for me. As usual. hmm

jO5 Thu 03-Jan-13 13:44:26

OMG! This one's got a speaker with Dolby sound. Do I need that?

Oh well. hmm

Riverwalk Thu 03-Jan-13 13:48:59

If you want to watch films and listen to music it would come in handy!

Ana Thu 03-Jan-13 13:51:17

Or listen to an audio book....

Ana Thu 03-Jan-13 13:52:06

As long as it was read by someone with a gorgeous voice, of course! grin

jO5 Thu 03-Jan-13 14:23:53

It doesn't seem to have a manual. Well, only a very small one - one page Anglais and then goes foreign! hmm

Must sit down-not-in-front-of-GNet at some point and try to study it.

Kristof Fri 04-Jan-13 10:35:30

We too got a Kindle fire for Christmas and we love it. Like you say it does Internet, Facebook, Emails, books, Games, has a calculator app, we can send it Word or PDF files so that we have documents with us when we travel. I don't use it everyday as we have the home computer in the house, but when we go away it's a Godsend.

We got a cover from Ebay for about £6 that allows it to stand up in either landscape or portrait position for watching films (or playing card games) or reading.

If you want more info let me know.

jO5 Fri 04-Jan-13 10:48:02

Might take you up on that Kristof. I haven't really tried with it yet - I think I'm scared/lazy.

I've paid more than that for a cover off of Amazon! Didn't think of ebay! Oh well. hmm grin

jO5 Fri 04-Jan-13 10:50:38

Ana I've just remembered. Alexander Vlahsos (Mordred in Merlin) has just done an audio book thingy! Yeah!!!

Greatnan Fri 04-Jan-13 10:53:05

Thank you, Kristof, but I am not spenidng any more on it!
Jingle, yes, you have the more up-market version but I have a perfectly good laptop at home and just wanted the simplest tablet I could find so I can carry it easily to New Zealand. The only thing I need to work out is how to get UK TV programmes as iportal tell me it does not support their service, but when I googled a question I was told I could use Youtube or Amazon. I don't want to miss my favourite programmes whilst I am away for six weeks!

I would love to say that it was my addiction to Gransnet that forced the purchase, but in fact I do need to keep in touch with my far-flung family when I am on the move, and also to check out flights, airports, weather, etc. My usual routine is e-mails, Facebook, bank statement, travel information, then Gransnet for the remainder of the 60 mins. that the library allows!
Things seem to have been very quiet, as I expect most of you were enjoying yourself with friends and family.

Ana Fri 04-Jan-13 10:53:06

smile

Ana Fri 04-Jan-13 10:53:59

Sorry - the smile was to Jingl - hadn't read Greatnan's post!