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[Q] Transformer for students.

A bit of background: I will be attending UCLA as a computer science student in the fall. I will be bringing my desktop with me, and am trying to decide between a laptop/netbook or the Transformer.
Would the transformer work in conjunction with the desktop, or will I need a full laptop.
Thanks.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

You should consider what you want to use this device for before you decide. As a CS major, you will certainly be doing quite a bit of programming, and you might want to prefer to use a full linux environment for this, depends largely on the program you have at UCLA. What you can consider is to get this device and using the splashtop program access your desktop to do your programming. However, you will want to consider whether or not you want to utilize the local processing power of your device. It would be far simpler to use a laptop/netbook for those purposes, rather than trying to find solutions with the tablet+dock. In the end, if you find that you will be using the device docked most of the time for school, then you should probably consider just getting a laptop/netbook. If the convenience of the tablet and media consumption is something you'd prefer, then get the transformer.
tl;dr, I consider the transformer+dock a fun/entertainment device. For CS based schoolwork, you would most likely want a laptop/netbook.
unless you wanted to focus on tablet development in your coursework...but that's not for another 2 years...
Hope that helps.

It helped a lot. Thank you.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

Keep in mind that you can use the Transformer's bundled remote desktop app and/or a terminal app to control your PC, and run stuff that way - assuming you can connect to your desktop from wherever you are.
I do agree with omguss, if you don't plan on using the device mostly for entertainment, get a netbook/laptop.

Sorry if this is hijacking your thread (ill start a new thread if you want) but just wondering if there is a good note taking apps for android?
There are two uses I can see being needed for me.
First I would need something to annotate on pdf's and powerpoints. I remember seeing an app that looked pretty solid for this so it should be good.
Secondly I would need an app that I can be typing with the keyboard, and then when needed draw in equations, graphs, pictures, whatever. Not really sure if there is something good for this.

As a programmer, I would suggest getting a full laptop for somebody majoring in CS. As much as I love the transformer, you cannot compile code on it. At least in my searching I have not found a single IDE meant to be run on Android (Lot's target Android, but none run on Android). More than likely, there will be several times that you want to do work away from your room. On the transformer, the only real way to do this will be remote desktop software. It's up to you whether you think the remote desktop software will be sufficient for this, but one other thing I would caution against is the small keyboard. It is far more comfortable (and efficient) to program on a full-size (or as near to full-size as possible) keyboard.
I don't know what type of program you are going into, but if you take any courses on 3d graphics you are almost certainly going to lose the ability to test your programs through a remote desktop connection.
I personally think that tablets are great in conjunction with a desktop. I plan to get rid of my netbook once I get the transformer. My only concern for you is that a tablet simply isn't a good tool for programming. If the hacker community manages to get ubuntu onto the transformer then the device will be an acceptable programming tool in my opinion; although, you will still lack a full size keyboard.
My advice to you is wait until mid-to-late summer. There is a slew of new tech toys coming out this summer, and almost anything you get now will be outdated by the time you start in the fall. By summer you will know if we managed to get Ubuntu on the transformer, AMD's Llano processor will be out on laptops, and Tegra 3 tablets may be just around the corner.

BongoBong said:
Sorry if this is hijacking your thread (ill start a new thread if you want) but just wondering if there is a good note taking apps for android?
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Click to collapse
Don't need to hijack anything. Just look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980783

I'm a secondary school student, I have a HP DM1 (Not the Z ), runs 7 pro X64 + VS 2010 Pro + VS2008 Pro. Got a load of VM's for debugging ETC...
Windows is good for note taking to, Onenote is great.
Hope this helps
Badwolve1

good old days of using SSH + eMacs + X client, they all switched to windows in school?

Magnesus said:
Don't need to hijack anything. Just look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=980783
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Click to collapse
Thanks, but I have already seen that thread and done some other looking up and the majority of discussion is whats the best handwriting app. They really don't mention how good it would be for mostly typing (understandable since most would be using the on screen keyboard).

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1039287&highlight=onenote

someone seriously needs to start porting some compilers to android..
many scripting languages are available through SL4A but most CS courses are taught with C/C++ or Java. I'd love to help out with this project but I just wouldn't know where to start

Just adding on to this, since I'm a student and also looking for a tablet solution.
I'd love:
1. Printing to my university printers. My university currently requires you install some software to use their printers. Mac and Windows versions available, no Linux, no Android.
2. Onenote would be awesome. I read that there was an iPhone version available? Android should be coing soon hopefully.

I would suggest a full laptop, and something with high resolution. Once your CS load picks up you'll need something you can work on in between or during classes. Android lacking compilers on the OS itself is the killer here, otherwise you are free to code all you want via text editors.

j7899 said:
I would suggest a full laptop, and something with high resolution. Once your CS load picks up you'll need something you can work on in between or during classes. Android lacking compilers on the OS itself is the killer here, otherwise you are free to code all you want via text editors.
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Click to collapse
As a CS student myself I would agree with the above and add that in programming classes you will want all the screen real-estate you can get your hands on(17"+), a good amount of hard disk space, 4gb+ ram, and a good Virtual Machine program. Less important is video and cpu power unless you intend to make it a desktop replacement/gaming machine.
That being said... Such a laptop is going to be rather heavy. I am getting the Transformer to replace an early gen AspireOne for less technical classes.
Just my $0.02

Flowah said:
Just adding on to this, since I'm a student and also looking for a tablet solution.
I'd love:
1. Printing to my university printers. My university currently requires you install some software to use their printers. Mac and Windows versions available, no Linux, no Android.
2. Onenote would be awesome. I read that there was an iPhone version available? Android should be coing soon hopefully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was about to say that you're insane and that MS would never make OneNote for iOS but.. turns out you're right. That's really strange. Hopefully they start work on an Android version soon.
Edit: The iOS version of OneNote doesn't seem all that great. You can't write with a stylus.. it's just keyboard input. lame. Writing with a capacitive stylus on the transformer would kind of suck anyway, but I might still consider the HTC Flyer which has an active digitizer.

smaskell said:
I was about to say that you're insane and that MS would never make OneNote for iOS but.. turns out you're right. That's really strange. Hopefully they start work on an Android version soon.
Edit: The iOS version of OneNote doesn't seem all that great. You can't write with a stylus.. it's just keyboard input. lame. Writing with a capacitive stylus on the transformer would kind of suck anyway, but I might still consider the HTC Flyer which has an active digitizer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, but I'm interested in the Transformer almost purely because of the keyboard dock, so keyboard input only is fine with me tbh. As long as it's decently full featured.

I'm waiting to see if the AMD Llano will make the best thin gaming laptop. Hopefully, new AMD laptops will come out in June, right before back-to-school season.
Oh yeah, OneNote. Yeah, that's important too.

joe_dude said:
Oh yeah, OneNote. Yeah, that's important too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Onenote is the single most useful piece of software MS has ever produced (Excluding win7;p))

Virtual Machines? Eh, I never needed to use one except when I was using a Mac. Wandering what you guys are doing with it.
Any laptop that is 13"+ in screen size is good. The power of the computer depends on what you plan to do. So you have to decide on the specs yourself. Dual Core is fine unless you plan to do any CPU intensive tasks. If you ever need a bigger screen, then you can just buy a monitor and hook it up so even a netbook could be fine if you are okay with the power it gives. 13"-15" is good. 17" is just monstrous and you don't want to be lugging that around.

Any VNC/RDP apps?

Does anybody know of a remote client that actually works?
The only one I have found is impossible to use because the keyboard for entering address/id/pw is not even there to get started!
If I could get something like Pocket Cloud on here ... this thing would pay for itself.

I'm in the same boat as OP, I really need a windows rdp app for my touchpad

Ubuntu
I installed the ubuntu chroot on to the TouchPad. I then used the rdesktop application with tsclient frontend.
It actually works pretty well.
You even get a keyboard. No right click though..

This isn't out yet, but evidently it's getting close:
http://signup.splashtop.com/

great news
Can't wait - I am already using their remote desktop HD on android .

apparently out today - I've just bought a copy. Requires the use of a desktop streamer tho, so might not be your cuppa tea. Haven't finished installing yet but the reviews so far are nearly all 5/5 stars

I picked it up this morning. I've only tried it over the Internet so far because my work machine is on a private network while my TouchPad is only allowed on the guest network at work. Performance is still decent, but I've heard that on a LAN it screams (e.g., streaming video/audio works well). I'll set that up with my home machines in a bit.
I've seen a few people complaining about paying $10 for it...good lord...most of us paid $100-150 for the tablet and this effectively turns it into a portable remote terminal for $10! I know mobile computing apps have kind of redefined what we perceive as "value" with $0.99 apps, but if you're looking for a remote desktop-type app and this one isn't worth $10 for you, I'm really not sure what to tell you...

agreed SCWells72 - when I upgraded from PCAnywhere 11 to 12 back in the day so I could get the mobile app for my iPAQ that was about a hundred bucks, so spending $10 (about 7 quid in the UK) is peanuts. You're right - this is the last piece I needed for webOS to tick all my boxes.
Not yet sure if SplashTop supports file transfer, but that would be a massive advantage if it does!

Do anyone find that splashtop streamer too much of a resource hog? Unlike rdp, my computer is really slow.
Anyone know about what happened to 2x client?

Would be great if there was a linux alternative
Sent from my SGH-I897 using XDA App

cheezer38 said:
Do anyone find that splashtop streamer too much of a resource hog? Unlike rdp, my computer is really slow.
Anyone know about what happened to 2x client?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm. Would appreciate feedback as planning to run it as a service on underpowered Windows Home Server box...!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

ToSiS said:
agreed SCWells72 - when I upgraded from PCAnywhere 11 to 12 back in the day so I could get the mobile app for my iPAQ that was about a hundred bucks, so spending $10 (about 7 quid in the UK) is peanuts. You're right - this is the last piece I needed for webOS to tick all my boxes.
Not yet sure if SplashTop supports file transfer, but that would be a massive advantage if it does!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No file transfer and it does scream locally. I have tried it on my isp's public wifi (my cable company offers g wifi across its footprint to customers) and found it very usable. Though Chrome browser and the two finger scrolling is PITA.
Going away with the wife and have decided that between smartphone and the touchpad, it will be enough tech to carry.
Sent from my X10a using xda premium

A desktop streaming app that doesn't suck (and is free!)

Hey everyone,
I'm not sure if anyone will find this useful and I hope I'm posting in the correct place (I contemplated posting in Apps), but I just wanted to share my experiences with functional note-taking and doing actual work on theTr ansformer.
I'll start out by saying that I'm a science graduate student, so I am very reliant on technology for presentations, research, classes, teaching, etc. So my needs from a laptop (or laptop replacement) are pretty well-defined. So I just wanted to share some of my experiences.
I went through a multitude of apps for desktop sharing: the included MyDesktop, Splashtop Remote Desktop HD, Remote Desktop Client, Android VNC Viewer, and DroidServer(Beta). And in my humble opinion, they all sucked. They would give choppy video, randomly disconnect, hog bandwidth, and frequently force close. Yes, there were all fun for the novelty, but not actually useful business tools. Remote Desktop Client was perhaps the best, but with the steep $25.00 USD price tag, its not a choice I was willing to make without exploring everything fully.
Finally, I found 2X Remote Desktop Client. It matches the great functionality and usability of Remote Desktop Client, but without the steep price tag (it's free!). The only quirk I've found so far in my testing is that sound can not be played on my Transformer, but that could just be a specific issue to me. Make sure you take a look at what OS's can be accessed (I believe its Windows, and Windows emulators only because of its method of connection). By connecting through the "Remote Desktop" feature built into Windows, you actually get a responsive, good quality desktop streaming experience which was nearly impossible with the other applications.
By combining this app with OneNote on the computer I'm streaming, I've turned my Transformer into a note taking beast! Touchscreen OneNote is a little slow (as you have to press for 500ms before Windows registers it as a "drag" to actually write), but there is no lag whatsoever and I am quite happy.
I really hope this post can help someone who, like me, really believed the Transformer could do more but couldn't find any reliable options to make it work. And no, I have no affiliation with this app, I'm just a very satisfied customer.

The post count of the OP and tone of the post makes me a bit weary (infomercially)...but I will give it a shot.

smartmatt099 said:
I found 2X Remote Desktop Client.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been using it for a couple weeks now, it has fully replaced PocketCloud for me. Never tried to use sound via it (as I only really use RDP from it to access a work server when on-site with clients), but for general RDP use it works a treat

haha i guess i can see the informercial-ness, but in my defense I joined specifically to post about the app since I went through almost two months of looking for an alternative and wasted money on apps that weren't nearly as good....just trying to prevent that for someone else if i can

smartmatt099 said:
haha i guess i can see the informercial-ness, but in my defense I joined specifically to post about the app since I went through almost two months of looking for an alternative and wasted money on apps that weren't nearly as good....just trying to prevent that for someone else if i can
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i tested all the free rdp apps and 2x was my choice too. The sound is the only thing I miss, otherwise it works just fine.

ye i have been using it for some time. i find it the best aswell.

Excuse my ignorant, but what does this do? I can never understand all those acronyms: VNC, RDP, etc.

SwiftLegend said:
Excuse my ignorant, but what does this do? I can never understand all those acronyms: VNC, RDP, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It lets you access a desktop with your tablet or phone. The desktop has to be set up to allow remote access though.

dcmtnbkr said:
It lets you access a desktop with your tablet or phone. The desktop has to be set up to allow remote access though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh cool. Thanks, may have to try this out then

Can't you already do this with Splashtop that comes pre-installed on TF ?

I've tried this, but mycloud still streams videos and games to my TF allot faster than the x2. Are you guys doing anything different to make x2 stream quicker?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App

really? The MyCloud software was always really laggy for me. I just assumed it was because it (along with the VNC clients) was running from a program installed on the host computer and not from something built in to the operating system...
i actually have two connections defined for each remote computer I want to connect to: one has all themeing, backgrounds, and animation enabled for when I'm on my work wireless network, and another that disables everything for when I'm sharing the 3G connection from my phone.
I haven't had any delay whatsoever even with the "broadband" connection when i'm on my work or home network or even on my phone if I have full 3G signal. But its nice to have the "mobile" connection defined if my internet signal isn't that great. It sacrifices all the eye-candy but still delivers on speed for me

ajamils said:
Can't you already do this with Splashtop that comes pre-installed on TF ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have NEVER heard of Splashtop being pre installed on the TF. I just watched the market price and waited for them to do a half price sale and bought it for $5 instead of the normal $10 that it is.

Splashtop has always worked well for me..
Narcistic
Phone: iPhone 4 4.3.3 jailbroken
Tablet: Asus eee pad transformer ROM: Prime 1.9

scottch699 said:
I have NEVER heard of Splashtop being pre installed on the TF. I just watched the market price and waited for them to do a half price sale and bought it for $5 instead of the normal $10 that it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope you bought the HD version. You can access the preinstalled copy of splashtop by going to MyCloud, then My Desktop (middle tab) - resolution is a bit limited though, so presumably it isthe SD/phone version.
Was using Wyse pocketcloud as well, but very happy with 2X after installing on the advice of his thread
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

scottch699 said:
I have NEVER heard of Splashtop being pre installed on the TF. I just watched the market price and waited for them to do a half price sale and bought it for $5 instead of the normal $10 that it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has ALWAYS been pre-installed (under MyCloud)

SplashTop (MyCloud) has always come preinstalled, but I've never liked using it. Why install a program on your computer to allow remote connections when Windows has this functionality already built in? I'd consider it if SplashTop offered some sort of encryption of the remote connection as normally RDP is unencrypted. But AFAIK SplashTop doesn't offer that either so why reinvent the wheel? I like manually tunneling RDP over SSH so that it's encrypted and AFAIK SplashTop can't be configured that way.
Personally, I use Wyse PocketCloud Free (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.wyse.pocketcloudfree&feature=related_apps) and couldn't be happier. Does 2x Remote Desktop Client offer any features which PocketCloud doesn't? Always open to alternatives, though I'm more than happy with how PocketCloud works as is.

scottch699 said:
I have NEVER heard of Splashtop being pre installed on the TF. I just watched the market price and waited for them to do a half price sale and bought it for $5 instead of the normal $10 that it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't find it on my Transformer either. I bought the Splashtop HD and it works great on my home Wi-Fi. Haven't attempted it over the Internet yet though.

Kumabjorn said:
I couldn't find it on my Transformer either. I bought the Splashtop HD and it works great on my home Wi-Fi. Haven't attempted it over the Internet yet though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried it. Works great.

Artood2s said:
I've tried it. Works great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, great app.
Also try teamviewer, its free and works well.

Has anyone replaced their desktop/laptop with their mobile device yet?

As more and more applications and uses become available for our mobile devices, im curious to know If there is anyone who has fully made the transition from the traditional computing setup entirely to a mobile one?
Personally I feel as if I'm almost there. The last few months I find myself nearly never using my windows PC at all for anything besides the occasional data transfer from drives. But Last week I purchased a micro USB male to USB 2.0 female adapter to use a mouse & flash/hard drives on my galaxy note. This nearly has rendered my PC useless. At this point I can only think of using it for the occasional PC game. Being that my galaxy note has the exact same resolution as my laptop, even watching the occasional movie on it seems useless. One would argue that office emulation solutions on mobile devices aren't quite there yet, but for my use, I'm pretty content with what's available. The only thing that has completely kept me going back to my PC is to access one of my harddrives that is formatted in ntfs, and (for now) modding. Once I find a solution for that drive to be read on my note, then I will probably sell the thing.
So is there anyone else that is either in the process of or already made the transition from their PC to their mobile device?
Sent from the best mobile device ever --Samsung Galaxy Note

not untill windows 8
I will only replace my PC when Windows 8 tablets come out, they're the only handheld devices worth of replacing a PC, i mean Windows Explorer on a tablet? and the metro UI? that's a lethal combination.

i stopped using laptops since 3 years ago, since the birth of 1ghz android phones

DaPhunk said:
I will only replace my PC when Windows 8 tablets come out, they're the only handheld devices worth of replacing a PC, i mean Windows Explorer on a tablet? and the metro UI? that's a lethal combination.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im interested in windows 8 tablets. But even seeing what has been demonstrated, Im not convinced if it will be marginally better than other mobile offerings. I mean yeah those core windows applications are there, driver support, ect. but Idk If that's enough to win me over personally. I have nothing agasint windows but it doesn't seem so compelling to me to get one just for windows explorer. Just really a file manager. Im more compelled towards PC gaming intergration if anything. And slowly it seems those titles are being embraced by other platforms anyway.
Sent from the best mobile device ever --Samsung Galaxy Note

I pretty much only use my desktop for gaming. I can even pay my bills with the phone now with a app, so I have really no reason to use my PC for anything else. I always watch movies on my 42" through my PS3 anyway.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Desktop replaced by a mobile phone?
That sound ridiculous. Considering how much I invested into my desktop, I'll be damned if it was to be replaced by a phone.
A Netbook, Yea I can see my phone replacing it. But seeing as how my Netbook battery last longer than my phone, It could become quite handy when I'm traveling.
But, Nope my phone hasn't replaced anything for me.

I definitely have not replaced my desktop. I need my virtual machines and games
What I have replaced for the most part is my laptop which I now use my phone for.

Most people use their computers for simple things, like browsing the web, listening to music, watching videos, storing pictures, etc. For those people, yeah, they could replace their PCs with Android devices.
However, there are those of us who do stuff like programming, hardcore gaming (Let's see even an iPad 3's quad core gpu play Crysis...I'll bet it can't) or otherwise use applications that Android cannot recreate. For those people, I doubt handheld devices will ever a real solution and PCs will still be around for a long, long time.

LogisticsXLS said:
Desktop replaced by a mobile phone?
That sound ridiculous. Considering how much I invested into my desktop, I'll be damned if it was to be replaced by a phone.
A Netbook, Yea I can see my phone replacing it. But seeing as how my Netbook battery last longer than my phone, It could become quite handy when I'm traveling.
But, Nope my phone hasn't replaced anything for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know a couple of people who can get away with that. If you're just checking e-mails and facebook, you can accomplish that on the phone.
I don't see replacing my desktop going anywhere for a long time. Even if there was enough power in a portable machine it's still going to be docked so I can wired devices.

.
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.

LogisticsXLS said:
Desktop replaced by a mobile phone?
That sound ridiculous. Considering how much I invested into my desktop, I'll be damned if it was to be replaced by a phone.
A Netbook, Yea I can see my phone replacing it. But seeing as how my Netbook battery last longer than my phone, It could become quite handy when I'm traveling.
But, Nope my phone hasn't replaced anything for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well certainly it varies dependant on the device you use of course.
Xenosion said:
I definitely have not replaced my desktop. I need my virtual machines and games
What I have replaced for the most part is my laptop which I now use my phone for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PoorCollegeGuy said:
Most people use their computers for simple things, like browsing the web, listening to music, watching videos, storing pictures, etc. For those people, yeah, they could replace their PCs with Android devices.
However, there are those of us who do stuff like programming, hardcore gaming (Let's see even an iPad 3's quad core gpu play Crysis...I'll bet it can't) or otherwise use applications that Android cannot recreate. For those people, I doubt handheld devices will ever a real solution and PCs will still be around for a long, long time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I certainly do my fair share of "hardcore" gaming on my PC. That being said though, my PC has essentially become another platform if you will (I.e. ps3, Xbox) to me. And like those platforms, having them arent really a necessity to me. Also, I don't think its fair to say lack of gpu power rules out a devices gaming potential. I still have a gamecube that I use and take to ssbm tournaments. A game is only as hardcore as the user playing it.
Sent from the best mobile device ever --Samsung Galaxy Note

I have almost completely replaced my desktop in daily use. And the need for a laptop is not there anymore after getting a galaxy tab 10.1
Combined with my galaxy SII, it takes care of all my needs.
The only thing I'm still running on the 3 desktop computers in my house is a combined fileserver/squeezeserver/downloader machine.
It's placed in the attic, and my Android devices are great for remote control over it.
My basement/home theater machine is used for watching movies/tv shows, and android devices controls all functions of the media center.
The last desktop is only in use for when we listen to music, squeezeplay controlled by androids.
The only thing I'm missing is a way to control my poker league software via Android.
I'm using Dr. Neau's software, and have not found a way to run it on Android.
It display stats on two computers (multi table poker league), and I'd love to find a way to control it via my android's also...
Even my wife and child only uses android at home, my wife loves her SII - and my daughter plays games on the tab and phones.
I've been "androidifyed"
Sent from my GT-P7500 using xda premium

orb3000 said:
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is more of a discussion thread. How did you manage to misinterpret that? Because it ended in a question mark? Should I have used an
explanation mark like everyone else who has bad grammer? Im clearly only asking for opinions, not help with anything....
Sent from the best mobile device ever --Samsung Galaxy Note

HarmonyFlame said:
I certainly do my fair share of "hardcore" gaming on my PC. That being said though, my PC has essentially become another platform if you will (I.e. ps3, Xbox) to me. And like those platforms, having them arent really a necessity to me. Also, I don't think its fair to say lack of gpu power rules out a devices gaming potential. I still have a gamecube that I use and take to ssbm tournaments. A game is only as hardcore as the user playing it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see this being the case with many people but not with me. I don't have any gaming platform other than my PC (and my phone but not big into that). This is excluding my collection of nostalgia consoles. All my work is done on my PC (Systems Admin for the most part) and this includes virtual machines. Can't really do without my PC at this stage.

DaPhunk said:
I will only replace my PC when Windows 8 tablets come out, they're the only handheld devices worth of replacing a PC, i mean Windows Explorer on a tablet? and the metro UI? that's a lethal combination.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally agree...
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium

I recently moved house and in between places at the moment so all my tech is packed away in storage. I've been forced to do my day to day work across a combo of Samsung Galaxy SII and my main device Galaxy Tab 10.1
My day 2 day files that I access regular were stored on a Windows Home Server which was connected to a Box Cloud account for stuff I need access to from anywhere, anytime so I am now using the Tab and phone to access this box account that will be re-sync'd once I settle down and re instate my Home Server.
My main Desktop PC is a HP Touch smart running Windows 8 CP so I would still keep that for home media stuff or when absolutely a PC is needed at a moments notice. My only other PC I have is a little book size Asus purely for live HD TV connected to my LED TV and used as a HTPC and DLNA streaming to my android devices but I think once Windows 8 becomes fully rolled out across PC's, tablets and eventually phones.... I will replace the Android devices and I will content that all my devices will be the same baseline OS and all my data completely sync'd across windows live id's.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium

maybe when we can install linux OS on our tablet then that will be the time i will replace my old pc

On a second note, I thought of something else whilst reading the other posts.... there will always be a need to access windows or Mac full blown applications like Office, outlook etc.... so my plan further down the line was to upgrade the hardware on my Windows Home Server and add a VMWare environment to the mix or a separate box depending on performance and run full blown virtual machines that I can access from anywhere on my android devices using Wyse Pocket cloud app for either remote desktop or VNC access using Google services to access them from anywhere I have a connection which is quite appealing for me....
That means I would pretty much only use my mobile devices full time and have desktop services via virtual machine clients either on android or windows 8 tablets, phones further down the line.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium

jamescraven said:
maybe when we can install linux OS on our tablet then that will be the time i will replace my old pc
Click to expand...
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Lol....I believe it is possible, I've seen posts mentioning Ubuntu being ran on a galaxy tab 10.1, what I would really like to see would be for someone to get hold of a windows 8 ARM sdk and create an image so I can install it on my android tablet.
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HarmonyFlame said:
So is there anyone else that is either in the process of or already made the transition from their PC to their mobile device?
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I used to own a laptop in addition to my mobile phone, but ever since I've owned a smartphone, I find myself using my laptop less and less. Except for really complicated tasks, I find my android phone sufficient, and in some cases, better than an actual PC.

Need Advice, please.

I have 500 bucks to spend and am hesitating between getting either the Surface or a nexus 7 + a chromebook. For those who have had some experience with those devices, what do you think would be a better way to go? I am honestly hesitating between the two choices.
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The Chromebook really doesn't enthuse me...I don't completely think that its existence is justified yet. It depends how you consider the convenience of two devices vs one.
What are you planning on doing? Will you type a lot? Integrate the products into an existing Windows 8/Android phone ecosystem? Watch movies and videos? Games? Travel with it, or are they devices for home? Will you carry a Nexus 7 around alongside your Chromebook?
Personally, I'd look at the range of Atom-based Windows 8 Pro hybrid tablets. They get better battery and performance than the Surface RT, and have access to all Windows applications of the past. There's heaps from every OEM, and I don't know your exact price-point, so I can't really make a recommendation.

I don't agree re: the Atom systems providing better performance and battery than the surface. I've used an Atom Windows machine and it was a dog and the battery life was comparable to a PC.
I do agree regarding understanding just what you are going to use it for.
Are you a student? An office worker?
Are you watching movies? Playing games? Just browsing the web?
Are you going to need any Office document editing?
The Nexus is going to give you the best app ecosystem and access to Google Play books, movies, and music. The Chromebook is basically just an android tablet in a laptop form factor (with some limitations).
The Surface is more of a PC with some restrictions but doesn't benefit from the Google Play Store. It does have access to the XBox ecosystem but it is not as extensive as Google offerings (yet?).
I have Android tablets and an iPad and in the week I've had the Surface I have found the Surface to have more utility than any other tablet I've owned, but I look at things from a work standpoint. I don't play games or use "apps" on a tablet. I need them on my phone (which is why I have an Android phone).

Thanks for your input. I had the transformer prime but returned it because of a screen that went really bad. I am planning to go to school and was wondering which device (surface or chromebook) would help more on the go (I have a 17" Toshiba at home). I don't play much on my tablet but I like to watch movies on Netflix and videos online and browse the web. I am leaning toward the surface, I guess I am looking for assurance that I won't be disappointed.
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Wendemixda said:
Thanks for your input. I had the transformer prime but returned it because of a screen that went really bad. I am planning to go to school and was wondering which device (surface or chromebook) would help more on the go (I have a 17" Toshiba at home). I don't play much on my tablet but I like to watch movies on Netflix and videos online and browse the web. I am leaning toward the surface, I guess I am looking for assurance that I won't be disappointed.
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That's an impossible assurance, but if this is for school, I think Surface is the way to go. They have a no-restock 14 day return policy. Worst case scenario, you can buy it, use it, and if you don't like it, return it.
Surface already has Netflix, Hulu, Kindle, and supports Amazon Instant Video via the web browser.

If you need Office, then get the Surface. I've tried just about every word processor/spread sheet app on android and none of them come close to the real thing. The Touch Cover and the way it's integrated is also vastly superior to any keyboard peripheral I've used on my android tablets.
If you do work with a lot of PDF's though be warned that right now you're pretty much stuck with converting them into office docs for now, the pdf reader that comes with the Surface barely has any functionality beyond the ability to open and read them, and there aren't any alternatives on the market yet.
As for netflix, hulu and web surfing it's all there. The Surface uses the desktop version of IE10 and as far as I know, it's the only new tablet to have flash support. Subjectively speaking I've found it to be just as fast as Chrome on Android 4.1.1, while I like the way Chrome renders some websites better, IE10 will always pull the desktop version of websites and does a much better job with animated gifs and embedded video.

hoodoomagic said:
If you need Office, then get the Surface. I've tried just about every word processor/spread sheet app on android and none of them come close to the real thing. The Touch Cover and the way it's integrated is also vastly superior to any keyboard peripheral I've used on my android tablets.
If you do work with a lot of PDF's though be warned that right now you're pretty much stuck with converting them into office docs for now, the pdf reader that comes with the Surface barely has any functionality beyond the ability to open and read them, and there aren't any alternatives on the market yet.
As for netflix, hulu and web surfing it's all there. The Surface uses the desktop version of IE10 and as far as I know, it's the only new tablet to have flash support. Subjectively speaking I've found it to be just as fast as Chrome on Android 4.1.1, while I like the way Chrome renders some websites better, IE10 will always pull the desktop version of websites and does a much better job with animated gifs and embedded video.
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I find the built in pdf reader more than capable. I work with large pdfs for work and with the options menu at the bottom I can search , find bookmarks, highlight and add notes. What else do you want from a reader?
The only other thing I need is a pdf driver to create pdfs on the go but that is a different app.

guitar1969 said:
I find the built in pdf reader more than capable. I work with large pdfs for work and with the options menu at the bottom I can search , find bookmarks, highlight and add notes. What else do you want from a reader?
The only other thing I need is a pdf driver to create pdfs on the go but that is a different app.
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You're right, I was a too quick to judge and missed a lot of things that the stock reader is capable of doing. I'm used to using ez-pdf on android and that throws a lot of options in your face and was thrown off by the cleaner interface of the ms reader. I still can't figure out how to quickly get to a page though, and a night mode would be nice.

hoodoomagic said:
I still can't figure out how to quickly get to a page though
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Pinch to zoom out.

mk1151 said:
The Chromebook is basically just an android tablet in a laptop form factor (with some limitations).
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Except that it isn't that at all!
No Android whatsoever in the Chromebook.
Regards,
Dave
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foxmeister said:
Except that it isn't that at all!
No Android whatsoever in the Chromebook.
Regards,
Dave
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correct, chromeOS doesn't share app stores with android, so no apps aside for the ones built specifically for that OS (which is just a fullscreen chrome browser)
aside from the rock bottom pricing for a basic use computer, i don't see the point of the chromebook at all.