[paulat585]

Hi, I all of a sudden inherited a job where I need to be able to post to a platform even if I'm traveling. Tried it once with my 15" Dell laptop, but it was too heavy for me to carry thru the airport. Any suggestions for either a low cost tablet or laptop (preferrably with portable keyboard) that would do the job? Thanks, Paula

[retiredguy123]

I have always used Samsung tablets. The Tab A series is low end. You can buy an 11-inch tablet for about $200. I wouldn't spend extra money for more internal memory because you can always store data on the cloud. The Tab A tablets are less expensive because the screen has a lower resolution, but you really won't notice much difference. You can buy a separate keyboard, but you really won't need it.

[asianthree]

iPad 10” with removable keyboard. I am little surprised a device isn’t provided, if it’s a work requirement

[paulat585]

Thanks!

[Davonu]

Originally Posted by asianthree

iPad 10” with removable keyboard…

I second an iPad with removable keyboard. I have the iPad Pro with 12.9” screen. Highly recommended if you can spend a few more bucks.

[CarlR33]

I love my iPad and it’s good for mobile field work and I have a Microsoft Surface for office. Might look at the Surface if you need a laptop compatible with most companies software platforms it’s very small compared to my old laptop and light.

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

I love my iPad and it’s good for mobile field work and I have a Microsoft Surface for office. Might look at the Surface if you need a laptop compatible with most companies software platforms it’s very small compared to my old laptop and light.

This is the correct answer. While I’m a huge iPad fan, the reality is most of the world is software is built on / around Microsoft Windows so the iPad has limitations.

The Surface runs Windows, so there are no compatibility issues at all. I have the Surface Pro and it’s a great machine.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

I love my iPad and it’s good for mobile field work and I have a Microsoft Surface for office. Might look at the Surface if you need a laptop compatible with most companies software platforms it’s very small compared to my old laptop and light.

The OP is looking for something low cost. MS Surface laptops are nice, but definitely not low cost.

[biker1]

If you don’t have a need for a Microsoft Windows environment, take a look at Chromebooks. Typically low cost and lightweight.

Originally Posted by paulat585

Hi, I all of a sudden inherited a job where I need to be able to post to a platform even if I'm traveling. Tried it once with my 15" Dell laptop, but it was too heavy for me to carry thru the airport. Any suggestions for either a low cost tablet or laptop (preferrably with portable keyboard) that would do the job? Thanks, Paula

[Brwne]

Originally Posted by paulat585

Hi, I all of a sudden inherited a job where I need to be able to post to a platform even if I'm traveling. Tried it once with my 15" Dell laptop, but it was too heavy for me to carry thru the airport. Any suggestions for either a low cost tablet or laptop (preferrably with portable keyboard) that would do the job? Thanks, Paula

I have been using a Surface Pro since 2019. For travelling, it has a lightweight removable keyboard and small mouse. On my desk, it is also driving a pair of ViewSonic 27" screens (plus the Surface screen) and Logi full size keyboard and mouse.

Working perfectly!

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

I love my iPad and it’s good for mobile field work and I have a Microsoft Surface for office. Might look at the Surface if you need a laptop compatible with most companies software platforms it’s very small compared to my old laptop and light.

Similar situation here. It works flawlessly.

[SoCalGal]

The lightest laptops in 2024: The world’s featherweight notebook champions

The lightest laptops in 2024: The world’s featherweight notebook champions | TechRadar

[SFSkol]

Buy a basic Dell 3100 Chromebook refurbished. I paid $50 and use it every day. Search Google shopping. OS updates till 2029. 7hr ish battery. 3lbs.

[wsachs]

Originally Posted by paulat585

Hi, I all of a sudden inherited a job where I need to be able to post to a platform even if I'm traveling. Tried it once with my 15" Dell laptop, but it was too heavy for me to carry thru the airport. Any suggestions for either a low cost tablet or laptop (preferrably with portable keyboard) that would do the job? Thanks, Paula

You can buy an Apple laptop, an Apple MacBook Air for under $850 with 8 gig ram, 256k memory. Great graphics, Apple silicon, lightweight, fast, thin and it's a real computer and can run anything you would need. Built in software that can read/write any MS software or use Google Docs. And of course great Apple support online and in stores. And updated software is free.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by wsachs

You can buy an Apple laptop, an Apple MacBook Air for under $850 with 8 gig ram, 256k memory. Great graphics, Apple silicon, lightweight, fast, thin and it's a real computer and can run anything you would need. Built in software that can read/write any MS software or use Google Docs. And of course great Apple support online and in stores. And updated software is free.

Why buy a laptop, if all the OP needs is a tablet? The OP said that a low cost tablet will meet their requirements.