Need to buy light weight tablet or laptop--suggestions?
 

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 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.

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

Thanks!

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. :)

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.

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

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

Laptops
 

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!

Similar situation here. It works flawlessly.

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

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

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.

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.