Originally Posted by
MVF Trekker
I need a tablet/netbook for an upcoming extended travel. I'm leaning towards the Asus Transformer. Would you recommend it?
I want to use it to surf the web, check emails while I'm on the road traveling. Don't want to bring something too expensive like the iPad that might get lost/stolen or something too big or heavy like a laptop.
I have an Asus Transformer (1st Gen) with the keyboard dock. Took it to Italy for a few weeks late last year. Worked fine for simple e-mail, web surf, etc. Nice that it has GPS, can undock to be a "pure" tablet and also a keyboard in docking mode. Somewhat frustrating as it has some limitations if you step beyond e-mail & web surfing. It does make a nice Slingbox client. And it is not cheap compared to a netbook.
Personally, it's nice but I would rather take my Acer 1830T than the Transformer. On our trip it was fine but if I wanted to do something beyond the basics it was a compromise.
Without the keyboard, the transformer is not fun to use for activities that require text entry; with the keyboard it's better but now you don't really have a tablet. A netbook is not as sexy but much more practical. It is nice that it can HDMI dock but my 1830T can, too and it is a very efficient and stable device.
I'd rather use my Android phone for nav and it, too, has an HDMI out for a larger screen.
Would I use an android pad? Sure, not to replace but enhance. That's why I want a great, reasonably priced 7" tablet. That is something I would ADD to the repertoire.