Question about what I can do with tablets

[yungman]

Hi
I want to get a tablet, preferably not I-Pad. I want to find out whether I can install programs I use on the PC. Like I want to put some of my schematic capture, pcb layout, simulation programs like LTSpice, Photoshop 6, Microsoft Office etc.

In another word, I want to make it a work computer like a laptop.

Can I do it with the Android tablet? What is the requirement? Of cause, I would need to be able to hook up to a mouse and a keyboard. It's not going to be a small tablet with only touch screen.

Thanks

 

[phyzguy]

The Android tablet operating system is Unix based, so you should be able to install programs (like LT Spice) that have Unix installers. Whether it will have enough memory and be fast enough is another question.

 

[jedishrfu]

Tablets aren’t laptops. You will be disappointed. They are great for small tasks like browsing email writing stories cool artwork music composition. Not so good at circuit design or programming or computationally intensive tasks.

Android tablets run a modified version of Java which doesn’t support java swing. So in addition to recompiling you also have to change the GUI design as well to port it. This is true of other programs as well.

iPads have similar issues on top of apple restrictions on what apps can and can’t do.

Bottom line get a laptop if that’s what you need maybe one that can act as both laptop and tablet. Do your research though to make absolutely sure the apps you run on your laptop run on the newer hybrid.

 

[russ_watters]

Hi
I want to get a tablet, preferably not I-Pad. I want to find out whether I can install programs I use on the PC. Like I want to put some of my schematic capture, pcb layout, simulation programs like LTSpice, Photoshop 6, Microsoft Office etc.

In another word, I want to make it a work computer like a laptop.

Can I do it with the Android tablet? What is the requirement? Of cause, I would need to be able to hook up to a mouse and a keyboard. It's not going to be a small tablet with only touch screen.

Tablets aren’t laptops. You will be disappointed. They are great for small tasks like browsing email writing stories cool artwork music composition. Not so good at circuit design or programming or computationally intensive tasks...

Bottom line get a laptop if that’s what you need maybe one that can act as both laptop and tablet. Do your research though to make absolutely sure the apps you run on your laptop run on the newer hybrid.

Yes, tablets aren't laptops. But the MS Surface bridges this gap. I have one, and it's great. I previously had a Samsung/Android tablet that I was pretty disappointed with.

 

[DaveC426913]

Tablets aren’t laptops. You will be disappointed. They are great for small tasks like browsing email writing stories cool artwork music composition. Not so good at circuit design or programming or computationally intensive tasks.

Would a tablet be any use running something like Photoshop, or does it lack the horsepower?

 

[Rive]

does it lack the horsepower?

As a reference you can pick the weakest celeron-like thing on the PC market - and cut its performance half. Twice.

 

[yungman]

Thanks for the replies.

I powered up my Android tablet, it's really like my Android phone. I google already, seems like if I want to do what I described, I have to get the MS tablet with actual Windows 10 in it. But then, I might as well carry my 13" laptop around, why go to a tablet?

My question,

1) can I create folders to store things on the Android tablet?
2) Does Android has file arrangement like "My Computer" in Windows that you expand into all different folders like My Documents, Program Files etc., that you can organize folders to store different things?
3) So Android tablets are mainly for playing games, simple things like doing forums, facebook, taking pictures type of casual things only. Want to do something more, go back to notebooks?

 

[jedishrfu]

Android is a stripped down Linux. It supports a file structure and there are apps that can show you what's there across the whole filesystem. Apps are assigned their own directory for their data if needed.

The iPad is similar, its a stripped down and locked down MacOS where Apple doesn't allow apps to access other apps files unless permission is given. As far as I've seen only some directories are shown in the Apple FIles app. I like Apple's approach though as its important to protect your stuff from malicious apps as it takes only one malapp to ruin your day.

Also be aware that both variations Android and iPad run on ARM chips whereas laptops run on more powerful CPUS. This means the app vendor must make a version of your favorite program for that cpu architecture. You can't simply copy the files to the device and expect it to work.

 

[FactChecker]

I have been disappointed even doing casual stuff on tablets. I am trying to live a good life because I know that if I end up in Hell, I would be running Photoshop on a tablet.

 

[jedishrfu]

But at least they’d be hot photos, right? Unless that place is endothermic but I digress.

 

[anorlunda]

Think of your IOS or Android tablet as a scaled up version of your phone, rather than a scaled down version of your PC.

 

[jedishrfu]

Here’s an interesting take from Popular Mechanics

https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a25476996/new-apple-ipad-pro-review-2018/

 

[DaveC426913]

This is good for me to know. I have a laptop that suits all my needs, and haven't seen a compelling reason to get a tablet. Now I'm twice as sure.

 

[yungman]

Funny you have to get an app to do file management.

Just bought a book on this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119116767/?tag=pfamazon01-20

My goal is just want to avoid being obsoleted, just trying to learn, but so far, it doesn't seems like I missed too much.

 

[FactChecker]

My goal is just want to avoid being obsoleted, just trying to learn, but so far, it doesn't seems like I missed too much.

I don't think that you missed much. But it is smart to keep tabs. Things can change very fast.

 

[russ_watters]

Would a tablet be any use running something like Photoshop, or does it lack the horsepower?

There is a Photoshop mobile app, but it is limited in terms of functionality compared to the desktop app. Whether it has enough depends on how serous the user's requirements are.

 

[russ_watters]

I powered up my Android tablet, it's really like my Android phone. I google already, seems like if I want to do what I described, I have to get the MS tablet with actual Windows 10 in it. But then, I might as well carry my 13" laptop around, why go to a tablet?

Because it weighs a quarter of what your laptop weighs and has a removable keyboard.

My goal is just want to avoid being obsoleted, just trying to learn, but so far, it doesn't seems like I missed too much.

Obsolescence isn't something you need to worry about anymore. Small devices (smaller than a laptop) are still improving, but laptops and desktops haven't changed much in the past 10 years and that rate of advancement will only continue to slow.

Here’s an interesting take from Popular Mechanics

https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/a25476996/new-apple-ipad-pro-review-2018/

I'm not an Apple guy, but that's an impressive review of what appears to be a serious competitor to the Surface. What I'm not clear on though is if can run the same apps as an Apple desktop or not. That was a key selling point for me on the Surface.

 

[Rive]

Yeah. It is light and still better than your phone. You can still manage your basic needs yet you have an excuse why can't you do work. That's a tablet.