Need new tablet

[Jim]

Trish has been using the same iPad for 10-12 years and the same incredibly slow laptop (for business) for 6-7 years. My goal is to find a tablet that she can use to run QuickBooks and her spreadsheets with the flexibility of her old iPad.

I haven't bought any new technology in a very long time, so I'm a bit out of touch on what is available. But at first glance, the Microsoft Surface Go looks like it would fulfil her needs and it seems reasonably priced.

Looking for any advice you all can give.

Surface Go

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I would stick with Mac, security is my pick.

 

[Neal]

There are a lot of options, too many options. Microsoft Surface is good. I recently got a Dell XPS 17 with touch screen (love it). New iPads I thought were being announced last week but looks like it may be April now. Your QuickBooks requirement will drive your decision so you either need QuickBooks Online or Desktop (I use Desktop). If you can do without the "tablet" part and want a good laptop I recommend the Dell XPS. 13, 15, 17 inch screens available. I wanted the largest because of my A.G.E. syndrome.

XPS 17 9700 Laptop | Dell USA

This XPS 17 inch laptop, which features up to 10th Gen Intel processors and 4K display, perfectly caters to your creative endeavors and entertainment needs.

www.dell.com

 

[RKins]

I agree that you want a desktop solution and think HP makes a great laptop with touch screen. I think mine was around $600 and fulfills my needs on the road..

 

[MapNerd]

I mean if the iPad was working fine, why not just get her another iPad and spring for the keyboard with it. Comes pretty close to a laptop and everything will be familiar to her. iPads these days are crazy powerful. MS Office for iPad works great. I use it daily. Not sure about QuickBooks but I'd be pretty surprised if they didn't have an iPad app. There's also the new MacBooks which are ridiculously powerful with Apple's M1 chip.

 

["EZ"]

I have a Microsoft Surface as my company computer. The touch screen is kinda cool on a lap top. It's very thin and light weight too. I like it!

 

[GeoKat]

I really loved my iPad pro. I had a keyboard and pencil for it. I gave it to my oldest when she started college classes because it was awesome for note taking and almost everything.

 

[Sasquatch]

BEST LINUX LAPTOPS: 5 Best Linux Laptops - Apr. 2021 - BestReviews

 

[Kevin D Pem]

BEST LINUX LAPTOPS: 5 Best Linux Laptops - Apr. 2021 - BestReviews

I take it you are a Linux user. I started using it in 08, I now use it in my Chromebooks by activating Linux (bata). Ony way anyone here would use it is if the mainstream software had a version of their program that would work on Linux. Now watch me get slammed for saying that.

 

[Sasquatch]

I take it you are a Linux user. I started using it in 08, I now use it in my Chromebooks by activating Linux (bata). Ony way anyone here would use it is if the mainstream software had a version of their program that would work on Linux. Now watch me get slammed for saying that.

Yes, I'm a big fan of Linux operating systems. When Microsoft killed the XP system, I swore Gates would never get another dollar of our money and he hasn't. Today, my wife is an experienced Ubuntu user and I have multiple distro's on my desktop at any given time. Many people don't realize old tablets and other devices can be repurposed to run Linux. Here's an example link. Not Just for Desktops: 10 Devices You Can Install Linux On

If people want to stop paying for computer software, Linux is your friend!

 

[MapNerd]

Ony way anyone here would use it is if the mainstream software had a version of their program that would work on Linux. Now watch me get slammed for saying that.

Actually, I think that is a perfectly reasonable assumption . Also, fwiw I use Linux daily as most enterprise servers today run on RHEL or Amazon Linux

 

[Neal]

My goal is to find a tablet that she can use to run QuickBooks and her spreadsheets with the flexibility of her old iPad.

Let me remind all of the OP's requirements.

 

[Sasquatch]

Actually, I think that is a perfectly reasonable assumption . Also, fwiw I use Linux daily as most enterprise servers today run on RHEL or Amazon Linux

There are a lot of options, too many options. Microsoft Surface is good. I recently got a Dell XPS 17 with touch screen (love it). New iPads I thought were being announced last week but looks like it may be April now. Your QuickBooks requirement will drive your decision so you either need QuickBooks Online or Desktop (I use Desktop). If you can do without the "tablet" part and want a good laptop I recommend the Dell XPS. 13, 15, 17 inch screens available. I wanted the largest because of my A.G.E. syndrome.

XPS 17 9700 Laptop | Dell USA

This XPS 17 inch laptop, which features up to 10th Gen Intel processors and 4K display, perfectly caters to your creative endeavors and entertainment needs.

www.dell.com

A fantastic alternative to Quickbooks is GnuCash, which is both free and Open Source, unlike Quickbooks which costs $200 or more. That's money that could go in your gas tank and that's not an opinion, it's a fact!
Free Accounting Software | GnuCash - you may be surprised to learn that it will run on the MS platform.

Sorry Neil, but in my humble opinion, MS can't do anything that Linux can't do as well or better and at much less the cost. I also know how unsettling it is to abandon big brother (Mr. Gates) but, man, it's liberating. What's freedom from Gates worth? That's the bottom line.

Top 5 Linux Tablets: Top 5 Linux Tablets That's Great For Privacy | FOSS Linux

 

[Neal]

While this thread is not a debate among operating systems, the fact of the matter is apps supported. Windows and macOS are going to be better solution for typical home users as most likely they'll find apps that are supported on those platforms. When you move to something like Linux you enter a world of having to jump through hoops to make something work, if even possible, and I'm talking basic commercial apps most home users typically use.

To help the OP with their question I think regarding QuickBooks you have two options: Desktop or Web version. I don't know if they offer a macOS version of QuickBooks, I use Windows for this. I think it may be best to separate the laptop from the tablet and get a good laptop to suit your business needs and a new iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard with Trackpad to make a great setup there.

iPad Keyboards

iPad keyboards provide a great typing experience, full-size keyboard, and durable protection for your iPad.

www.apple.com

QuickBooks®: Official Site | Smart Tools. Better Business.

Organize & manage your business with the #1 rated solution. Fast & easy setup. Sign up for a free trial to join 7 million businesses already using QuickBooks.

quickbooks.intuit.com

 

[Sasquatch]

While this thread is not a debate among operating systems, the fact of the matter is apps supported. Windows and macOS are going to be better solution for typical home users as most likely they'll find apps that are supported on those platforms. When you move to something like Linux you enter a world of having to jump through hoops to make something work, if even possible, and I'm talking basic commercial apps most home users typically use.

To help the OP with their question I think regarding QuickBooks you have two options: Desktop or Web version. I don't know if they offer a macOS version of QuickBooks, I use Windows for this. I think it may be best to separate the laptop from the tablet and get a good laptop to suit your business needs and a new iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard with Trackpad to make a great setup there.

iPad Keyboards

iPad keyboards provide a great typing experience, full-size keyboard, and durable protection for your iPad.

www.apple.com

QuickBooks®: Official Site | Smart Tools. Better Business.

Organize & manage your business with the #1 rated solution. Fast & easy setup. Sign up for a free trial to join 7 million businesses already using QuickBooks.

quickbooks.intuit.com

Neil, the OP stated:
"I haven't bought any new technology in a very long time, so I'm a bit out of touch on what is available. But at first glance, the Microsoft Surface Go looks like it would fulfil her needs and it seems reasonably priced.

Looking for any advice you all can give."

I simply offered the guy a superior alternate solution to an otherwise ongoing, expensive problem.

Neil, I get the impression that you feel you have to have the last word on any given topic here. Unfortunately, it's a rookie mistake some website operators make. Please remove my account and spend the ten bucks I sent you last night, as you wish. Most importantly though, try yo calm down and let people breath. Nobody came here looking for a grand wizard to lead them by the nose, we come to sites like this to learn and share, not be talked down to.

Please remove my account at your earliest convenience.