Tablets not ready for travel

As fate would have it, we decided to do a real estate deal while on this trip, and I found the tablet was not up to the heavy demands of digital signing of real estate contracts and shopping research for furniture.  Part of the problem is the lack of mobile web sites.  Part, I think, is the fact that Android is trying to run 15 programs at once, while Window only does one thing at a time.  I did get better performance after stripping out every non-critical app I could find.  Also, there were physical gripes, like the fact that you can't move the cursor in an entry field in some cases.  Lots of frustrations.  Will be carrying a Macbook or laptop next time.

The Tablet's First Day on the Road

Well, this was a very busy day.  Used the smartphone for most stuff before takeoff, loved the FlightTrack app, was feeding updates as they happened.  Had to turn the phone off on takeoff of course, so I fired up the tablet mid-flight.  Used the Samsung sleeve / stand and the onscreen keyboard.  Signed up in advance for Go-Go wifi in flight, worked well except for app updates.  Sent and received several emails without problems in the Gmail app.  In some web pages, noted inability to move cursor to correct an entry, resolved by clearing cache and re-starting the entry.  We had a late departure due to a small mechanical concern, and I was able to get a more accurate arrival time from the FlightTrack app than I was from the  head stewardess. One of the stewardesses was jazzed over my 8400 mAh backup battery -gave her the QVC item # E224235. Settling in tonight with the Samsung physical keyboard on the hotel wifi. Overall, I'd give it an A-, which isn't bad for an active day.

Traveling Tablet - a picture of the subject

It of course can be used with or without the dock.  I also have a red travel sleeve I picked up at Verizon, and a small, folding (keyboard-less) stand, so there are several usage options.  And if I remember to take the power cord, I can run it off AC or a backup battery.

Tablet on the Road - Hardware

Amazon.com: samsung galaxy tab 2 7.0 - After two 10" iPads and a 10" Samsung Galaxy Tab, I decided a 7" tablet was easier to carry.  Will also be taking the Samsung Galaxy Tab Keyboard Dock, which gives you a full keyboard.  Would estimate the two together weigh about the same as a MacBook Air.  I will do everything I would normally do on my smartphone.  And anything for which I would reach for a laptop, I will try the tablet / keyboard dock combo.  I've already noticed that the formatting of the webpage for updating the blog is a little awkward on 5 and 7 inch screens - will have to write Google a note about that. Add phone, charging cords, extension cord, and two backup batteries, and we're ready to go!

Traveling with a Tablet not a Laptop

Hitting the road for a bit. Decided the best way to resolve my doubts about the suitablity of a tablet vs a laptop is to try it! I have all the apps and bookmarks I think I'll need. So I'll blog a bit as I go, and give this thing a real road test!