Best Backup Device for MB?

[AdaminOz]

I have a new MBP that I use (15") and want a light backup device.

Something with a dedicated keyboard, ability to use Excel or spreadsheet, Word or basic editor, and view plans and annotate them (with a pen, if possible or otherwise a good touchpad easy to use). Touchscreen no necessary, but a tablet with a pen would be good, but need a good secure keyboard (not bluetooth and the lack of security with that).

What's the ideal device? Something to throw in the bag with the MBP and be able to take, or for times when I don't need the MBP in the evening, something that will let me do everything without the main computer. Something I know a MBA might be (light, thin, good battery, Mac OSX). But maybe a non Apple device? I'm steering toward Chomebook Pro or Surface or Tablet with S Pen (but probem with BT keyboard with that one) or a Tablet S Pro.

What you think is good? What you use as your backup for your MBP?

 

[Michael Goff]

I'd go for an m3 SP4 and get a touch cover. Chromebook Pro would rely on Office Online for Excel, which is meh. Plus, Windows 10 seems to be getting more and more pen things you can use.

 

[ozaz]

I'm after something similar, although I use Windows as my primary computer rather than Mac.
Also, I want a 10-11" rather than 12-13" device (like Surface Pro or Tab S Pro).

I'm leaning towards Surface 3 or iPad Pro 9.7.

 

[Michael Goff]

I'm after something similar, although I use Windows as my primary computer rather than Mac.

I want a 10-11" rather than 12-13" device and am leaning towards Surface 3 or iPad Pro 9.7.

What do you plan on using it for specifically?

 

[ozaz]

What do you plan on using it for specifically?

Any heavy computing will be done on either my work PC or primary home laptop.

For 10-11" device I want something small and light (less than 1 kg) that basically lives in my bag but gives me more productivity potential than my iPad mini. I will use when travelling, commuting, and at meetings. Main usage will be reading and annotating PDFs, working on Word and Excel documents, OneNote notes, and using for PowerPoint presentations.

 

[Michael Goff]

Any heavy computing will be done on either my work PC or primary home laptop.

For 10-11" device I want something small and light (less than 1 kg) that basically lives in my bag but gives me more productivity potential than my iPad mini. I will use when travelling, commuting, and at meetings. Main usage will be reading and annotating PDFs, working on Word and Excel documents, OneNote notes, and using for PowerPoint presentations.

Then I'd say Surface 3.

 

[ozaz]

Then I'd say Surface 3.

Yeah, I think its more likely I'll go down that route than iPad Pro. The main reason I have been considering iPad Pro is there's a particular tablet app I want access to during my commute which does not have a Windows version (for most other things, Surface 3 is a better fit). But I'll probably just continue to carry around my iPad mini in addition to a Surface 3.

 

[AdaminOz]

I've heard that the SP can chug along at a slow speed sometimes. Windows is fine if not botnet but 10? 10 is botnet.

Any programmers or other people who know computers here? Would you prefer 1. a slim Chromebook 2. MBA 3. SP 4. Tablet such as IPP/S Tab Pro?

 

[Michael Goff]

I've heard that the SP can chug along at a slow speed sometimes. Windows is fine if not botnet but 10? 10 is botnet.

Any programmers or other people who know computers here? Would you prefer 1. a slim Chromebook 2. MBA 3. SP 4. Tablet such as IPP/S Tab Pro?

You do know what a botnet is, right?

 

[AdaminOz]

Yes, and if you use Google to search for Win 10 Botnet you'll see quite a lot of use of that word to describe it, by people who know all about it.

 

[JaySoul]

This new Samsung Chromebook Pro looks amazing.

 

[AdaminOz]

But Chikom botnet because Chikom ARM from Rockchip? They have a deal with ARM and Samsung will be buying them so how safe do you think this would be given concerns about Lenovo etc?

 

[Michael Goff]

Yes, and if you use Google to search for Win 10 Botnet you'll see quite a lot of use of that word to describe it, by people who know all about it.

Windows 10 is not a botnet. What makes you think it is beyond 'I read it on the internet'?

 

[c0ppo]

I've heard that the SP can chug along at a slow speed sometimes. Windows is fine if not botnet but 10? 10 is botnet.

Any programmers or other people who know computers here? Would you prefer 1. a slim Chromebook 2. MBA 3. SP 4. Tablet such as IPP/S Tab Pro?

Personally, I would go for MBA. Or even Macbook 12. If you want windows, get a light and thin ultrabook. Dell has a few trick in it's sleeve. Surface/iPP/Tab Pro aren't really good for typing, and I simply can't see any of those devices replacing 'real' work machines like laptops.

I've tried surface. But wasn't impressed at all. Lousy battery, heats up pretty easily, etc. Tablets are ok if your main purpose is to use them for surfing, movies, etc. Basically use them as a consumption machines. For creation, get a laptop from Apple, Lenovo, Dell... Anything is better then tablets.

Of course, this is just my subjective view of things. No one claim objectivity in these matters. But I simply can't see a programmer dragging a tablet with him to do some work. Not even surface.

 

[AdaminOz]

Yes I heard that about Surface (heats, constantly updates).

MBA is probably the best, but I have a laptop already. Can you do the basic things I mentioned on a Samsung Chromebook Pro? Better to have a MBP and a tablet on the desk instead of two laptops. I can use a tablet as an extra e-book reader. And if it's the SCB I can use it like a laptop also without the risk of using a bluetooth hackable keyboard. I also feel that if I take a tablet with a build in keyboard able to be used on lap I will get more done on it.

 

[macfacts]

... also without the risk of using a bluetooth hackable keyboard. I also feel that if I take a tablet with a build in keyboard able to be used on lap I will get more done on it.

All Android devices can use normal USB keyboards with an adapter.

 

[zhenya]

I really find my iPad Pro 9.7" the ideal companion device. I have a Surface Pro 3 at work, but the iPad is just so much better for casual use. The quality and usefulness of the Pencil is head and shoulders above the Surface. It's the first tablet device I've found where I routinely use it as a paper replacement and I never feel like the device is working against me. It works flawlessly. The other big thing with a companion device is that it have excellent standby battery life. Nothing beats an iPad in this regard. You can leave it in your bag a week and you'll hardly notice any battery drain. It is always ready to go instantly, with tons of battery life available.