Ulta Budget Laptiop vs Tablet for Home Media Center

Cmlalibe

Estimable
Sep 14, 2014
42
0
4,590
Hi, looking for something to run my netflix, amazon video, external dvds, and sometimes be an actual computer. Also looking for windows OS so I can play all my itunes videos on plane flights.
Whats the concensus on Laptops like the Hp 14t, or Lenovo 100s compared to the WinBook WinBook TW801 for basically being a media center at half the price?
Thanks.
Chris
http://www.microcenter.com/product/437499/TW801_Tablet_-_Black
 
Solution


Asus Transformer.
64GB, 4GB RAM, full size USB port to connect other drives
$300
https://www.amazon.com/Transformer-T100HA-C4-GR-10-1-Inch-Touchscreen-Quad-Core/dp/B014854RGK

I have one with 32GB, 2GB RAM. It's an OK little machine.
But I wish I had gotten the 64GB version.
Netflix, Amazon etc don't require much power at all - and a tablet should be fine (even something in the <$100 range, realistically).

External DVDs may be slightly problematic though, as you won't find DVD drives in tablets (obviously).

Tablets will also limit the 'native' storage for itunes media, as you'll struggle to find >32GB for reasonable prices.

A laptop makes the most sense (faster hardware, DVD drive, more storage etc), but a tablet will be much cheaper.......initially.
You'll need an external DVD drive, external storage - likely an USB OTG cable (potentially a splitter to attach more than one thing etc) to run a tablet.

Given the external requirements, a laptop (even a basic laptop) should suit your needs better.

 

Cmlalibe

Estimable
Sep 14, 2014
42
0
4,590
Okay, thats what I was leaning for, after adding in the price of a keyboard for the tablet and needing a new mini hdmi cable.
As for as I can tell, they all have 32gb of eMMC storage (wish sd card expandable) and 2 gb of Ram.
Have you seen any better.
Thanks for the quick response!
 

USAFRet

Illustrious
Moderator


Asus Transformer.
64GB, 4GB RAM, full size USB port to connect other drives
$300
https://www.amazon.com/Transformer-T100HA-C4-GR-10-1-Inch-Touchscreen-Quad-Core/dp/B014854RGK

I have one with 32GB, 2GB RAM. It's an OK little machine.
But I wish I had gotten the 64GB version.
 
Solution
Yeah, between those peripherals & everything else (OTG cable, storage, DVD drive etc), the <$100 tablet heads way north - likely north of $250, putting you at the same pricepoint of a 'budget' laptop that'll have regular HDMI ports, ~1TB storage & a DVD drive.

I've seen 64GB eMMC - nice for a tablet, but you (likely) need much, much more. I wouldn't even look into tablets any further.

Options like the ASUS Transformerbook(s) - with mass storage in the keyboard dock (i forget which models) would be great options, but get pricey