Need some computer advice

[matt819]

I'd go to the computer forum, but the most recent posts there are from October 2016, so this probably wouldn't get much in the way of views. So the Lounge it is.

I have a desktop in the office.

I remote access that desktop from my iphone when needed, usually a few times a week, to get info from that computer. There's stuff in the cloud as well, and that's fine, but this is for access to stuff on the computer, mainly my accounting data.

If it matters, broadband speed in the office is high, at home not so high.

I find using the iphone for remote access is a pain. Clunky, not at all fluid, hard to use on the small phone.

I'm thinking of getting an ipad. Same clunky, not so fluid maneuverability, but easier than using the phone.

I'm also thinking of getting a laptop with the key programs on it, and using that at home or otherwise out of the office, and then syncing with the desktop. Or, if I still use the remote access, at least I'd be using a laptop with a keyboard, touchpad/wireless mouse.

So, I'm looking for advice. What do you all recommend?

[hunter]

1. It sounds as if a chromebook might not work for you.

But chromebooks are my advice to anyone these days who is not a sophisticated computer user and not using the more complex features of Microsoft Office or other specialized Windows or Apple dependent software.

Anything that can be accessed via a browser, including certain kinds of remote desktops, can be done on a chromebook.

Most of all, I like having a computer I don't have to worry about much. I'd rather travel with a $150 laptop than one that cost ten times as much.

Then again, I'm not a typical computer user. My desktop computers have been running Debian (a flavor of Linux) for many years now. I use Libre Office on the desktop and haven't noticed any serious incompatibilities with Microsoft Office lately.

LibreOffice doesn't run on a chromebook, but there are several less sophisticated office type programs available.

The last Windows I had on a desktop was a highly pruned down and modified version of 98SE, so I'm used to running non-mainstream software.

[GeorgeGist]

2. My choice between iPad and laptop would be:

laptop. It's more like a desktop which is what you're talking to.

I have both.

[Ptah]

3. I don't have any advice,but you need to scroll down to see the most recent thread.

The Computer Help and Support (Group) only looks inactive. That's because the first ten threads are pinned, like a group of FAQ.

Scroll down past those to see the most recent thread, USB 2 device USB 3 error message

[OriginalGeek]

4. I'd love to get a Microsoft surface but

they just cost too much. So I second Hunter's advice. I can't even imagine anything you do on the iPhone you couldn't do on the chromebook and you get a bigger screen and a keyboard.

Right now I lug around a 6 year old, 17" Asus gaming laptop I inherited from my boss and it about breaks my neck just carrying it. I find more and more I just use my Galaxy Tab A as it's such a pain in the ass to fire up that Asus. But damn, when I do, it's a beautiful machine. Just so overpowered and heavy for what I normally do. Unfortunately, there are still a couple things I HAVE to use it for - mainly interfacing with the PBX I manage. And I probably even could do that on the tablet but I just got to have that keyboard and mouse.