Need to get away from tablet for physical wellbeing - help/opinion?

[SusanCalvin]

My left neck and shoulder are quite messed up from holding tablet in left hand and typing with right forefinger.

Wish to find something small, fast, with good keyboard that is comfortable to hold in lap and has matte screen.

OS negotiable, but don't like what I've heard about Win 10 and wish to avoid steep learning/setup curve if possible.

Loved MSI Wind 10" until upgrades in work computers made me gradually dissatisfied with its speed. Can't be upgraded. Still occasionally consider trying Linux on it.

Have business-class refurbished Dell 12" which is excellent except that I can't just grab it off the shelf behind my recliner like I can the tablet.

Thank you all very much in advance.

[Egnever]

1. What are your expectations?

is it just for email web surfing or are you looking for something with more software capabilities?

[SusanCalvin]

2. Mostly email/web surfing

But I want, if at all possible, *fast* for that. (The tablet is starting to annoy me in that respect as well - I really think it's slowed down since I got it.)

[Egnever]

3. well one of the reasons I ask is because of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834232641

That is a chromebook. They are awesome for web surfing and email especially if you use gmail as your mail provider already.

They are fast, turn on in seconds, hold a charge forever and recharge quickly. They have limitations though.
you cant install software. There are extensions and web store apps you can use but if you want to use office you are limited to office online.

If you use google services you can use all of them including music and books but if you have media spread elsewhere like kindle or itunes you are not going to be able to get to them easily.

I initially got one because my kids school was contemplating purchasing them for the students and I wanted to see if they would work. I have had it for almost a year now and it has become my go to device when sitting on the couch web surfing or just doing light work. It has been a pleasant surprise.

The last bonus is they are really reasonably priced. The one I linked is a sort of combo where you can fold the keyboard all the way back and use it like a tablet with a touch screen or swing the keyboard back around and use it like laptop and it is only $270ish

If you have a store in town with a generous return policy I would try one out.

If that wouldn't work for you then I would look at some other things like 2 in 1 laptops or ultrabooks.

A lot of the decision depends on what you intend to do with the device to find the one that is right for you.
There are tons of options these days and depending on the money you are willing to spend you can find pretty close to a perfect fit.

It is very hard to recommend things without actually knowing you and your uses, likes dislikes.

If you don't mind taking a chance with the opportunity to return it I would take a hard look at that chromebook though I think you might like it a lot.

[SusanCalvin]

4. Thanks - I hadn't thought of a Chromebook. nt

[jrandom421]

5. Take a look at a Surface 3

If you know Win 7, there isn't a steep learning curve for Win 10. It's got a 10.8 inch screen, and a magnetically attachable keyboard that's pretty good. It also has a 3 positions kickstand and works pretty well on laps. There are deals on then right now at Microsoftstore.com

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.314885500?icid=en_US_FY16_homepage_hero_2_S3_020216

[SusanCalvin]

6. Kickstand wouldn't work on a lap, I think....?

[jrandom421]

7. Why not?

I've got a few Surface devices, and they all work fine with the kickstand, especially since the Surface 3 has 3 different positions. Absolutely works with the keyboard on the lap, at least it does for me. My Surface Pro 3 with an infinite position kickstand works just as well. Check it out at Best Buy.