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Tablet / ChromeBook / laptop for tech hobby?

ntewinkel

Hi all, 

I’m thinking of getting a new tablet so that I’m not tied to my desk for hobby type projects.
I have a Mac as my main computer that I can use when I really need power and screen size, but for hobby things I’d rather work from the couch or table or art studio so I can be around my SuperArtGirl more.

I’m thinking an Android tablet gives the most choice and might be more compatible with external hardware.

I don’t know much about ChromeOS, but am curious what it can do.

We’re pretty much locked into Apple for everything else, so it might make sense to just go iPad in that it integrates with everything else.

Maybe upgrading my iPhone 8 Plus to something with a bigger screen might work? But then it would still have to be very portable, like pocket sized!

Mostly I’m wondering if a tablet allows me to work directly with Arduino and things like the Pi Pico, and tools like usb capable oscilloscopes and microscopes. Maybe the occasional 3D slicing and transfer to SD card for the printer, or run the CNC.

Maybe some functions can be sent to a Raspberry pi for final handling.

I feel like a laptop might be too big for general around the house browsing use.

What do you recommend?

Thanks!

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  • I have a primary Ubuntu workstation computer, a Ubuntu laptop Ubuntu for the portable operating system and a Lenevo Yoga running Android as my tablet reader. This configuration has been a discovery evolution. The Lenovo was a major purchase to find the path you now walk. I realized that by separating myself from the primary workstation I wasn't as productive. 

    The workstation and laptop are a minimum. The Lenovo is a reader and for those oh yeah, I need to look that up, kinda things. As for its involvement in the other stuff, not so much.

    When traveling, I have been limited to the laptop for some months. It has the capabilities of mirroring the workstation but is not as powerful.

    I have accepted the three-device model for some years. I rarely try to improve it by adding something Smart. My family seems to constantly be adding technology to their lives for convenience. I'm just resurrecting a Samsung Tab A my spouse purchased two years ago. It got used for less than a week and lived in a drawer. It is now destined to be a content watching device for grandchildren.

    Good luck on your quest.

  • in reply to colporteur

    Thanks for sharing, impressive that you're mainly Linux!
    I'm with you when it comes to productivity away from my main desk, so I'm not sure if my quest will lead to any success... here's hoping LOL.

    I kinda use my iPhone for that "quick look up" stuff, but I find it too small to spend extended time on it.

    I have my aging 2009 MacBook that is still fast enough for general tech things, and I'd probably stick with it except that it's starting to get a little flakey - it shuts down every few hours. So I guess it's the MacBook I'm really trying to replace when I think about it, but in a much lighter more portable form factor. In all honesty, I really haven't used it much at all, which is why I don't want to spend too much on something new only to have it end up in a drawer like your spouse's Samsung tablet!

    On that note, my wife says she's ready for an iPad upgrade now and I can have her hand-me-down Laughing - this just got really expensive Thinking

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  • in reply to colporteur

    Thanks for sharing, impressive that you're mainly Linux!
    I'm with you when it comes to productivity away from my main desk, so I'm not sure if my quest will lead to any success... here's hoping LOL.

    I kinda use my iPhone for that "quick look up" stuff, but I find it too small to spend extended time on it.

    I have my aging 2009 MacBook that is still fast enough for general tech things, and I'd probably stick with it except that it's starting to get a little flakey - it shuts down every few hours. So I guess it's the MacBook I'm really trying to replace when I think about it, but in a much lighter more portable form factor. In all honesty, I really haven't used it much at all, which is why I don't want to spend too much on something new only to have it end up in a drawer like your spouse's Samsung tablet!

    On that note, my wife says she's ready for an iPad upgrade now and I can have her hand-me-down Laughing - this just got really expensive Thinking

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