cheap small device (but with keyboard) specifically for surfing Web - recommendations?

[Morgana]

I'm thinking of getting a separate device just for general web-surfing (not private transactions).
(Reasons why TL;DR, not putting that part up for debate.)

I do want it to have a usable keyboard and a screen big enough to watch videos reasonably comfortably.
I do not need it to interact with my main laptop or phone.

Thinking maybe a Chromebook?
Anyone have experience, recommendations, etc?

Thanks!

 

[Camper]

I use a laptop which I really like, but I have two Ipads and never use them.

 

[bullfrog]

We have ended up using smart phones due to space and power needs being less but unless you reduce use eye strain becomes an issue for us.

 

[hugemoth]

A Bluetooth keyboard will work with most phones and tablets. I use a Amazon Fire 10" tablet because it's fast and has a great screen, not to mention it sells on sale for $100. I've removed the Amazon operating system and installed straight Android so it works like any Android phone and will run all standard Android apps.

 

[frater secessus]

I do have a Chromebook that works well for the stated purpose. But if you already have a tablet I'm with @hugemoth on the BT keyboard. 1/10th the cost of a standalone Chromey, and fewer objects in the camper.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[eDJ_]

I own two Droid Tablets. One is a 7 inch and the other is a 10 inch. Both have magnetic keyboards that are set in a folding binder. The binder has an easel prop built in so it can set upright.

As the tablets are Bluetooth the keyboard in this case is too and I have a BT mouse that pairs with the tablet as well. Even ear buds that are BT. The tablet case & keyboard slips into a simple padded zippered case and is easy to tote along. (carry the mouse & ear buds in my pocket and found the padded case at Dollar Tree)

My tablet cases cost less than $15 bucks each when I purchased them. I shopped until I found white keyboards offered as they are easier to work with in low light conditions. (these are held magnetically in the case and elastic clips hold the tablet fast to the case. My 10 inch has front and rear facing cameras and I had to mark the case where the out facing camera lens is located and then use a 1/2 inch punch to cut a hole for it to see thru.

A dual USB plug in charger with two USB micro B ends charge the tablet and keyboard as needed. Battery life is quite good. But it would take a USB A to micro B adapter to use a jump drive with with the tablet.

All in all the tablet is handy and the more you learn the OS (Droid 12 is out now) and a tablet will allow you to do much of what you would do with a laptop.

One nice feature my Tablet has is an HDMI port so I can use it with my flat screen TV to watch movies etc on the net..

A case like mine can be found at Amazon:

Tablet case with BT keyboard

 

[Frood]

Seems like tablet with Bluetooth keyboard would be the way to go. Not the most convenient for editing documents/text and such but definitely doable. Tablets are pretty decent for web surfing though, and some of them have screens comparable in size to laptops (or larger than some laptops).

Once I get a new iPad it will reduce my laptop usage by about 75% since simple editing and most surfing/shopping/etc will be done on the tablet. My current tablet is just too old to be able to even reliably surf the web.

 

[Morgana]

Sadly I will have to buy something for this, as my tablet and smartphone are ancient. But tablet + keyboard = intriguing idea. I suppose I only need to procrastinate a few more days and there will be post-Christmas sales.

I have a Macbook for the heavy lifting. But I have a chance at free wifi for awhile, and I thought that if I shifted all the non-privacy-requiring streaming etc. to a separate device, I could use my phone data for the (now reduced) stuff I really only want to access in a more protected way. Still thinking. Thanks for all the good ideas!

 

[eDJ_]

Last thoughts on this, consider a BT mouse. It is probably the best accessory to go with a tablet. You could avoid having greasy fingerprints and smudges all over the screen by using a mouse.

With my 7 inch tablet I just about have to wear a pair of +2 diopter reading glasses to avoid straining my eyes. And the tiny keyboard is a challenge to use. Someone with small hands could get by with one better.

I'm going to buy some of those tempered glass screen protection sheets to install on the tablets screens too.

I used to look unfavorably on Tablets, but the more I've used them the more they grow on me. Great for mobility and general task when in the field. I often WIFI using the "Pluto" app for TV. There should be deals on Droid 10, and 11 now that 12 is out. (just study the features closely before buying)

 

[Malamute]

I saw someone post about the fire tablets, https://booksbikesboomsticks.blogspot.com/2016/11/black-friday-ii.html and being on sale for around $30 for the 7 and $50 for the next step up, 8 I think, and have been very happy with them for uses less demanding than typing much. The touch screen keypad is usable, just not quite as nice as a laptop if much writing is in the picture.

Keep in mind that you dont have to register them or use them for anything remotely related to amazon, ive never registered any of mine, just surf the web, watch youtubes and much the same stuff I do with my laptop. Being able to download books and stuff may be a valid use though, but a netflix account works for stuff thats not free elsewhere online. You can as well download books and media from the library, so theres still perhaps no need to do the amazon thing in its normal guise. I have friends order them, pay them back, and go on down the road of life. Very handy gadgets. I dont have a smart phone and have little desire to.

Im bummed they stopped making the small ones in yellow. I dropped mine on a driveway and cracked the screen. the local goodwill had the flexible glass screen protectors for out of date phones for $1 each, I bought a few, and managed to cover most of the cracked parts with two set side by side, and cut off the leftovers with a utility knife (measure and cut before putting it on) and smoothed the edges with an emory board. Been working like that for 2 or 3 years now.

 

[mkoontz]

I recently bought a refurbished Chromebook (17" I think). Works well for me but battery range, with that big screen, get's sucked down in 4-5 hrs. Nice that it can run "most" android aps now. It was very cheap compared to a laptop, and I just wanted to get away from windows and Microsoft this time. Seems like everything is 2-4 times the android price in the Windows world.

 

[jacqueg]

I have an ipad that I use for watching movies. It has a 10-inch screen and cost me just under $300 brand new. A refurb would of course be cheaper. (This ipad does not have a cell phone function. But it will connect by bluetooth to my phone, so I can use my cell phone as a hot spot for the ipad.) It uses noticeably less power than my laptop, and has very good lasting power on the battery. I could get a keyboard for it, but I get along just fine without one. In fact, I'm thinking seriously about ditching the laptop...

IMO, you would be better off in the long run not cheaping out on this purchase.

 

[dhuff]

I'm thinking of getting a separate device just for general web-surfing (not private transactions).
(Reasons why TL;DR, not putting that part up for debate.)

I do want it to have a usable keyboard and a screen big enough to watch videos reasonably comfortably.
I do not need it to interact with my main laptop or phone.

Thinking maybe a Chromebook?
Anyone have experience, recommendations, etc?

Thanks!

I have a Lenovo Chromebook and it's quite decent for such things. The real vs. on-screen keyboard is much easier to deal with, and Google keeps recent Chromebook models up to date with frequent ChromeOS patches/updates. If you want specific recommendations from an IT geek, let me know

 

[speedgene]

I bought a 11" Chromebook with touch screen for $69 online this month and it works great. I use it all the time now. Lenovo model N23

 

[Frood]

Sadly I will have to buy something for this, as my tablet and smartphone are ancient. But tablet + keyboard = intriguing idea. I suppose I only need to procrastinate a few more days and there will be post-Christmas sales.

I have a Macbook for the heavy lifting. But I have a chance at free wifi for awhile, and I thought that if I shifted all the non-privacy-requiring streaming etc. to a separate device, I could use my phone data for the (now reduced) stuff I really only want to access in a more protected way. Still thinking. Thanks for all the good ideas!

May want to look into a VPN service if you are concerned about privacy. There are free options, low cost options, and expensive options. Learning about them is really a good first-step to data security though.

 

[RVTravel]

I think VPNs are a sure way to have all your data spied on. Not for me.

 

[dhuff]

I think VPNs are a sure way to have all your data spied on. Not for me.

That really depends on who you trust. The employees at the VPN provider (e.g. NordVPN, PIA, etc...) or "Bobby Random Hacker" sniffing the wifi traffic at the local coffee shop...

If you're very privacy-focused, you can setup your own VPN service using a cloud provider like AWS, Linode, etc.. and OpenVPN. But this requires technical expertise regular folks don't normally have.

 

[Oldwolf]

I have a Lenovo laptop for that duty. It draws about 10 Watts when the battery is fully charged. I use a USB Type C charging cable that connects directly to a USB DC charging port (rated for 100W) on my Bluetti.

 

[Happy Camper]

What is your budget?

And what are your space limitations?

 

[Oldwolf]

I forgot to report that I bought the Lenovo used on Amazon for a little less than $400.