Not sure what these are help please?

[sue 1950]

I have a laptop and I have seen people with small laptops when I am on holiday, I am looking for something that gets me on the net also I want to add my family history programme on, something Wi Fi ? what is the difference between I pad  Notebook and a tablet? I am a bit confused with all of these.

[Nick29]

Laptops are basically scaled-down computers with a built-in screen and keyboard, with a battery to give them portability. All modern laptops have wi-fi.

Netbooks are very small versions of laptops, often with reduced functionality.  They are, as the name suggests, primarily designed for accessing the internet whilst on the move.  Nearly all have wi-fi.

Tablets are devices with a screen which can be anything from 4 inches (100mm) to 11 inches (280mm).  They usually have a touch screen, and no keyboard.  The most popular tablets are the Apple Ipad and the Samsung Galaxy.  Most tablets have wi-fi, and some tablets have the ability to have a phone SIM inserted, which gives them access to the internet from just about anywhere.  Tablets have varying levels of functionality, and you should search the internet for more information on this, if you feel that it is important to you.

[sue 1950]

Thanks Nick

[jc26red]

Note, with tablets, you won't be able to install you usual family history software. There are some FH apps (programs) which you can download specifically for tablets but they vary in functionality, you will need to adapt to them.
You won't be able to print from a tablet unless you have a wifi printer or you have set up your home printer on a home network. Tablets do not have USB ports which reduce their functionality but they can be used as a reader like a kindle and are fun and easy to transport. They are faster than a NetBook.
Battery time is about 10 hours of full use which is more than a laptop or NetBook.

Netbooks do not have a CD/DVD drive but you can attach a portable drive via the USB port. The screen is about the same size as a tablet screen (10ins). They are heavier than a tablet. Forgot to add, you can transfer you FH program by copying the program from the cd to a USB stick to install on a NetBook.

[Mavals]

I have used a net book for some time when out an about, on holiday etc. I also bought an external CD drive to load software etc. Cost less than £300 in total and I really like it.

It has Wi Fi, Bluetooth and I also have a separate internet dongle for times when Wi  Fi not available,

I have just upgraded my phone within the last 3 days to a Samsung Galaxy Ace2 and, becoming aware I could , have downloaded Ancestry and managed to log onto my account, so will be interested to see how this works in practice for those occasions when I might come across something when I don't have my netbook with me.

Mavals

[km1971]

You need to consider the FH program first. If you have invested a lot of time in building up your database you need to ensure that you can use it on the new device.

A netbook running Windows 7 may be the first thing to look at. But if your existing laptop is using an old version of Windows you may have problems getting the FH program to work on your new device. So it would be useful to know the FH program and your existing operating system.

Ken

[diplodicus]

Also, using Wi-fi abroad can be very expensive although recent EU legislation has limited it (to a maximum charge of fifty euros per day I think)!!

[sue 1950]

Really? do you have to pay then if you use it abroad, I thought you could take your laptop in a wifi place and go on the net?

[sue 1950]

I know it costs money if you are on the phone abroad  to get on the net didn't think you had to pay on laptop.