Windows 8 tablet - new buyer

I have a little of everything, just so I can see how they work.
Currently running a Win7 laptop,
with my XP laptops, 98SE desktop, 95, and 3.1 - all retired.

Still have my white Kindle 1 with the silver scroll bar, sitting in a
drawer, along with a Kindle 3, a Fire HD6, and also a Nook Color, which
I quickly booted full Android from an SD card. An iPad Mini rounds out
the tablet world.
Of course - all are running the Kindle App.

SO - have seen some Q&A regarding the Kindle App on the Windows 8
tablets... and was thinking... I don't have one of those critters.

Any general comments about the Windows 8 tablets, the Windows App Store,
avail of mainstream Apps, etc....

In Windows 8.1, you wouldn't use a mobile app, but Kindle for PC.

I guess I hadn't realized until now...
that the Win 8 tablets are running WIN 8 desktop OS.

I was thinking that the PC, the tablet, and the phone were all
different, but the stated intent of MS
is to have them all running the same platform.

I actually like my Android/Fire/iOS versions of Apps
compared to going to a website.
I find for my financial apps - Schwab, Fidelity, Chase, Vanguard, etc-
that the APP is more focused on the function vs the website which is
more focused on design...window dressing...
SO - more and more, I rarely go to a website, if I have the APP -

That's what I was hoping to continue and compare -
using a small Win8 tablet like Dell Venue 8", HP Stream 7",
or BestBuy Insignia 8" - but, maybe not...

On 5/8/2015 6:32 PM, ps56k wrote:
I have a little of everything, just so I can see how they work.
Currently running a Win7 laptop,
with my XP laptops, 98SE desktop, 95, and 3.1 - all retired.

Still have my white Kindle 1 with the silver scroll bar, sitting in a
drawer, along with a Kindle 3, a Fire HD6, and also a Nook Color, which
I quickly booted full Android from an SD card. An iPad Mini rounds out
the tablet world.
Of course - all are running the Kindle App.

SO - have seen some Q&A regarding the Kindle App on the Windows 8
tablets... and was thinking... I don't have one of those critters.

Any general comments about the Windows 8 tablets, the Windows App Store,
avail of mainstream Apps, etc....

In Windows 8.1, you wouldn't use a mobile app, but Kindle for PC.

I guess I hadn't realized until now...
that the Win 8 tablets are running WIN 8 desktop OS.

I was thinking that the PC, the tablet, and the phone were all
different, but the stated intent of MS
is to have them all running the same platform.

I actually like my Android/Fire/iOS versions of Apps
compared to going to a website.
I find for my financial apps - Schwab, Fidelity, Chase, Vanguard, etc-
that the APP is more focused on the function vs the website which is
more focused on design...window dressing...
SO - more and more, I rarely go to a website, if I have the APP -

That's what I was hoping to continue and compare -
using a small Win8 tablet like Dell Venue 8", HP Stream 7",
or BestBuy Insignia 8" - but, maybe not...

I nearly purchased a LG Android phone to replace my Palm but, could not
see spending $45 for the 16 minutes of phone time I use per month.

However I am planning on buying the HP Steam 7. It seems like a good
replacement of my Palm IIIse with 32gb + 32 gb, and the abiltiy to run
Wordperfect, Firefox, Thunderbird, and IrfanVien. Sort of my laptop in
my pocket.

Since it is running a pure 32 bit version of Window 8.1 it will not have
the directory limitation of the Android systems, and can easily acces my
thumb drive, and the LAN drives that I share though my LAN

Keith Nuttle wrote:

However I am planning on buying the HP Steam 7. It seems like a good
replacement of my Palm IIIse with 32gb + 32 gb, and the abiltiy to run
Wordperfect, Firefox, Thunderbird, and IrfanVien. Sort of my laptop in
my pocket.

I have a Stream 7 and am reasonably happy with it. However you get
what you pay for ($99). Some complaints are a short battery life
(around 4 hrs for me) and that you have to pop off the back to change
the micro SD card. And some software quirks like the virtual keyboard
sometimes covering up where you're typing.

You may have some difficulty using the Stream's W8.1 desktop by touch
alone since the icons and links are so tiny on the 7" screen. I often
hit the wrong one with my fat fingers. Some browser adjustments are
almost impossible to make using your fingers alone. The magnifier app
helps some but is a royal pain to use. For these tricky adjustments I
use an OTG cable so that I can connect a real mouse. But this
arrangement destroys the portability which is why you have a small
tablet in the first place. On the bright side the Metro half works
just fine since it's designed for a touch screen.

Since it is running a pure 32 bit version of Window 8.1 it will not have
the directory limitation of the Android systems,

That is true, no rooting required to get rid of the bloatware.

BTW even though the Stream 7 only has 1GB of RAM it seems reasonably
responsive as compared to my Android tablets which cost 2 to 3 times
the price.

and can easily acces my
thumb drive, and the LAN drives that I share though my LAN

The Stream 7 only has one micro USB port used for charging so you will
need an OTG cable to access a thumb drive or other peripherals. But
they're cheap (mine was $6).

All things considered my advice is to go for it. You will likely enjoy
it as I do mine.

On Fri, 08 May 2015 17:32:01 -0500, ps56k
wrote:

In Windows 8.1, you wouldn't use a mobile app, but Kindle for PC.

It will depend on your own personal preference. I have tried both on
my W8.1 devices (7", 10" and 11" screens) and find the Metro Kindle
(mobile) app much better than the desktop version. But YMMV so give
them both a try.

I actually like my Android/Fire/iOS versions of Apps
compared to going to a website.
I find for my financial apps - Schwab, Fidelity, Chase, Vanguard, etc-
that the APP is more focused on the function vs the website which is
more focused on design...window dressing...
SO - more and more, I rarely go to a website, if I have the APP -

IMO the MS store sucks compared to the Google or Apple stores. Many
apps I use (or have used) in the other two OSs starting from years
back are still not available in the MS store. For that reason In W8.1
you will likely find yourself back using the web sites as I do.

In message , Keith Nuttle
writes
I nearly purchased a LG Android phone to replace my Palm but, could not
see spending $45 for the 16 minutes of phone time I use per month.

However I am planning on buying the HP Steam 7. It seems like a good
replacement of my Palm IIIse with 32gb + 32 gb, and the abiltiy to run
Wordperfect, Firefox, Thunderbird, and IrfanVien. Sort of my laptop
in my pocket.

Since it is running a pure 32 bit version of Window 8.1 it will not
have the directory limitation of the Android systems, and can easily
acces my thumb drive, and the LAN drives that I share though my LAN

I haven't changed my views.

I like my cheap, basic clamshell mobile phone and friends are now used
to my tiny messages - usually "OK" or "No".

My Android phablets were very cheap and I use them a lot. I have 2
because the first one broke, but was replaced foc by the seller, which
surprised me. Excellent for if I need to type in a longer text message,
and Android is very useful for the satnav, looking at the BT car
diagnostics and all the usual stuff.

My 10" Win 8.1 tablet does less, but I do like the way it is a full
"laptop in the big pocket". I am still having to use both metro and
desktop screens and the desktop text is too small for my fingers. The
stylus is vague, but better than finger. The virtual keyboard doesn't
have all the keys I need. I have bought a cheap external BT keyboard.
That also has some, but less, missing keys.
Basically, I have been unimpressed by Windows 8.1 as a tablet interface,
which surprised me. I think it's better, with some mods, as a desktop
OS.

What worries me is whether, if they do get W10 better than 8.1 for
tablets, the compressed OS + drivers will be updated by the importer, or
whether this will be stuck at 8.1 till it's thrown away. If I were
buying a more expensive HP or Dell one, I'd check this before parting
with cash.

--
Bill