are generally considered to be "small laptops" in that they still have a keyboard. The problem is that I don't know many notebooks that text messages. That implies connection with a mobile phone network. Reading a book means you're looking for screen size as well.

Tough combination!

Consider a tablet. Keyboards can be purchased for them. If you need phone connectivity a phablet.

I think tablet is what she means now that you mention it. She, like me, aren't too up on the new gadgets
I'll give newegg a look and see what I come up with. I'll more than likely be back with more question later this evening.
again thanks

I have to be careful in asking her questions as to what she really wants as I don't want to tip her off that I'm looking for one for her. I want it to be a surprise if at all possible

but they do make a decent tablet that people like.

Personally I'd like something that uses a linux os

but the Galaxy Tablet might be an option too. No really good Linux tablets yet, even after several years of that being an explicit goal of Ubuntu and the Gnome guys. To make her happy, you have to look for the hints about the applications she wants to run....

I only have internet access where I can get wifi. I have an iPad through work and did not request the 4G option. With the hi-res, and with the feedback that I read, I figured data prices would be outta this world. If I needed to use GPS, maps, or other internet when I had no wifi, I would just use my phone.

My MIL was visiting over the past week. She went to the store and had someone describe the differences between the iPad, a Nook and a Kindle. She bought the Nook HD+. I helped her get it set up and with the 64gig capacity (same as my iPad, but she has 32gb on the tablet and 32 on an SD card), it set her back about $199. She can get her email, the internet, play games, surf the net, and she logged into Barnes and Noble and found tons of free books (just search for 0.00 in books). It's slightly smaller than the iPad so it fits in her purse without a problem.

For work, I needed more computing power than a Nook or Kindle since I use mine to FTP files back/forth from Windows and Unix boxes, use VPN, access card processing services, edit graphics and create web pages on mine. If I had it to do over again, I might consider the Windows tablet just because it supports an SD card where the iPad doesn't. I could keep personal stuff on the card. If I didn't need all the work stuff, the Nook looked pretty good and was a really decent price. On the other hand, I downloaded the Nook app onto my iPad, so I can read the freebie books as well. So right now I can't justify getting a Nook when work paid for the Apple.

Regardless of what brand I would get, it would want it to support "pinch to zoom", hi-res graphics, and a good variety of brightness settings. The Nook does support blue-tooth technology, so a keyboard like the Zagg Flex SHOULD work for it, but you'd have to double check. I use that one. Using an external keyboard gives me more 'screen' space when I'm editing files or want to type faster than I text. I also bought a stylus (about $14 at Staples) that lets me get a finer grained drawing or 'pointing' when I need it, but I don't use it very much.

Hope this helps some, and hope your wife enjoys the new gadget once you decide on one!

If you know the cell carrier of the person you want to text, you can text them via email.

Notebooks have screens up to 17 inches, netbooks have 10-12 inch screens and no optical drive, tablets come in various sizes, usually 7-10 inch screens
I have a Viewsonic 10 tablet with Android that I got a small case for that has a built-in mini keyboard, since the touchscreen keyboard is a PITA to use. Connects on wifi. I use it mainly as an ereader since I have about 6000 books in pdf format on it on the micro SD card.

A notebook is pretty much a fully functioning portable computer. A netbook will do most everything except it has no internal optical drive so no CDs or DVDs to play.

From what you describe, a tablet should do the trick. My wife and kids love their IPAD and Kindles to meet similar requirements you described. A notebook has a little more power and a lot more memory. Most notebooks come with Windows so will have an easier time running programs with heavier RAM and graphics requirements like Office or PC games. The main thing I would recommend is allowing her to pick it out. Go to a place like Bestbuy that has both to appreciate the ergonomics. Hope it helps.

Last edited Fri Aug 2, 2013, 07:06 AM - Edit history (1)

We'll be going to best buy to check them out this weekend