One other thing: I think an 8 inch or smaller tablet is probably too small for my clumsy hands and bad eyesight.

RT is fine for you if you do what you described. But then again nearly all tablets will do the trick. Android and iOS have Dropbox apps and Office (or equivalent that is capable of creating and editing .docx) apps. So, it will come down to user preference. iPad might be a tad too expensive, RT is a solid choice, but remember that it isn't a desktop OS. But if that doesn't bother you then have a go. Android is... well Android. If you have never used it you might want to do so before buying it. So try choices, see which you prefer.

No tablet will run Office conveniently. Office is optimized for a keyboard and mouse and the mobile version just doesn't cut it. Tablets really aren't designed for this sort of use. With the money you'd spend on an RT device, you'd be better off just getting a good laptop that you like using on the couch.

I have a Surface Rt. It has pretty much the full version of the main office apps (minus macros). The backlit type cover keyboard is as good as a regular keyboard, plus you can plug a (wireless/bluetooth/wired) mouse into the USB port. So if someone sends me a spreadsheet and or a document I can edit it, save it and send it back with all formatting preserved. It links into your home network seamlessly - you can map network drives and copy files too and from the device just as you would on a regular PC. The Surface RT in my opinion has best of the tablet interfaces, swipe from left to switch apps, swipe down to close an app, swipe from right to open context dependent settings and search function. It has true multitasking (including split screens). It can play flash just like a regular laptop. In my opinion it is a brilliant compromise between a laptop and a tablet.

I also have an iPad 4 and a Nexus 7. These tablets have their advantages over the Surface - especially the iPad. The app store is bigger. Many popular apps are better on the iPad (Zinc is crazy on the Surface). It is better for reading plus due to the shape of the screen. But the Surface has its own areas where it excels. I don't understand why the Surface gets such a bad rap. It is way underrated.

That should read *Zinio is *crop on the Surface

But if you're going to put a keyboard and mouse on your tablet, why not just use a laptop?

Stupid auto correct...

Abge, If I am going to sit down and do some serious work I will use a laptop at my desk on a docking station connected to monitors, keyboard mouse etc). But if I am on my couch, watching TV and someone sends some work docs they want me to look over, it is much more comfortable just to use the Surface. Remember the keyboard is the cover so it is usually attached (although you can just peel if off any time you want). If I am flying, if I can get away with it, I prefer to take the Surface because it so light and has a superior battery life. But I can clumsy at using a laptop without a mouse, and so the ability to plug one into the Surface is a nice extra. But of course you don't have to plug in a mouse - most people probably don't.

The Surface is sort of an ultra-light laptop / tablet. So in answer to your question why not use a laptop - its for those times when you don't need the full power of a lap top, and for when you will be switching between typical tablet type activities and typical laptop like activities.

You can plug a keyboard into an iPad, but then you have to turn on Bluetooth, and connect the too devices. With the Surface I love the way you just click on the type cover and away you go.

Typo... (I am on my phone)... you can turn on Bluetooth and connect *to the device (the keyboard)

Spyman...you will never be satisfied with your tablet as a production tool, even if you connect a keyboard, mouse...

They make laptops with a screen that twists and folds down as a tablet...that's what you need.

Thanks for the responses so far, everyone.

Abge, I don't need to use it for Office primarily, but sometimes when I am away from my laptop, things come up. To clarify, I wouldn't be using it as a laptop replacement, 99% of the time. But if I am traveling, either for a short or long trip, I often find my laptop too clunky or inconvenient. Also, I have similar situations to what Spyman described, that happens to me all the time, and sitting with a laptop on the couch just isn't ideal.

Ramsu, do those Office equivalents actually get the job done usefully? I do a lot of powerpoint, and I have never had a Powerpoint replacement maintain the formatting etc. I do editing that has to maintain formatting and track changes between users. I'd like to do that on the couch or on a trip without breaking out the laptop. I do like my Android phone, though.

Spyman, does the Surface use a stylus effectively? My fingers are fat and sweaty all the time.

Here is an example of two of what I would want: I have a shared office computer right now. It does not have my files or bookmarks on it, I am uncomfortable installing Dropbox on the shared computer, and using a jump drive or web interface is clunky. I'd like to be able to bring a tablet some times for the hour or so of down time I have to do a little light editing and web browsing. At a coffee shop or during a doctor's visit or whatever, it's be nice to have a computer I could just take out of my bag, use, and then put it up at a moment's notice, without fussing about a power cord or anything.

Krellin, I like those - the Lenovo Yoga is super neat - but they all seem too expensive.

I would really recommend you consider a more comfortable laptop. Tablets are a large waste of money, and one of the largest advantages to them, the app stores, are the largest growing security risks. I cannot stress how insecure and terrible the app screening process is, and how easy it is to slip malware into a tablet.

If you decide you need a tablet though, then I'd take spyman's recommendation of a surface rt with a keyboard/mouse combination.

jmo, would you recommend getting a Windows 8 tablet, that essentially acts like a regular desktop OS from a safety perspective? I assume Microsoft 8, RT or not, still uses the Windows Defender or whatever it is called that seems to work so well.

The Surface 2 is a waste of money. It's $600 and doesn't even come with a real OS. You could buy a real laptop, or 2 Nexus 7s for that price. Doesn't make sense at all to me.

@jmo - tablets aren't a waste of money. I picked up a couple of Asus tablets reconditioned off of Woot or 1saleaday and my wife has pretty much quit using a regular computer. They are a perfect device for web browsing, fartbook, basic email, etc with a crap load of (mostly stupid) free games.

The issue is more with apps in general then it is with the actual tablet. The problem is that when you download an app you get a warning saying "this may be from an unsafe source, downloading apps from developers you don't know could be unsafe...blah blah blah". As soon as you click yes or ok you are telling your device to allow any changes the app is making.

Right now I am not a huge fan of windows 8, but to be fair I've only tested it on non-touch screen computers in any extent and it seems to be designed almost exclusively for touch devices.

I'd avoid fun little apps in general if you're going to put any important information on your tablet. So short answer is no, I wouldn't pick any specific tablet for security, I'd just avoid all but the most vetted apps. I missed earlier where you said a browser, word, and dropbox are 95% of your needs. Just be careful you don't let kids/girlfriends, etc download the fun pointless games made by a developer in South Africa or China with under several thousand reviews. App safety wise your best bet is no apps that are less then 3 months old, less then 10,000 downloads, and try to find the developers review history if possible.

"with a crap load of (mostly stupid) free games."

^Those are the malware infested apps I'm talking about, lol

JMO, your argument could be made of any computer ever. Malware is not new and really shouldn't be a reason to discredit an entire class of devices.

Not true at all abge, all devices are the targets of malware, but app stores are the only ones that blindly allow people to write it without offering good free security features as well. The majority of mobile devices don't have a security suite because the constant monitoring eats battery life at an unsustainable rate. Norton or McAtee, while processor hogs, will at least catch when a user does something stupid. Tablets have none of that same protection.

People are also far more ignorant when it comes to tablets and apps then they are to normal viruses. Even the most ignorant computer users know not to download suspicious looking emails sent by weird ass email names coming from Nigeria. Yet people who consider themselves tech savvy download fun games and apps from people with weird ass user names coming from Nigeria and China and then wonder why their tablets are running slow.

It's not malware that is the reason I discredit them, it's the completely lacking defense against it, and the completely lacking concern by the device makers in informing their consumers it's a risk.

Surface/Windows 8 sucks. My wife has a Surface. It's such a pain and you have to get *all* your software from Microsoft - you can't just plug in a USB DVD and install all your fav Windows software like you could on a laptop, it won't work.

Don't take my word for it, read this review (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/14/microsoft_surface_rt_stockpile/) then save yourself the heartache and frustration and get a Win7 laptop. You'll be right at home straight out of the box.

McAfee* and yes I know those are both evil choices, but I used names I figure everyone's heard of instead of the good freeware security packages.

jmo....uhhhh.dude....what nefarious place on the interwebs are you stealing your android apps from??? lol

My wife, both kids and I all have android devices, and haven't had a problem, *except* for when I go "off the grid" to "acquire" apps....in which case a simple Free AVG scan identifies the pesky bugger that causes problems and removes it.

You are overblowing the situation...either that, or I would like a PM to tell me where you are carousing for apps...

What do you mean? I can install absolutely anything on a Windows or *nix machine. The app stores are at least somewhat vetted. Also, on Android at least, an app tells you exactly what permissions it intends to use.

I get your point that security could be better, but I think you're making it out to be a bigger deal than it is.

I don't think security is that big an issue on tablets. I have never had malware on either my iPad or my Surface (nor have I ever heard of anyone getting malware on these devices - so it must be pretty rare if it happens at all). My Android devices do occasionally get malware (you get ads in your notifications) but it easy to identify the offending app, which you can then remove in about 5 seconds. It is not a serios problem.

Besides you can install virus protection if you want to.

"Surface/Windows 8 sucks. My wife has a Surface. It's such a pain and you have to get *all* your software from Microsoft - you can't just plug in a USB DVD and install all your fav Windows software like you could on a laptop, it won't work. "

If you are referring to Surface RT that is because is a *tablet*. It is just the same with iPad and Android - you can only run tablet software on it bought at an app store. Surely people are aware of this when then buy the device. Otherwise it is like buy a lawnmower and complaining that you can't clean the pool with it too.

With tablets you sacrifice power for something that is very light and has excellent batter life. It is a trade off that lots of people are happy to make. Whether it works for you depends on your own needs/wants.

If you want a proper computer then buy a proper computer. If you really want a proper PC in a tablet form then buy the Surface Pro as that will run regular .exe programs (or if not Surface there are other choices out there too with the same form factor).

I second JMO. Just don't get one.

But since that admittedly ignores your question, I will shut up now.

It's actually a pretty large problem in comparison to other devices and the ratio of the devices infected. The reason you haven't heard of other people having malware is there aren't many good suites for detecting it. I included a few semi decent links below, the last one is the best and leads to more research on the topic. I don't have all the links I did my undergrad work on for digital forensics on hand right now, but it's a growing problem, not a shrinking one. There are a decent number of apps that have been compromised though various methods, like repackaging through false updates.

This is especially true for businesses, in larger surveys a quarter of business that use BYOD (bring your own device) have been compromised data wise through those devices.

Anyways, not saying apps are completely unsafe, but apps are just as insecure as any random website you visit, and the problem is people assume that just because an app is in the regular app store that it's safe.

http://www.computerworld.co.nz/article/532322/tablets_mobile_malware_heighten_byod_security_concerns/
http://www.letstalktablets.com/ios-edition-are-tablets-subject-to-viruses-or-malware/http://www.infoq.com/articles/detection-of-mobile-malware