Several questions about using the Transformer without a computer

[CharlesLewis]

I am seriously considering getting the Transformer as a replacement for my laptop. I no longer have the heavy computing needs I did as a teacher, so I think everything I need to do can pretty much be done with this tablet. Before I make a commitment, I wonder if you folks can help with some questions from a newbie?

1. What is the actual battery life you experience? I would use it extensively as an ebook reader (I love the Kindle app on my Droid X), with 30-60 minutes a day of web browsing, and some limited word processing. I know the keyboard dock adds, but I might try to get by without the keyboard at least at first.

2. Is it possible to set "auto tabs" so a series of web sites I check daily would automatically come up without having to click on bookmarks one at a time? This is a handy feature of Safari on my MacBook.

3. I know that some printers can be accessed directly (I assume with bluetooth or WiFi). Are they more expensive than the normal all-in-one printers? Could I scan a document with them and have it added to the tablet?

4. How would I get pictures from my Kodak EasyShare 915 to the tablet or Dropbox (which I am now using for all of my documents and photos)? Right now I use a card reader on the printer which transfers the photos directly to the computer. I understand from what I've read that the keyboard dock has USB connection, which I assume would work, but could it be done without the dock?

5. I have most of my music already, but once in a while I rip a CD (old ones I purchased, so no problem with rights). Is there any kind of accessory that would allow me to do this or would I need a computer for that? I do it so seldom that borrowing a friend's computer wouldn't be a deal breaker.

6. How easy is it to learn to use the soft keyboard? I touch type, though not as rapidly as some, so I would want to do this instead of thumbing text for a few longer documents. (I do a book review each week for a local paper.)

7. I use QuickOffice on my Droid X to read (and once in a while edit or create) documents. Would QuickOffice on the tablet work as my word processor? I don't do real fancy formatting, but I do need some control over margins and fonts.

I know I've tossed out a lot of questions, but your expertise would really help me make a decision.

Thanks much!

 

[andoroido]

I'll do my best to answer the ones I have experiences with, as I too used the TF to replace my laptops.

1. What is the actual battery life you experience?

For myself, heavy usage is about a charge a day, but maybe you will need more juice. I, myself really enjoy tablet it's self, and I have completely reconsider even getting the dock.

2. Is it possible to set "auto tabs" so a series of web sites I check daily...

Opera mini might have save sessions, which is what you are looking for.
Choose Opera - Opera Tips & Tricks: Sessions

3. I know that some printers can be accessed directly...

A bluetooth printer for 70 bucks, I, too heard that printing from bluetooth printers works quite well, maybe a brother brand is good? [I haven't tried this printer, BUT it is bluetooth.]
4204B019 Canon PIXMA MX340 Office All-In-One Inkjet Printer with Print, Scan, Copy & Fax, USB 2.0 Interface

4. How would I get pictures from my Kodak EasyShare 915 to the tablet or Dropbox...

I would guess a card reader should work, and then just use an internal file browser to copy and edit on a fly. Just make sure android supports your camera's formats or better yet an applications that would allow you to edit / view the desired formats.

5. I have most of my music already, but once in a while I rip a CD...

This doesn't sound likely, unless you had a USB to CD/DvD drive, and then for an application to use this or networking to a CD/DvD drive to rip the cd directly to your computer. But mostly, the easiest solution would be to use a computer for this and far less limitation.
How do you transfer a musicCD to your Droid - Droid Forum - Verizon Droid & the Motorola Droid Forum

6. How easy is it to learn to use the soft keyboard?

I really like the default android keyboard, which I don't use anymore. They don't support my language!! >:OOOOO But the replace keyboard is a bit smaller, and I still love it. After you get use to it, you shouldn't have a problem. Quick note, using the TF on a flat surface is best for typing.

7. I use QuickOffice on my Droid X to read (and once in a while edit or create) documents.
Yep https://market.android.com/search?q=quickoffice&so=1&c=apps

I would use it extensively as an ebook reader...

I really like the default reader, it even saves your spot too, maybe it's just a GNU/Linux thing.

 

[AutobahnSHO]

1. Screen brightness up with wifi on= about 5-7hrs non-stop?
2. yes. stock browser can have several tabs, you might have to refresh each one. There are lots of "Widgets" available, like weather, email, etc.. that just show the information on the homescreen and refresh automatically.
3. All the wireless printers I've seen need software installed on the device, and it's usually windows or mac.
4. Use MicroSD, right on the tablet. Dock has SD or USB.
5. I tried my external Iomega CD burner, isn't even recognized. Either buy music from amazon or borrow someone's computer.
6. I don't like the virtual keyboard. it will work in a pinch, but for real typing on emails, etc... I would highly recommend the dock (and you can use USB keyboard/mouse with the dock.)
7. should work just fine. Polaris office is free on the tablet, but you can copy your apps off the phone and put them on the tablet too...

I will take my Transformer on week trips and whatnot but could NOT survive without a "real" computer also.

 

[CarsnGadgets]

1. What is the actual battery life you experience? I would use it extensively as an ebook reader (I love the Kindle app on my Droid X), with 30-60 minutes a day of web browsing, and some limited word processing. I know the keyboard dock adds, but I might try to get by without the keyboard at least at first. - You should get over a days battery life with that sort of useage, but may have to charge it every day to prevent running out at the wrong moment.

2. Is it possible to set "auto tabs" so a series of web sites I check daily would automatically come up without having to click on bookmarks one at a time? This is a handy feature of Safari on my MacBook. - not sure, as said opera mini may be able to do this

3. I know that some printers can be accessed directly (I assume with bluetooth or WiFi). Are they more expensive than the normal all-in-one printers? Could I scan a document with them and have it added to the tablet? - sorry cant help with this

4. How would I get pictures from my Kodak EasyShare 915 to the tablet or Dropbox (which I am now using for all of my documents and photos)? Right now I use a card reader on the printer which transfers the photos directly to the computer. I understand from what I've read that the keyboard dock has USB connection, which I assume would work, but could it be done without the dock? - another alternative if you use full size sd cards in your camera is to get a MicroSD card with SD card adapter to use instead, then you can use it with the adapter in the camera or without the adapter in the tablet.

5. I have most of my music already, but once in a while I rip a CD (old ones I purchased, so no problem with rights). Is there any kind of accessory that would allow me to do this or would I need a computer for that? I do it so seldom that borrowing a friend's computer wouldn't be a deal breaker. - havent seen any way to rip music from a CD directly from the tablet, so you would still need to do that on a pc.

6. How easy is it to learn to use the soft keyboard? I touch type, though not as rapidly as some, so I would want to do this instead of thumbing text for a few longer documents. (I do a book review each week for a local paper.) - the keyboard is very good, but lags a bit so quick touch typing may be a bit frustrating, there are some great alternate keyboards available though like swiftkey or swipe that really speed up typing once you are used to them.

7. I use QuickOffice on my Droid X to read (and once in a while edit or create) documents. Would QuickOffice on the tablet work as my word processor? I don't do real fancy formatting, but I do need some control over margins and fonts. - the transformer comes with an office app that handles word and excel docs well so you shouldn't have any problem with this, and there are a few alternate office apps on the market, you can also use google docs directly from the web browser.

 

[CharlesLewis]

Some great feedback. Thanks so much.

May I toss out three followup questions?
1. Several of you mentioned Opera mini. The link to the web site seemed to suggest a computer browser. I assume there is also one that works on Android?
2. Have any of you actually had success printing directly from either an Android phone (without using a printer connected to a computer) or from a tablet?
3. Several of you mentioned a card reader. I assume this would connect directly to the transformer via the dock/power port or from the keyboard?

I'm very close to placing my order. You folks are getting me excited. I'll keep the MacBook for a while as a backup, but my goal is to give it to my daughter as soon as I feel comfortable working without it as a lifeline.

Thanks again

 

[CarsnGadgets]

I meant something like this: Kingston 8GB Micro SD HC - Class 4: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

so you can just pop it in the camera or in the tablet, and if you get the dock later it will go in that as well.