Need advice. Migrating from cell phone to larger device.

[intrepidity]

Long story short, been using Android cell phone for 100% of internet/digital needs. Time to add a more functional device.

I have experience in computer builds, but not ready to go there, yet.

Looking for interim solution. Cheap, but with a keyboard. Display larger than cellphone, for watching Netflix etc.

USB ports so I can dump my cellphone memory cards.

Having been solely dependent on cellphone, am tending to think a touchscreen would be really missed.

I'm used to the idea of being able to upgrade/swap components, but realize that is highly unlikely, for what I'm looking at now.

Bluetooth, for audio. Full size keyboard is best (USB?) Don't like Bluetooth keyboards, lag is off-putting.

I don't need it to be really portable, so size/weight not factors.

I don't want to have to buy an OS (ie, Win).

I especially want local storage, not a fan of the Cloud. USB HDD is fine for me.

Am I looking for a tablet? Laptop? Hybrid? Cheaper is better, under $300.

Any advice?

[TexasTowelie]

1. I doubt that you will be able find anything with a touch screen for less than $300.

If you don't like the keyboard on the laptop, you should be able to get a keyboard and mouse for about $40.

I bought a HP for $300 (before tax) and it is working well.

[hunter]

7. There are plenty of touchscreen Chromebooks on Amazon for less than $300...

... some fold flat as well, so they can be used as tablets.

(I'm just using Amazon as an example here because everyone knows what it is. Places like Newegg have many inexpensive touchscreen and non-touchscreen Chromebooks as well.)

Many Android Apps now run on Chromebooks without any problems.

If I want to sort, crop, or edit cell phone photos on my Chromebook I simply plug my phone into it.

I actually prefer my Chromebook over my dual-boot Linux/Windows laptop for most uses, especially writing and web browsing, largely because the batteries last longer. It plays Netflix flawlessly.

I bought an Android tablet for software testing and discovered I disliked that form factor intensely, even with a wireless keyboard for touch typing.

The only downside to Chromebooks is they don't run full-fledged Windows apps such as Photoshop.

I hate to sound like an advertisement, but I got sick of seeing screwed up Microsoft Windows machines a long time ago. I won't touch Windows unless someone is paying me.

[intrepidity]

9. Tell me more

Sounds like we're on the same page.

Why problems w Android tablets? How do they differ from a Chromebook w touchscreen?

I can't wait to have device w keyboard so I can post full thoughts again!

Wish I had done this research prior to yesterdays cyber Monday

[hunter]

11. I'm a touch typist. I don't like raising my hands from the keyboard to touch the screen.

Mostly I use the keyboard to navigate -- forward, back, page up, page down, copy, paste, close a tab, etc.. The touchpad is within easy reach for anything else.

I also tend to be rough on my tools. When I fold up my Chromebook it's protected and even turns itself off after a few minutes.

The tablet just seems fragile to me, and like my phone it expects to be on 24-7, probably so it can bleep at me every time it gets an email.

[TexasTowelie]

10. Since the OP said that they want to watch videos

it seemed like a laptop would provide a better viewing experience than Chromebooks. I also used to crunch some large databases, so having the full version of Windows to run apps like Microsoft Access are pretty important to me.

I think that I've only had Windows crash on me twice within the past ten years. I was running two different browsers and using a lot of RAM so that probably factored into the crashes.

[PBC_Democrat]

2. Microsoft - Surface Pro 7

Under $300 isn't reasonable, even if you found something - you'd hate it quickly.

Microsoft - Surface Pro 7 - 12.3" Touch Screen - Intel Core i3 - 4GB Memory - 128GB SSD with Black Type Cover (Latest Model) - Platinum

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/microsoft-surface-pro-7-12-3-touch-screen-intel-core-i3-4gb-memory-128gb-ssd-with-black-type-cover-latest-model-platinum/6374985.p?skuId=6374985

[intrepidity]

8. Thanks.

Once I go above $300, I'm in PC territory and my rules change.

[csziggy]

12. One thing to consider is a refurbished device

I've bought several refurbished laptops from NewEgg.com and they all lasted past when I expected them to. In fact, except for one (that my husband abused) the only reason I replaced them was I wanted/needed a more powerful computer. They all worked until they were replaced.

I'm not sure how big of a screen you want, but here is an Acer Chromebook 15 CB515-1HT-P39B Grade A Chromebook Intel Pentium N4200 (1.1 GHz) 4 GB Memory 32 GB Flash 15.6" Touchscreen Chrome OS.

Start at this page and narrow down your choices: https://www.newegg.com/d/Computer-Systems/RefurbishedStore/ID-22

[flotsam]

3. Try looking at Chromebooks

might need an external hard drive for storage but fast and simple for internet use:
https://www.target.com/p/hp-14-34-touch-chromebook-9-hour-battery-life-3-40lbs-32gb-storage-14-db0025nr-chalkboard-gray/-/A-76374197?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Electronics%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Electronics&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9002479&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&ds_rl=1246978&gclid=CjwKCAiArJjvBRACEiwA-Wiqq4DmSeeNhEBjOMPJnbanIVXOPdlmNY-vy-CvvpRHxI56kKpWQ9MM9xoC53oQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[intrepidity]

5. Thanks. That's getting close. nt

[keithbvadu2]

4. Happy shopping

[intrepidity]

6. Soooo true! nt