The biggest difference in tablets verses laptops is that you can not download software onto laptops, but you can use apps for many things but not all. I have the Nook color and the Nook tablet. Both will let me get onto the internet and view and save pdf files and also they have a version of Microsoft Office that is an app. The Nook has lots of memory and can be expanded with SD cards where the iPad's memory cant' be expanded. The Nook can get books from many places, not just barnes and noble, it supports lots of formats. I bring it to work and listen to Pandora's radio on it and I can watch movies on it, read, etc. My grandson loves the "read to me" books. The chromcast laptop (about 250 on military base) is nice and light, it doesn't have the cd drive built in which makes it lighter but you can get portable cd drives for when you need a cd drive like to install software or listen to music, etc. If you just want to search the internet, facebook, an organizer, or other things that apps can provide there are lots of tablets that are available in lots of price ranges. My first choice was the Samsung Galaxy 3 (which also has a camera) but I went with the Nook because it was less than half the price with the additional warranty and I dont' need a camera on my tablet. Plus, we have the stores all around us and they give great support without dealing online with a person you can't see. I have a 17in laptop for my digitizing but its too heavy to carry back and forth. I want a screen bigger than my netbook but lighter that the 17in. I really want the HP envy split 2, its a laptop plus you can take the screen off and its also a tablet, both of best worlds.