I can't save embroidery files to my iPad or install embroidery software, use my laptop for everything related to embroidery (it has Vista).

I have both and can't use my iPad for saving or downloading files. I use iPad for communicating and surfing and laptop for everything else.

I would skip IPad for it is very limiting and go for laptop. I just got a new laptop fantastic. A long with being a librarian I am a computer tech, ASUS is the best for quality and price. I have had many different brands of computers way back to DOS Good luck with your choice. Cindy B

I would go laptop for embroidery things. Tablets are not designed for all the files and transfers - they are more for surfing, games, books, etc. not really for major software. I moved to a laptop last year and had to replace a couple pieces of software and one piece of hardware (a printer) because they were not compatible. If you find you have software that is not compatible contact the company because I found they had special deals available for customers that needed to upgrade because of Windows 7.

I would look into a laptop hybrid like the Lifebook T902 or another hybrid designed for Windows 8. I would read all the reviews and contact your embroidery software companies before purchase to see how much will have to be replaced. Spend as much time or more time searching for your next computer as you would for a new embroidery machine.
Also, all your embroidery software will have to be reloaded/installed into the new computer. The back-ups you have will not load the embroidery software. If you no longer have the installation disks for the software, take that into account when you upgrade.
Regardless of your computer choice, make sure it is designed for the newest operating system. Windows 8 is all about touch screens etc.

Regardless of which hardware you purchase, you need to ensure you have Windows 7 or 8 ""PROFESSIONAL"", because then you can run it in "simulated XP" mode and not have to worry about your programs not working on it.
I just purchased two more Toshiba Tecra laptops from Ebay sellers.
One is a (Tecra S2) identical to the one I have in the workshop being repaired, which I absolutely love for my digitising, but not for storage as it only has a 40GB hard drive, it has 1GB ram, 2.13 GHz processor and a square screen, it only cost me $72 plus postage.

The second one is a Tecra M10, which has a 160GB hard drive, 2GB ram, 2.0 GHz processor and a widescreen. It comes with 12 months warranty and only cost $229 plus postage.
These particular laptops are built like tanks and they are real work-horses, designed with high-end business users in mind.
Both of these machines originally cost over $2,500 new, and they take a lot to beat (IN MY HONEST OPINION), OH, and they both came with Windows XP installed.

As for an I-pad, Nah sorry, not my cup of tea at all.

DH kept telling me to buy a new laptop, but I don't want a new one, they are filled with a whole lot of fancy gaming stuff, and technology I don't want nor will I ever use, Wifii, Bluetooth, Mobile apps, etc, etc. And they no longer have the ports I need to connect certain peripherals to. ie: no Smartcard port (needed for my Elna designs), no serial port, (to direct link connect my Elna machines).

I'm afraid I may be a little old fashioned, but these machines are still around because they were made to last.
My previous laptop (the one in being repaired) was also purchased, second hand from Ebay, 4 years ago, for a couple of hundred dollars, and all that is wrong with it is something in the powering up thingy. (brain drain.LOL!)
As soon as it is fixed I will have the hard drive cloned onto my two new laptops (one I will have without the internet) and I will set it up for DH to use in his workshop.
NOW, all of this is only MY personal opinion, based on MY personal experience and probably won't mean much to anyone else.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

Oh WOW - cuties to the rescue again. I am going to our nearest big town on Thursday. I will have a good look at laptops, now I know that an ipad will be useless for embroidery. Thank you all. Sarah.

You can download designs to your iPad and iPhone using the Dolphin Browser but still go with a laptop for the many reasons the other Cuties have listed.

I have both an iPad and a laptop. I also have a desktop (which has tried to die, but I revived it and it's still going). I use the desktop for all d/l and put everything onto an external hd and put emb files on a stick and transfer them that way to my embroidery laptop (which I got as a bonus with my machine and I use it ONLY for embroidery). The iPad comes in handy when I am away and I can still d/l the dailies - just save it to iZip and then email it to myself.

I also live in South Africa. I would not touch an IPad - it does not even have a USB port. I have been using Hp laptops for years and have found that there is nothing to beat them. I run on Windows 7 Pro 64 bit at present and all of my software and downloads work perfectly

You don't have to get rid of your old computer. I keep a very old computer next to my new computer just so I can run some of my old favorite programs on it.

More information on Dolphin Browser here. You can download files to ipad

I replaced our pc with two laptops 5 years ago when the pc was in death throes! I love doing everything on my laptop...I can do whatever I want where ever I want if it requires a computer. Right now, I am on my iPad, which I do not use for downloading emb designs, but I surec spend a lot of time hunting for them on the iPad! We have two laptops, Dells, so my hubby can be on it when I want to be on it at the same time, and ....he can be wherever he wants to be too! We bought them when the next models were coming out, told the salesperson, give us a good deal, and we will take two, and they did! We paid less than we would have if we had bought one pc! Hugs, and happy decision making!

Have fun shopping for a laptop.

I agree with the advise. I would make sure you get a laptop with a keyboard that is comfortable to you. That's my only problem with my little netbook. And, I don't think any of your programs will work with the new OS. That's why I found a good refurbished Dell that had XP Pro. And I don't like the new OS at all. I'm very happy with my SP. Friends have a newer one with Vista that they replaced. Bringing it to me to see if it will take XP. One more suggestion. Back up every week, not once a month. I actually do it every day onto a jump drive, then once a week onto the external hd. IT ONLY TAKES THE BLINK OF AN EYE TO LOOSE EVERYTHING. Been there, done that.

I had the same problem. I bought a laptop with windows7 then took the old XP desktop cleaned it up and networked it. My EHD is attached to the desktop and together they are now my server. I back-up my designs and store all my photos on the EHD and can access them all wirelessly from my laptop. Works great, I only need to turn on the desktop when I want to access the EHD.

Thank you all for your help. *** 4 all. Sarah.