Horses for courses, really. If it's really just following fashion then you're lost! But if a significant amount of keyboard stuff is anticipated, then any sort of 'pad is irritating to use. I love my Samsung tab, but I don't have the patience to use it for 'serious' computer work. Great for music, movies and ebooks; ok for gps-stuff; acceptable for emailing & stuff, but if there are letters, lecture notes, essays to be written (young one a student, yes?) then a waste of money.