I can't answer your question , but wonder if you have checked a laptop? I ask as I know the desk top, and the laptop for me are very different to view.( as is my iPad )

I hadn't thought of that--thanks! I can try one of my kids' laptops. If it works, I know keyboards can be attached. (I'm a fast typist, but not on a laptop.)

If you get a tablet with Windows yes you can use Windows programs made for it. I only use Android tablets and I have a choice of multiple office programs some free some cost a few dollars. I can do pretty much what I need to do. Adding a keyboard is extremely simple. You can go 2 ways either a USB that just plugs into the micro USB port or a wireless bluetooth keyboard. Both work well. I have one I can recommend that is a very good tablet that won't cost much but will do what you need. This one has an octa core processor so nice and speedy. And has a great screen and resolution. You can actually get a case for it with a built-in USB keyboard . Or purchase a separate keyboard. Office programs include open office, Libre office, Kingsoft, just a few.

X10 tablet only X10 tablet

X10 tablet with case bundle X10 tablet with case bundle

I have several of these and several friends do too. Great tablet for the price.

Example of a Bluetooth keyboard Blutooth keyboard

Another option, if you have an HDMI port on your laptop (most newer ones do) you can plug the HDMI cable in the laptop, plug the other end to your TV (most newer tv's have 1 or more HDMI ports) and you can use the tv screen as your monitor.

Raven, I was hoping I'd hear from you! :-) Thanks for these suggestions. I remember Open Office from when a friend had it on her computer. Can Open Office files be transferred via a flash drive to Word in my regular computer for printing?

Pawprint, I don't know why I didn't think of that option. My living room TV is connected to a computer (separate from the one I use daily) so I can play Amazon Prime videos through it. I don't think that computer has Microsoft Word loaded on it, but that might be doable. Thanks!

Alisande, can you download Open Office to that computer? At least you'd be able to type on it, and watch the tv as a monitor as Pawprint suggested.

I've sent documents to friends using Open Office but they were unable to open it. It saves as an ODT file, instead of a DOC. I guess they'd have to open it thru Word as "open with" something.

Yes you can do that but I print directly from my tablet to my printer. I think all the major printer manufacturers have free apps for Android to allow for printing if you have a printer that is wireless or plugged into the network router. If you have all of your devices networked you can just transfer files in some cases. The tablet I linked to has both a regular sized USB port and a micro. So definitely or just use a USB transfer cable from machine to machine. Lots of options. I use open office on my computers and my tablets. I see in the play store it shows a Microsoft Word app and other Microsoft Office apps I have no experience with those. I will install it when I have time and see what it is. You can also use Google docs and sync with your other devices to have access to your files from any device that can access your Google docs account.

I see the post about using hdmi the tablet will do that also uses a micro hdmi to hdmi cable to connect to the TV or if both have bluetooth you can do it that way.

Open office will save files in a number of file formats including doc you just have to to select the format you save your file in at the time you save it. I always save mine as doc files so my husband can use them when on his work computer which only has windows office. If you don't select from the drop down menu at the time of saving the file it automatically saves it as an odt file but it can easily be changed to the doc instead. I don't even know how many file types are in the drop down menu for open office. Just have to remember that step.

You might read some of the suggestions for reducing monitor flicker. Especially check out the monitor refresh settings.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+reduce+monitor+flicker&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

I use LibreOffice which is similar to Open Office. The program automatically selects an ODT format for a file but there is an option to change to another format, including DOC. You may well have a similar choice in Open Office.

For LibreOffice, select FILE and SAVE AS in the menu bar at the top of the document. Another screen will open with choices as to where you wish to save the file as well as slots for "File Name" and "Save As Type". Click on the elevator button in the "Save As Type" slot and select the DOC format. SAVE. Send the DOC file to your friend with WORD.

This is a you tube videos on how to change the refresh rate to 75 instead of 60 or whatever it's set on. You see much less flicker the higher it's set. He is not easy to understand but he showed the steps. The link above has more information on this.

https://youtu.be/JYhpRzDndgg

Okay, now I'm mad--at myself and at ViewSonic. I've been changing monitor refresh rates every place I worked for years because I've always perceived flicker in situations where most people do not. I always upped the refresh rate on the old CRT monitors, and changed it on a few LCD monitors too.

When I bought my new TV this year I chose an LED model with a refresh rate of 120. It's great.

Here's the new monitor I bought.

I bought two of them, spending more money than I really wanted to. I read the ViewSonic website, where they explain their flicker-free technology and make a big deal out of it. Other monitor manufacturers use it too these days. Focusing on that, I didn't think the refresh rate was an issue anymore.

But after reading Raven's suggestions I thought I'd better take a look at my new monitor's refresh rate. It's only 60. And it can't go any higher. I'm pissed. (I checked by going through the Control Panel and into Advanced Settings.)

I tried the YouTube video. I wasn't able to follow the directions because right-clicking on the screen doesn't give me the menu he shows. But at least the video cheered me up because I found his accent, combined with rapid speech, so difficult to understand that it was amusing.

Thank you for pointing me in this direction. Maybe I'll contact ViewSonic to see if there's something I can do about it.

And thanks for the tips about Open Office. It's nice to have options!

Raven....are you saying the X10 tablet with regular USB port would read a flash drive where I have pictures stored?

I have a 10 month old iPad Air 2, 64gb. Recently I thought a USB port would be nice to read my picture flash drive. Been searching for cables and adapter to make this connection for my iPad with no luck yet. Apple is a Breed of their own..

If a new inexpensive tablet with a USB port would work i would consider........Your thoughts.

Absolutely! Now most tablets only offer the micro USB ports but this particular tablet also has a full size USB port. I have lots of Android tablets a few different Dragon Touch all excellent tablets, but of them only the x10 octa core dragon touch has the full size USB port a regular USB flash drive can be used in it . Really for the price these x10 octa core dragon touch tablets are a no-brainer. He had them on sale quite often I just bought 3 for $89 each, I have been buying so much from them they do give me additional discounts, but that was the price listed just a few weeks ago. I give them as gifts to people who would not be able to get one or not know how to and I set them up with a written tutorial to help them learn how to use them. It's amazing how many thanks I get for turning them on to this. Especially older friends and family that are living alone. Of course WiFi is needed but they have that available.

I am glad I opened this thread! I killed the laptop Friday. I do need to replace it but will also look into the x10! Thanks Raven.

Thanks, Mare. Actually, someone on a Lyme website suggested I try a pair of orange computer glasses. I bought a pair on Amazon (only $8), and although it's a little early to tell, I think they might help. I can't use them for photo editing, obviously, but I'm hoping they'll make it possible to do other things. When I take them off, everything in my surroundings looks blue!

I don't think you'd find a tablet to be a reasonable substitute for word processing tasks, compared to using a PC with a mouse or other cursor movement device.

I can't help you with any info about monitors and Lyme Disease but I've been a computer professional for 40 years. I'm certainly picky about being able to see what I'm doing since I'm clearly not young and spend 60-70 hours a week working on monitors. My first monitors were printers with keyboards attached as the punch cards were just going away.

Consumer monitors like the ones you bought are pretty much made for consumer activities such as watching movies and viewing pictures. They are part TV and part computer monitor. I don't know how people stand them for serious work on text, particularly with black text on a white background. Actual televisions hooked up to a computer are great for a group of people looking a pictures from your travels but are just horrible for this type of work.

Over the years, I've frequently needed a monitor on a weekend where the only choices were Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples, etc. Basically nothing they have is acceptable for serious use.

I'd suggest you contact someone that deals with real computer systems and have them setup something for you to look at. My personal opinion of Viewsonic was good about the time that CRT were the norm and was impressed with some of their early LCDs. My opinion of the company is poor for at least 10 years.

Another problem I see with consumer monitors is the short height, for example 1920x1080 resolution in a 27" vs 1920x1200 in a business 24". When I work seriously on a long document with lots of reorganization and edits, I use a 1920x1200 24" turned portrait.

I am sure you would love everything about this one except the price:

http://www.necdisplay.com/p/desktop-monitors/p242w-bk

The next step down may meet your needs:

http://www.necdisplay.com/p/desktop-monitors/ea244wmi-bk

I've never seen that one but have the 30" version. It's a big step down from the P series but still fabulous compared to the one you are using.

On my desk, I have a P241, P301, E305, and a Eizo 27" square monitor 1920x1920.

I wouldn't buy anything without trying it first!

I can't even type an email or write a decent message here, using my phone. There's no cursor to put where I want to type, or delete anything. It only has an x to erase what I had previously typed, I don't know how to erase the word ahead of what I'm typing. I'd never be able to replace my laptop.

What kind of phone do you have? Most smartphones all have a regular pop up keyboard. NEC makes some excellent monitors.

Raven, my phone is an Android, I'm using it now. It has the keyboard but it's a matter of me learning it. From what I see I have to do an extra step to make an apostrophe instead of it being on the main keyboard.