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11-16-2023LAST POST
I'm planning to do some music open mics and need to look at sheet music. Right now, I have a 8' tablet which just isn't gonna cut it as the screen is way too small, never mind when I'm trying to play in dim lighting. My guess I need something at least 15".

As such, I really just need a big screen and the tablet capability isn't important. Can you guys suggest something that is good for my purpose (heck, if there are discount laptops or anything else I haven't thought of) and maybe won't exceed CAD50? TIA.
If it doesn't need to be touch screen, just get any cheap monitor (any size you like) and get a stick PC. They're small, cheap, plug right into the hdmi and can run Windows or Android.
Redd wrote
If it doesn't need to be touch screen, just get any cheap monitor (any size you like) and get a stick PC. They're small, cheap, plug right into the hdmi and can run Windows or Android.
Do you have any examples? I think that I may have been unrealistic w the CAD50 limit haha.
50 bucks? Tough to find a big tablet for that price. Maybe something second hand, and with a cracked screen (or otherwise compromised).

At $100, some more options open up on Amazon, like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Storage-Tablets-Android-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B0B2RLTDH8/ref=asc_df_B0B2RLTDH8/

But still, the biggest you'll find for this price is a 10in screen and I would expect those cheap tablets to be low quality, slow, and have poor battery life.
tranquility wrote
Do you have any examples? I think that I may have been unrealistic w the CAD50 limit haha.
What's that translate to in US Dollars, $7.43????? :D
vreihen16 wrote
What's that translate to in US Dollars, $7.43????? :D
You laugh, but we were once higher and we'll get there again someday!!!!!!!!!!!!! Arrrgggh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :happyanim::lol:
jjFender wrote
50 bucks? Tough to find a big tablet for that price. Maybe something second hand, and with a cracked screen (or otherwise compromised).

At $100, some more options open up on Amazon, like this one: https://www.amazon.ca/Storage-Tablets-Android-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B0B2RLTDH8/ref=asc_df_B0B2RLTDH8/

But still, the biggest you'll find for this price is a 10in screen and I would expect those cheap tablets to be low quality, slow, and have poor battery life.
Tx for this example. Ya, for sure I gotta be way more realistic in my budgeting LOL.

I'm ok w it being a lousy performer because I'm just using it as a screen, so as long as I can load my music onto it and the battery's reasonable (say 3 hours), that's enough for me.
tranquility wrote
Do you have any examples? I think that I may have been unrealistic w the CAD50 limit haha.
I was looking at some convertible 360 touch screen laptops on best buy that look nice and have more use cases.. but with your low budget threshold .. I'll pass. May have to bump that up a tad..
MassWholeBimmer wrote
I was looking at some convertible 360 touch screen laptops on best buy that look nice and have more use cases.. but with your low budget threshold .. I'll pass. May have to bump that up a tad..
Ya, I don't wanna buy used/refurnished, but, for sure, my CAD50 budget isn't gonna cut it lol. Maybe I was hoping for a miracle like some freak black friday prices, or thinking of just a bare screen (no computer inside) that I can just plug a usb stick into.
tranquility wrote
Maybe I was hoping for a miracle like some freak black friday prices, or thinking of just a bare screen (no computer inside) that I can just plug a usb stick into.
Do you have Black Friday north of the border?

What software is used for displaying sheet music?
vreihen16 wrote
Do you have Black Friday north of the border?

What software is used for displaying sheet music?
We do but actually I'm very unaware and don't keep track of when it occurs.

Just basic JPG/PNG files any viewer should be able to display.
tranquility wrote
Do you have any examples? I think that I may have been unrealistic w the CAD50 limit haha.
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mM16a5q

It's a full-on Android 12 device with Play Store. Think of it as a phone/tablet but without a screen. Plug it into any hdmi port and you're golden.

This is just an example, there are cheaper ones too. Generally I recommend MTK/Mediatek processors for cheap stick PCs, 4GB RAM recommended. And buy it from Aliexpress, Amazon sells the same stuff but at 3-4x the price.
Redd wrote
https://a.aliexpress.com/_mM16a5q

It's a full-on Android 12 device with Play Store. Think of it as a phone/tablet but without a screen. Plug it into any hdmi port and you're golden.

This is just an example, there are cheaper ones too. Generally I recommend MTK/Mediatek processors for cheap stick PCs, 4GB RAM recommended. And buy it from Aliexpress, Amazon sells the same stuff but at 3-4x the price.
Tx, it looks great. My prb is that I just want a screen, if I buy that, I still need to look around for a display at the venue that they may not have, so unfortunately that won't work for me.
How about a pocket video projector?????
vreihen16 wrote
How about a pocket video projector?????
$$$ and practicality aside, not sure how it would be w my back to the audience while I'm playing :lol:
tranquility wrote
$$$ and practicality aside, not sure how it would be w my back to the audience while I'm playing :lol:
There are options under $50 USD, and you could figure out a way to use a white poster board closer to the floor between you and the audience as a projector screen.

I wonder if Google has any links for DIY teleprompter screens?????
Tbh, eventually I'd want to memorize my stuff, but starting out it's good to have a crutch just in case I forget.