Travelling in Eastern and Southern Africa - netbook, ipad or...?

Depends what you are doing with it.

Yes roaming is always expensive if you mean a 3G version iPad or any 3G stuff - cellphone, iPhone, laptop whatever USB 3G stick. But you can use local simcards so you are not roaming. Always cheaper but depending on the place you may not always use it as much as your home country. They may not be that developed thus $$.

Netbook is a bit smaller than a laptop esp for touch typist like myself but it does have one at least and you can run your normal software whereas tablets don't run normal software except the Pro series Win8 tablets (Surface Tablets). Not the cheaper ones cos those are like Windows equiv of iPads/Androids.

Photo edit you may want a Netbook, not fast but do-able I guess for the odd.

Normal stuff maybe a tablet. Like casual email, FB, Skype, surfing the web.

You mentioned research? Does that mean you will be writing reports, doing spreadsheets? If so take the Netbook so you can install proper software but if you are doing maybe a 10" screen small keyboard is too small on Netbooks. My bro have one here ... yeah. What about a Ultrabook or for Apple that might mean a MacBook Air. Full size keyboard but still v thin / light.

"The new Surface RT comes pre-installed with Office Home and Student 2013 RT1. Stay productive with touch-enhanced versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote."

That comes straight from the Windows Surface website. I am in a similar position - travelling later in the year and would like to be able to surf the web, keep in touch with home, do some internet shopping, keep my budget up to date etc which I would normally do on my laptop, but it is heavy and as such a tablet appeals because of its portability. I want one though that can perform the same functions as my laptop does, otherwise there's no point in getting one.

I had to make a similar decision when I went to Tanzania for 3 months back in 2011. I ended up with a 10-11 inch netbook as the window system was something I was more familiar with. The USB facility allowed me to download photos, prepare lesson plans (I was going as a volunteer teacher); the external access to local wi-fi via a locally purchased modem (buying MBS as needed) was also essential as I was intending to do some internet banking and wanted the security that was not available at most internet cafes. So I guess your choice is governed by the intended use - I understand the new netbooks with Windows 8 are (in most cases) able to match the performance of the Ipad, but if you are Apple familiar then maybe it might be better. I now also have a 7 inch android table - but the small keyboard is a pain when trying to send large/long emails.

Are an ipad and a netbook comparable? I was under the impression that the ipad can really only be used to send emails etc, whereas a netbook has the same sort of functions as a laptop or desktop computer. Is this correct?

I have not used an iPad so will make a general comment. In my opinion they are not comparable and I feel are designed to do different things. Yes both will send/receive emails (via wi-fi or similar connection). However they are designed to do different things - iPad has a camera built-in, operates on the touch-screen principle, is very "interactive" in its functions. My netbook (now 2+ years old) operates on a cut-down version of Windows 7 hence no interactivity functions, no built-in camera (that takes photographs - but does operate for skype); has a smaller but conventional keyboard; USB and camera card slots and also has access to a wireless modem (but no wi-fi connection).

The best way to really compare these devices is to examine; test functionality; check the "like for like" features. With the Windows 8 touch screen versions of the netbooks now fairly common you should be able to do some testing. Which one to choose - well it really depends upon your ultimate use of the device and only you know the answer to that question. Cheers

I am looking at something to replace my laptop but which will perform a similar function. I can use my iPhone to do internet banking, surf the net etc, but the roaming fees are very high, which is why I take my laptop when I travel. It is, however, heavy, and my attraction to a Windows Surface Pro is due to the fact that it will perform all the same functions as my laptop, but is a quarter of the weight.

Most people find iPads ok, emails, youtube, surf the web, news, weather, chat online, skype and others etc. Which is what I use every every day.

Can do but more fussy to print from, maybe thru a computer using special apps or use a special wireless printer. No MSOffice. No real keyboard for real typing. For work etc ... I think real keyboard better, you can get a wireless keyboard but all the size/weight add up you mind as well go for a netbook or a laptop, netbook can be small for touch typists.

You can use 3G with simcard or WiFi .....

I would i also like to suggest you to go with Microsoft windows pro!!!which will fulfill your both requirement of tablet and laptop both!!!simply brilliant product!!!

Typing on a tablet sucks. You might be able to get a keyboard for it. My experience is that they're good for very linear activities like web surfing but terrible for things where you need to interact and especially to type or edit.

I'd recommend some sort of notebook/chromebook instead.

As for internet, get yourself a used iPhone or Android and then get a local SIM card. Then use the phone to tether via wifi. In many many countries I've been to, its cheaper to buy 3G data for the SIM card than using an Internet cafe, and faster by lots than the poor wifi you might find at hotels and the like.