Bob:

I just went through a similar scenario that you're experiencing.
I too wanted something bigger that an iPAD (which we have) as I wanted to replace the 3-ring binder with pages of a similar size.

I had looked at the Fujitsu convertibles but at the time (if I remember rightly), they were stylus pen-based and I wanted a "finger touch" screen. I ended up with an older, used ASUS 12" tablet running Windows 7, that works great for me.

Not sure what you mean when you say "PDF realbooks". Is that like a "fakebook" where you have a staff with a melody line, a lyrics line and chords, either just the names or the names and the guitar chord symbols?

My needs were fairly simple.
I just wanted the lyrics, interspersed (somewhat busker-syle) with the chord names.
I had to take ALL my original .doc files (over 600) and convert them to a new "format", as the tablet (in portrait mode) has a display area of about 6.5" x 10.25".

I ended up developing my own "program" to access the songs.
When it boots up, I see a menu like:

- songs by alpha
- songs by artist
- songs by dance type etc.
(OK, I don't have all those done yet, only the "songs by alpha"

When I touch that "alpha" box on the screen it takes me to a "page" that shows the alphabet, each letter in a box. I then touch the letter for the first word in the title. That takes me to an index of every song that begins with that letter. Then touch the song name and it displays.

I timed it just for fun.
Once the program is up and running, I can get to any song in under 10 seconds, and usually only 6.

Sorry about the long post.
PM me if you want more details.

Thanks!
LLOYD S