Laptop, tablet, or something else?

I could use some help here... I want to buy something, but I honestly have no clue what I'm looking for.
My old laptop finally gave up the ghost, and I need an upgrade. Ideally, I'd like something smaller than my current 17'' model so I can actually carry it around without a struggle.

It’s just for the basics—using Microsoft Office, browsing the web, and letting my kid watch YouTube. Nothing crazy, just something that runs smoothly without lagging out on me.

I don't want to spend more than $1500$667

I'm torn, though. Since I need something to keep my kid entertained during car rides, I'm wondering if a compact laptop is better, or if a tablet would do the trick? A tablet would be much easier to mount to the passenger seat...

Is a tablet even a decent substitute for a laptop? Any suggestions? I'm completely lost on this one...

Just grab a tablet running macOS that comes with a detachable keyboard—it’ll make working in Microsoft Office a lot less painful.
https://www.amazon.com/tablets...&cod=1000&cdo=

I don't really follow the tech specs closely enough to give you a specific recommendation.

I feel like I’m in the exact same boat as the OP here.
I’m totally lost and honestly don't know the first thing about tablets, so I'm desperate for some advice.
The main thing for me—and really, this is all that matters—is having a reliable, secure program for typing up documents (like Microsoft Word). After that, a battery that actually lasts is a huge plus, but I guess everything else is just extra.
If it's even possible to find something for under $500
...