Norm:
I'm not sure which post you are referring to - one that a Tablet was recommended, but I imagine that the recommendation was made by someone other than me. We still feel that there are a lot of good reasons to look at Pocket PC's - especially those with good high resolution screens. Anyway, that is not really what you are asking here, is it (?), so let's address your specific questions.
For all intents and purposes, yes, a Tablet PC does everything a regular Laptop does. The screen and Operating System are the main things that separate a traditional Laptop and a Tablet PC. As for awkwardness, this is one of the debated issues here and elsewhere. Most Tablet PC's are a bit unwieldy while traversing the subject property. It is not that they are particularly large or particularly heavy - compared to laptops of even last year, most Tablets are more "svelte" - but still, when inspecting the subject property, you probably are carrying around more than just the Tablet PC... Camera, tape measure or DISTO, etc. Hence, for most it becomes a matter of how well they "juggle" stuff. Most people feel that the smaller and lighter a device is, the easier it is to be one of the balls being juggled, so to speak. Obviously, if you are comparing a Tablet PC with a PDA, the PDA is easier to slip into your pocket, fanny pack, jacket or whatever, than is a Tablet PC... With a Tablet PC, a case or sling/strap starts to become much more important for practical reasons.
As for rain (and being that you are in Oregon, I can assume sleet/snow as well?), a "raw" Tablet is not recommended during inclement weather. They are not made for this and there WILL be problems - less if you are careful, more if you are not. As mentioned in one post (can't remember when/where), LCD displays tend to "go black" in extreme cold (and heat.) This is one area in which a true ruggedized unit is recommended - they are made to take this sort of "abuse" - not just a drop to concrete, but also exposure to rain/sleet/snow and various temperature factors. Now there are a few Tablet PC's (generally, only slates) where 3rd party manufacturers have releases special cases. The one that comes to mind right now is the
OtterBox (click on that link to go to their site) They have released an OtterBox for several Pocket PC's and the Fujitsu ST4000 and ST5000 series. We have used these with Motion and other Tablets as well, but they are made specifically for the Fujitsu chassis. These are a relatively inexpensive ($350) way to use a consumer-grade (vs. ruggedized) Tablet PC in cold and wet weather conditions. Since this case completely "engulfs" the device and since these consumer-grade devices need fans to keep their circuitry cool, we do NOT recommend these cases for normal (read: temperate-to warm/hot) environments. These cases DO have special vents, but they will restrict airflow since they also must keep water from entering the case. Also, keep in mind that the vents are aligned for the Fujitsu devices, so if you were to get something else, there may (likely) be additional cooling restrictions to deal with. Motion and others make cases which do a pretty good job, though, with the "incidental" rain/sleet/snow, so you may consider that route. I think that MOST Tablet PC owners tend to be wary of exposing their new device to bumps and the environment, so for MOST, the OtterBox is overkill from a practical point of view. The goal for the OtterBox is for extreme conditions and to add a degree of "drop resistance" to a non-ruggedized device. YMMV.
Weight on the LE1600 is 3.13 lbs in "base" trim. Dimensions are 11.65" x 9.45" by 0.87" thick.
Weight on the LS800 is 2.2 lbs in "base" trim. Dimensions are 8.94" x 6.69" by 0.87" thick.
Both units are capable of running WinTOTAL. We recommend at least 512 MB of RAM, and prefer 768 or 1 MB. The LE1600 comes with 512 MB RAM standard which can be upgraded to 768 MB, 1 GB or 1.5 GB. The "sweet spot" is 768 MB for $79. The 1 GB and 1.5 GB upgrades are $250 and $400, respectively. We feel that 1.5 GB is overkill, but some feel that 1 GB should be your minimum. Again, YMMV. With the LS800, the base RAM is 256 MB, which we feel in insufficient for most forms applications (it is plenty for just Apex or MobileSketch.) With the LS800, the RAM upgrades are $140 for 512 MB total RAM and $350 for 1 GB total RAM.
Both of these units have Bluetooth and WiFi b/g so there are those wireless Internet options. Of course, like all modern computers, they have an Ethernet connection, so they can be connected to a regular network for access to that and the Internet.
We always recommend a case with a Tablet PC and they range from $70 to $100 - more for specialty units. Though hard to describe, we have come to really like one of the Motion cases for the LE1600. Here is a link to their cases:
Motion cases Look at the $90 Field Case - LE-Series. The picture doesn't do it justice. If you use a "car desk", similar to the one Linda sells (hopefully she will see this an post a link to her store as our users rave on this one), the LE1600 with this case is a great combination. Be sure to get the special $139 wireless keyboard made for the case! Here is a link to that page:
Motion Keyboards Note that this does NOT provide for a protective case for harsh environments and that neither does Motion's $90 "Bump case"...
Generally, most Tablet PC's do NOT come with docking stations. For a "slate" type device, like these two Motion units, a docking station is recommended if you want to use it at your desk as your "main" computer. That is, to sort of "drop it in" to hook up to your regular keyboard, a larger screen and to add CD/DVD. Note that none of the Motion docking stations include a CD/DVD - you must use a USB type drive for that. Convertable type Tablet PC, however, are a slightly different story, but for a lot of people, still a really convenient item. MOST convertable Tablet PC's do not have a CD/DVD drive built-in. The lighter weight laptops, in general, have begun eliminating them for the size, weight and power drain. Anyway, most docking station for convertable type units DO have a CD/DVD option or are included.
With the environment you described - you doing the inspection and the assistant typing while en-route, etc., You might really want to consider using a Pocket PC for the inspection and just synching it to something like an X41 (was IBM, now Lenovo) We like that Convertable a lot, even though we sell it's competitor. Given your weather conditions, unless you get a ruggedized Tablet, you'll probably not want to bu lugging an expensive indoor device around and exposing it to conditions that might render it useless or broken. If you really need a ruggedized unit, email me and I can send you info on a really great unit. We don't show these units on our regular site since most fee appraisers don't have to deal with the conditions you describe. We've sold LOTS of them, however to our jurisdictional (tax assessor) customers in places like Colorado, Wyoming, Maine, etc. They have found that they are MUCH better off paying the price for this sort of thing up front and not having to purchase "work-around" stuff or end up not being able to use their $2,000 devices. That is, for some, spending an extra $1,500 or so is the difference in things working and failing.
I do not know of any retailers, in Oregon or elsewhere, that care enough to carry this sort of gear. If you can, try to make one of the a la mode shows - we always bring lots of equipment to those shows. Additionally, in 2006, we are scheduling 10 or 12 Mobile Technology classes throughout the country. We will, of course, be sending out notices on this and we are likely bringing gear like what you may need when we are teaching in areas where they deal with extreme weather. We think that being able to see, touch and use equipment not found in the generic computer shops is a legitimate component to CE credit type classes, so we make this part of our Mobile Technology classes.
I am really late for getting ready for church, so I must close for now. Hope this helps!
-LOL-I doubt it though!
