Tablet: Convertible vs. Slate

[BlueDog007]

What are the differences between a convertible tablet (like a laptop) versus a slate tablet? Is the convertible pretty much a miniture laptop whereas the screen can spin and flip up so you can sketch, etc... and spin back so you can use the keyboard too? How do you type on a slate say out in the field, without using a wireless keyboard? Like, if you wanted to get into ACI Research (for comps) in the field, could you do this with the pen or do you need a keyboard and mouse? If with a pen, would you write the address on the screen instead of typing it and find it that way? What else can you tell me about tablets? Who is using which kind and is it saving you time in the appraisal process?

 

[Greg davenport]

What are the differences between a convertible tablet (like a laptop) versus a slate tablet? Is the convertible pretty much a miniture laptop whereas the screen can spin and flip up so you can sketch, etc... and spin back so you can use the keyboard too?

Almost, some tablets have 17" screens (and the weight), but everything else is about right.

How do you type on a slate say out in the field, without using a wireless keyboard?

Easy. XP tablet and Vista both have what is called the TIP (tablet input panel). It has three options on it. 1. a onscreen keyboard you use your pen to type with 2. a single letter hand writing converter 3. a "sentence" converter.

Like, if you wanted to get into ACI Research (for comps) in the field, could you do this with the pen or do you need a keyboard and mouse?

You can do everything you need to do with your pen.

If with a pen, would you write the address on the screen instead of typing it and find it that way?

you can do both, just find out what works best for you.

What else can you tell me about tablets?

How much time do you have :new_smile-l: I have worn out 2 convertables and now I am using an LE1600 slate.

is it saving you time in the appraisal process?

Yes.

If you have specific questions, they are much easier to answer. I've been using tablets in the field for almost 5 years. I have seen, do, or tried it all.

 

[Anthem]

Most Convertible Tablets are big, bulky and not field worthy .. hence the reason most Field users go with the Slate.

As stated in my previous post I am extremely impressed with the Lenovo X61 which I think is the happy medium between the two. It is 1" thick , durable and versatile.

From what I can tell the Slates are a bit limited on the amount of ram and the power of the processor ... oh yeah they cost more.

If slates came down in price and went up in performance I would go for it. Personally I will rarely use the keyboard on my X61 (As posted by Greg you can do everything you need to with the pen). But the keyboard did come in handy when initially setting up the system and is handy for in office use.

MY X61 has REPLACED MY CLIPBOARD/GRAPH PAPER ! ! !

On another note most Motion users I have spoke to are extremely happy with their units, .... though I doubt they have had the opportunity to compare it to the X61.

Keep in mind that Randy Garrett sells Motions and has campaigned on this site and others for the X61 .. if that doesn't say something ......

 

[Randall Garrett]

OK, I feel compelled to respond... ;-)

Yes, we sell the Motion slates. I'd have no problem selling the Lenovo units, too. I find them both to be excellent products. [Edit] I believe I understand what Preston MEANT, but please note that I have not "campaigned" for the X61. Preston's actual words might be mistakenly read as if to imply that I love the X61 so much that I recommend it over another device that my company sells. Hence, it must be fabulous. I do not "campaign" here, nor do I try to sell stuff. I contribute my time and post on items that I believe I have some expertise on - either through personal or professional "hands on" experience, or via feedback from many, many users who do essentially what most of the members here do. So, I mention the X61 because of our experience with it and because most readers don't know about it, not because is is superior to the Motion. In some respects, the X61 has superior specs, but in others it is inferior. It all depends on what YOUR needs are. There is no "one size fits all."

I have personally owned and used both the Motion LE series (1600 and 1700) and the Lenovo X series (X41, X60 and X61.) Currently, I am using an LE 1700 and an X61, but I'll surely "move on" when newer/better stuff hits. That's the way of things... ;-)

We find that a lot of FIRST time users purchase a convertible because they just can't "see" how they can do without the keyboard. Most SECOND time users get a slate. As Preston says ".. if that doesn't say something...."

Bottom line, both the LE 1700 and the X61 are great units. Both need to be optioned with their respective indoor/outdoor screens - for the Motion it is the "VAD" or View Anywhere Display option. For Lenovo, I have found that their SuperView screen is better outdoors than their (optional and more expensive) "MultiView + MultiTouch" screen option.

As far as CPU, they are both available with Core 2 Duo CPU's and I recommend that option. Their respective available speed rating difference is essentially irrelevant for real world processing tasks. That is to say, don't fret too much about Motion's 1.5 GHz CPU and Lenovo's 1.6 GHz CPU - you will not see any appreciable performance difference between the two CPU's - other factors/elements/components play a FAR more significant role in real world performance. The Lenovo is available with a 1.8GHz CPU but selecting that CPU keeps you from specifying the SuperView screen option, so I do NOT recommend selecting that option. Besides, you would not see any appreciable performance gain from a 0.2 GHz speed bump...

The Lenovo is larger and heavier than the Motion, but for a convertible is is quite light. A lot of manufacturers call their 4.5 - 5 lb laptops "ultra-light" which makes me roll my eyes. The X61 is well under 4 lbs even with the extended battery. The LE 1700, similarly equipped is even lighter - closer to 3.5 lbs, depending on whether you run a single or dual batteries. This is another area which is different. The Lenovo has a standard 4 cell battery and an extended 8 cell battery. You can use either one (we recommend the 8 cell) bot not both at the same time. The Motion uses a similar size battery for the main battery and their extended battery option is a "battery slice" which snaps on the back as an add-on vs. replacement as used in the Lenovo. It is pretty slick.

Both units can be ordered with XP or Vista and from 1 GB - 4 GB of RAM. Motions have the choice of 30 or 60GB HDD's while the Lenovo has a wider choice ranging from 80GB to 200 GB. The Motion drives are 4200 RPM units while the Lenovo drives are either 5400 or 7200 RPM drives. Hence, the Lenovo drives are faster. Of course, they use more battery, too...

If you get the Lenovo, I highly recommend a good cleaning cloth as the SuperView screen is a fingerprint/grease magnet - more so than the Motion IMHO. Remember DO NOT use Windex™ or similar on LCD screens!

If you want a great cloth - get one here: http://tinyurl.com/36pcky

It is under $10, includes a spray bottle and you only use pure water.

Hope this helps. FWIW, Lenovo is announcing new products in the next week or so, but nothing significant to the X61 type units. Their new IdeaPad line looks interesting but none have Tablet type Touch or Pen capabilities. Just be aware that "touch sensitive controls" does not have anything to do with the screen.

If anyone needs more help, let me know. My time available for posting on this is limited at present, so I may point back to previous posts or rely on other members here, but I'll try to post when I can or if I see something that needs clarification, updating or even just another way of looking at things... ;-)

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[Michael Tipton]

Randall,

Are there any issues with upgrading the HD to a larger 7200 RPM drive in a Motion other than warranty?

 

[BlueDog007]

Randall-

Will the data entry information in the Apex Software (what is it called?) convert over into ACI or would you have to retype it? What sketch version of Apex would you recommend also?

 

[Randall Garrett]

Michael:

Outside of warranty, the only real issue is finding the right fit - i.e. the right drive with compatible power supply/connections, etc. Unless you are a real power user and are going to use the slate as a desktop replacement, though, I'd think twice about replacing the drive. This is mainly because we always sell units with the included drop insurance - the policy that covers the unit in case you drop it and damage it. Typically, in the few cases where a user has dropped it and it has not just fired up again, what they do under thins policy is to remove the RAM and HDD (if salvageable) and put it in a new unit and get it back to the user in 48 hours. If the HDD is blown, I'd suspect that they would have a problem matching the HDD is it was not a factory option.

We've got users running SSD options now and they like it quite a bit as they are much faster while drawing less power. They cost more, but for some it is worth it.

Hope this helps!
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[Mr Rex]

Having tried both, my next one will be a slate.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Ric:

I believe what you are asking about is Nexus, the Tablet PC program. Right now, by design there is no direct integration between Nexus and ACI's desktop program. Nexus v1.x is designed to be a "companion product" to Apex IV "Medina" which DOES have integration. So, the data captured in the field in Nexus can be either brought up and printed out - like(say) a digital version of your paper field notes and/or brought in via Apex Medina. Apex Medina will open up the sketch file from Nexus and you can see everything captured - the sketch, the notes, etc., so you can use drag and drop to move the appropriate data without having to re-type.

I know that might have sounded confusing, even though it really isn't. Also, I try to stay away from posting things which might seem to border "selling" so I'll just say that probably the best way to see how it works is to give us a call and ask whomever you speak with to schedule you for a webinar so you can see wazzup and get a better picture. Just tell them I told you to call and set it up.

In any case, we recommend Apex Medina v4.1 or higher as the best desktop solution. You might want to sit through a webinar on Medina, too, to see what that product is all about.

Hope this helps!
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[BlueDog007]

Randall- (and Mr. Rex / TC / Preston / Etc...)

Can you use Apex Medina v4.1 on the tablet along with the desktop version of ACI? Having digital "notes" of the subject data wouldn't be that helpful to me. I would rather use my Pocket PC for field notes. What is the most simple, all inclusive, setup for efficiency using Apex and ACI?