Which tablet PC to purchase?

[Doug in NC]

I'm ready to purchase a tablet PC to use in the field. I have been told this can cut down on re-typing considerably, resulting in a significant time savings on each report. If I could fill in the first page of the URAR in the field and complete the sketch, this could easily save me 20 minutes per report in time spent re-typing later.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

I'm ready to purchase a tablet PC to use in the field. I have been told this can cut down on re-typing considerably, resulting in a significant time savings on each report. If I could fill in the first page of the URAR in the field and complete the sketch, this could easily save me 20 minutes per report in time spent re-typing later.

Say your time is worth $30 per hour. That equates to $10 per report. Last time I looked at the Motion tablet with Nexus, that's about $3,000.

You need to do 300 reports under that scenario to break even. Is your current volume that good?

 

[TC]

I'm holding out until the price comes down and the quality and durability go up.

TC

 

[KenRossman]

I have been using a Gateway (Motion) M1300 1M ram, 40 G HD tablet pc for well over four years and love it, it has been well worth the investment. There are many different tablets available for far under $3k.

The tablet runs SFREP/Appraise-it V 5.xx and Sketch-It full versions in XP. Its light enough to carry on inspections with ease and I use it every chance I get.

It doesn't have the view anywhere screen, and outdoor visibility has not been a problem for me, but I would choose that option if buying one today.

I use the hardtop keyboard in the field but also have the docking station and regular Keyboard, cd/dvd etc. for use in my home office as an extra pc and as my primary computer while I am out of town, on vacation, etc...

You need at least 1G ram, if you are planning to use it for photo work

http://www.motioncomputing.com/

 

[Kali the Boston Terrier]

I use a Fujitsu Lifebook P1610, very durable...and at $1400 or (1200 on ebay), it pays it self off pretty quickly. I run, Wintotal, Davinci, and Mobile SKetch very well on it.

Mine only has an outdoor screen , not view anywhere. ALso a neat feature, not neccessary is the finger print log on. BTW this is also a Convertible and not a slate...it is still lighter than the the Motion slate with a keyboard.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

A good tablet can be had for $1500 or so. blue tooth, w/ disto and apex...draw in the field. great tool.

 

[Mike Millson]

Extra LE 1600

Doug, I have a motion LE 1600 with upgraded memory and most of the extras available at the time of purchase. I bought three; one for myself, and two for employees I had at the time. Each one cost $3,300(I have the receipts) Now it's just myself and i'm keeping one and selling the last one that's available.

It's great if you use the one note feature also for contacts, mobile files, appointments, ect. That part of the notebook saves me time also.

I run my office almost 100% paperless also. That shaves $$$ also.

Give me a call 703-988-9580.

 

[Doug in NC]

Say your time is worth $30 per hour. That equates to $10 per report. Last time I looked at the Motion tablet with Nexus, that's about $3,000.

You need to do 300 reports under that scenario to break even. Is your current volume that good?

I have heard substantially less than that. If a $3K investment were involved, this wouldn't be an option for me. By the way, I would expect the computer to last more than one year anyway. Is there any reason to think it would not?

 

[KenRossman]

Doug-

I bought mine refurbished (11/03 from Gateway) under $2000 with CD/DVD + clamshell keyboard and later added additional memory, a docking station and carry case. Used or refurbished (fully equipped) Motions are widely available under $1000 on ebay, etc. Although well over 4 yrs old and dropped twice, mine still works perfectly - as well as they day I got it.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

I have heard substantially less than that. If a $3K investment were involved, this wouldn't be an option for me. By the way, I would expect the computer to last more than one year anyway. Is there any reason to think it would not?

If you go to Apex web site and then hardware, price the Motion tablet PC with the View Anywhere screen option.

http://www.apexwin.com/shop/product.php?productid=2&cat=0&page=1

I get a quote of $2,333.98 and that's not with any other extras like Nexus drawing software or your appraisal software extra license.

The computer may indeed last for more than a year as a given, no challenge there. My calculation was based upon a pay back or break even cost using your 20 minutes time savings at $30 per hour or $10 per appraisal. You would have to do lots of appraisals to pay back the cost and break even.

You can argue your time is worth $60 per hour and you can buy everything you want for $1,500 if it makes the decision easier. :icon_mrgreen: