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Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

Quick note

One of my EU colleagues just sent me a short review and a couple of pictures he took of the just-announced Nokia 2520 Tablet. Now that it is official, I am also reading the various reviews, which you can surely find on various tech sites. Note that this is a Windows RT 8.1 tablet and will not run your regular appraisal software. We are required to follow stuff like this because our MS8 product and Data Collector modules run under both regular Windows 8 and Windows RT. We have a couple of large Government & Enterprise type clients that have specified "Windows Store" (aka "Metro") requirement to satisfy a contract roll-out...

Of the several bullet points known to me via NDA, the item I was most interested in was the screen's outdoor performance. My guy reports only very limited success in getting a "strictly monitored" demo outside in full direct sun, but he says that the results are favorable - "...definitely a noticeable improvement over my other tabs, including the #### (obscured per NDA) that I was able to bring along." He was also rather impressed with the "folio" (keyboard/battery accessory) noting that the keyboard travel is slightly better in his opinion than the new Surface Pro 2 Type cover. I'll reserve judgement(s) until my pre-ordered unit comes in and I can spend some time with it. I will not be getting a review sample of this device...

Most folks consider RT a dead end, but as a developer/geek, I like it for what it is intended for and wish appraisers had some choices in that environment. I use it for work stuff due to our own app and collaborating on other projects, but my RT devices have largely become my replacement for the iPads and Android tablets for my "other daily grind" activities. Hence, I am personally looking forward to an improved RT device. I will report my thoughts when appropriate in case some of you who are embracing Win 8.1 find that you are also wanting something light/thin for "stuff." At least you know there will be a MobileSketch app available... Maybe one of the "forms" companies will do an Inspection app, or let us hook ours up to their product (?). BTW, even being under NDA, I know of no "forms" companies who are doing an RT product, so if they are, I have not been told. The only RT appraisal stuff I know of is in the Assessment field. The others are in other types of software.


Hope this was of interest to some.



-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/
 
Great stuff... Took me a couple of days to weed through it...
So, with my current machine,
hard drive a little small.. but a hard drive is like a garage right? the larger the garage, the more you stuff into it...
Screen a little small for me, but works alright. Biggest gripe about the screen... Works great outdoors until you put on your sunglasses. Some kind of filter in my glasses makes the screen go black. Cannot see it in direct sunlight with sunglasses on, but looks fine when they are off.
Battery is getting up there in age, so weighing that as a factor as well... Life not nearly as long as when it was new.
I am still wanting an all around single machine and have found it easier than maintaining multiples. Traveling is also something I like to do with my family and I like to have the entire business right there in front of me. Go on an inspection at the drop of a hat, make corrections, fill out compliance and construction inspections on site and send immediately. I use the desk (dock in this case), for the larger screen, additional USB storage drives, printers (I know, what is a printer), full keyboard and wireless mouse. They add extra efficiency to workflow for me.
I am not sure why the forms engines have not provided a way to do compliance and construction inspections in the field. That is "field" work, and isn't that the entire idea behind a "field" collection device with "field" collection software? Seems that would have been the first thing developed. And of a sketch can be made in the field, seemingly CAD engine, then why cant a spreadsheet(forms engine) be done on the lower OS's as well, ie Android, Iphone, pad, pod. I know Quick office runs excel style program. Maybe you can help with this Mr Garrett, why can you sketch on these programs but the software always has to have a "middle" man. Is integration that complex that a full windows version is needed to translate between a field sketcher and a desktop program, or is it more that the forms engines require windows compatibility? Is an appraisal form too complex to run on just Android or I whatever? I know Nexus is a step in that direction, but am not familiar enough with it to know exactly what it does. Sorry for the rant.....

Has Lenovo and the others done away with outdoor viewable screen? Is HP building anything decent? Last time I looked at units, HP, Lenovo, and Fujitsu were all great units. I realize it is a new ball game. Lots of lingo that I do not recognize. Windows8 RT, Haswell, and it appears to me at this time that hardware is not really keeping up with software at this juncture? Will keep tabs on your findings Mr. Garrett. They are invaluable as always. Thanks for your time and effort here. Chris Wagoner
 
Chris,

Good points, valid questions, just like the last time we went down this path :-). I will put together a decent response (too late, too tired right now) and will put up something here when I am fresh(er.). Your ideal working scenario is still doable (arguably better today/soon) but it represents the smaller segment of the market today for Fee Appraisers. It seems to me that something like some of our Enterprise types would suit you best. Would you be available for a phone call sometime? If so, just PM me with contact info. I may still have your email address, and if so, I can shoot you a message on this or vice-versa. I have some thoughts on a good way to get from point A to point B, but I'd like to talk it over first before getting down to a short list.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/
 
Sticker ID

Someone wrote me privately to ask how to easily tell which generation of Intel CPU is in a particular device when looking at them in a store, and I realized how remiss I am in not posting this earlier - most folks can't tell from the outside and many times, a salesperson may not know either...

When buying a new device with a "big boy chip" (vs. light weight "companion" type device), you definitely want the newer 4th Generation Core processor "Haswell", not the older "Ivy Bridge" (and prior) CPU in order to get the best performance with the best battery life.

An easy way to tell from the outside is the redesigned sticker so many manufacturers put on the palm rest or similar. I personally wish they were not there, and almost always peel mine off, but in this case, I see that having them conspicuous can help folks.

See the image posted below for a visual of the old vs. new sticker. I used the Core i5 sticker as a subtle (?) indicator that I believe that the i5 is the best bang for the buck for most people.


Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/
 

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Missing GPS capability

Sorry to pipe-up in the middle of this very informative thread but one of the things about most of these new Haswell tablet offerings that I have seen that disappoints me is that they have no built-in GPS capability. My old Motion CL-900 has it which I use constantly although it didn't survive the upgrade path from windows 7 to 8.1 without several configuration headaches. It is very nice to have stand-alone mapping capability that doesn't require a data connection, especially if you work in rural areas. I realize that you can use the USB port for an external GPS receiver or even pair a Bluetooth one however that just adds an extra hassle factor. Just be aware that if you have visions of using your shiny new tablet as a navigation device do your research before plunking down the cash. And thanks again Randall for all of your hard work keeping us up to speed on the technical side of our business - you are an invaluable resource!

Mike
 
Mike,

Those are valid points and we'll be highlighting things that a business class device like your Motion can bring to the table over and above some consumer class devices. That said, most of my current Win 8.1 devices have GPS capabilities and if that is something that is deemed important by many, I'll take care to note which ones have it and which ones do not.

BTW, look for "VPro" on the sticker in the newer model business class devices (will try to upload a picture later - am mobile ATM.)

-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/
 
All I can say is I love my Surface Pro. Since the 2 is the new version it is not like it's an option, but simply what you will soon have to buy. Waaaayyyy more useful than my slew of Crapple-oogle products, and the 8.1 upgrade seems to have had some improvements they don't even mention, such as better touch response and the 5 finger gesture. My daughter says several of her programs seem better, too (she has an Acer touchscreen desktop with Windows 8.1).

With the USB 3.0 and HDMI output, it doubles as a docked desktop. Yes, I went all out and bought the 128gig version, and the better keyboard, and, yes, it cost over a grand, but I can actually get REAL WORK done on it as opposed to the $950 iPad that is best suited for web browsing and playing Angry Birds, tasks to which it has been relegated in the hands of my wife and children.

I literally have 11 tablets, including iPads and Android devices and even one hybrid Android/Linux tablet. While more expensive, the Surface Pro makes me cringe about the money wasted on the others. Of course, I'm thinking from a business perspective, and if one had the mentality that spending $6000 a year to make $60000 a year is too expensive, they might have a different perspective.

By the by, I'm sitting in my garage using my Surface Pro to write this.

JMHO

JD
NCVSoftware
 
Dell Venue 8 Pro

Sorry I have not been able to follow up as much as I had anticipated - I've just been swamped with various things.

I recently read a short piece on the new Dell Venue 8 Pro - an 8" Windows 8.1 device. There are a few other articles on this device out there, but most others range from inane to overly-geeky. For a quick (5 min?) read which mostly mirrors my own observations, visit the link below. Interestingly, the author takes a "What's missing" approach vs. just regurgitating published specs wrapped in typical blogger editorial opinions. As the available device specs start to coalesce into a closer match to user needs & expectations, perhaps this is a better way to look at things for many people.

I pretty much agree with the items presented in the article, but I "rank" them in a slightly different order. I have also found that the lack of a built-in flip stand, as found on Surface devices, is more of a factor in my overall usage. I agree with the comments on screen quality and that folks should not be so obsessed with raw resolution specs vs. see how well it works for their business needs first, and entertainment value second. One thing that deserves more emphasis IMHO us the 16:10 aspect ratio vs. the more common 16:9 ratio found on almost all other Win 8 devices. 16:10 is simply superior to 16:9 for our work and I wish more pro-level devices used screens with this aspect ratio. Note that, even though they use "Pro" in the name, the "Enterprise" type Win 8.1 tablet have yet to hit the market. Still, if a relatively inexpensive Windows 8 tablet is of interest to you, I recommend checking out this model if you have a store close to you who has it in stock. It delivered better performance and convenience than I was expecting.

http://winsupersite.com/mobile-devices/dell-venue-8-pro-whats-missing


Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/
 
... and here is the "What Dell Got Right" follow-up article by the same author - also a short read. As before, I agree with most points and just differ mainly with the ranking/order. Again, the comments about the screen are right on, though we appraiser types always need brighter/higher contrast screens due to our not-so-typical work environment. I am still working on a suitable anti-glare film, like the DayVue.

Note that this is a 32 bit Win 8.1 core (aka "Home", not Pro) device and is still limited to 2GB of RAM. You will need to wait for the Enterprise or Business class variants before you get upgraded OS and device specs. Still, for $299, it is looking like this device has a lot to offer if a "companion" device fits your scenario. I got a 32 GB and a 64 GB device for testing, and agree that the 32 GB device is sufficient for most, especially if you clean up the recovery partition, add a microSD card for more storage, etc. I suspect most will prefer the 64 GB version, but they are harder to find this early in the real ease cycle.

http://winsupersite.com/mobile-devices/dell-venue-8-pro-what-dell-got-right

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I am waiting for another couple of devices and some bright, sunny conditions so I can shoot some comparison shots like I did with earlier devices.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/
 
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