Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

[OSU Beavers]

It's either a 11.6" Samsung ATIV Pro i5 with S Pen with a poorly reviewed detachable keyboard that is plastic for $1199, or

a 13.3" Asus Transformer Book i5 with a second hard drive in the detachable keyboard base and an all aluminum case for more.

http://www.cnet.com/laptops/asus-transformer-book-tx300ca/4505-3121_7-35567076.html

 

[Randall Garrett]

Eddie:

Happy to help where I can! FWIW, I agree with Lee in LA on the Core i5 vs. Core i7 thing. Unless you are really do a lot of heavy lifting, the i7 is overkill - even for most appraisal software - unless you are doing a lot of rendering type stuff and/or using your device as more of a desktop replacement type device. Really, rendering type stuff is where the i7 shines and when running appraisal software, you'd be hard pressed to notice any measurable difference between an i5 and an i7 on otherwise similarly spec'ed tablets. I would strongly recommend you save the money by going with a mid-to-upper spec i5 and apply those savings where you'll be able to better use them - a drop protection policy, case, more storage, a 4G connection - whatever item or combination suits your particular situation. This is not just advice I give others, it is something I do myself and I am not particularly constrained by budget, either - I do it because it makes sense and makes for the better overall package, the best tool for the job. That said, sometimes with mobile devices the only way you can configure them with a particular set of options is by going with a i7... But, given the choice, I go for the i5 and spec up other items. I've ordered machines with an i7 but it was only for those which we used for encoding video, and the like...

FWIW, I've found that the business class devices just hold up better, and this is echoed by our enterprise type customers who actually track this sort of thing. So, I (personally) lean toward the ThinkPad and EliteBook lines (vs. their consumer-oriented IdeaPad/Pavillion lines, respectively) and have also had a great experience with ASUS lately (over the last 18 - 24 months.) I've not had such a bad experience with the Samsung devices I've bought, but overall, the ASUS products have just had the edge with build quality and service. Still, the ASUS doesn't quite measure up to the ThinkPad line if you are the type who appreciates the extra attention to detail.

I've not seen a shipping model of the 13.3" ASUS Transformer Book that OSUB mentions - just a demo unit, but I liked what I saw. For MY use, the larger screen was an attractive item, but I'm not so sure that most appraisers might not find it just a tad too big while traversing the subject property. Note that I am in my late 50's and have spent WAY too many hours looking at computer screens over the years, so my eyesight is not as good as it once was :-( Thus, I appreciate things being just a little larger on its 13.3" screen than (say) an 11.6" screen or 10.1" screen. That said, I've found that the models I mentioned earlier were not difficult to use, so it boils down to personal preference for overall size/weight. I no longer appraise for a living, so my daily routine is far different than most appraisers - about the only time I am out inspecting properties is when I am testing my software or going out with old friends to "hold the dumb end of the tape" for fun. Overall, I'll lean toward an 11.6" device over a 10.1" device but I'd not refuse to go larger if the rest of the overall package met my needs. Once the basics are handled - size, weight, build quality, etc., my main concerns are the vibrancy of the screen (contrast ratio, glare factor, etc.) and since I am infamous for lengthy diatribes - the quality of the keyboard. In that respect, the best are found on ThinkPads with the HP and ASUS vying for second place, depending on the model. Depending on your particular usage scenario, you may not put as much weight on the keyboard/dock component. Noting that you live in Florida, I assume you mostly work in sunny conditions, similar to my South Texas environment. Hence, I'd pay particular attention to the screen characteristics that match up best for your typical work environment.

Hope this helps. As I mentioned earlier, I should have some comparison pictures and some practical feedback type info well before most folks here are really getting serious about buying. I'll have a bevy of Clover Trail devices in as well as a few Core i5 devices during February (?) and we'll be getting some customer feedback on some of these units this Spring as well. When I post, I'll stick to the Fee Appraiser type models unless I get a lot of request from those who work in more inclement conditions. In the interim, if anyone has any specific questions, I am happy to lend a hand.


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[Bill S]

Randall, I'm looking forward to your reviews in the next few months. Thanks for keeping us informed.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Hope to get to this the first full week in February. I have been out due to illness for the past few days. I saw that we got in the ThinkPad 2 but I simply don't know about the EP900. A friend and fellow appraiser told me this morning that his tracking number indicates that his HP is on the truck for delivery today. I am so jealous I could spit! ;-)

Anyway, assuming I recover by this weekend, I should be able to get my desk cleared of the things that have built up while away by mid-week and start some hands-on work with whatever has come in.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[pbidwell]

Randall,

How do you like the ThinkPad 2? Is it "appraiser worthy" for fieldwork as well as field sketching. I tried the Android Galaxy Note 10.1 for exactly 30 days and then returned it. Wasn't quite happy with the way it worked with the rest of my work software. Now, I am very interested in getting a Tablet with Windows 8 (although not excited about learning Windows 8).

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Randall Garrett]

Paul,

Have not had enough time to adequately compare & contrast yet. Hope to get to that later this week. Have just started trying to use the TP2 as a "daily driver" but FWIW, I am using it now to reply to your post. So far, am enjoying how thin & light it is, battery life, etc. Still want to A/B it with the HP, primarily comparing screens since the rest of the hardware is virtually identical.

Hope this helps for now.


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

Sorry I have not had the time to post much lately - I've just had a lot of catching up to do after being out sick for a bit. In the meantime, here is a link to a review on the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 ("TP2") which I think was pretty much spot on with what I have found so far. They are saying that they are seeing right at 10.5 hours of battery life in their tests, where I am seeing closer to 10.0, but I am running some beta appraisal software and I gotta figure that it's not totally optimized yet for this type of device. Still, getting a real 10 hours in a device this thin and light (about as thin as the current iPad and lighter, to boot) while running full Windows programs is a big step. Just remember that this is a lightweight device and not meant to run massive games, Photoshop maxxed out, etc. I still prefer that 16:10 aspect ratio like on the HP ElitePad 900 ("EP900") over the 16:9 aspect ratio on the TP2, but that is a personal opinion.

If this sort of device is interesting to you, I recommend stopping by a local retailer who advertises carrying them to look it over. I think you'll be really surprised just how light and thin it is, and how good it feels in your hand.

I'll have more on this, along with some comparison shots with some other devices as soon as I can get them all gathered together and have some free time. As it is, I am going in for a minor medical thing on Wednesday, so it may be a few days longer than I had originally anticipated. In the meantime, here is the link to the review:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/lenovo-thinkpad-tablet-2-review/



-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[Bill S]

Thanks Randall. I saw that review earlier and noted that the full sized USB is not capable of running an external HD or optical drive. Probably not a big deal but this was the first I had heard of it.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Bill,

From a practical standpoint, the USB on the tablet not powering an external HDD is a non-issue IMHO, and I'm surprised so many "tech journalists" are making an issue out of it. It shows their ignorance with respect to real world use. One would not normally use an external HDD on a mobile tablet. You might, however, plug one in when it is docked and that is supported by the optional dock. The existing built-in USB is meant for low power items like a mouse or keyboard and appropriate items like a regular USB "thumb drive" do work - as intended, and as practical/warranted. The decision to not support a high-power USB device is within keeping with the device's mobile profile...

FWIW, in my devices of this type I swap between a few different "Button" USB drives. Most people would be pleased with a regular button drive - 32 GB for about $30, but may actually prefer a decent Micro SDXC card if they are not constantly swapping them in and out (USB drives are much easier to get to and add/remove), the advantage being that a really good one runs about $25 - $28 for 32 GB and you can go up to 64 GB for about $59 - $62. A couple of specific Enterprise type customers require encrypted drives, so that is why I alternate USB drives when testing. Those drives, historically tough at best to find in consumer channels, are now almost impossible to find. Going forward, those type customers just order the Encrypted versions of these devices - see the cheesy picture attached of one of my devices.

I sometimes see other journalists moan about no USB 3.x ports, no "full HD" display and other items like this. They seem to continually miss the fact that the chipset used on this generation of devices do not support these items and will blame the device manufacturer or Microsoft. Again, this sort of thing just shows how shallow their understanding(s) of the basics are. It's really quite simple - if one wants things that are more in tune with a desktop replacement type machine, look to a device with a Core i5 CPU and then the devices can support such things. Of course, you end up with something a half pound heavier, thicker and shorter battery life. For some, that is an acceptable trade-off; for others, it is not.

All that said, while I think this device represents a real step forward from previous devices - one that can fit the bill for many today, folks should be aware that the next generation of "Atom" and "Core iX" are another leap forward. The next gen Atoms support more RAM and sport a better graphics core while the next gen Core iX processors are much more energy efficient (and measurably faster.) We'll see these processors sometime this summer/fall and devices with them should start appearing by year end.

I am posting a couple of quick snaps taken with a low-res cell phone camera. The first is the back of my personal TP2 Note the "soft touch" grippy back. This device is very comfortable in the hand and has typical ThinkPad styling and build quality . The other shot is a snap of my current "Daily Drivers" - the devices (sans phone) that I carry with me on a daily basis for testing, etc. I have two or three others which I cannot share photos of yet. Only one is in the running for a recommended typical Fee Appraiser device - the other two are extreme environment type devices and most here would not be interested in those, even if I could show them today. The point of this picture is the profiles. If you didn't know better, you'd think that the TP2 is a typical Android tablet by its lack of girth. In the upper left is my Surface Tablet (not recommended for most appraiser, I think, at this time.) On the left is my ASUS TF700 with keyboard dock above. Below that is my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. On upper right is my personal iPad and below that is my personal ThinkPad Tablet 2.


Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[Bill S]

Great info Randall. I'm leaning toward the TP2 with the pen. I don't know how much I will use the pen but it looks cool. I see it for sale at Amazon for $760. Still kicking around the idea of going cheaper with the ASUS Vivo Tab ME400C. I know it is not as durable as the TP2 and does not have a pen but it is only $490. I'm going to head over to B-Buy tomorrow to play around with their inventory.