Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

[Randall Garrett]

Andrew,

I'm not following why you think a touch screen is necessary to run Windows 8. IMHO, that is a misconception since the OS lets you boot straight to Desktop if desired. All of my desktops run Win8.1+ and none have a touch screen... On a day-to-day basis, I suffer absolutely no loss in performance nor convenience/ease of use compared to when running Windows 7 (most of my machines are set up for dual-boot (Win7/Win8.1+) because I need to test under both OS's.

Further, I don't personally see comparing an Ativ 9 and a Surface Pro 3 - they are completely different animals in my opinion, despite the ads which tout it as a laptop replacement. As far as a Laptop, the Samsung handily beats the SP3 but the SP3 absolutely stomps the Ativ 9 (and any other laptop made) when it comes to doing what a Tablet does.

Maybe I am misinterpreting your words/meaning in your post, but if you're going to use a separate keyboard and monitor anyway, why would you get a Tablet? I obviously understand that the SP3 can be docked and used as a sort of "slice" computer, but it won't perform as well as the Ativ 9 when it comes to raw performance, much less a real desktop. The SP3 has a design which puts slimness and weight more at the forefront than a typical Ultrabook, so there is more focus on thermals and battery items than is found on a device like the Ativ 9. For most residential mobile appraisal activities, I find the SP3 screen to be superior to the Ativ 9's, but if you're mainly thinking of a "mobile workstation" and a better keyboard is important to you, I still find Lenovo to make the best and certain Dells to be close. Many Lenovo diehards bemoaned the changes made recently, but as long as I've used ThinkPads, somehow I got over the changes. BTW, I've purchased 3 new (and different) ThinkPad models since January, so I am not unfamiliar with the recent changes. YMMV, of course

So, how important is the "Tablet" aspect(s) to you? FWIW, the official dock accessory for the SP3 will not be available until August. Using it with a 3rd party "generic" dock (vs. the official dock) constitutes a work-around scenario from the convenience aspects IMHO.

Help me to understand what you're trying to accomplish with your new hardware purchase so I can perhaps answer you with some feedback that might be more helpful. If it is mainly "Tablet use", we can go forward here, but if it is more of a Laptop or Desktop scenario you're after, we need to move this to a different thread.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[ajwells]

Of course a touch screen is not necessary to run W8, but a lot of the gestures in W8 are tough to approximate with a mouse/touchpad in my admittedly limited experience... I sent the Thinkpad back because the trackpoint click zone in the touchpad just didn't work for me (and for many others; the return rates on these machines are sky high, which will likely mean some sort of redesign fairly quickly)... I've used Thinkpads for 20 years, so I really wanted to like the x240, but having to hunt for the zone with your thumb and press 4 or 5 times to register a click got pretty tiring... I tried all of the various modes for use, but none were satisfactory... the bottom line is they should offer the machines with a trackpoint and physical buttons OR the touchpad without trackpoint... I've loved the trackpoint for decades and even have desktop keyboards with trackpoints, but the bottom line is that touchpads and gestures are superior for most uses, and trying to integrate the two in the hardware design compromises both... and my machine also had fan noise issues which are also a known design/build issue for Lenovo

The reason for evaluating both the Surface and Ativ 9 are an attempt to evaluate the best hardware for using the W8 software... MS wants the Surface to compete with conventional laptops and in my playing with the machines in the store I would agree... despite the funky keyboard cover, I had no trouble in typing on it and the touchpad worked better than the one on my Lenovo... but for me its more a matter of how the software integrates with the hardware as opposed to the specific product category... that often doesn't show up in specs and can only be felt as you use the machine... Apple's control of both is the reason for their spectacular success, and I think that getting a truly useful and satisfying machine in the Windows world is all about those same qualities... the Surface nails that silky, authoritative elegance that marks quality design and build in both soft and hardware

I have wanted to like tablets since getting the first Apple Newton (which I just found if anyone has a museum), but I've never found one that I can use in the field due to the inherent compromises... I feel the Surface has removed almost all of these compromises and so I am looking at it despite being more oriented to traditional laptop designs...

Apologies for veering off topic if that's inappropriate in this thread... I guess my main interest was how you like the Surface you are testing and it sounds like you are! I will stay tuned to see how things go for you as you use it...

Andrew

Andrew,

I'm not following why you think a touch screen is necessary to run Windows 8. IMHO, that is a misconception since the OS lets you boot straight to Desktop if desired. All of my desktops run Win8.1+ and none have a touch screen... On a day-to-day basis, I suffer absolutely no loss in performance nor convenience/ease of use compared to when running Windows 7 (most of my machines are set up for dual-boot (Win7/Win8.1+) because I need to test under both OS's.

Further, I don't personally see comparing an Ativ 9 and a Surface Pro 3 - they are completely different animals in my opinion, despite the ads which tout it as a laptop replacement. As far as a Laptop, the Samsung handily beats the SP3 but the SP3 absolutely stomps the Ativ 9 (and any other laptop made) when it comes to doing what a Tablet does.

Maybe I am misinterpreting your words/meaning in your post, but if you're going to use a separate keyboard and monitor anyway, why would you get a Tablet? I obviously understand that the SP3 can be docked and used as a sort of "slice" computer, but it won't perform as well as the Ativ 9 when it comes to raw performance, much less a real desktop. The SP3 has a design which puts slimness and weight more at the forefront than a typical Ultrabook, so there is more focus on thermals and battery items than is found on a device like the Ativ 9. For most residential mobile appraisal activities, I find the SP3 screen to be superior to the Ativ 9's, but if you're mainly thinking of a "mobile workstation" and a better keyboard is important to you, I still find Lenovo to make the best and certain Dells to be close. Many Lenovo diehards bemoaned the changes made recently, but as long as I've used ThinkPads, somehow I got over the changes. BTW, I've purchased 3 new (and different) ThinkPad models since January, so I am not unfamiliar with the recent changes. YMMV, of course

So, how important is the "Tablet" aspect(s) to you? FWIW, the official dock accessory for the SP3 will not be available until August. Using it with a 3rd party "generic" dock (vs. the official dock) constitutes a work-around scenario from the convenience aspects IMHO.

Help me to understand what you're trying to accomplish with your new hardware purchase so I can perhaps answer you with some feedback that might be more helpful. If it is mainly "Tablet use", we can go forward here, but if it is more of a Laptop or Desktop scenario you're after, we need to move this to a different thread.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

Andrew,

Thanks for the feedback - helps me get a better picture of what you are thinking, why, etc.

To your points:

• Yep, long-time ThinkPad users swear by the TrackPoint. "Touch/ClickPad" users largely don't get it because they are simply accustomed to something different. Its all what you are used to and when they change something you depend on, users understandably don't like it, even without a basic malfunctioning piece of gear. FWIW, I am using an X1 Carbon Touch and a ThinkPad Yoga interchangeably and am not having too much trouble switching over... YMMV on that piece of info.
• I agree with the advantages of keeping the OS and hardware "all in one stable" to provide for a better overall experience. MS is trying this out and it seems to be nudging the other OEMs into improving their stuff, albeit slowly. Of course, they are upset with MS for getting into the hardware game, but their stated intent is not really to compete, per se, but more to "encourage" their OS partners to improve their offerings. Let's face it, most of them really made a lot of crap over the years, "sold out" to bloatware software folks, etc. to try and eek out a little more profit, the result being lackluster offerings with only a few exceptions. That said, of course the SP3 is nowhere nearly a perfect piece for many. As you know, I've been using one for a while and I also purchased several for some specific R&D folks. There are some basic technology changes which are partly "exposed" in the SP3 and I want our folks to "live & breathe" with an SP3 (flaws and all) to help get closer to a likely user's real world experience(s.) If I let them (or don't encourage them by getting them the appropriate hardware), they are much more likely to stay in their little programmer "walled garden" and imagine vs. experience what real folks go through.
• So, FWIW, while I really admire the SP3, I do not believe it really represents the best choice for most residential appraisers. I said the same thing about the SP1 and SP2, and I was surprised how many appraisers got them anyway. The SP2 was better than the SP1, and the SP3 is much better than the SP2, but it is still designed for inside folks and as more laptop than real tablet. I love the new screen aspect ratio, thinness, weight reduction, etc., but I don't believe the Surface Pro will hit its stride for us until a Broadwell refresh (Spring, 2015?) and it gets to be more like the Intel Llama Mountain reference. Further, while the 12" screen is a great improvement, I'm finding that 12" is a little large for field work and a little small for a laptop replacement. I would have rather seen an 11" version and a 13" version. We'll have to see what they actually ship as far as the 8" device goes.

I really believe that for MOST appraisers, a Baytrail "companion" device ticks off more boxes for truly mobile (i.e. in the field) use. If one finds that a laptop fits their main definition of "mobile" and they want to add a little occasional tablet functionality, then the SP3 is a workable solution at this time, but if it is to be "mainly tablet with some laptop-ability", then a Baytrail 4 GB tablet w/keyboard dock is a better fit (for most.)

IF you are really strong on getting an SP3, my advice is to wait until August - more choices, availability of the proper dock and undoubtedly some software items being a little better ironed out. If you really need something along the lines of "mainly laptop, with some Tablet-ability" right now, you might want to look at the ThinkPad Yoga. I recommend going to a MS Store if you have one even halfway nearby so you can compare several competing devices side-by-side. Additionally, you can get the device "bloatware free" as well as the excellent accidental damage policy. You obviously wont have to deal with a big box store dweeb trying to steer you over to their own favorite brand/OS/whatever...


Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

For those interested in the SP3, below is a link to a 1:47 video which highlights some of the strong features of this device. Of course, it is an ad, but being that it is almost 2 minutes long, it's not likely to be seen on TV. It has background music but it's not so "jingle-ey" - overall, it is just a pleasant video. It is also one of the first I've seen which shows the SP3 dock which is due in August (early August, according to my sources, not late August as is commonly reported.)

I feel I must again say that I don't think that the Surface line of products is the best fit for most residential appraisers who envision using a Tablet PC in the field. The EP1000, P610, and upcoming TP10 are better choices for most IMHO) but some folks rightly want/need "more laptop, sometimes-a-tablet" functionality. For those folks, especially those who used a SP1 or SP2, the SP3 is worth looking at IMHO.

Surface Pro 3 - from Microsoft - YouTube

On the other devices, I've been tied up in other forums, so I've not been posting here much - sorry about that. There are new developments (tweaks) which may have a bearing on your needs, but before I post even more here, it would be helpful if you gave me a better idea of what sort of things you want to know, so I can be more concise (ha!) and focus more on what is of interest to you folks.

I did bring a few devices home for this holiday weekend and plan to shoot some pictures. Of course, they will include the usual full and partial sun shots, but sometimes I sort of forget that not everybody has access to this equipment, so I may not shoot pictures of things that you want to know, so please give me feedback.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Headip]

I've been strongly considering the surface pro 3. I haven't liked any mobile appraisal app's that I've played with.

Wants: Something extremely portable. Able to run the full ACI software.

Possible use in the car between appointments. Main use would be in an office.

Would the surface pro 3 be a feasible pen and paper clipboard replacement? Would a standard laptop be a better experience since I don't plan on using apps?

 

[Rob Bodkin]

Randall, thanks again for your continued updating and testing. It's invaluable to have someone looking at these devices from the perspective of an appraiser user. You might have alluded to this in an earlier post, but it seems as though the choke point at present is the forms providers getting on the Win 8.1 bandwagon in terms of the usefulness in the field. Now that the devices are, or are very close, to being able to be light and powerful enough to be useful, the software is lagging.

Lagging in that the iPad/Android type of field data collection app that "plugs" those observations into the form are only for those platforms. For me, and perhaps many of us, I don't fill out a blank form at the subject, I still use the graph paper/clipboard. The type of app, be it Windows/iPad/Android that would be preferred is one where I can still move room to room making general or specific observations/notes, and some of those translate directly into the appropriate place in the form. Which is in general what I think their mobile apps do now, based on my few experiments with the iPad app. So now they just need to "tweek" it for the Windows OS. Making the "one device to rule them all" notion a reality. It seems s though they were waiting for there to be viable devices and demand to make this jump.

I've signed up for the three day training course for Alamode, which is the form package I use. You pointed out in a previous post, paraphrasing, how little most of us will dedicate to training on these devices/software, learning it mostly on the fly and catch as catch can. Which seems more likely to lead to falling victim to low frustration tolerance than to an effective use of the devices. And that certainly rang a bell here. It will be good to get more and more familiar with not only the form software, but their mobile suite.

I really enjoy your updates and posts, trying these devices out in the real world, especially your days at the beach series. Looking forward to a comparison between the TP10 and the EP1000 and specifically as another requested, their handwriting recognition/inking.

Thanks

 

[Randall Garrett]

I've been strongly considering the surface pro 3. I haven't liked any mobile appraisal app's that I've played with.

Wants: Something extremely portable. Able to run the full ACI software.

Possible use in the car between appointments. Main use would be in an office.

Would the surface pro 3 be a feasible pen and paper clipboard replacement? Would a standard laptop be a better experience since I don't plan on using apps?

Hi Headip,

As you might expect, unlike a "Pad" type device (Android & iOS), a full Windows laptop/Tablet allows you the option of running the full suite of software packages you have on your desktop computer, including your forms package(s.) That said, I strongly urge you to check with your "forms" provider (ACI) to get their official stance and assurances that their software will run properly without issue(s) on Windows 8.1.1. There are several posts by ACI users in various threads on this site in which they are reporting problems. We are able to successfully run ACI software on our Win8 machines at Apex (we do this for our own compatibility and integration testing) so I have to assume that most of the issues I see reported are largely due to a user's machine being "polluted" or simply set up wrong. All software, especially specialty type stuff like appraisal software, has bugs and whenever a new OS comes out, most developers will first make a quick pass through the program to see if it runs or bombs out. If it bombs, there follows a mad dash to find out why and to apply appropriate coding changes as a "patch" vs. a more comprehensive rework for proper compliance. I'm not casting stones at ACI (or others) - this is just a common thing and we do it, too ;-) Nevertheless, it should be obvious that you don't want to buy any hardware with the assumption that the software that you depend on to make a living will run properly and then find out that it doesn't.

The SP3 is certainly a marvelous example of a thin and light device that has that much horsepower - enough to run your full software, and arguably faster than an older desktop machine (more efficient OS, newer, faster hardware components, etc.) The details of your workflow could spell whether the SP3 will work well enough for you. I'm finding that running "typical" appraisal software will get you around 7 hours of constant use before you get a battery alarm. For most people, that is well beyond a full work day "on the road" since you are not really running the device full bore the whole time - the reality is that the device is running for about 2/3rds of that time with the other time it is in "sleep" mode. IF you envision absolute assurance that you will not run out of juice during the day, we recommend a car charger - just plug it in between stops or whenever it is convenient. We don't currently have a lot of Fee (or Mass)Appraiser type users who rely on the Surface (1, 2 or 3), but the same principle applies to the devices the DO use now. Even for those users who have devices which have "extended battery pack" options, for most of them, the car charger is simply a less expensive solution that actually works better overall. The Surface Tablets all have a handy kickstand that allow it to be propped up if your car has a suitable surface ("car desk") for some additional functionality while on the road, but at worse case, you just plug it in and toss it on the seat. Of course, you can use a variety of mapping applications for a super large screen GPS type thing and some of them allow you to download really large segments of your local area so you don't need to be connected by 4G. We've come to enjoy Here! Maps which is common for WP8 phones and now regular Windows 8 computers. As an example the entire State of Texas (yes, we capitalize that, LOL) is only 207 MB and takes about 4 minutes to download... Each person will have their own favorite app/program - I am just using Here! Maps as an example.

For your (main) office use, I would recommend purchasing the optional Dock ($199) which is available in August. As you might expect, this accessory would allow you to use the SP3 as a sort of "slice" computer - while docked, you can use a regular keyboard & keyboard of your own preference, larger monitor(s), have constant power, an Ethernet connection, external hard drive(s), etc. while allowing you to "grab 'n go" when you need to be away from your desk.

Whether an SP3 or a more traditional laptop fits your use case better, I think you just need to see whether you want/need some of the things a pen-enabled Tablet is important to you. The SP3 is unquestionably superior to a laptop in the “pen and paper” department, but the built-in keyboard on a good laptop is better for most people than the one that matches up and magnetically attaches to the SP3. Of course, almost any laptop keyboard is inferior to a good desktop keyboard, so it’s really about which compromises fit your use cases the best. For me (and maybe al lot of readers here?), I think that having the option of using the pen (where appropriate), the slim/light and “full power” aspects make the SP3 a worthy contender and fit more of MY use cases than does a laptop. We all know I am pretty verbose, so I obviously prefer the best keyboards, but when mobile almost ANY keyboard is miles ahead of an on-screen keyboard, so I view the SP3 keyboard as more of a “plus” than something to throw stones at. When at my desk, as I am now, I’m hooked up to a LARGE (39” 4K) external monitor, my preferred mouse and keyboard, wired Ethernet, NAS, etc., but within 5 seconds, I can be mobile with the exact same computer. For ME, that is the right set of options. When I return, it takes me 10 seconds to hook back up, and that will drop to 3 seconds once the SP3 dock is available (and fewer exposed wires, LOL.) Does this set-up replace my “honker” desktops? Well, no, but those are really overkill for my real daily activities.

BTW, since multiple monitors is a common and effective item for appraisers, I should point out that I have chosen to use 1 humongous, 4K vs. multiple “high resolution” monitors. That is a personal preference and not something I think most would do, due to cost. I can (and have) run multiple “high resolution” monitors, each of which exceed the specs I see that most of you classify as “high resolution” on all of my Surface Pro set-ups. The nature of the Display Port spec allow for this, but the more “garden variety” hdmi-spec monitors are more limited. Hdmi is a video spec, BTW, not a true computer spec, and it is more limited in bandwidth and thus in the types and specs on monitors. Sorry to get geeky – the point is, that if you use the right type of monitors and connectors, you can run (say) 2 “1080p” monitors and still use the 12” screen on the SP3 as a third, and the screen on the SP3 is certainly no slouch.

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

Randall, thanks again for your continued updating and testing. It's invaluable to have someone looking at these devices from the perspective of an appraiser user. You might have alluded to this in an earlier post, but it seems as though the choke point at present is the forms providers getting on the Win 8.1 bandwagon in terms of the usefulness in the field. Now that the devices are, or are very close, to being able to be light and powerful enough to be useful, the software is lagging.

Lagging in that the iPad/Android type of field data collection app that "plugs" those observations into the form are only for those platforms. For me, and perhaps many of us, I don't fill out a blank form at the subject, I still use the graph paper/clipboard. The type of app, be it Windows/iPad/Android that would be preferred is one where I can still move room to room making general or specific observations/notes, and some of those translate directly into the appropriate place in the form. Which is in general what I think their mobile apps do now, based on my few experiments with the iPad app. So now they just need to "tweek" it for the Windows OS. Making the "one device to rule them all" notion a reality. It seems s though they were waiting for there to be viable devices and demand to make this jump.

I've signed up for the three day training course for Alamode, which is the form package I use. You pointed out in a previous post, paraphrasing, how little most of us will dedicate to training on these devices/software, learning it mostly on the fly and catch as catch can. Which seems more likely to lead to falling victim to low frustration tolerance than to an effective use of the devices. And that certainly rang a bell here. It will be good to get more and more familiar with not only the form software, but their mobile suite.

I really enjoy your updates and posts, trying these devices out in the real world, especially your days at the beach series. Looking forward to a comparison between the TP10 and the EP1000 and specifically as another requested, their handwriting recognition/inking.

Thanks

Rob,

Again, thanks for the kind words. I am happy to help where I can!

Yes, I do believe there exists a “choke point” at present with regard to the availability of specialty appraisal software which specifically targets Windows 8+, and that it is limiting appraisers to “pads.” I further agree with your take on how proper field inspection software should be done – i.e. “room-by-room” vs. “emulate a finished report form.” Where appropriate (some clients don’t want theirs done that way), that’s how we (Apex) do our field data gathering stuff, and as you observe, how ALM does their “pad” stuff – it’s just that they don’t seem to have a similar “app” for Windows8 ATM.

I’m not sure how to respond on your “one device to rule them all”comment – I get the analogy and why the thought of that scenario is logical/appealing to many, but I have to recognize that agreeing with you will surely inflame those who have, for whatever reason, an anti-Windows/MS (or perhaps just “pro-their favorite thing”) contingent and get us off track ;-) Still, since this thread is supposed to be about Windows 8-specific devices (and thus, software), I guess it is not totally inappropriate to at least say “I understand and do not wholeheartedly disagree with you.” You think I wrote enough there to constitute an adequate level of “CYA-ness?” ;-)

Seriously, for many, that scenario is a logical thing and I have been part of several deployments where a mostly-Windows-centric environment is the appropriate/best choice for the customers. Those cases, while sadly not yet in place in the US Fee Appraisal sector, are successful in large part because of the other software components which sometimes are just “legacy” and can’t be readily replaced soon enough, or have specific requirements which make the other OS choices (and thus, devices) inappropriate. There is no technical reason why Windows 8 apps cannot be written for the US Fee Appraisal industry which meet and/or exceed those currently available for iOS and Android, and it certainly appears that the lack of such apps is a “money thing.” Nothing wrong with that – we all want/need to make money. I just wish things were different. Maybe that will change soon (?)

I congratulate you for taking proactive steps and getting training. I think you already know to expect being channeled down the iOS and/or Android path. The tried and true method for selecting hardware is to select the software that fits your needs the best and then get the hardware that runs said software the best, so ATM, I believe this “channeling” is appropriate. That said, I think folks should ask when ALM intends to publish apps for Windows 8 which have similar/better functionality. As a “for profit” company, they would want to listen and gauge the level of interest in this sort of thing. The more people that ask, tuning into “demanding” (not in a negative way), the sooner they will ramp up efforts to satisfy their users. I can only imagine that IF they thought they could profit more through more consolidation of the code (not the definition used in questionable “cohesive” coding practices), they would get on it faster. The “business side” of software developer types really dislike having to work in several environments. Sure, even within the ranks of “logical” developer types, you have fanboys who want to push an agenda based on personal preferences, anger/bias toward some company for whatever reason, but from the “maximize profits” perspective, it just makes sense to concentrate your efforts/resources on a single best solution. Of course, “the real world” doesn’t always work that way, so another aspect of the business side is to be opportunistic and jump on a popular bandwagon. “Popular” generally increases the chances of success for lots of sales. I have my own personal bias(es), too, though I try to remain “agnostic.” IF most of our customers had/were running (say) OSX, we would be publishing software for it, but they are not. By far, most of our customers are running (some would say “stuck”) Windows, so that is our main development environment. We have good success in deploying Windows solutions in several valuation-related industries, the sole exception being the US Fee Appraisal market. So, the “for profit” side of me says “I sure wish we could offer some of our products to the US Fee Appraisal market” but also, the logical side of me says “these folks should be having to be limited – choice is good.” I look forward to the day when we can at least offer some of our newer stuff in a competitive environment.

I’ll continue to post stuff here – it seems to be a popular thread – as long as folks find it to be useful. I just sometimes feel like a voice alone in the wilderness, talking to myself, so I really appreciate your feedback. I know I sometimes (ha!) ramble, and when things get long, I lose people. If I can stick to more specific interests, I can perhaps be more concise (ha! again) and thus make things easier/faster for folks to discover. So, if anyone has specific questions, please let me know.

Regards,

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

For those interested in devices with active pens (not just a capacitive stylus), there is a somewhat interesting "primer" article and accompanying in-depth video at the link below. This is really just for those who want to know more about the major competing systems and, while possibly interesting to some, is geared more to "artist" types rather than those into drawing sketches and taking notes. The author/presenter is well known to me and does great, really informative videos/reviews, but she leans more toward the "artist" side of things in this video and unfortunately leaves out one major player in the pen/digitizer landscape. I may contact her and volunteer to send her a device or two so she can be more complete, but my guess is that since the video is already done, she may not want to re-do it.

Summarily, she covers the traditional Wacom combo (Lenovo, SP1, SP2, etc.), the newer N-Trig competitor (SP3, Sony "Flip", etc.) and the spotty Synaptics system used pretty much exclusively by the Dell Venue Pro series ATM, but strangely leaves out the Atmel system used by HP in their newer Tablets and convertibles. She properly points out the differences between capacitive stylus input by sowing things on an iPad mini, but then goes on to show things on various systems with active pens, mainly using various "art" programs like Photoshop & ArtRage, etc. to demonstrate, with very little attention given to note taking and similar "simple" sketching tasks.

From our perspective, the traditional (and long favored) Wacom systems are still a top contender (available across a wide variety of devices) but the newer N-Trig system (Sony, SP3, etc.) and the Atmel (HP) solution are now worthy competitors. The earlier N-Trig system was questionable at best and, even though Dell has been very proactive about updating users with newer revisions of the Synaptics pens, I am not (yet) convinced that it is the best choice, despite it being available on the $200 and under Dell Venue 8 (and 11) Pro devices. To be fair, even Wacom has had their share of "misses" as evidenced by the ASUS 8" Tablet - great "on paper" but the details of the implementation left users wanting. Synaptics makes arguably the best trackpads on the market and they want to extend their reach into other related input methods, but at present, it seems they have some more work to do IMHO. As of about a year ago, N-Trig has practically "done a 180" with respect to their viability and is a really solid choice today.

Hope this short article helps. The video is relatively interesting and if you really want to know more, it is worth watching - I just think for our purposes, what is most important could have been demonstrated in about 5 minutes, or less - and that's coming from yours truly, someone known for (ahem...) long posts... ;-)

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=46673


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Michael Geis]

Randall,

So, if you were us in the field right now, what you recommend that we do in order to be truly mobile? Or would you recommend we wait for now? Thanks

Mike Geis