Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

[Randall Garrett]

Michigander,

Thanks for the feedback - it helps me get a better idea of how to help out.

Yeah, trackpads (touchpads, whatever one wants to call them) are very individual things. Mostly, I try to avoid their use as I am more of a "mouse & keyboard" guy, but there are obviously times & scenarios where a track/touch pad (let's use "T-Pad" for now) is the most practical solution. The SP3's Type keyboard has a T-Pad that is a little small IMHO and there are lots of areas where I would have changed the keyboard layout, but lets face it - I have absolutely no relevant hardware design chops and in the end, I'm sort of amazed that the keyboard works AT ALL ;-) That said, I believe I am safe in predicting that you'll see some improvements later this year. Some will come from driver updates, but I also believe you'll see some new hardware I am not at liberty to discuss/describe this stuff in detail, and to be fair, I'm not 100% sure that what I know through NDA is even totally accurate (things change...) With respect to W8.1+, I believe that the more you use it, the more you'll begin to like it. My experience with Windows 10 TP has been mostly positive, but I understand that it is nowhere near "done" so I can live with the glitches and evolving nature of how certain things work. I happen to believe that many folks who are used to Windows 7 will like Windows 10 once it is released - some due to genuine improvements, and for some it'll be just because it is not Windows 8... LOL. I caution folks to NOT install the TP for W10 on their devices at this time. It is mainly being sorted out for Enterprise (primarily desktop use) customers and some "mobile" aspects appear to have been deprecated. I believe that once we're closer to a shipping build, we'll see some nice improvements to the mobile aspects. Given the focus on Enterprise/business users right now, it is not unlikely that we may not see much more than restorative efforts put into mobile elements that are not "core" until that later stages or even as an update.

(Oh, and yes - Windows 10 will be a free upgrade for you. This is an official policy from Microsoft, not just something promised by a local salesperson.)

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can help further.


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

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[Michigander]

Thanks. Very helpful. Ideally I will be able to take this back and forth but I am still getting used to it and it hasn't become my daily driver. I love my other computer but it is an impractical carry around

 

[Randall Garrett]

Glad to help! Let me know if I can help you get more use out of your SP3. My way of looking at it is that you already own it, so why not try to get the most out of it - the highest ROI. Sometimes just "little things" - a little accessory, a tip on how to use a feature better, etc. - can make a difference. Anyway, let me know if I can be of further assistance!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Michigander]

Glad to help! Let me know if I can help you get more use out of your SP3. MNy way of looking at it is that you already own it, so why not try to get the most out of it - the highest ROI. Sometimes just "little things" - a little accessory, a tip on how to use a feature better, etc. - can make a difference. Anyway, let me know if I can be of further assistance!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

Thanks, I think I will need to get the docking station and a couple monitors set up before I make a call. I am used to working with either two or three monitors, and one is hard when you are used to that set up. I also need to try and do an appraisal on this new computer - have only been doing Word and Excel and the TP thing has me jumping all over the place so isn't the greatest. Guess I need to use it more before I pass judgment as the reason for it was that I could work wherever instead of lugging my ten pound (or more) brick around with me.

 

[Randall Garrett]

You might want to investigate a larger, higher resolution single monitor to take the place of two, lower resolution devices. If you'd like, I can take a picture of my SP3, hooked up to a high res monitor through the Docking station just for ideas... A single, high resolution set up will likely cost a bit more, but it is made up with the convenience and the better quality display (your eyes ARE important!) I always use my preferred mouse & keyboard when my SP3 is docked, but when truly mobile, I use what is most convenient. Generally speaking, that is the SP3 Type cover, but I've been known to take a BT keyboard & trackpad when at a show or something. IF you software is properly written (unlikely if you are talking about legacy appraisal apps), the touch screen is far more convenient than a trackpad anyway. Problem is, most appraisal software is NOT touch friendly, but most people blame the lack of functionality on the device vs. the software... :-\ TGhings should be better in that regard soon as more and more software folks embrace touch in Windows. W10 will have a lot to do with that IMHO... For most, it's all about the money (vs. doing it just because they should) and they make no bones about it. Once more people start going that way and they (essentially) smell profits, they'll put effort toward that...


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

Just a quick note today - kind of so you know I'm still kicking ;-)
I've been pretty tied up with just "stuff" and been in a basic holding pattern because the guys at the office are readying Apex v6. (No, I'm still not into doing ad stuff here - just mentioning that because product releases still require me to "sign off" so when things get close, it takes time away from other stuff I do.)
One tablet-related thing I've been doing a lot of is testing Windows 10 TP on lots of devices, and after seeing that the first builds were (rightfully & purposely) more oriented toward desktop users (and specifically more "Enterprise" or "Business" than "Consumer"), I am pleased to report that we're starting to see some more mobility-related things starting to appear (and reappear in some cases.) I won't go into this stuff right now since these are Technical Previews and are thus not finished, but suffice it to say that I am pleased to see these things being exposed in the builds. As I have mentioned in prior posts, we'll simply know more in the coming 45 - 60 day period and I'd take most anyone's "review/advice" on how well Windows 10 will work (or not) for YOU with a grain of salt until at least the end of Q2. That said, I remain very positive as I like what I see and believe it'll pan out to be something positive for appraiser types. I'll be following up with some items which will affect your selection for devices within the next 90 days, and I will also be paying attention to the better existing devices in an effort to have a sort of "matrix" of which devices fit best (and why, of course) and which ones might be better suited for passing down, selling or whatever.

Hope this helps for now. If anyone has any specific questions, let me know and I'll try to get back to you quickly. BTW, this thread has grown to be pretty unwieldy so I'm thinking I need to start something new so you folks can get to the most pertinent info without having to wade through a bunch of "yesteryear" stuff ;-) Hence, if you have suggestions on what YOU want, let me know.


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[RickM]

I have a recommendation from PC World that the ASUS Vivo tab 8 is a good choice. Would this surpass the MS stream for fieldwork? I wouldn't necessarily look to loading a whole ACI program onto the table and use the Apex 6 and Phoenix. Would the MS stream be a good choice for this use or are we all moving to running the actual appraisal software in the field and need a more capable device? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Hi RickM,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I've been tied up with some personal items as well as items relating to this week's Av6 release. Next week should see things return to being more normal for me...

With any situation like this, you need to get the required/recommended specs from the folks who make the software. Since you are planning on using Apex and Phoenix, you've already done part of this - asking here. I can't answer for Phoenix, but for Apex products (i.e. Av6) I believe the ASUS you mentioned would suffice. I would recommend a device which has 4 GB of RAM, but I have tested Av6 on devices with 2 GB and less and it runs. Basically, the more RAM, the better and I feel that 4GB is the preferred option. Most of the devices like the ASUS Vivo Tab 8 (and it's competitors) only have 2 GB of RAM a d if you do any appreciable amount of multitasking or try to run heavier applications, things can drag a bit. With respect to the "MS Stream" I suspect you mean the HP Stream I mentioned which is available from the MS Store (and other sources.) That device has but 1 GB of RAM, so with respect to raw performance, the ASUS would likely be a bit snappier. All that said, I think that for many, devices with a Core M CPU and 4 GB of RAM represent a sort of "sweet spot" with respect to power vs. battery life. Unfortunately, most devices with Core M CPUs are in the 10" - 13" screen size category and that may be larger than what you'd like to use (?) Let me know what your "hot buttons" or items of highest priority are and I'll try to give a more focused reply.


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

 

[RickM]

Hi RickM,

Sorry for the delay in replying. I've been tied up with some personal items as well as items relating to this week's Av6 release. Next week should see things return to being more normal for me...

With any situation like this, you need to get the required/recommended specs from the folks who make the software. Since you are planning on using Apex and Phoenix, you've already done part of this - asking here. I can't answer for Phoenix, but for Apex products (i.e. Av6) I believe the ASUS you mentioned would suffice. I would recommend a device which has 4 GB of RAM, but I have tested Av6 on devices with 2 GB and less and it runs. Basically, the more RAM, the better and I feel that 4GB is the preferred option. Most of the devices like the ASUS Vivo Tab 8 (and it's competitors) only have 2 GB of RAM a d if you do any appreciable amount of multitasking or try to run heavier applications, things can drag a bit. With respect to the "MS Stream" I suspect you mean the HP Stream I mentioned which is available from the MS Store (and other sources.) That device has but 1 GB of RAM, so with respect to raw performance, the ASUS would likely be a bit snappier. All that said, I think that for many, devices with a Core M CPU and 4 GB of RAM represent a sort of "sweet spot" with respect to power vs. battery life. Unfortunately, most devices with Core M CPUs are in the 10" - 13" screen size category and that may be larger than what you'd like to use (?) Let me know what your "hot buttons" or items of highest priority are and I'll try to give a more focused reply.


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/

Thanks for response regardless of it taking a while. You must be busy and I appreciate the attention. My hot button is for performance in the field and I would prefer to go with 4GB of RAM rather than lock up or lose/corrupt files in the middle of an inspection. This is why I am upgrading to Av6 as well as to save time reformatting and correcting at the desktop. I also prefer the 8" tablet as I can tuck it under my arm when I need to pullout a tape measure or hold the laser with two hands. But I'm flexible and can adapt to a larger tablet and get a case with a shoulder strap. so, Reliability in the field #1, size #2, with or without a stylus. I can do just fine with a device that only has Apex and Phoenix, no need for wifi, data, or other programs especially while working. Thanks again for your personal attention.

 

[Randall Garrett]

RickM,

FWIW, I happen to like the 8" form factor for the same ergonomic factors. With moderate side bezels, it is easy to hold in one hand, you can easily drop it into a jeans or jacket pocket and yet it is large enough for our aging eyes to see ;-) I personally find 7" to be about the minimum "comfortable" size, but others are OK with smaller screens, so YMMV. I'll take a quick look at my most recent matrix for 8" tablets with 4 GB of RAM. I prefer the option of a pen but relegating that to secondary importance will open up the possibilities. With respect to the RAM, with a modern OS like Windows 8.1+, I'm not so much concerned with corrupting files in a low memory situation - it's more of a seat-of-the-pants performance issue. (Yes, I know about the low RAM issues some users have reported with your forms software, but you said you're not going to make running that software a requirement on this device in the field, so we should be OK.) When Windows 10 comes out, you should expect even better performance as the OS is even more efficient than Windows 8.1+. One of my favorites in 2013/2014 was the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 - it was nearly perfect for the day, but it had no pen option (and was expensive for the time.) I'll take another look and give you a few to compare...

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

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