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Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

Noticed an article that those with W10 Tablets (w/pen) may find helpful, listing several free apps (some with paid upgrade options) which make effective use of the pen. I use a couple of these apps myself.

Hope this was helpful!

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
FWIW, I found that the article (with recommended video) linked below reflects my thoughts pretty much spot on. I was pleased that the author mentioned toward the end that we should see the upgrade from the SD835 to the SD850 later this year which will bring outright grunt performance of the ARM mode into closer parity with fan-less Intel models. Of course, the SD versions tend to have better battery life at the expense of sacrificing "grunt" for heavy legacy type programs. We are aware of the "SD1000" rumors (seem credible to me, based on my sources) but I do not believe that the "SD1000" is destined for devices like these thin and light tablets - at least for the foreseeable future - so I believe that the SD850 models will be the one to get for this upcoming generation. In any case, outside of my snarky thoughts regarding the author's questionable choice of arm wear/accoutrements (LOL) I believe that the video is worth watching if you are thinking of what to get later this year.


Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
A word of thanks to our "Head Surfer", Wayne, who kindly modified this thread's "title" so that it would read simply "Windows Tablets For Fieldwork"
I requested that he drop the "8" from the original text in order to more accurately/contemporaneously reflect the tablets on the market today, and he responded immediately.
Thanks again, Wayne!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
Happy 4th, folks! I was called away unexpectedly on Monday and am in California this week - I expect to be back in a few days.

Just before I left, Robert let me know that Apex v7 is undergoing some final (?) vendor/Integration Partner trials/tweaks but is expected to be released very soon. I will be publishing some appropriate into here on the major items, especially as they relate to Tablet usage.

We also expect to be making a formal announcement on MobileSketch Universal for Windows 10.

All current Apex products are developed as "components" which can be "consumed/leveraged" by developer types and for the most part, we use those same components ourselves to build the published program/app that a regular end user would see online to download & install. There are, of course, some differences made to the component versions to accommodate special case scenarios, features, etc. for certain developers and this sort of thing is pretty time consuming from the perspective of publication dates. However, we believe that most, if not all, of these items for the myriad of developer types have been satisfied and that we are close (enough) to being able to make a formal announcement, release feature/spec sheets, videos, etc.

As promised, I will be pushing for some sort of "existing user" incentives but that doesn't mean that I'll suddenly start doing advertising here :-) In this thread, I'll stick to facts/features which relate to productivity, efficiency, etc. with special emphasis on Tablets and "2-in-1s/convertibles." If you have any specific questions, I am happy to answer what I can.

Regards,

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
FWIW, here is a pretty good review of the newest Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet. The review piece is a Core I7 model (which is overkill for my mobile use) but there are models that can be configured for less. Not sure it beats a Surface Pro for all users, but it is a nice machine - wish it weren't black (shows fingerprints, etc.) I do not own one myself - I have only used a demo unit for a short time.

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
Randall,
Can you clarify the value proposition of the upcoming SD850 over say the existing MS Surface with LTE support? Is it battery life? Signal strength? Lower cost?

Doe one upgrade their main device to the Surface with LTE (or equivalent) or wait for the release of these ARM models to arrive in the fall?
 
Last edited:
SJA,

Great question! I'm just back from a trip and will need to be brief - not only am I a little slammed ATM, but there are relevant developments on the near horizon which will put these things into sharper focus.

That said, I believe you have the gist of it - the 850 should give just enough performance boost to the SD850 devices so that they compete better on "legacy" software than the SD835 while still offering better battery and general connectivity. Of course, if your mainstay are bulkier legacy software programs and you are wanting to use your tablet as a "portable desktop" type computer, you may be better off with a Surface Pro with a Core i5 or Core i7. See the video below where the reviewer compares the SD835 version of the current HP Elite X2 with the Intel version. Note that for the most part, they are pretty competitive with respect to benchmark apps (reviewer correctly notes the "legacy app" stipulation) and that his main "gripe" is the ergonomic/design differences. Also, the (very basic) upload/download measurements were done with a pretty poor signal, so while I believe they are representative of some real world conditions, it would have been better if there had been at least a 30% better signal IMHO.

Video link:

That said, I'd really like to see of my sources are correct on MS's "Libra" device is actually formally announced this week before "ranking" things with respect to a "pecking order value ratio." IF the "Where will Surface go next?" announcement comes tomorrow (or on the 13th?), we are likely to see more details a few days later as it would make sense for them to do so in conjunction with the MS Inspire event next week. You have to study the high resolution images from the Twitter image to get the Easter Eggs...

upload_2018-7-9_15-58-8.png​

This is expected to be a low cost, 10" device with LTE based on Intel Pentium Gold ("Kaby Lake") and Pentium Silver ("Gemini Lake") SoCs and not intended to compete head-to-head with the more premium devices, but it will likely be a potential option for people that are satisfied with the current SD835-based units IMHO. In any case, let's give it a few days and we'll simply have more factual data to work with. FWIW, I will be "bequeathing" my Surface Book to someone at Apex and getting a new device (or two? LOL.) Of course, I will be posting on details later. Bear in mind that what works for me may not be a good fit for your needs, but I'll be making commentary on why I chose the model and build options I did. Mostly, I think about efficiency items while mobile, but I like a little horsepower, as well ;-)

Hope this helps! Let me know if I have misinterpreted your question(s)…

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
OK, so now it is official and I can speak more plainly. MS formally introduced the Surface Go earlier today. I'll cover more when my actual retail unit actually arrives and I can put it through it's paces with applicable real (appraisal) world applications, etc., but for now, here are the highlights:

Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor 4415Y
4GB - 8GB RAM
10 inch pixel sense screen, 3:2 ratio, 217 ppi, 1500:1 contrast​
10-point multi-touch, pen, mouse/keyboard
64GB - 128GB storage (+mSDXC card slot)*
USB-C port
5 mp front camera with Windows Hello, 8 mp autofocus rear camera - autofocus
WiFi a/b/g/n/ac + Bluetooth 4.1
TPM 2.0 security
9.65" x 6.90" x 0.33"
Starting at 1.15 lbs

Other models (some with 4G LTE coming soon!)

Starting at $399 (4GB/64GB eMMC) – $549 (8GB/128GB SSD)



[Edit] Forgot to give you the official MS page link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/surface-go/8v9dp4lnknsz?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
Last edited:
For the "spec geeks" or those merely curious to learn more, I'm linking a video below done by one of the MS Engineers which goes over the highlights of the device. I believe that the most significant items for field personnel are mentioned in the middle sections - designed for "away from the desk" environments, collaboration with 3rd party accessory people (they specifically mention screen protectors, cases, etc. - some of which are mil-spec rated), etc. In any case, I hope this video is helpful to those interested. There are already many "pro" and many "con" articles published, but I caution you to remain in a "wait and see" mode before drawing any conclusions. As I have said, I'll be putting my unit through a battery of field tests which will include regular appraisal software - even those "legacy" (read: "bloated desktop") programs in order to give you some idea of how this new device compares with something you may already own. Only an unreasonable person would expect a machine like this to run something heavy as well as a beastly desktop machine, yet I already read commentary from people complaining about how programs like Photoshop, AutoCAD, etc. just won't work well..." Of course, NONE of them, even have a device like this, but the bigger issue is that it is unreasonable to expect a device like this to meet (much less beat) the performance of their desktop machines. So, even though this device did not have "legacy" appraisal software programs in it's design parameters, there is no known reason that it will not run them and not require the user to purchase/run an "app." As I mentioned previously, I will be testing our own "full desktop" software (Av5, Av6 and the soon-to-be-released Av7) as well as the new MS10 (pending release, as well.) Based on our own experience with earlier devices with (in many cases) lesser hardware, I am not anticipating any performance issues.

Video (approx. 6 min.)

[Edit] - Here is a list of the highlights:
Here are the main highlights from the video:

  • The 8.3 mm thin tablet weighs 1.15 pounds with a kickstand capable of lowering to 165 degrees.
  • Surface Go has a fan-less design with passive cooling.
  • The headphone jack, the Surface Connect port, and a USB Type C (supports power, video, data) ports are all on the right side of the tablet. (The SIM tray for the upcoming LTE variant will be located on the left side of the tablet.)
  • The upcoming LTE model feature the same Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 modem used in the Surface Pro LTE, but the antenna design has been designed with a 2-antenna array.
  • The Surface Go comes with a Near Field Sensor for RFID (and other) capabilities.
  • The 10-inch, 3×2 PixelSense display (1800×1200) supports 10-point touch and there is an integrated IR sensor for Windows Hello
  • The optional keyboard cover is (obviously) a new design that features backlit keys with a slightly larger glass trackpad that supports multitouch gestures.

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+

/end/
 
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Thanks for your insights, Randall. Looks like an attractive companion alternative to the iPad.

I will be curious to know how if fares in terms of:
- photos (for inspection use)
- support dual monitors
- running geo-based programs, ie. Google Earth.
 
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