Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

[Mike Williams]

I imagine there are quite a few of us watching and waiting for the Helix. I'm holding off purchasing anything until it's released and I hear reviews from others. Thanks to everyone participating in this thread for all of the valuable info to date. I've been following the thread (and especially Randall's insights) with great interest.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Thanks for the kind words, Mike! I'll proudly post pix, initial thoughts, etc. once my Helix arrives. No shipping notice yet :-(

I feel compelled to remind folks that the Helix is an upper-end "executive" device and I am fully aware that the devices based on the Haswell and Bay Trail chips (Q4 2013?) will likely offer a better bang for the buck. I ordered my Helix because I want a superior device "NOW", not later. I'll have absolutely no problems/regrets about getting something different IF/when it comes out - I have a ready source for deploying a gently used device to another Apex employee. They tend to love my "trickle down" policy. One time, Robert came in my office and began nosing around an unopened box containing a new computer I ordered. I ask "Can I help you?" and he said "Nah - just curious what my next computer looks like." ;-)

MY situation is different than that of most appraisers and I'll keep that in mind going forward. My gut says that the Helix is going to be a great device for (semi-) early adopters, but for most "mainstream" appraisers, the sweet spot begins later this year/early next year. I think that the devices discussed recently are now very usable and are a good value compared to last years offering. But, technology arches on and the next gen chips (and devices?) should offer the best value. For many, the Bay Trail devices will be the best compromise between price, battery life and overall performance. Haswell is for those who want "desktop" power with better battery life and still gain the conveniences brought by Connected Standby.


Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

NC A,

In the E7500 thread you indicated you had a Helix on the way, due yesterday (?) Did it come in? Mine has not :-( and since you've been through a few devices lately, I was curious how you liked it.


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

FWIW, a friend and fellow appraiser just picked up his Samsung ATIV 500T ($550 tablet only, $660 with keyboard dock) and has promised to cronical his experiences with it and pass it along. We have both the 500T (Clover Trail)and the 700T (Core i5) devices, but both of them are being used by programmers for testing code, so I have not spent a lot of time with them. Hence, this sort of input will be helpful and I'll pass it along as I get it and correlate it with data from other 500T users.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[Non Sequitur]

Thanks Garrett.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Toshiba is releasing a new business class devices - the WT310, an 11.6" @ 1920 x 1080, 1.8 lb. device with Core i5, etc. it will reportedly be available "in Q2, 2013" according to my UK office. I am told that the US release follows almost immediately. I will not likely be buying one myself, but I will examine a retail sample in the coming weeks. We'll have some limited user feedback, though, as one medium-size company has ordered a few.

Will advise as more info is available. Note that the newer Toshiba business class devices are a distinct notch above the consumer grade crap that Toshiba notebooks have been known for. These devices are actually pretty well made


-Randall Garrett-
*Apex Software*

/end/

 

[vla316vla]

FWIW, a friend and fellow appraiser just picked up his Samsung ATIV 500T ($550 tablet only, $660 with keyboard dock) and has promised to cronical his experiences with it and pass it along. We have both the 500T (Clover Trail)and the 700T (Core i5) devices, but both of them are being used by programmers for testing code, so I have not spent a lot of time with them. Hence, this sort of input will be helpful and I'll pass it along as I get it and correlate it with data from other 500T users.


Regards,


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

My primary goal was to get a data collecting device with good sketching capabilities so I can save my time working on reports in the office.
I've spent some time researching tablets (reading and trying them in stores) and so far Samsung ATIV 500T is the winner based on functionality, quality and price!
It runs full windows 8, large screen 11.6", good rear camera, good battery life and the most important S-Pen/Wiacom digitazer one of the best on the market for sketching! Also S-pen comes with and stored inside of the tablet and as far as I know there is no storage for pen in Dell and HP tablets which is disadvantage in my opinion.
Price for these class of tablets is dropping fast so you can score it from around $400 now (without keyboard). I got mine in like new condition from reputable online store for $370. I understand the notion of getting the best and most reliable products for the business and I support it. However when it comes to tablets use during the inspection it seems like there are only two choices for this - something really sturdy and expensive like Motion Computing devices or something from well known manufacturers, widely available and therefore inexpensive so once if it is damaged, then it can be easily replaced without sacrificing much money and time. And for me in this category Samsung ATIV 500T fully serves the purpose.

 

[NC Appraising]

I have the Helix, and it was the best fit for me. [URL]http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/tablet/thinkpad/thinkpad-helix/#video[/URL]

The Helix has 2,000 pressure points in it's pen. Most tablets use the same pen manufacture and technology.


I ordered and field tested the SurfacePro, and the Samsung 700T. The SurfacePro in my opinion was superior to the Samsung. But it has the smaller screen.

FWIW, all are about the same. The Surface was the fastest and did not stumble or delay like the Helix, which is minimal, but odd due to my Helix having a I7 processor. The Helix does write better than both the Pro and the Samsung; although I did like Samsungs pen better.


The Helix has the rip and flip feature, which is best for me. When I pull up to the home, and can type faster with the keyboard on and then rip the tablet to do the inspection.


I'm going to put a wish list together on how to improve the process for "mobile appraising". But I have to say that it's pretty good as it is.



One more thing...keep in mind your climate and weather conditions. If I were in Seattle or a area that snowed a lot, I would not use any of the above tablets. I would invest in a Motion or a Panasonic tablet, for obvious reasons.

 

[Randall Garrett]

NCA,

You may want to "clean" your Helix. Some manufacturers load their devices up with various items - some useful perhaps, others are pure bloat-ware. When I can, I always get my devices via the MS Signature store/service - they only sell "clean" devices. I certainly have the requisite skill to clean them myself, but I like to convenience of just getting them the way they were meant to be in the first place... Anyway, once clean, you should notice a considerable boost in "seat of the pants" performance. The Surface Pro comes "clean" so that is probably the main difference you are noticing.

On all devices, I recommend the "Accidental Damage Protection" coverage. From memory, it ends up being something like $80 - $100 and is a common option (often overlooked) on business class devices, but next to impossible to get on a consumer class device unless you go with a 3rd party (which I typically avoid when possible.)


-Randall Garrett-
..Apex Software..

/end/

 

[joechuchran]

I have the Helix, and it was the best fit for me. [URL]http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/tablet/thinkpad/thinkpad-helix/#video[/URL]

The Helix has 2,000 pressure points in it's pen. Most tablets use the same pen manufacture and technology.

The Helix has the rip and flip feature, which is best for me. When I pull up to the home, and can type faster with the keyboard on and then rip the tablet to do the inspection.

Are you using the tablet to do the sketch? If so, which program (or app) are you using?

I'm currently using Apex's MSA on an Asus TF201 then converting the field sketch in v5 on a desktop. MSA is innovative and very easy & efficient to use the in the field but the conversion and clean-up process sometimes takes longer than starting the sketch in v5 on the desktop.

To me, it doesn't seem like v5 is well suited to doing the sketch in the field but maybe you've found a technique that works and hopefully you'll share.