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Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

Hi Mike, thanks for the feedback. I'll have to look into that keyboard issue with your UAG case. I sure thought we were able to us the regular MS keyboard with our SG1s and I did not notice any differene in the SG1 & SG2 but I have not tried a keyboard with my SG2 & Plasma case. BTW, I still recommend the plain black keyboard because it functions just as well, probably more durable, and costs less :)
BTW, on your case, do you favor the hand strap or the neck/shoulder strap?

On the photos thing, I don't know if this would help anyone, but I routinely connect my Android phone to my PCs (desktop or tablet) and the app I use ("Your Phone" by Microsoft) allows you to share pics taken with the phone to be used on your PC... I believe the "Your Phone" app is meant for recent Samsung phones but I know users with other brands that use it. If this is of interest, I can post a link to another (more generic) app that I read a review/how-to article on in the last day or so. Most of our appraiser/field inspector types, however, just use the tablet camera, but some of them are not driving comps as much as most fee appraisers do - they are more interested in subject pics during their inspections... I have not looked into whether or not there is a similar app for iPhones, but I'll have Brian look into that if it is of interest...

BTW, are you using a microSD card in your SG2? FWIW, I've been informally testing a few and generally speaking, I've been having the best results with Samsung Evo and SanDisk cards. I've not seen the need to move up the the faster high end "photo" cards since the interface is slower than the card, and I only use the card for "overflow" and backup space at this time. I think we all WANT a ton of local storage, but I've been surprised that I haven't really NEEDED more than the 128 GB in my previous device since it really is a "companion" device, meant to hold enough data to get my tasks done for the day/week and then offload things to my regular devices. About the only time I think I NEED more is if I am on an extended trip (2 - 4 weeks) and/or am taking a LOT of photos and shuttling those off to the microSD is not a problem. I think that for me, unless I am someplace where I do not have a cellular or Wi-Fi signal, I'm just using that anyway for a lot of the extra stuff... YMMV...

[Edit] Also, FWIW, to people still reading, I am told that the 256GB SSD is measurably faster than the 128GB SSD, but from what I can tell by "seat of the pants" testing between data read/write on the SG1 128 GB SSD and the SG2 256 GB SSD, you would be hard pressed to notice a meaningful difference unless you are moving a lot of data in big chunks. That is "burst" read/writes more common in regular apps feel about the same to me so far. Now, if your mainstream appraisal suite uses a large database, you might notice things at startup, but I'm not sure the added cost is worth it for most users here.

Hope this helps!

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
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Randall Garrett said:
BTW, on your case, do you favor the hand strap or the neck/shoulder strap? I never used a neck strap on my ThinkPad 10 and after having one for a couple of days now I'm wondering why not because it certainly is a handy supplement to the excellent hand strap so I guess the answer would be "both"

BTW, are you using a microSD card in your SG2? No, I plan on using OneDrive for all data-transfer and I typically don't load my portable devices up with any extraneous software that might slow it down/weird it out so I might just get by with the built-in SSD.
Click to expand...
 
BTW, just saw this update info:
(Source: https://www.onmsft.com/news/surface...are-updates-with-pen-performance-improvements)

"These updates are available for all Surface Go 2 tablets running Windows 10 November 2019 Update, or newer, and here’s what you should be seeing in Windows Update:
  • Surface Touch – Firmware: 64.26.0.0 improves pen performance when your palm is on the device.
  • Surface UEFI – Firmware: 1.0.1.0 improves system stability."
[Edit] FWIW, I since have installed this on my SG2 and there were no problems, but I've not yet experienced any particularly noticeable improvements, either ;-)
SG2 Firmware update.jpg


Hope this helps!

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
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Another couple of quotes and a video relative to the SG2...

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"In this form factor, and for this specific performance level (general business tablet) benchmarks are not much help (other than to tell you it is better than last year's latest and greatest. In a drag race an m3 SHOULD fall behind even last year(s) i5. The only benchmark that counts is - does it do what you need, when you need, without you tearing your hair out waiting on it."​
​
"I have to admit I had absolutely zero intention of purchasing this unit and only decided to try it out based on the comments here and others around the interwebs. Now my wife has her Surface laptop 1 and she would never like the Go2 over that in a million years. If you like a bigger screen, more laptop type experience, more powerful computing, or longer battery life you will be left wanting here. But as I have traveled down this road chasing the dream I have come to realize, for me at least. that technology in 2020 is still about compromise and now I have to answer the same question we all have to here, which is what am I willing; and not willing to give up in order to get a device as close to my use case as possible? For me, portability, and the ability to use it as a computer and tablet are what I am looking for. I find that 90% of my work time is spent like right now in front of a 4k screen with wireless mouse and keyboard. For that my Go2 is nicely attached to my surface dock and works just fine. when I need a tablet, I can disconnect and its ready to go there as well. If that were not my main use case I might no like it quite so much."​


This video is a little different from others I have posted links to, but most of the points made relate to one's workflow, but given from the point of a student. I thought this might be of interest to those who might think about getting one for their student or the possibility of passing it along to a child or grandchild when you find a newer device which fits your situation better further down the line.
Note the reviewer's use of a 4K monitor*. I finally broke down and ordered the new Surface Dock 2 since it handles 2 @ 4K monitors on the newer devices, including the SG2. (Plus, it went "on Sale") This dock is more expensive that the earlier one, but it has a few advantages which are important to me. I will be having Brian and Wayne look at 3rd party docks (i.e. Pluggable, Kensington, etc.) which are more moderately prices, and perhaps more appropriate for travel, and I will give you feedback on those once we use them for a while.

[Edit] - * Note that the model reviewed here is the "middle tier" version with the Pentium Gold CPU, but it has the same class GPU and video subsystem as the recommended Core m3 version. So, video performance should be the same across the board, and the Core m3 will simply deliver better compute characteristics. FWIW, we've never had an issue hooking up multiple monitors to our Surface Go devices except when trying cheesy cables, bubs, etc. Also, I found the reviewer's follow up review and have posted it below the first one. FWIW, I pretty much agree with his summary observations regarding "if you need productivity" type comments and I am finding better battery life than he is experiencing, perhaps due to him using it more in a "desktop" mode (applications, etc.) vs. things more attuned to field work.
​
Microsoft Surface Go 2: Student Workflow (05/22/2020): ​

Microsoft Surface Go 2 Review: I LOVE it! (06/05/2020):​

---------------------------------------

As always, I hope this is helpful!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
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I will be away from my desk for the next +2 weeks but will have intermittent access to this forum, so I may not be able to respond as fast as I sometimes do. Before I take off I thought I'd go ahead and make another SG2 post. I have a lot more, but they all mostly say the same thing in various ways, and I think it's time to move on to other devices, etc., anyway... BTW, after configuring my SPX for this trip, I found out that what I really want to take is my SG2, so I guess Brian will have to "make do" with my SPX for testing stuff - Sorry Brian, LOL

This was posted by (in my own words) the (in)famously caustic-yet-sometimes-sanguine "@hisname" in his post to Paul Thurrott, re: his misguided and arrogantly ignorant diatribe...
------------------------------------------------------------------
Why is there such a disconnect about the Surface Go 2?​
​
The question has been asked in the iPad universe almost since day one - can the iPad replace your laptop? The answer, even with iPad Pro 2020 and the Magic Keyboard, is no. Why? Because productivity requires: (1) real applications, not just apps that are shadows or limited versions of the real things, (2) full peripheral support, and (3) a hierarchical file system. The Surface Go 2 delivers those in spades. I have the highest end SKU (business model, m3/8gb/256gb/LTE) and have been using mine since release as my desktop replacement with the original Surface dock, two QHD monitors (2560x1440), Ethernet, HP laserjet, Surface keyboard and mouse, and Onyx Bluetooth speaker. I can connect to any resource on our network and any peripheral at my desk.​
​
Performance - I routinely have 4 or more Word/Excel documents open from the server at the same time, Outlook, OneNote, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, and from 4-6 Edge tabs (including Google search, Lexis, Texas State Bar legal research directory) open and running with no hiccups or lag. The performance is very little different from my HP Spectre x360 (late 2019). Am I doing Photoshop, AutoCAD, or Call of Duty - of course not. But when it's time to undock and head home, iTunes (just watched Lawrence of Arabia again), Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and YouTube all run like clockwork. Of course I stick to Edge because performance is better than Chrome with a lot less resource hogging, but I am pleased to report I haven't missed Chrome (my go to browser for years). The real secret is that when I am undocked, except for the small screen, I have my ENTIRE Windows environment on the go - basically a Surface Air.​
​
Is it a good tablet - no more so or less than an Android tablet (well, probably less game titles). Looking at it as a tablet only and benchmarking against the iPad is the big mistake . Apple has an insurmountable lead in tablet "apps" because of the ten year tuning of iOS hardware and software, and the insane focus they have relative to the rest of the computing world. Even Samsung and Amazon have failed to break that tablet stranglehold except at the lowest (near or sub $100 price point).​
​
I assume many here will dismiss this as an edge case, and I should at least have moved up to a Surface Pro 7, but I assure you I am not. Many Windows users, going back to the Toshiba Portege days, have wanted the lightest most compact device we can get, and WANT the one device solution - not a desktop/laptop/tablet juggling act. For those who sneer at that, please read Jim Seymour's article The Quest for the Least Computer in the March 29, 1988 issue of PC Magazine (didn't want to post links here - just Google it my friends) but he hit the nail on the head after listing all of shortcomings in the Toshiba T1000 (the first truly portable laptop PC):​
​
"All of that pales, however, every time I pick up the T1000 and smile as I wedge it into my carry-on bag. Because, simply put, it the Least Computer I've found that I am happy using. And at $750 to $800 (street price), it's an incredible bargain....'Worst computer, ' heck. If matching computing power to the task at hand is the name of the game, the T1000 is one of the best computers I've ever used."​
​
That "least computer" was a 6.5 lb bag cruncher by today's standards - and remarkably the street price in 1988 dollars was $800. I had one of those T1000's - it fell short as a desktop replacement - the Surface Go 2 does not for the majority of productivity workers.​


and a final video which sorta compliments the foregoing text.

Another Mistake? - Microsoft Surface Go 2 (o5/22/2020):​

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Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
BTW, I noted in the article linked below that Amazon links for pretty good pricing on 128 GB and 256GB Samsung Evo Select microSDXC cards for $18.99 and $33.99, respectively. There are cheaper cards but FWIW, we've had good experiences with this line. The range for this listing is $7.49 for 32GB to $94.99 for 512GB. I generally use the 256GB capacity - seems to be the sweet spot for me...

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
Interim update:
My "West Coast" trip had to be altered somewhat due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, etc., so it is not going exactly as planned. Hence, I apologize to those of you whom I had planned to stop and see. This trip was planned as a sort of "dry run" for a "Sept - Oct" trip to map out locations where we might stop for a few days and see some folks while enjoying some local flavor before casually moving on, but hopefully by Sept/Oct, things will be different. If that comes to pass, I'll be sure to ley you know in advance.​

Getting back to the topic of this thread, one thing I have found out from using the SG2 as my only PC for 2 weeks is that the 10.5" screen is too small for my use as a replacement for my regular PC desktop software routines. I am used to running desktop applications on either a 43" monitor on my desk (via DisplayPort) or an 85" UHD TV (via HDMI 2.x) on a wall approx . 10' away. The 43" monitor is a little large for my desk - my previous 40" was about right and the 85" looks about right (for me) at that distance. The main thing, however, is that I am used to having multiple applications open in their own "windows" and there is simply not enough room on a 10.5" screen for that (duh, LOL.) There is no problem with clarity, just size for some of my applications which were designed around much more screen space - for example, a huge spreadsheet seems painful to have to scroll around in. My applications run just fine on the device, but the screen is just too small for this type of application. This is not dissimilar to what I have seen in most appraisal software application "suites" - the Sales Comparison Analysis section can be compared to a spreadsheet, but it goes further than that. Most applications do not have the GUI controls to allow adequate scaling within the software itself so that you can control things better - you have to apply "global" scaling controls to compensate whereas it would be much better if the application itself would allow that.

That said, I have found that running various "browser-based apps" (vs. "legacy desktop applications ") has been far more satisfactory on the SG2's 10'5" screen. This is due to the "scalable" nature of the way browser environments are done. Not all "apps" are done with the specific ability to scale things within that app (vs. all apps), but is has been much better than trying to run legacy software suites designed primarily for larger (i.e. 20" and up) screens. Note that this is largely an "actual screen size" thing, not a resolution thing... I'm not surprised by this "revelation" - we've all seen this before, and I stand by my earlier comments about the SG2 being able to run most traditional software applications. That has absolutely been the case and please note that I have not even bothered to test any modern gaming software or other applications where it would be ridiculous to expect the SG2 to perform like a beastly desktop machine. Again, the point is, that I can run these applications while "in the field" (or "on the road" in my case) with the relatively minor inconvenience of having to scroll around on applications I had sized up for a ridiculously large monitor in the first place. Additionally, I'll note that I've been able to routinely connect up to every HDTV I've found in regular hotels (i.e. Holiday Inn Express, etc.), either wirelessly (ones recently remodeled) or via a regular USBC-to-HDMI cable in older hotels, and that solved my issue(s.) Again, showing that the main issue was my application settings and device screen size and not a resolution issue. The only other issue has been that it took me about a day to get used to the smaller keyboard and I started kicking myself for leaving my mouse in CA. But, that also wasn't so bad once I got more accustomed to using the built-in trackpad on the SG2 keyboard cover. I suspect those of you who are used to using trackpads will fare better than me in that regard. I'll also note that when I made a trip in our motorhome last year, I was struggling with trying to use a borrowed HP laptop with a 14' HD (1080P) screen until I hooked it up to one of the TVs...

All of this does not significantly impact a "pure fieldwork" (i.e. field inspection) scenario as the typical user is using applications designed for use in the field, not the desktop. Again, I note that most of the browser-based apps I have tried which have (to some extent) corresponding traditional software applications, fared much better - I believe by virtue of the browser "environment" and more contemporary design of the app itself. I'll note that some apps were "demo" versions as I do not have a legit license to use the full app, while others were licensed, but "limited scope" versions. The latter ones were limited in scope with respect to the amount/depth of the data but not the actual functionality except for one app which is still in "Beta"... An example of a "limited scope" app would be a field data collection app for a government agency using sample data vs. the entire database - imagine a county appraisal district where the typical appraiser is sent his daily/weekly/monthly properties for inspection vs. the entire county database. I guess it goes without saying that I did "more than occasional or casual" sketching, LOL. I guess I should note that my testing was not only on our own sketching programs, but with some others, as well. Of course, I prefer ours over others (and I picked up on a couple of issues I'll be correcting upon my return) but overall, I found that the use of the SG2 was significantly better than my previous experiences with the earlier model. Summarily, I believe I could say that it has gone from an overall "acceptable" a year ago with the SG1 "tethered" to my phone to "Good+" with the SG2, and "Great" when relegated to strictly browser-based apps.

So, has this experienced caused me to declare the SG2 to be my "dream device?" Heck no! Like most of you, I can't help but find things I wish were better. I'd like an 11" - 12" screen (which would make the keyboard larger), an true outdoor optimized anti-reflective screen, a "silo" for the pen, even thinner/lighter design (i.e. a light-colored SPX with an 11.5" screen), etc. that was even less money. I'm not very hopeful that we'll see the screen I desire (i.e. a modern version of the PixelQi technology, or similar), but I am still hopeful of other regular advances that will result in the other items in a future generation. But, for now, I am still sold on the SG2 as being the best-bang-for-the-buck field tablet for most users here who want to run their regular desktop software on occasion. I will, of course, be looking at other devices later on and comment accordingly.

I hope that this update finds you all safe & healthy and that the foregoing info has been helpful!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
Reading this article (https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-surface-fy20-q4-surface), it occurs to me that the recent spurt in my SG2 coverage might make some feel that other devices, perhaps those with broader appeal (?), aren't worthy of consideration. Hence, I just wanted to let you know that I am still following other Windows tablets. We've just not seen too many interesting new devices since the pandemic situation hit. There are a few, to be sure, and I aim to circle back on those devices and post on the more interesting ones soon. If anyone has a particular device they want more info on, let me know here or by PM.

-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
I noted that the Surface Pro 7 with Core i5, 8GB RAM & 128 GB SSD + included Type Cover is on sale for $782.32 at Amazon today. Not sure how long the sale is good for or anything on availability.

If the unit you want is out of stock at Amazon by the time you go there, I also noted that Microsoft has the identical bundle for $799 including free 2-3 day shipping...

Fortunately, these models are the "platinum" finish, which is far superior to the black finish IMHO :)

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
FWIW, I noted that Amazon is listing both the 128 GB and the 256 Gb microSD cards by Samsung for $18.99 (24% off) and $34.99 (30% off), respectively. I have purchased these exact cards for myself and office staff in the past and have found their performance to be top notch for their intended purpose - i.e. in an number of our tablets. If you need a great microSD card, I can recommend either of these as being a good value in this "sweet spot" with respect to capacity and $/GB. BTW, these cards come with an SD card adapter in case you want to use them in a camera, laptop or whatever...
​
Here's the link to page for the (preferred) 256 GB version - just select another size if that's what you want.:

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
/end/
 
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