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Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

I noticed that the SG3 with Core i3, 8 GB RAM and 128 GB SSD is selling for just under $580 (~680 w/4G LTE), which is a much better deal than paying ~$560 for the lesser model with the Pentium Gold CPU, only 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of eMMMC storage. As you remember, for a Windows Tablet, I have found the Surface Go products to suit me well. If I were getting one, I would gladly pay the extra $100 to get it with 4G LTE capability if I were using it in the field (vs. as a home-bound little tablet where Wi-Fi would be the choice of internet connectivity of course.) My personal units were always the "Business" version which came with a 256 GB SSD but to be fair, I've never used even 40% of that SSD and I always keep a hefty microSD card on-board, so for most people (including me!) the 128 GB "consumer" model shown below is the more practical model - i.e. a better buy IMHO.

Unfortunately, the one with 4G LTE only appears to be available in black. I always prefer the lighter "Platinum" color, but then I always put a case on mine, so maybe the color is not that important (?)

FWIW, even with the additional capabilities of something like an iPad or Android Tablet, if you need or just prefer to have something that can run your legacy apps natively while still using on-line or browser-based apps (on-line or off-line), I believe something like the SG3 is the more practical device since you can run those on-line/browser-based via your favorite browser too. There are some ancillary (but important?) apps only available on an iPad, for example, so if those are most important to you, the SG3 may not be the best single Tablet for you. While traveling and doing various field-based operations, I use both Surface devices (various models) and an iPad. I simply use the best tool (for me) for the job at hand...

Hope this helps!


-Randall Garrett-
/end/
 
Hey folks - sorry for the lack of posts. I am traveling again with limited opportunity for connectivity. Anyway, for those using an SG1 or SG2, I noticed the article linked below which says that MS has released a firmware update which addresses a problem that I've never noticed - that is, for a "No Bootable Device" error. I don't have either of those devices with me ATM so I can't install it to see what effect is has on those devices, but if you have an SG1 or SG2 and believe this firmware patch would be of benefit to you, here is a link to the article with the embedded link.

Hope this helps!

+Randall Garrett+
/end/
 
Side note: I plan to purchase a new SP9 w/5G - the one with the ARM CPU - for my "go to" travel device. This is the new gen replacement for the SPX. In the configuration I would order, it will run about $200 more than the Core i5 model (16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) which, for me, is plenty for travel duties. I have found that my "maxxed out" Surface Laptop Studio is simply too big/brawny/bulky for convenience with the sort of travel we mostly do now. I've enjoyed my SPX devices and am glad that there is a more competent model now, so I'll sell or trade in my other devices and gladly just pay the difference (if any.) Anyway, I'll let you all know how well the device works, given the various scenarios I'll subject it to.

BTW, I've promised my wife that I'll clean out my "tech closet" and get rid of some equipment I'll never use. Included may be a few older tablets, some older Disto's, etc. I don't want to sell them so I aim to give them to whomever really wants them. I'll make sure they are still operable and in the case of tablets, that the system has been "wiped", etc. All I would ask is that you pay for shipping (UPS ground, or whatever.) I'm posting this message here, in advance of a dedicated post) because I'd rather you folks get the first chance rather than the other forum readers. Look for a message on this topic HERE in a few days.

Best wishes to all!

-Randall Garrett-
/end/
 
I noted that one of my favorite case manufacturers, UAG, has announced offerings for the Surface Pro 9. The retail prices range from $49.95 - $109.95. I will likely get the one for "Healthcare" since is it a light grey & white (not a fan of black devices, etc.) and it is 0.63 lbs. vs. 1.09 lbs. for the black model (which is also $10 less.) One bright spot is that even their lowest cost case has provision for a neck/shoulder strap. The strap itself, however, does not seem to be available as an add-on via their store, but I suppose it'll either come in the future or you'd just use a 3rd party one. The top two items ("Plasma" cases) are the ones with an included neck/shoulder strap as well as a hand strap which allows for 360 degree rotation... You can check them out at the link below. I am on the list for being notified when they are available and will post that here once I am notified.


Hope this helps!


+Randall Garrett+
/end/
 
My apologies folks - I am remiss in not following up on my excess gear. We had a call from my son & daughter-in-law, needing us to fly out to California to do a babysitting thing for our grandkids while they flew to TX for a wedding. We just got back in late last night and we're leaving on another trip to Barcelona tomorrow. Hence, I did not get a chance to really inventory my tech closet. I will be in TX for almost a whole month mid-November to mid-December and I aim to get it done then. Again, my apologies...

+Randall Garrett+
/end/
 
EddieC said:
I too have been looking into making the transition to windows 8 tablets. I currently use Wintotal and sync my field work with my android tablet. Would like to have a full version of my software at the field and not have to use toy apps. Still don't know if Wintotal or apex "currently" works with windows 8 or not. Been looking around in this forum but haven't found a definitive answer. I'm sure if they don't now...they will soon. I believe this is the future of appraising and all the other os will eventually fade. I was looking into the Surface pro also but am liking better the Asus transformer book because of the full size keyboard/dock. I envision myself working at my office as a laptop with full size Bluetooth keyboard/monitor and mouse via usb's. Then detaching just the tablet for my inspections in the field.
Click to expand...
A good workaround is if your tablet/mobile PC has wifi / internet access; you can use a program like GotoMyPC and "mobile access" your desktop directly from the field -> create/process your report from the field as if you were working from your desk
 
BTW, & FWIW, I have been testing a couple of new devices from two different manufacturers. I was fortunate enough to have access to an 8" & two different 10.3" devices that were very (!) light and were not very expensive, either - especially considering how well they performed. The units I was using were all pre-production units and there are some tweaks underway but even so, they did very well in my "typical inspection-type scenarios" tests. I liked them well enough to purchase retail units for myself.

I hope to see some of them available before the end of the year, but who knows how "supply issues'" will come into play... Once I get units you can actually purchase, I'll share the pertinent info. In the interim, I have a request pending to publish a few pics and if/when I am allowed to do so, I will attempt to do some side-by-side shots with other tablets you may already be familiar with - Surface, iPad, etc. These units seem to be well suited for inspection work because they feature an improvement to a particular type of tech that may pleasantly surprise you, but I'll say that they are not well suited for watching videos or playing games so keep an open mind ;-) Also, I have word that Lenovo is offering a somewhat similar unit overseas, but there is no word if they will offer it to the North American market. Based on the specs alone, I don't know if they can offer theirs inexpensively enough to be very competitive with these more generic units, but I have long favored Lenovo tablets for their quality, if not their prices ;-)

More info to follow when I have permission (or if someone else leaks it first, LOL) ...


+Randall Garrett+
/end/
 
Update: Rec'd a retail version running on Android 11 (No word on when it might be updated to the current version.) Still no word on other models, incl. an 8" version :-( They are saying the 8" version I have ordered is not even due until March, 2023. I hope it sneaks out earlier than that and that the existing 8" of the other one will come before that...

On this one, the weight is seems heavier than it actually weighs. It's about the weight of a 20.2" iPad but 10.6% thinner. Anyway, it "feels" heavier than the iPad, but the scale says otherwise... I am going to load up some stuff to test and will let you know. An Android version may be better for most since you have ready access to existing inspection apps that mate up with your existing full appraisal suites. What is your opinion?

Upon first glance (not even charged up yet as I was anxious to boot it up, LOL) the camera on this one appears to be tailored for document scanning - shows to have save as image, save as PDF and OCR controls in that app. Initial "Home Screen" is a little strange to me, but I'll need to play with it some more to see if it can be changed up and if so, to what extent. I'm expecting this to have phenominal battery life as compared to other tablets since the screen tech is designed for ultra low power consumption...

Whether or not this is a significant device for you folks remains to be seen. More info as I use it over the next 1 - 2 weeks...


+Randall Garrett+
/end/
 
FWIW, I am back in TX for most of this month.

While doing some follow-up light research on e-GPU issues with Windows 11, I ran across this handy little item, for you MS Surface users. I ended up ordering one for my SLS. Also noted they have one for the Surface Go as well as for the Dell XPX 13 2-in-1, HP Spectre/Elitebook x360 13 and the Lenovo Yoga/ThinkPad 13 Lenovo Yoga. They range from ~$40 - ~$60 + any accessories you may desire. Mine ran $84.98 ($59.99 + 2 x $5 + $14.99 for accessories) as I may want to experiment a little by using an additional cooling fan, my existing Surface Dock 2 and/or orient the SLS in Landscape mode (or not, LOL)... I would imagine most of you would be in the $34.99 - $39.99 range.

Best to just check out the links below to see about this item.

Video:

Web site: https://www.verticaldocks.com/category/vertical-docks

Hope this helps!

+Randall Garrett+

PS - FWIW, I am back in TX for most of this month. and only away for the first half of February.
/end/
 
Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know about the special laptop I was using while abroad. The info on the tablets will have to wait (per NDA stuff)… With this 2-in-1 laptop, I ran afoul of my benefactor's good graces when I took off with it on a trip without their consent. I really didn't know I had to ask – pretty sure I'm, gonna have to make amends somehow if I ever expect to be able to get any favors again :-\

I'll give you my summary thoughts for now and leave a more detailed report for later. Once you see the item show in the video below, you'll see a reason I would like such a thing. The video is a generic one by Tom’s Hardware – I thought it was the best one that was short and to the point. Unfortunately ALL of the reviews I've seen completely miss the reason I think this tech (and especially the upcoming ones) would be attractive to those who do inspection work outdoors. This 2-in-1 laptop has a color OLED for "normal" indoor work and a color e-ink screen on the reverse side (the video shows how it works.) If you've ever used a "Kindle" outdoors, you know that e-ink gets more visible when exposed to bright light (i.e. direct/indirect sunlight) making it so you can actually see what you're doing outdoors. The reviewers are all claiming that the benefit of the e-ink screen is the battery savings. That is something nice, for sure, but for me, the main thing is the outdoor visibility! I’ll look for any videos that show it in an outdoor scenario. I already have permission to show the tablet(s) once they are ready to announce that it is shipping…

As I mentioned in earlier posts, I am also using a few tablets, and as you may have gathered, they also have e-ink screens. These types of screens are not for watching movies (though with the new generations (more on that later), you can – it just wouldn’t be your first choice. Most e-ink screens appear faded when compared to OLEDS and even crappy LCD screens, and do not have fast refresh rates. They are, however, fast enough for productivity work, especially when in the field. As I have used them in various field inspection scenarios, they work great. It’s nice that there is some level of color in this screen, but it is not spectacular. I will say, however, that one of my tablets has a color screen that looks vastly superior – I’ll be able to provide some links to other reviews on that new screen tech soon. That said, the newer “regular” color and b&w screens are getting much faster - some are much faster, which I will demonstrate when I can. I thought my tablets were faster, but the Lenovo was fast enough for my work purposes and I'm pretty certain I was not running the latest firmware and OS tweaks. When inside doing regular "laptop" stuff, the OLED it the way to go :-) Pretty sure you’ll be seeing some actual usage videos on the Lenovo soon and you’ll be able to judge for yourselves. Just remember, you don’t need 60 or 120fps when you are inspecting properties and TBH, there are only a few instances where color really can help – primarily if your software highlights errors, etc. in a color to make it obvious that you have an issue to deal with. Again, the main things for these screens is the visibility and the increased battery life.

Anyway, back to this 2-in-1 laptop. If I didn’t already have so many other “niche” devices, this is one I would consider for my mobile desktop and field inspections duty. Being a 2-in-1, it is, of course, obviously larger & heavier than an outright tablet. Nevertheless, IF I was looking to replace my several devices with a single device, I would be very tempted to get this laptop.

Didn’t mean to drone on and on (again, LOL) so here is the video and I’m sure you can find out more info as the days and weeks pass by now that all the information embargos have been lifted.

Lenovo ThinkBook Twist:

Hope this helps!


+Randall Garrett+
/end/
 
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