Windows Tablets For Fieldwork

[Randall Garrett]

@Chris Wagoner - Sent you a PM

+Randall Garrett+
TX
/end/

 

[Randall Garrett]

BTW, and FWIW, I read via the article linked below that Amazon has the 2024 Surface Pro with 13" screen, 16GB RAM and 256 GB nVME storage (easily user upgradeable) on sale for $899 TODAY if you have an Amazon Prime account. Note that this device uses the Snapdragon X Elite. In my experience (and remember I am no longer an active Real Estate Appraiser running "Full Suite Appraisal software" which can be bloated IMHO) so I understand some may be skeptical of whether this can run their software. Based on my own experiences running such software adequately (all factors considered) on earlier devices with lesser CPU editions, I would think the newer upper end Snapdragon X Elite CPUs should perform very well for a light Windows Tablet.

So, how would you be able to find out how it handles your particular workload?

As most of you know, Amazon allows for full price refunds for 30 days for typical devices such as this if they are not damaged, etc. So, if you really want to "try before you buy" and are willing to follow the rules and spend the time loading up your software and representative data, etc., you can give it a whirl and see if this device fills a niche for you. Lately, I have been taking advantage of this policy whenever I am curious enough to (temporarily?) fork out the dough via credit card, patiently wait overnight (LOL), respectfully unwrap and store the original packaging, load things up in a manner representative of my expected usage and then put it though it's paces. IF it satisfies enough, I'll probably keep it. If not, I wrap it up, go to Amazon and fill out the refund request, print the label, etc., etc., etc. and then drop it off at a local UPS store. If I was still living "way out in the sticks, I'd pay the small price to have UPS come pick it up. Easy, IMHO. Note that I don't do this "willy-nilly" - even though I am retired now, my time is still very valuable to me, so I only do this when going to a local shop (i.e. Best Buy, or similar) isn't really appropriate - e.g. they obviously won't let you load up a device with your own data and then walk around outside long enough to really test it...

The 2024 Surface Pro may not fit your particular needs/desires, and we already know that they have announced even faster Snapdragon CPUs due soon, but they will obviously be much more expensive, so I'm posting this "try before you buy" recommendation for those who are curious enough to see if it might be a BB4TB (Best Bang For The Buck) device.

Article: https://www.windowscentral.com/hard...ss-than-an-ipad-pro-only-for-amazon-prime-day

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXKXNNPX?tag=realestatappraat


[Edit] I forgot to mention that the smaller 12" version in "Platinum" color (which FWIW, I personally prefer over Black, which get warmer in TX) with the "regular" Snapdragon X Plus (Article and Purchase links below) for $649 TODAY if you have an Amazon Prima account. Of course, it is somewhat lighter, the CPU is not clocked as high, and the storage is the slower UFS variety, but when I tested this model against my earlier Snapdragon devices, it handily outran them when running regular appraisal apps "back in the day." The model with a 512 GB SSD is $848.88 but only you can decide if it is worth the upcharge... (Old "pack rat appraiser" habits die hard, LOL.)

Article: https://www.windowscentral.com/hard...t-price-ever-just-usd649-for-amazon-prime-day

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZ4NT67T?tag=realestatappraat

Hope this helps!


+Randall Garrett+
TX

[PS] - Sorry to make this post so long, but I thought I'd point to an article from June, 2025 regarding a "Final" review of the Surface Pro 12 in which the author correctly (IMHO) points out some of his observations after doing more extensive testing. If you are interested in either of the two items above, I believe the points made should be considered before making a purchase.

Article: https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface-pro/surface-pro-12inch-review-2025

/end/

 

[cashcatz]

Surfacebook that can run full Windows is great (wife loves hers). But skip the Surface tablet and get an iPad with LiDar (software written for iOS is an order of magnitude better than anything for Windows tablet or Android tablet). Price/cost is really not that important for these types of devices - capabilities are.

 

[Randall Garrett]

I do not agree with the opinions stated above as if they were fact, but I'll touch on that later...

[Please note - Folks are, of course, welcome to their opinions as well as constructive criticism but this thread focuses on Windows Tablets and "2-in-1's" suitable for people who want to run their full suite of Windows-based appraisal software while in the field.]

"Back in the day" I polled the users here whether or not we should expand into Android and iOS devices, and the result was "No." Since the use of non-Windows devices has risen so dramatically, would folks like to jump into a thread here on AF with a thread similar to this one (focused on Android/iOS devices) or maybe just add them to this thread? It is already the most widely visited thread on this sub-forum, and in the past I've been able to request a name change to keep the title better focused, so I'd imagine Wayne (or whomever it is now) would agree. Nobody really goes back to the early posts - we all just look at the most current, so I see no barrier to user convenience with such a change. Perhaps we should start a new thread? Should I do a formal poll here?

Let me know your thoughts. My sole goal is to help provide information which suits your needs.


+Randall Garrett+
TX
/end/

 

[cashcatz]

I do not agree with the opinions stated above as if they were fact, but I'll touch on that later...

[Please note - Folks are, of course, welcome to their opinions as well as constructive criticism but this thread focuses on Windows Tablets and "2-in-1's" suitable for people who want to run their full suite of Windows-based appraisal software while in the field.]

"Back in the day" I polled the users here whether or not we should expand into Android and iOS devices, and the result was "No." Since the use of non-Windows devices has risen so dramatically, would folks like to jump into a thread here on AF with a thread similar to this one (focused on Android/iOS devices) or maybe just add them to this thread? It is already the most widely visited thread on this sub-forum, and in the past I've been able to request a name change to keep the title better focused, so I'd imagine Wayne (or whomever it is now) would agree. Nobody really goes back to the early posts - we all just look at the most current, so I see no barrier to user convenience with such a change. Perhaps we should start a new thread? Should I do a formal poll here?

Let me know your thoughts. My sole goal is to help provide information which suits your needs.


+Randall Garrett+
TX
/end/

Keep in mind that all the upcoming site inspection apps are going to be optimized for Apple iOS devices which have superior chips for AI and really well integrated LiDar.

 

[Randall Garrett]

Keep in mind that all the upcoming site inspection apps are going to be optimized for Apple iOS devices which have superior chips for AI and really well integrated LiDar.

Thanks! Yes, I have been and are still personally & professionally well versed in that, but it still does not change the fact that this is (presently) a Windows Field Devices thread, and that the LiDar functionality (presumably for sketching/area calculation, etc.) is critical is your opinion, not fact.

It is my opinion that it's not all that great and if it is real interest here I'll get into that later. If you and or others think differently, that's fine, but again these are opinions, not facts and are not the subject of this thread.
No offense meant.

+Randall Garrett+
TX
/end/

 

[Vermonter]

Thanks! Yes, I have been and are still personally & professionally well versed in that, but it still does not change the fact that this is (presently) a Windows Field Devices thread, and that the LiDar functionality (presumably for sketching/area calculation, etc.) is critical is your opinion, not fact.

It is my opinion that it's not all that great and if it is real interest here I'll get into that later. If you and or others think differently, that's fine, but again these are opinions, not facts and are not the subject of this thread.
No offense meant.

+Randall Garrett+
TX
/end/

The initial question here was from 2012. A lot has changed since. Windows tablets have gone from 7.5% market share in 2013 to 0.01% in 2025. Currently IOS is at 50.45% with Android right behind at 49.37%.

Tablet Operating System Market Share Worldwide | Statcounter Global Stats

This graph shows the market share of tablet operating systems worldwide based on over 5 billion monthly page views.

gs.statcounter.com

Windows tablets appear to be going the way of the Dodo

 

[cashcatz]

Windows tablets appear to be going the way of the Dodo

Yep, we bought one - they (Android tablets) are hot garbage. The software written for them is generally half-assed and atrocious vs iOS (not talking about the underlying OS, but 3rd party apps)