Tablet Laptops

[skymama 37]

My dad needs a tablet laptop. He actually told me to make a post on here and ask you all what your opinions are of them! He's looking at the Motion brand. Anyone familiar with these or know of another brand that is good?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[DaMan 0]

Motion are used by nearly all the aviation software companies - pretty sturdy, but not easily upgraded.

Dell stamps their name on them too - we used several of them in our company for a while until we had issues with some software incompatibilities. For most users, they are a cool toy.

Hope that helps.
edit: added link for shopping

Z-Flock 8
Discotec Rodriguez

Too bad weapons grade stupidity doesn't lead to sterility.

[Slappie 9]

Something like this? Tablet PC

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[skymama 37]

Dunno, he just said a Motion one. I have never heard of it. He builds houses and needs to be able to take notes as he's walking around the houses with customers. His regular lappie doesn't work well for him that way, he doesn't type quickly enough. He walks around with a legal pad now, but finds it tedious to come back to the office and then type in his notes to the pc.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Slappie 9]

Wow skymama that's some cool shit. Motion PCs look pretty neat.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[airtwardo 7]

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Wow skymama that's some cool shit. Motion PCs look pretty neat.

***



Thanks for the link Slappie...I didn't even know what a TABLET PC was!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[LouDiamond 1]

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He builds houses and needs to be able to take notes as he's walking around the houses with customers.

If that is all he needs it for and he is on a construction site I would recommend he look at the Panasonic Tough book CF-18 model. It is small, rugged and the screen can be flipped around and laid flat and notes taken. I have been using/abusing one for the last 6 months and it has proven durable as well as functional.IMO, the slightly high price is worth not having your laptop/tablet break the first time you drop it or sit on it getting into the car.It's small size,light weight also makes it very convienient for carrying around in a back pack or slung across ones shoulder using the strap.

Review here

Panasonic site

tablet2pc

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[billvon 3,120]

I got a Motion Computing LS800 and it's a very nice little machine. Text entry is awkward without a keyboard, but they're easy enough to plug in. It comes with an RF stylus, so you can't lose it or the screen won't work. (So get extras if you get that machine.) Display works OK in sunlight, which is important for outside work. Not waterproof or ruggedized as the Toughbooks are, but pretty well built.

[airtwardo 7]

Just curious...did you get the 'basic' version, or the faster processor and larger memory version?


And comments on the units performance?


I was looking at a Dell, but that Tough-book looks more in line with what I want.

Looks to be in the mid 4 grand price range though...

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[LouDiamond 1]

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Just curious...did you get the 'basic' version, or the faster processor and larger memory version?

The one I have been using falls in the middle, not basic and not tricked out. I'd have to break it out to give you Specs. As for its performance, I have been nicely surprised by it. It handles pretty much everything I have asked it to do without issue. The touch screen is nice since you don't have to use the provided stylus to manipulate the screen, you can use your finger if need be. The graphics are good as I have used a very image intensive moving map/GPS program with it in the car and it is the heat.The only thing that some may not like is the slightly small keyboard. If you plan on writing your thesis on it, you may want to look at a bigger toughbook or another tablet. However, I found that for average Word/Excel docs,typing in general, its not too bad. If you want to edit large photos using PS, it may not give you the blazing speed of other laptops but it is capable of doing it.

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Looks to be in the mid 4 grand price range though...

I hear you. However if you are in an environment where you need a durable tablet, light weight and easy to use then the money would be well spent. I honestly don't think any other tablet on the market could have stood up to the conditions I have put the CF-18 through either on purpose or accident. So either buy a less durable tablet now and expect to use it for awhile before it breaks or buy one you know will last even after you drop it repeatedly.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[skymama 37]

Oh thanks for posting, he was really glad to hear that someone actually used one. He said he wants a slate style instead of a hinged style (like the Powerbook) because he thinks he'll break the hinges. Knowing him, he's probably right.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[LouDiamond 1]

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because he thinks he'll break the hinges.

On the Toughbook, I'd have to say he would have to intentionaly try to break the hinge for it to break. The Toughbook name is well deserved, they are really durable.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[skymama 37]

Now you've confused him. He thought he wanted the Motion. He thought the Toughbook was a lot heavier. He's still wondering if it is worth the extra cost for the Toughbook.

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[AggieDave 6]

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He's still wondering if it is worth the extra cost for the Toughbook.

I use a Toughbook daily with my job. Its definately tough, its a decent laptop. Now I'm sure Scott is more abusive to his then I am to mine, but so far I'm impressed with what its able to put up with. The one I have is also a touch screen, I haven't looked to see if they are all touch screen. I'm amazed at how much abuse that screen alone can put up with. You'll find yourself taping other computer screens b/c you got used to a touch screen.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[airtwardo 7]

So either buy a less durable tablet now and expect to use it for awhile before it breaks or buy one you know will last even after you drop it repeatedly.


***

I'm going to go take a look at them Sunday.

That is the question...just 'how' tough am I going to be on it and will the extra bucks actually payoff in the long run.

The basic model may be a bit underpowered for what I need, it sounds like the 'old' laptop I have now as far as memory and speed...what you describe as having is what I want.

Hummmm!


Thanks for the info!

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[Icon134 0]

I'll put another plug in for the toughbooks... those things can take so much crap and they just keep on ticking...

I've not used the tablet versions but I have used some of their other systems and they are very nice...

Scott

Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife...

[Deuce 1]

My preferred home inspector uses the Toughbook. It's very tough and he probably uses it in a similar way that your dad would.

A super cool accessory is the HP 460 wireless (bluetooth) portable printer. I use mine when I'm in the field to print contracts and real estate listings with pictures. It's super convenient when there are contract revisions that require client's signatures. Just e-mail the forms to the laptop, download the attachments and print them with the 460. It is a huge time saver when the client is a long drive.

I've attached a picture of it docked. I'm getting really used to having two screens, and when it's docked it's just as fast and capable as most desktops, but I always have my stuff with me.

He's going to really like it if he does a similar setup.