I have been following a thread over at JLC
http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24524
dealing with file organization. The poster “Chris P” has piqued my interest in pursuing a versatile on-site computing system. As of now, I only have a desktop.
My goal is to be able to modify contracts, complete change orders, schedule appointments, and do light estimating, all from a portable package. I’m sure a PDA could not handle all of these functions, but would a tablet PC be a reasonable compromise between a PDA and laptop?
If anybody has any recommendations or advice about table PC’s I would greatly appreciate you sharing it.
Jon Blakemore
Replies
"My goal is to be able to modify contracts, complete change orders, schedule appointments, and do light estimating, all from a portable package. I'm sure a PDA could not handle all of these functions..."
How sure are you? The current crop of PDAs have Excel and Word (or similar, depending on the vendor), as well as calendar functions for scheduling.
I'm not. Would the smaller screen size be a hurdle?
Jon Blakemore
I think it would work fine for many things Jon. I use an older Ipaq, and even so it handles Excel, Pocket Word, Tasks and Calendar functions and runs a GPS as well...
Having never really used a PDA, I'm left wondering if the screen size would be large enough. Can you view a good chunk of a spreadsheet without scrolling all day?
Jon Blakemore
Well my screen is relatively small but you drag the spreadsheets around so I doubt you'd find it all that annoying. I'd stop in Circuit City or the like and test drive one, I find mine a huge asset...
For me it would be a hurdle - I like to see most or all of a page at once. Unfortunately, bigger screens don't fit in one's pocket, so you might end up using them less. So it is up to you to find the balance between portability and utility that will work for you personally.
Check out the attached PDF. This industrialized tablet is cheaper than most full blown tablet PCs on the market, comes with a vehicle mount and keyboard and can even be used as a desktop thin client attached to a network. Pop in a wireless WAN card and you can connect anywhere through cellular.
It runs on either Windows XP Embedded or CE.Net, so you can use browser based apps if needed.
You can even view CAD docs and other drawings in the field or have them sent via the wireless connection. I think I have some shots of this thing in the field on a construction site as well as mounted in a truck if you're interested.
Edited 11/10/2004 12:23 pm ET by pino
I'm interested.
How much?
Jon Blakemore
I did a quick check and with a wireless radio I think this thing runs around $1800.
The vehicle mount actually has a keyboard option as well , instead of the on screen keyboard. The tablet slides out of the vehicle mount to become a handheld tablet and pops right into a desktop mount as well. Thus this thing goes from desktop to vehicle to hand held with ease.
Here are a couple of pics I found.
Thanks for the legwork, Pino.
Do you have any experience using this thing or were you just shooting promotional literature for the co.?
Also, re: the desktop mount, is this like a docking station for a laptop with full size keyboard, expansion slots, etc?
Edit: I got your PM. Will respond.
Jon Blakemore
Edited 11/10/2004 5:23 pm ET by Jon Blakemore
I just produce the propaganda Jon. I have no experience using this unit. They can give you more details about the desktop mount, although it is not a full fledged dock but rather a stand for the tablet that also contains connection ports.
Not to show my ignorance, but if the OS is embedded can you update it if needed?
Thats a good question and I don't know the answer.. I know an embedded OS can be either ROM based or disk based. I think an embedded OS is somewhat stripped down from the full OS version, removing things that add to the computing overhead. But that is just a guess.
I believe an OS upgrades are done via Flash media or some type of network connection.
Edited 11/10/2004 1:39 pm ET by pino
I'd have to think that updating from a network connection would be a horror show just due to the size. My only hesitation when I see these dedicated systems is the updating/upgrading issues. I've been burned too many times, even with things like laptops that have proprietary hardware or accessories.
If you want to go the hardened PC route, you might look at Cyber Research in Branford CT. They're customers of mine and make some really sweet stuff, not sure about tablet style but I bet you would find them to have much more open architecture...
Edited 11/10/2004 1:46 pm ET by PaulB
I think the PDA's are good for doing small stuff like tracking time, mileage, making todo lists/punch lists, sceduleing and appointments, etc. But I think that the screen size would be a hinderance if you want to do much with changing contracts and documents that would fill an 11.5"x8.5" page.
Why not go with a laptop? Is price and/or portability a factor? I think that you can get a cheaper one for ~$900. What are PDA's go for now?? $400???? Heck, go and get both, they both are another tool.
m2akita
I think I will go with the laptop/PDA combo. I was hoping that a tablet could effectively replace/combine both, but I think there would be too many compromises.
Anyone have any good recommendations on PDA's?
Jon Blakemore
Love my Ipaq, it's my third and a couple years old now. I've had friends buy the newer Ipaqs and been very pleased as well...
Jon:
I just purchased a tablet PC a couple months ago and I like it A LOT! The ability to input via pen has helped my record keeping 100%. No more stray sheets of yellow paper blowing around the truck cab.
I picked up a scanner at BBuy for <$100 that is powered through the USB cable. I scan in shop drwgs, faxes, etc for immediate reference.
The whole setup did set me back over 3K, I wavered for quite a while, but it has been _very_ worth the money.
Somebody mentioned upgrades - the first time my machine was on the network it upgraded the win version within just a few minutes.
I dont remember the model number, Its a Motion brand with their 'view anywhere' screen which you need in order to look at the thing in the truck or outside.
calvin.
Calvin,
I've pretty much settled on a laptop for now with a PDA to soon follow. The laptop for estimating, accountint, contracts, etc.; and the PDA for day to day scheduling, writing notes, etc.
Do you think this combo would work for me? You mentioned using your tablet for the things that I will plan to use a PDA for. Do you think the smaller screen size will hinder me or could I achieve the same results you do?
Jon Blakemore
Jon,
Im sure you will do this but be sure to check out the screen sizes of the various PDA's that your considering. They will ( or at least did) vary in actual viewable/ usable screen size. I believe on some of the PDA's you can switch from portrait to landscape view. I think a lot of them have handwriting recognition software built in ( if not you can order one, try http://www.handango.com/home.jsp?siteId=1).
When you do get one, I would also recommend getting a hard shell/case for it. Company called rhino skin has some that look pretty nice.
You might want to check out ebay for the PDA's. Pick one up there a little cheaper, kinda use it for a test drive to see if you'll actually use it.
Good luck and keep us posted on what you end up with and how well it works.
-m2akita
Jon:
Are you trying to replace your desktop?? If so you may be on the right track because the tablet screen is a little small for extended acct or estimating work. But if you plan on keeping the DT, then I would still shy away from the PDA. I tried a PDA a couple years ago and never really used it much. The 'special' alphabet, writing o n e l e t t e r at a time, and the tiny screen turned me off I guess.
I would bet that you will take many more notes writing directly into/onto a screen that is about the size of a standard clipboard. More detailed notes = more accurate billing = more profit
Mine came with a USB keyboard that I use when at home or at the office. The case is made so it props the tablet up, kybrd on the flat, just like viewing a regular laptop.
Check it out at http://www.infocater.com
calvin.
Yes, I am trying to replace my desktop. As far as I know, the only practical differences between a laptop and desktop are price and screen size.
Like I said I will use my laptop as my main machine but I could see the benefit of a PDA for notes and day to day stuff. I especially am attracted by the PDA's that are also cell phones and cameras. Their pricey but I think I could really do a lot with one of those and it would reduce the number of things I had to carry around.
Jon Blakemore
Jon, a few more comments from the peanut gallery if you don't mind...
1) don't buy a PDA on ebay. You'll hear some people say they had no problem doing that - I don't doubt it, that's why I own stock in Ebay and buy many things there. But you don't wan to buy a PDA on Ebay. I own a Dell Axim X3 (a wonderful PDA if I may say so). One day it just wouldn't fire up, very bizarre. I work at a company with great I.T. guys - and they also feel the Dell Axims are the best by the way - and they couldn't get it to work. I called Dell, they gave me a return # and the VERY NEXT DAY I had a new Dell Axim in my hand. You won't get that sort of service through an Ebay reseller. If you were a college student messing around with a PDA buying on Ebay is fine, but not for a guy that makes his living with one.
2) Talk to MANY people before thinking about buying a cell phone with a camera built in. Frankly, the pictures suck. Either because the pixel quality is very poor or - more likely - because the lenses get scratched up VERY easily on a cell phone camera. Invest a few hundred bucks and get a separate camera.
- Rob
Jon, I've been a road warrior for much of the last ten years and have used a variety of PDA's. If I were you I wouldn't even consider them for what you're thinking. Yes they can run Word, etc. (and in my opinion the best operating system is POCKET PC) but their field functionality is severely limited. If you want to read a spreadsheet that adds up 2 + 2 to see that it equals 4, then it will work fine. Other than that it's like having you-know-what on a boar.
I don't know much about tablet PC's but I haven't heard great things about them. You might want to look up PC magazine online and check out some of their articles on it. If I were you I'd just buy a decent laptop - you can get rugged versions these days.
- Rob
DW switched to a laptop a few months back. Thing is that she has yet to use it anywhere but on her desk!
Sooooo, evidently there's some new habits that need to be cultivated in order to get the full benefit.
I wouldn't buy a PDA. My reasoning is that an inexpensive laptop costs about the same as a top of the line PDA and is easier to use and does more. That said, I'm still desktop bound.
You're unique! Just like everyone else! Scott Adams
The other advantage to a laptop is that, if you have Wi-Fi in your home, you can sit anywhere (even on the can I suppose) and do your work. We're going to have it installed in our new home and I can't wait.
- Rob