Tablets for Field Crew

Just be sure IT DOES NOT RUN "WINDOWS RT."

It might look and smell like windows 8, but it isn't.

None of the software that you want will run under Windows RT.

Most of the full windows tablets on the market are based on an Atom processor, which will not do the heavy computational work you need. The Surface is one of the few that features an i5 or i7. The rub is that the i-series tablets don't have GPS built in typically, only the Atom machines.

Personally I would look at something like the Sony Vaio 2-in-1. Goes from tablet to laptop and has the processing power to do what you need.

> Just curious......have you made this transition yet for your crew/crews and if so...what would you recommend (brand and Model)?? Thanx ahead of time.

Haven't done it, but have thought about it. If/when we do it we will probably be using Remote Desktop rather than running software on the tablet itself. That way they'll be sure to have access to everything in the field that they have in the office (including all the project files).

A buddy of mine has bought tablets for his field crews. They use them for taking pictures, and for looking at PDF's from the office thru their email.

He said it works pretty good for them.

As far as the real processing info, I would think a laptop would be much better suited for that.

We have Motion Tablets.

It's a field computer as well as a data collector.
We run Trimble SPS on them.:stakeout:

We have the Surface tablets for our field crews. They connect with a mi-fi unit,and are using dropbox to swap files back and forth - field to office to field. Being able to send a PDF that field crews can see in field helps, and our crews are also able to fill out their time sheets (Vision). We're expanding how these can be used to help streamline the time field crews need to spend in the office, and cut down on the trips crews need to make to the office each week.