I am looking at getting a field tablet. Which one would you recommend and why?
I really want a tablet that has:
GPS (for tracking routes and waypoints and for navigation)
One that I can install Traverse PC and Trimble Buiness Center
Must be able to store pdf files and jpegs
Needs to have Bluetooth
What have you found works best for you?
Looking for one around 7 to 10 tenths. Don't want to carry a laptop but would like something bigger then a smart phone.
Thanks
I'm pretty happy with my tablet, but prior to recommending, I am a little uncertain that is what you need. Maybe you know about these things more than I do.
To the best I can tell, these things called "tablets" are akin to the droid phones and have android operating systems. The software for them they seem to label "apps" and not programs. I think the line is more and more blurred between "computers" and "tablets" and "software programs" and "apps". I have never heard of a "trimble business center" app. I think you might be looking for something that is still known as a computer. (be it a "laptop" or a "notebook", but not sure you can get one that is tablet-size).
While shopping for a laptop for my wife I asked the salesman about the little computers that release off of their keyboards and he indicated that those were still closer to a tablet with a keyboard than a full-fledged computer.
Maybe some of the more knowledgeable guys here will be able to clarify, but I was thrown for a bit of a loop when you indicated you wanted to be able to use TBC.
I don't know if this has to do why you haven't got any other responses yet, but I just thought I would share my limited understanding of tablets vs. computers.
Edit: I see wendell responded while I was typing. I know nothing about computers compared to him, so go with his thoughts over mine any day in this regard.
> Maybe some of the more knowledgeable guys here will be able to clarify, but I was thrown for a bit of a loop when you indicated you wanted to be able to use TBC.
Me too.
I'm pretty sure that you are going to need something running Windows in order to be running TBC. You will also need a USB port to stick the dongle in. That puts you into the Microsoft Surface category, at least, which may be above your budget.
Good recommendation. The OP also needs to watch the processor/OS. To run TPC/TBC an Intel processor (not Atom) will be needed along with full Windows (not RT). A Surface Pro with a USB GPS may be the way to go. We've had a Surface for about 9mo, other than it's weight (2lb) and Win8 (which I hate) it's a very capable machine. Snap on a keyboard and USB mouse and you have a laptop.
I would not buy gaggle anything..... jmho they collect more data than the NSA.
Recently had to purchase a new computer as well. I had thought about the surface pro but was told that I would need the surface pro 2 in order to install regular computer programs such as my LDD 2004 (which you would need to buy an external cd drive). It runs full version of Windows 8 not the tablet version. I opted to just by a laptop for 500 less. I have an iPad mini that satisfies my tablet fix.
Matt
My bad, I missed the part about TBC. You certainly couldn't do that with a Nexus 7.
Sounds like you want a Microsoft Surface Pro 2. The beauty of this device is that it's both a tablet and a laptop, if you get the optional keyboard.
Haha Ok I was thinking of a tablet like the Trimble Yuma 2 (a rugged tablet that is very much like a laptop). Just wondering if there is anything like the Yuma that you use and like, or if you have a Yuma and like it.
Hi,
May you try http://www.handheld-us.com/regions/us/algiz-10x.asp.
TBC, LDD or similar are quite heavy applications, but I hope it can run on Algiz 10x or it's many alternative software for field tasks.
I just bought an Algiz 10x, but haven't got it yet. A bit pricey, but had about every feature I was looking for. I plan to use it for Data Collection and combo field cad, etc, pretty much everything I have on my desktop, laptop, and data collector, so I hope it works out. The main issue I am concerned about is lack of a keyboard, which I will probably purchase for some real crunching in the truck maybe. I got mine here: http://www.alseageo.com/index.php/store/algiz-10x/
I also broke down and purchased Acad 2014 to run Carlson Civil Suite on, but that's another story.
I was thinking that looked familiar... looks like the ALGIZ 7 is the Carlson Supervisor.... http://www.carlsonsw.com/products/hardware/supervisor/
I was looking at getting a tablet, came to the conclusion that what I wanted was a Surface Pro 2 and wasn't ready to spend that much...
> looks like the ALGIZ 7 is the Carlson Supervisor....
No, this is vice versa 😉
Go with Algiz10x, because for CAD/GIS software must be minimum screen resolution, for example: http://www.bricsys.com/common/knowledge/topic.jsp?id=65
> I was looking at getting a tablet, came to the conclusion that what I wanted was a Surface Pro 2 and wasn't ready to spend that much...
Some problem to find CAD/GIS SW, for example: http://www.bricsys.com/common/support/forumthread.jsp?id=22170
