Motion Computing Tablet PC's Any Good?

toddcla2002

I've seen many Q's on laptops but what about Tablet PC's? What do you think of these?:

http://www.motioncomputing.com/

I think that it would be excellent for my bids because as I talk with the client and walk around the house I can get my measurements in my excel spreadsheet and once I'm done it will take a lot less time to fill in the other details and then I can use the wireless via bluetooth to print my bid out from my truck. This as opposed to filling out a sheet, then jumping in my truck and using my laptop and then printing it out.

Has anyone used these and what have you thought about them? THANKS!

~todd

Mike Finley

I'm convinced the tablet PC is the way to go and I'm about 2 days away from purchasing a convertable tablet PC myself. See this post which started it all. http://www.contractortalk.com/f17/jlc-article-about-tablet-computers-13351/

The ones you are referring to don't look like much of a good deal to me. I've been researching them off and on for about 2 weeks now and so far the Toshibas seem to be the best on the market for what you get for the money.

For about the same price as the one you are showing on that website ($2000) you can get a top of the line Tosiba Terca M7, with a faster processor, double the RAM, more than 3x the hard drive, free Microsoft One Note, Windows Vista ready, a bigger screen 14.1 (biggest available in the industry actually), piggy back add on slim battery to double the run time to over 6 hrs, a screen that doesn't need a protective cover, but no blue tooth.

Also those don't look like they are "convertable", meaning there is no key board like the Toshibas. With the Toshiba you flip the screen over and there is a key board under it and it performs just like a lap top.

Check them out and let me know what you think, I might be missing something. http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/...HO&coid=-31397

Mike Finley

By the way is blue tooth something that can be added to any computer? The thought of no cords connected to a printer is very appealing as you said.

Double-A

Yes, you can add to any PC that has a USB port.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124143

Take a look at that link. I'm not sure how well it will work or how the transfer rates will compare with built in Blue Tooth.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Mike Finley

Thanks.

That looks simple enough. One other question, do you think you can add it inside one of these computers so it is permanent and you don't have to worry about it falling off or having to stick it on every time you use it?

Double-A

Stick it in every time. I'm not sure, but if you have a PCMIA expansion slot, then you might be able to stick it in there and just leave it in.

I'm not sure PC makers even include those anymore since USB came about.

It will load up fast and you will have to 'eject' it with software before just unplugging it to put it away, but that is a small price to pay for the convince if you ask me.

You can also get one that will attach to the PC's serial port, but you will be limited in through put to the speed of the serial port I believe.

I think they are slower than the USB to Blue Tooth solution, but I'm not as much of a PC geekster as I used to be. My NERD card was revoked when I bought a pick up truck.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

toddcla2002

I don't know about the Toshiba....primarily because I don't see that the screen doesn't have the outside extra bright feature....therefore rendering it useless when doing spreadsheet takeoffs. I've been looking into the Panasonic toughbooks and they have one that is a tablet pc as well. Check out this in regards to durability:

http://www.panasonic.com/business/to...nefits_tco.asp

This one seems appealing to me:

http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp...l=Toughbook-19

I believe that a 14" screen to be doing takeoffs on would be somewhat large. On this one you can also add GPS to it so that you can use it as an in car navigation unit if you get the dock for it. I don't know about you but that feature would save me time and money from jobs I've lost when I just can't get to the bid on time (I really do my best but where I live the roads are always changing).

This link will show the difference in some monitors in regards to outdoor use:

http://www.tabletpc2.com/CompareDisplays.htm

Argh....I need to do a lot more research!!!

Anyone have any experience with UMPC's?

http://www.tabletkiosk.com/tkstore/p...&idproduct=153

Larry_PCA

I can't vouch for the panasonic toughbook tablet PC's but I have personally dropped the laptops fron three feet on edge, stepped on one when closed, seen it hosed down while opened and lost of nasty stuff done to it while testing it for usability prior to them being accepted for use in an animal hospital.

I still use pad and paper onsite and then transfer info into the laptop when back at the vehicle (where most of my work is done) or at the office where I only get once and a while.

The paper and pen don't break when I drop them, they are easier to see in bright sunlight and way easier to carry.

I have used a palm to take field notes and measurements as well as manage punchlist items however. My big hang up with a notebook/tablet pc is the size of a unit and toting it around all over the jobsite.

I am however, looking forward to reading more of the tablet PC info listed here I believe in the proper application they can probably be very handy.

__________________
Regards,
Larry Schlack
www.constructionassistant.net

Mike Finley

I think the tough books are the cadilac of computers, but at double the price I can't see spending it, at least not on the first one. Hopefully I don't eat those words.

Never considered the screen issues for viewing outside, everything we do is inside but it would be nice for it to work everywhere, but the bigger the screen the better for us, I want them to do presentations with 3D software in the clients home so I was actually put off that I couldn't get a 17" screen!

I'll have to let you know how it works, I ordered the Toshiba on Friday.

redbird

How about an update on the new Toshiba Mike. Lots of us are very interested

Mike Finley

Give me a couple of days to work with it and I'll give an update, from the little time I've had to play with it so far, it seems like it has great potential for a big impact.

Alpha

I have a Motion LE1600 1 G Celeron about 750 RAM. What would you like to know?

JenkinsHB

I have an LE 1600 as well. Half the time the computer will sell the job for me. I show pix of current jobs and have reference materials/spec on tubs, sinks and the like to show the customer on the spot. i use a program called chief architect and can draw them a 3d rendering of an addition or deck while i'm at their house. it's been very useful.

dshcontracting

I have a gateway convertible (old style) for about two years now. It's definately the way to go on a estimate. Just walk around and take notes, show customers photos, take your whole office, etc. The motion computing computers are nice but a little pricey. The one good thing is that the cops use them, which means laptop mounts for your truck are super easy to come by. You can use a wireless print server attached to a printer in your truck if you want. Use wifi to connect.

Dan

redbird

Any updates by those using tablets. I just won a Motion LE1600 on Ebay and am very anxious to try it out. I also got a webcam for it. The only drawback it that it is only 1.3mp.

POOLMANinCT

I was a hair away from the tablet purchase, then I got busy. stream lining all office chores for mobility is an obsession of mine. unfortunately, I work is a super electrronics killer environment. (sand, de, dust cement , chem fumes & h20.) now that the season is slowing & year is ending I'm looking to spend some money. I'm back on the "mobile office" kick. but I insist on a tablet that "otterbox.com" makes a case for.

ray

__________________
......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

GregS

Don't buy a tablet until you have actually used one to enter data with the application of your choice. You may or may not find it as easy to use then.

redbird

I am guessing from your comments that you have used one. Please expand on what you are saying.

Mike Finley

I throughly enjoy my tablet, I only use for estimating, but I use it on every single estimate I go on.

I just upgraded to Office 2007 in order to be able to use the ink pen abilities that those versions give you. With 2007 you can draw in Word and Excel now, I wish they put the ink pen abiliites into Publisher too, but nothing there yet.

redbird

Mike does that mean that Office 2003 will not work on the tablet? I was not planning on upgrading to '07 at this time.

Gary