Ipad for Consulting

lone wolf

Gawd
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
705
I have a consulting backpack that I carry with me everywhere, but lately it has become quite heavy, with the laptop, backup hdd, and other misc tools that I carry with me. I would be curious to know just how many of you have started using an Ipad or similar tablet in place of a laptop.
 
One of the guys in our IT department has been using one of the new surfaces but we all made the switch to Lenovo X1 Carbons about 2 years ago. I love it. I carry it around when out at clients. Sometimes I'm up and around for hours and my arms fine.
 
I never found a tablet useful enough for what I need to do onsite most times.

It works great for keeping notes and tracking things but the tools can be slow and larger things still require a laptop.

I did change to a Macbook Pro, even though I hate OS X. I triple boot it to Windows, Linux, and OS X. I find that this works well because I cover environments that have all of these systems. Plus I can run all the tools I need on the OS'es that they run best on, which makes things much better.
 
I use a Samsung Series 7 Slate for WiFi surveys and heat maps. I use a Macbook Pro triple booting Mac/Win/Linux for any other heavy lifting.
 
SP3 and Lenovo x240 here. Linux (Ubuntu and Kali) on X240, windows on SP3. Best of all worlds, carry a usb dual head serial adapter. Good to go.
 
X1 carbon and Surface Pro 2 the carbon is actually lighter i think.
 
windows or linux based don't go ipad because there's not a lot of wireless and network tools avalible due to apple blocking those out.
 
I use a Thinkpad x220 when I'm not in the office, but I've got acquaintances that are quite complementary of the Surface Pro 3, so I am considering it for my next upgrade...
 
What is your current laptop? The best thing to say that if you don't have an ultrabook, get an ultrabook. The MBP, Dell E series, and anything that is more than 3 years old are probably over 5 pound laptops. There are a lot of great options like the Dell XPS 12, Acer S7, Asus Zenbook and if you're a mac person the 13" air.

If the tablet market Dell has the Venue Pro, Microsoft the Surface pro 3, and Asus makes the transformer book T300 which is has the Intel core processor in it. All of them have some type of detachable keyboard accessory so you can make it more like a laptop in a pinch although most of their touchpads leave a bit to be desired IMO. (I've briefy used a SP3 and DVP)

The one thing I will say is if you're taking it in the field all the time get the extended warranty. Not only for wear and tear, but it seems like all of these devices have some little issue that needed to be addressed with it. The SP3 has some problems with it's wifi, there are issues with screens in some mac and dell models, the DVP keyboard accessory seems to have a bit of issue with the touchpad cable coming undone, etc etc. Nothing is perfect so it's just a good idea since it seems to be that quality control lately is hit and miss on any brand.
 
current laptop is a 2008 MacBook (mavericks) and bootcamp windows 7. it is starting to show its age and I just picked up a ipad 4, not the air, it was something that I was wanting to try out. it is great in my office when I need to be walking around I remote into my office pc and have everything I need there.

for protection I got an otterbox defender case for it.
 
iOS is not a Windows/Linux replacement. For getting actual work done, stick with an environment that doesn't cripple your ability to do non-trivial tasks.
 
iOS is not a Windows/Linux replacement. For getting actual work done, stick with an environment that doesn't cripple your ability to do non-trivial tasks.

I think this is sums it up well. An ultra book, surface pro2/3 with usb/thunderbolt ethernet and serial adapters will generally work great. I generally carry a 13 inch mbp with me but I'm thinking of switching to a surface pro 3.
 
Mac air dual booted. Battery life is awesome when in OS X and use it for iPad supervision, need windows for all other work stuff.

Had dell xps13 before and it was awesome but needed OS X so what can you do.

Tried all three versions of the surface and it's just too awkward for me to use as a daily driver.
 
I have a Lenovo Helix at work; I like the keyboard more compared to the Surface Pro. Though the Helix at times runs hot. Else it has everything I need for my business life: Outlook, EXCEL, PPT and Access. I also carry it with me when going home.
I love the iPad, privately my most used device for day to day. But for business one of those tablets with real Win8 & Office gets you further.
 
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