Recommendations for tablet pc

Recommendations for tablet pc

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I am looking for a tablet pc for business use in the main. I would use it for the following:

  • New client meetings - brief demo of Xero, some aspects of my website, taking some basic client data eg telephone, current accountant. It would really useful if I am able to take notes on it.
  • Client meetings - instead of taking papers, I would take the tablet. Also when I have meetigs in the office. If I can use the tablet to make notes, that would be ideal.
  • I cycle every where, so occassional browsing when I am on the train, bus or waiting for someone. 

I have an iphone.

I want the tablet to synce with my pc  this is for contacts calender. I use Google apps for business. I would also like to use Drop Box on the tablet.

I would be grateful for any recommendations.

Thanks

Replies (66)

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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 01:09

Taking notes on a tablet?

Hi FT - Wouldn't you be better off with a traditional keyboard? A netbook could do everything you wanted. You could even use a standard laptop.

The fact that you have an iPhone suggests you might need a more methodical approach to your IT purchasing, but even the iPhone can be used for browsing and a phone would be much more convenient for browsing than a tablet whilst waiting for a bus or train.

By the way, didn't you say you couldn't afford a new Brompton? I'm not surprised if you're buying iPhones and tablets. I'm still using a 2008 Nokia N95 (free with my contract) for my emails, diary, Skype, web browsing, e-books, music, call recording etc. and I've never had any of the problems you hear about the iPhone having.

I hope this didn't sound harsh, but I would hate to see you wasting money.

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By petersaxton
03rd Nov 2011 07:30

Samsung tablet

“New client meetings - brief demo of Xero, some aspects of my website, taking some basic client data eg telephone, current accountant. It would really useful if I am able to take notes on it.”

I always have new client meetings in my office so I can do all money laundering activities and enter client details directly into my software.

Don’t clients think you might be desperate going to potential clients? I have practical reasons for holding meetings at my office and it would be nice to visit client premises but with the type of clients I have it is not necessary and it also cuts down on travelling.

See below about using gadgets during client meetings.

“Client meetings - instead of taking papers, I would take the tablet. Also when I have meetigs in the office. If I can use the tablet to make notes, that would be ideal.”

I think if you are having a one to one meeting it looks bad if you are tapping away on a gadget. I can still write quicker than type. If a client can see what you are typing on a desktop it isn’t so bad.

“I cycle every where, so occassional browsing when I am on the train, bus or waiting for someone.”

If you cycle everywhere you won’t be on the train or bus.

My wife has a 7” Samsung tablet and loves it. She needs a relatively small device because she fixes it to the windscreen but I would prefer a 10” tablet but I can’t justify one because I would very rarely use it.

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Replying to ShirleyM:
Giraffe
By Luke
03rd Nov 2011 11:34

Going to potential clients for the first meeting

petersaxton wrote:

Don’t clients think you might be desperate going to potential clients?

I hope not!  I go to potential clients for the initial meeting 95% of the time.  The reason I do so is mainly so that I can see how they operate and what they're about, what sort of records they keep and how organised they are.  I find it gives me a real insight into the type of client they are going to be and helps me quote a realistic price.

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Replying to ireallyshouldknowthisbut:
By petersaxton
03rd Nov 2011 13:23

Time is money

Luke wrote:

petersaxton wrote:

Don’t clients think you might be desperate going to potential clients?

I hope not!  I go to potential clients for the initial meeting 95% of the time.  The reason I do so is mainly so that I can see how they operate and what they're about, what sort of records they keep and how organised they are.  I find it gives me a real insight into the type of client they are going to be and helps me quote a realistic price.

I agree when the client is quite big. Most of my clients are small and can fit most of their records into a briefcase and a laptop. I would like to visit but it would take up too much time.

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Replying to henrytapper:
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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 14:25

Visiting Clients

petersaxton wrote:
I would like to visit [clients] but it would take up too much time.

Me too.

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Replying to ShirleyM:
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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 12:25

Money Laundering

petersaxton wrote:
I can do all money laundering activities

Isn't it ANTI-money laundering we're supposed to do Peter? Or do you have a sideline?

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Replying to Kent accountant:
By petersaxton
03rd Nov 2011 13:25

Silly me

chatman wrote:

petersaxton wrote:
I can do all money laundering activities

Isn't it ANTI-money laundering we're supposed to do Peter? Or do you have a sideline?

I always get caught out by that!

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FT
By FirstTab
03rd Nov 2011 07:32

Why tablet

Hi chatman, thanks for your response. You never sound harsh.

The reason I am thinking about a tablet is because it is possible to lie it flat and work with it. So it would be not much of communication barrier in meetings. The client would be able to see what I am doing. With a laptop, the screen, would be a communication barrier. I would be working behind the screen the client would not be able to see what I am doing.

I have now had my meetings with two fee protection insurance providers. On came with a folder of papers, another came with his tablet pc. I was impressed with the tablet pc person. Everything was on it. Their brochure, forms that were completed on the tablet pc. It looked so neat!  He and I shared his tablet pc as to why they were better. The papers person was equally good but he just had to carry a file of papers around. If I wanted to go ahead, I would fill in paper forms etc. 

I have an early version of the Iphone bought about 4 years ago. Brompton was bought more recently.

 

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Replying to Red Leader:
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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 12:59

4-year-old iPhone

FirstTab wrote:
I have an early version of the Iphone bought about 4 years ago

Is that the one with no 3G or GPS, that cannot copy and paste or forward texts?

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By petersaxton
03rd Nov 2011 07:37

Side by side

"With a laptop, the screen, would be a communication barrier. I would be working behind the screen the client would not be able to see what I am doing."

Not if you sit side by side. It's different with smaller gadgets.

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By paulwakefield1
03rd Nov 2011 07:55

There is this...

Asus Eee Pad Transformer which has a detachable keyboard and might be the best of both worlds. I don't know much about it but it appears to be highly regarded. New one due in a few weeks I believe.

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By zarathustra
03rd Nov 2011 09:17

Client notetaking

I have a client who owns a superb gadget for notetaking.

It is a sort of computerised pen. He takes notes of meetings as normal in an A4 notebook.

However at the end of the day all his meetings can be downloaded from the pen to his computer, and saved to the appropriate folder.

I mean to investigate it myself when I have a bit more time.

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By petersaxton
03rd Nov 2011 09:20

Great

Please post on here as well.

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John Stokdyk, AccountingWEB head of insight
By John Stokdyk
03rd Nov 2011 09:25

Hope you had a look at our recent review

Some great advice here - thanks to all who have contributed so far. Everyone has their different personal preferences and potential uses for these gadgets, so as long as you've got a basic idea in mind what might work, you're on the right road.

As long as you can afford it, I also think it's worth trying a device out, as you may discover it allows you to do new things you hadn't thought of before you got it. From what I've heard, many accountants (and sales people) I know have been really pleased by the impact a nice presentation can have when you show it to someone on a tablet.

If you're a Google Apps user, that's a point in favour of going with an Android-powered device, which will integrate well with them - and possibly grow new functionality around them. Having looked over the Tablet contenders rounded up by Gail Purvis, I'm wavering between the machines suggested by Peter Saxton's wife - the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 - or Paul Wakefield's vote for the Asus Eee Pad Transformer [or Slide in my case]. That's because a) I don't want a big device and b) I'm a heavy typist. Unfortunately, I still can't decide between the two!

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By newmoon
03rd Nov 2011 11:02

Here's the Asus http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15559778 

Here's the digital notepad http://www.dabs.com/products/acecad-a4-digimemo-digital-notepad-48CH.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc+product+search&utm_content=Q200&origin=pla 

I've wondered about the notepad for a couple of years, but never seen one 'in the flesh' or know anyone who has used one.

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By MissAccounting
03rd Nov 2011 12:01

iPad

Ive got an iPad for this very purpose.  Its a great piece of kit and syncs my calendar, emails and contacts via iCloud.  I also have drop box on it so that when Im off to a clients I just copy the docs I need from my network into the drop box folder and they are copied over in a matter of seconds to the iPad.  I also have a handwriting app and a stylus for note taking.

Im sure other tablets will do exactly the same but because I also have an iPhone and Apple TV I went with the iPad.

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By listerramjet
03rd Nov 2011 12:06

why not use your iphone

you can use it to record the meeting, which is much less intrusive than taking notes.  Bet there is an app to turn the recordings into notes. Actually there is probably an app that lets you make notes direct.

I think this is the pen that is mentioned in the comments.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Livescribe-APX-00004-EFIGS-Titanium-Smartpen/dp/B001AAOZSM/ref=dp_ob_title_ce  wanted one of these for ages.

BUT it sounds like you want the tablet the fee protection insurance chap was using!

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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 12:46

Livescribe Pen

How useful is the  Livescribe pen if your handwriting is awful?

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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 12:57

Asus Eee Pad Transformer
I like the Asus Eee Pad Transformer. Might get one myself.

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PAH Accounting Devizes Wiltshire
By Phil Hendy
03rd Nov 2011 13:26

Transformer is awesome

I have an Asus Eee pad transformer and it really is a great tool.

I have an app called Repligo Reader which allows me to use a stylus and handwrite directly on to the tablet. I have a template client meeting form that I can handwrite on to. I can then save the file and share those notes straight into the client folder via dropbox. It really is impressive.

It has Skype etc. available.

Biggest and only downside is no 3G so you are reliant on wifi; however, if you are with BT you can connect to Openzone or get a mifi unit. 

If you really want you can also get they keyboard attachment. I have this but rarely use it.

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Replying to mrme89:
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By Ah Choo
04th Nov 2011 15:32

Writing on a tablet

philhendy wrote:

I have an Asus Eee pad transformer and it really is a great tool.

I have an app called Repligo Reader which allows me to use a stylus and handwrite directly on to the tablet. I have a template client meeting form that I can handwrite on to. I can then save the file and share those notes straight into the client folder via dropbox. It really is impressive.

It has Skype etc. available.

Biggest and only downside is no 3G so you are reliant on wifi; however, if you are with BT you can connect to Openzone or get a mifi unit. 

If you really want you can also get they keyboard attachment. I have this but rarely use it.

 

Phil, can i ask, can you write onto a pdf with your app & the Asus?

Many thanks,

Simon 

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FT
By FirstTab
03rd Nov 2011 14:16

Thanks for the reponse.

Chatman My iphone is 3G

Asus Eee pad sounds great. I keep thinking about Ipad because of their marketing. It has worked on me.

Phil does Asus Eee pad  have handwriting recognition sofrware. The idea being if I handwrite my notes it would the convert to typed text? Also handwriting on the screen would it not scratch the screen?

 

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Replying to James420:
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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 14:32

.

FirstTab wrote:
Chatman My iphone is 3G

Can't be the first one then.

FirstTab wrote:
I keep thinking about Ipad because of their marketing. It has worked on me.

They are the masters of marketing. I know many people who bought their iPhone thinking other smart phones could not do the same things, even the first one which was useless. In my experience Apple products appeal, in the majority, to users who are unaware of the other technology available. I except the original iPod  from this observation.

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Replying to James420:
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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 15:32

3G or EDGE?

FirstTab wrote:
My iphone is 3G

The 3G version only came out in 2011. Are you sure it has 3G, and not EDGE? Can it forward texts and copy and paste?

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Replying to User deleted:
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By thisistibi
04th Nov 2011 09:01

No

chatman wrote:

FirstTab wrote:
My iphone is 3G

The 3G version only came out in 2011. Are you sure it has 3G, and not EDGE? Can it forward texts and copy and paste?

The first 3G capable iPhone was released in 2008.

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By petersaxton
03rd Nov 2011 14:23

Two options

Usually you have a special stylus - other cut your nails!

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John Stokdyk, AccountingWEB head of insight
By John Stokdyk
03rd Nov 2011 15:07

Shows what I know...

The Asus Eee Pad Transformer just surprised all the geekerati by winning Gadget of the Year and Design of the Year at the 2011 Stuff Gadget Awards.

You know, I might even be tempted away from the Slide now that I realise the Transformer keyboard is detachable.

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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 15:23

.

Yeah me too. I wonder when the 3G version will come out.

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By thacca
03rd Nov 2011 18:59

htc flyer
I have a HTC flyer (android) I'm typing this on it now. It's good but I'm not sure its great for new client meetings. I think showing that you are friendly and approachable together with quoting the right fee wins client. Spending half your meeting looking at a screen and not making eye contact in my opinion would lower my conversion rate. I make notes on the back of my new client form. I use kashflow. If there's a computer in the room I show them kashflow on that and leave them with a 60 day free trial. This wouldn't be every meeting though as I don't recommend kashflow to all clients.

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Replying to User deleted:
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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 20:06

Mobile Phones for Note-taking.

thacca wrote:
Spending half your meeting looking at a screen and not making eye contact in my opinion would lower my conversion rate

Surely you break eye contact as much for writing as for typing, don't you? Or is it different looking at a screen? I suppose if it was a big screen it would. Or is it because the screen is between you and the client?

Your point has made me think though (not often that happens): is there a docking station or a portable keyboard for a mobile phone? That would be very handy for meetings.

I saw a projector the size of a cigarette lighter once, that plugs into a phone. That would be ideal for presentations. Can't remember where I saw it unfortunately.

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Replying to Knight Rider:
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By thacca
03rd Nov 2011 21:34

just my opinion

I have a very good conversion rate for new client meeting (telesales generated). I don't see what my tablet will add and worry it might be to my detriment if I took it along in future.

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Replying to User deleted:
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By chatman
03rd Nov 2011 23:38

.

thacca wrote:

I have a very good conversion rate for new client meeting (telesales generated). I don't see what my tablet will add and worry it might be to my detriment if I took it along in future.

You obviously have legible handwriting.

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FT
By FirstTab
04th Nov 2011 08:02

Just out
HP introduces multitouch Slate 2 tablet PC for business (this is a link).

I like the fact it has Windows 7.

 

 

 

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John Stokdyk, AccountingWEB head of insight
By John Stokdyk
04th Nov 2011 09:52

And another one...

Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet, designed for business use and costing £350-500. In a ZDNet UK blog, Donald Bell writes: "If your IT department could design a tablet, Lenovo's 10.1-inch Android-based ThinkPad Tablet would be it."

Very interested to see business-oriented suppliers like Lenovo and HP jumping on the tablet bandwagon. I wonder what happened to the Dell Streak? Has anyone had a go with one of those?

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Replying to Kent accountant:
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By chatman
04th Nov 2011 12:53

Thinkpad

John Stokdyk wrote:
Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet, designed for business use and costing £350-500

Just got a Lenovo Thinkpad laptop and very disappointed with it.

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Replying to kenuchija:
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By thisistibi
04th Nov 2011 14:07

But

chatman wrote:

John Stokdyk wrote:
Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet, designed for business use and costing £350-500

Just got a Lenovo Thinkpad laptop and very disappointed with it.

But the value of that opinion is somewhat undermined by previously stating that the first iPhone was "useless" (that would be the phone which has revolutionised the mobile phone marketplace forever); and stating that "Apple products appeal, in the majority, to users who are unaware of the other technology available" (that would be the same users who research has shown to be generally better educated and have more technology compared to non-Apple users).

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By thisistibi
04th Nov 2011 10:20

There is no such thing as a tablet market, there is only an iPad market.

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By Henry Osadzinski
04th Nov 2011 10:27

Eee Pad

I'd have to agree, the Eee Pad Transformer gives you the best of both worlds. There are a range of options coming out over Q4 2011 - Q1 2012 that might be appealing to you as well. Motorola have recently launched their Atrix 2 smartphone that can be used with an accompanying laptop dock (an empty shell that the phone slides into to power the screen etc.) and "multimedia dock" that plugs into a tv over HDMI so you can use a keyboard & mouse or the touch controls.

Asus have jumped on this idea with their upcoming Padfone tablet that comes in two parts and lets you move from phone to tablet easily thanks to Ice Cream Sandwich, Google's latest version of Android that aims to bridge the gap between such devices. 

If you're interested in a Windows device, I'd suggest holding out for later next year when Microsoft are hoping to launch Windows 8, designed specifically to work effectively on desktops, laptops and tablets with no need for additional manufacturer customisation - the aim is to provide a consistent experience and software support with whatever you're using. Lofty goals but if they pull it off it could have a huge impact.

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Replying to sherlin:
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By thisistibi
04th Nov 2011 10:43

Windows 8

Henry Osadzinski wrote:

If you're interested in a Windows device, I'd suggest holding out for later next year when Microsoft are hoping to launch Windows 8, designed specifically to work effectively on desktops, laptops and tablets with no need for additional manufacturer customisation - the aim is to provide a consistent experience and software support with whatever you're using. Lofty goals but if they pull it off it could have a huge impact.

Have you actually seen Windows 8 beta?  I'm not sure I could stretch to recommending that to anyone - unless it gets a whole lot better.

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By Henry Osadzinski
04th Nov 2011 10:54

@thisistibi

I've had a quick play on a laptop. It's certainly buggy at the moment but it feels like most of it can be ironed out in crunch. After Windows 7's success and their improved phone UI, I'm hopeful that it'll be the jump they need to get back in the portable market. Can't beat them for office support as well :-)

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By moneymanager
04th Nov 2011 12:39

Motion Computing

I have been using "real" tablet computers by Motion for the last seven years.

mine are getting a bit long in the tooth but were upgraded a couple of years ago and are built like tanks.

Usage - they can run anything in Microsoft Office and more

Input - Detachable mobile keyboard options, input by pen and handwriting recognition (new versions "learn" your writing style or on screen keyboard, proper docking stations with keyboards of you choice i.e. wired or unwired. The are fitted with mics so you can record voice in to software such as MS One Note and store that in the client file. If you want typed notes but your handrwiting is a bit dodgy you can try using MS Journal which keeps it has handrwriting and is quick and then convert to text when you have time.

Docking stations have full grab and go facility and instant switch over for connectivity i.e. if the setting are to use your ethernet when docked and WIFI as the secondary means the machine automatically changes from one to the other.

Mine have the facility for modem and WIFI built in and a slot-in 3g card. Newer models have dropped the modem but can have the 3g as standard. Solid state drives are also available

What for; everything. I sometimes use a larger screen connected to the docking station either for size or to extend the desktop (same image or different image) and being rotatable both docked and undocked it's great for reading and editing in portrait. Working anywhere is made much easier with the "view anywhere" screens so the don't blank out in sunlight.

Newer models are literally cool; mine do get a bit hot!.

Not an advert, but I got mine from Box Technologies in Oxfordshire

 

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By chatman
04th Nov 2011 12:59

Motion Computing Tablets

The Motion Computing Tablets sound good. Why don't you hear much about them?

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By gembrain
04th Nov 2011 14:06

Ipad & Iphone, etc

I've got Ipad and Iphone and while they are very good in their own right I am struggling a little to incorporate them effectively into my workflow. Mostly to do with my chaotic task management...

Ipad is miles ahead of everyone else with number of apps BUT not good in the way of Office style apps. i.e. MS Office and Google Docs integration is nothing like as good as it needs to be.

If you can work well with Google Docs then probably get something Android.

If you are very much MS based then I would wait for Windows 8. Although bearing in mind Microsoft's pathetic attempts so far with anything tablet based that may still be a disappointment!

If Mac based then there are some good Ipad apps that work well with Macs (e.g. OmniFocus, OmniOutliner) but don't have matching windows based desktop apps.

If you love Ipad then Google calendar works great, GoodReader for reading your documents, and there are programs such as HandBase - relational database that you can create own apps and sync to Desktop.

Bit of a garbled summary but may help!

 

 

 

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By moneymanager
04th Nov 2011 14:14

Professional Kit

Motion are big in the States and have made huge inroads in to both the medical and field worker environments (splash and drop resistant etc and even come with a hand "slot"). Bigger corps use them where the dock aids hot desking.

I suppose smaller users are generally put off off by the price - price of everything; value of nothing springs to mind but think £2-3k fully kitted out wouldn't be far wrong.

I got mine after a truly awful experince with an ACER convertible which put me off that company for life.

When it comes downto it they are real computers for serious use and not just afterthoughts in a range of other things.

 

 

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By blok
04th Nov 2011 17:21

.
Man I feel old!

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Chris M
By mr. mischief
04th Nov 2011 20:02

I visit

I'm also thinking of getting one for exactly the same reason.  I see every potential new client in their premises unless there is a good reason not to - e.g I have a few who are hundreds of miles away.

I can think of one pub client where I had a good look into their beer pulling processes and drip trays, plus their chef bonus scheme.  This helped them reduce wasted beer and food, it also helped them make an easy decision about their accountant compared to their existing guy who was based in his office and that was that.

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FT
By FirstTab
04th Nov 2011 23:19

How about taxpayers funded tablet?

It's okay for our MPs. Not a bad life. I have little time for Daily Mail. This just grabbed my attention.

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Replying to davidwinch:
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By carnmores
07th Nov 2011 12:32

well i reckon MPs are underpaid

and if we can get them to be more productive and switched on for 400 quid im all for it - i am looking at Samsung Note i like the hand helds i bought a nokia 800 about 6 years ago - ony problem was i couldnt upgrade teh flash on it so it became redundant

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By chatman
05th Nov 2011 00:09

And they say this is a democracy.

Interesting link FirstTab.  Given how incompetent the last government was at anything IT-related, and that they don't have to pay for anything themselves, it is no surprise that they are all buying Apple products.

It just goes to show that one person one vote, with no control of the media, does not necessarily equal democracy.  We need people to stop voting for the big three parties. I haven't voted for anyone with a chance of winning since 1994.

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