I just posted this in ErnieM's post about Another computer bites the dust - literally! I thought it might be informative to get people's thougts and inputs on tablets, like the iPad or Android tablets, in the shop.
Ernie,
I started a reply yesterday (and again today), but Internet Explorer ate it before I could post it.
If your primary focus is viewing documents for dimensions, etc, have you considered a tablet, either Android or iPad?
Before anyone accuses be of being a techie twit simply touting the latest electronic gadgets, let's consider the benefits:
A 10" tablet with the right CAD app on it might be a good thing. With finger-based panning and pinch-zoom, it may simplify navigating around big documents.
Now, with every potentially good solution, there are some not so good things to consider:
That is a lot to consider, but I thought I would throw it out there for your consideration. I think I might actually open a new Post to discuss the merits of tablets in the shop.
Good luck getting your laptop fixed.
So, what do you guys think of tablets in the shop?
What are some of your success stories with them?
What are some of you painful experiences with them?
Any suggestions on keeping them safe and functioning?
Ernie,
I started a reply yesterday (and again today), but Internet Explorer ate it before I could post it.
If your primary focus is viewing documents for dimensions, etc, have you considered a tablet, either Android or iPad?
Before anyone accuses be of being a techie twit simply touting the latest electronic gadgets, let's consider the benefits:
- Tablets are self-contained. There are not keyboards, mouse of peripherial cords to have to wrangle
- Tablets are portable. Even easier to move around than a laptop
- Tablets have no moving parts, no hard drives, no fans, nothing
- Tablets use low-power CPUs and passive cooling, so you are not sucking in hugh amounts of ambient air to cool them off
- Tablets startup quickly and go to sleep when left idle for a few seconds, preserving power and minimizing heat generation
- Good tablets have access to a huge variety of applets, including CAD viewers/editor (including AutoCAD WS from AutoDesk [not an endorsement])
- Tablets can be equipped with fairly rugged covers to help with some of those bumps that might happen in your shop
- Tablets can take advantage of local, local network and 'cloud' storage (...I really don't like using that 'cloud' word. It has so many meanings to so many people.)
- Tablets can easily be stored in a drawer or big plastic bag/sleeve when not in use (or during big dust generation operations). I have heard of some people operating them through a plastic bag in the shop. Never tried this though...
- Tablets can access many resources on this internet, including woodworkers helps like vendor websites, How-To video's, forums, Google, YouTube, etc.
- Tablets usually have a built-in camera that would allow you to frequently update your WIP pictures on the NCWoodworker.net forum. :gar-Bi
- Tablets were designed to be fairly intuitive to use... (once you get introduced to the new interface metaphor)
- Tablets have many other uses, when not in the shop
A 10" tablet with the right CAD app on it might be a good thing. With finger-based panning and pinch-zoom, it may simplify navigating around big documents.
Now, with every potentially good solution, there are some not so good things to consider:
- Tablets can be as expensive as a desktop or laptop. The iPad and Samsung 10" [not endorsing] will easily set you back $400 - $600.
- Tablets are generally not expandable or upgradable. However, some Android tablets do have SD slots so you have access to removable memory/storage.
- Tablets can be fragile, so if it takes a major fall to a concrete floor, you may be looking a replacing the tablet.
- Tablets do have ventilation holes for the passive cooling. They are not sucking large amounts of ambient air, but the do need some and you don't want it to be loaded with fine dust.
- Tablets are NOT PC's and do not run the same software and they are not as powerful. They have a lot of similar and sometimes compatible app, but it's not Window and it's not Office.
- Tablets use App Stores. You need to make sure that the App Store your tablet uses is not some stripped down proprietary one.
- Tablets are different in how you interact with them and take a little getting used to, but not a tremendous amount.
- Tablets can't do it all and can benefit from having a local desk/laptop around for the heavy lifting and local network storage and backup
That is a lot to consider, but I thought I would throw it out there for your consideration. I think I might actually open a new Post to discuss the merits of tablets in the shop.
Good luck getting your laptop fixed.
So, what do you guys think of tablets in the shop?
What are some of your success stories with them?
What are some of you painful experiences with them?
Any suggestions on keeping them safe and functioning?