TOPIC: Advise with tablet purchase

Received a call today. My CTL is due to ship today and I should have it by Friday. Thank god. I cant deal with writing reports off site when I can spend my spare time marketing.

I'm in the process of making my tablet decision.  Has anyone out there purchased a HP Slate 2?  I've been leaning in that direction but would like some feedback from someone who is actually using one.

I got your reply Dominic but I really want to move forward with something without looking back.  It seems from these posts that people have chosen the CTL machine so before jumping on the HP Slate2 it would be nice to get some feedback from someone who is actually using it with HIP.

Richard... I don't use a tablet, and probably never will. I know many inspectors that have taken the leap, and regretted the purchase. Have you ever used a tablet before? Have you ever used one in this capacity before? If not, consider purchasing a used machine to try it out. Get a feel for a tablet before spending too much cash for something you may set down and never pick up again. Lot's of the guys here are geeks. If you are an "average" inspector, there is much you won't tolerate.

Call Casey Patten... he purchased a CTL about a year ago (I think) played with it for a while on a couple of inspections, and now it just collects dust. Who knows, perhaps he is willing to sell it? His info is on this MB, or Google "Root River Inspections" in Minnesota.

Good luck. Keep us informed what you went with, and how it works out for you.

Hi Jeffrey..you do make some good points.  Let me add some additional insight which may be helpful to Richard, and others. I also ordered the CTL2go tablet. I also shipped it back last week to CTL for credit. 

That being said, it's a great little computer. Unfortunately, for me there were some short-coming that just wouldn't work for me. 1st - the screen display was not that crisp and off axis viewing was poor. Harder on my eyes; but for many this may not be a deal breaker. This issue wont slow down most in the field. 2nd - font resolution not crisp when hooked to a large monitor. 

If it wasn't for this 3rd issue...I MAY have kept it.  I use Windows Journal for taking notes.  The CTL has a "Resistive Screen".  When going thru tabs in HIP, and clicking off comments, it works just fine.  If that's how your going to use the computer, you'll be ok! But I take all my notes in Windows Journal, and the Resistive Screen is not nearly as responsive as I've grown accustom too.

That being said...I "DO" use a Tablet in the field. I use an older IBM tablet with a 12" display.  IBM & HP still makes these..but they are a $2000.00 tablet.  The big difference is they use a screen that requires an "Active Digitizer Wacom Pen".  When I write notes in Windows Journal, its like writing on a piece of paper. It works so smooth- with no broken lines.

Before my IBM tablet...I did try an Asus 8.9" tablet with a touch screen.  I returned that for the IBM with the digitizer pen. Tiger direct does have these Tablet as an off-lease product for 350.00.  Yes it's Windows XP tablet edition. I've used this for a few years now...so I have a good feel for what I like and don't like.

www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchT...o=2043703&CatId=4947

CTL may be great for some..but I want something with EXCELLENT note taking capability.

Thanks for the feedback guys but still confused.  I definitely plan on using a device in the field with HIP for my home inspections.  I went to Best Buy over the weekend to see if there were other options for sale there and they had absolutely nothing that was rugged.  It seems like a tablet with the optional laptop keyboard is the most versatile but I have never tried to us the handwriting recognition that Dan speaks of and Dominic likes.

Dan, you say that you use a tablet for all your home inspections.  Based on your experience is there any need for me to have a keyboard or will the handwriting to text aspect of a tablet get the job done effectively?

Whats your next move after returning the CTL2go?
Feel free if you want to call me and talk about it.
Richard Leonard
203-223-7852