Heavy workload office tablet that supports keyboard, hand written signatures.

[EliteRetard]

My father intends to start a business buying/selling houses and after watching a 1 hour get rich quick video he's decided that he's already got the money in the bank and thus will spare no expense to buy all the business stuff he wants.

He already has a decent PC (2500k, 6950 2GB, 16GB, SSD, Win 10 Home 64bit), a Chromebook, and a fire tablet...but he's decided none of those things can do business stuff. He wants the device to handle everything from video tutorials, to the financials and forms, the research, and maybe basic photo/video editing (for MLS listings) etc. Also wants to use it on the side for personal entertainment and writing...he fancies himself an author (books and poems).

Admittedly, there was one thing he mentioned that I wasn't sure about. That was having a device to fill out forms and be able to get a signature. Though that sounds simple enough, I've never seen a device that could actually use a stylus for anything except some garbage paint programs. Is it possible to digitally sign a legal document, if it's not legally binding does a digital signature have any use?

He is dead set on a tablet, he wont have anything to do with a laptop or convertible. His only suggestion was the MS Surface Pro 4. I do know about it...and have at least handled one in person. Theoretically it sounds like a good choice, but is it the only option and/or is it the best option?

He mentioned that the Chromebook keyboard he has now is horrible/unusable, and I informed him the the surface keyboard would be just as bad or worse (it's basically a cardboard flap). His idea is that there's a touchscreen keyboard like his phone (this I don't know) for basic forms and he will use a Bluetooth keyboard when he needs to do any serious typing on the unit.

I have forgotten to much and become much to outdated. Newer technologies, like android, I have never used and couldn't tell you the first thing about them. My father still considers me the expert on all things computer but it's reaching a point where I can't help much anymore.

Figured the least I could do would be to inquire here. From what I can tell, it looks like the Pro 4 was released in late 2015, does anybody know if there is going to be an updated Pro 5 soon?

-------------TLDR-------------

Need a (windows?) tablet for heavy business use, office programs, financials, photo/video editing, book writing etc. With ability to use a good (Bluetooth?) keyboard and hopefully have ability to take digital hand written signatures onto forms. Hopefully idiot proof, nigh indestructible, and with relatively good battery life (since I'm not sure what good means, or is realistic in a windows tablet).

I think there's an assumption it will have internet everywhere like a phone, but I don't know anything about that. I'm assuming not, just like a laptop...but perhaps there is a way.

Budget apparently unlimited/not specified at this time "Doesn't need to be cheap, must work well".

 

[giantpandaman2]

You're wrong about the Surface Pro 4's keyboard. It's quite good. The biggest negative about the SPro 4 is the battery life. The second biggest is the lack of USB Type C.

Pro 5 should be out anytime now. As for being indestructible...that'd be a Panasonic Toughbook. Barring that a convertible Thinkpad. Neither is as convenient for switching modes as the SPro4.

The most powerful (and expensive) convertible tablets out right now are the VAIO's...but they're overkill for what he needs. I'd say Pro4 or wait for the Pro5. The Surface Book is also not a bad deal for $1299 right now.

 

[Fardringle]

I second the suggestion for the Surface Pro. Nothing with a big glass screen that is exposed to abuse (any tablet) is "indestructible" but the Surface is a capable machine and the keyboard is actually quite a bit better than most Bluetooth keyboards I have tried.

As another option if he's willing to wait a bit for the Surface Pro 5 anyway, Dell will be releasing soon (possibly by the end of March) a Windows 10 tablet designed to compete with the Surface Pro. I don't know the exact details yet, but the specs are supposed to be very similar, but at a lower price, and with the option for Dell's on-site warranty service. The Dell warranty might be worthwhile for your Dad since if he does break a Surface Pro he'll have to mail it in for service and miss out on those house flips that would have made him rich...

 

[daxzy]

My father intends to start a business buying/selling houses and after watching a 1 hour get rich quick video he's decided that he's already got the money in the bank and thus will spare no expense to buy all the business stuff he wants.

I'd probably talk him out of it first, tbh. Get rich quick is the best way to get poor quick.

Admittedly, there was one thing he mentioned that I wasn't sure about. That was having a device to fill out forms and be able to get a signature. Though that sounds simple enough, I've never seen a device that could actually use a stylus for anything except some garbage paint programs. Is it possible to digitally sign a legal document, if it's not legally binding does a digital signature have any use?

You use e-docs to sign. You don't even need to have the person physically sign, unless your dad intends to do the underwriting part.

Also modern active stylus are more than the dumb ancient styluses of days past. Like comparing an iPhone to a dumb phone.

He is dead set on a tablet, he wont have anything to do with a laptop or convertible. His only suggestion was the MS Surface Pro 4. I do know about it...and have at least handled one in person. Theoretically it sounds like a good choice, but is it the only option and/or is it the best option?

He mentioned that the Chromebook keyboard he has now is horrible/unusable, and I informed him the the surface keyboard would be just as bad or worse (it's basically a cardboard flap). His idea is that there's a touchscreen keyboard like his phone (this I don't know) for basic forms and he will use a Bluetooth keyboard when he needs to do any serious typing on the unit.

Please do not compare any Chromebook with the Surface in terms of quality. The only thing that comes close is the Pixel tablet, but its keyboard is garbage compared to the Surface covers.

I have forgotten to much and become much to outdated. Newer technologies, like android, I have never used and couldn't tell you the first thing about them. My father still considers me the expert on all things computer but it's reaching a point where I can't help much anymore.

Well at least you are seeking help and not blindly giving advice from prior fanboism. Makes you better than most.

 

[EliteRetard]

I'd probably talk him out of it first, tbh. Get rich quick is the best way to get poor quick.

You use e-docs to sign. You don't even need to have the person physically sign, unless your dad intends to do the underwriting part.

Also modern active stylus are more than the dumb ancient styluses of days past. Like comparing an iPhone to a dumb phone.

Please do not compare any Chromebook with the Surface in terms of quality. The only thing that comes close is the Pixel tablet, but its keyboard is garbage compared to the Surface covers.

Well at least you are seeking help and not blindly giving advice from prior fanboism. Makes you better than most.

He's set his mind already, and he's older now anyway...I'll let him do what he wants. I don't know what underwriting is, maybe he will be doing that...I dunno. I know he wanted the ability to have people physically sign digital documents.

I've actually handled a surface before (not actually used in any way though), my impression was the keyboard was just as terrible as his chromebook. Small cramped keys, little key travel, it's kinda bendy, and it has what feels like a really crappy fake vinyl covering that seems like it will split and peel off.

It does sound like the Surface is the only option, though perhaps Dell will have a clone soon. I thought there may be a lot more options I hadn't heard about.
I wonder if he really needs a tablet, or if a 360 hinge laptop with stylus would do...might have to take him out to actually try hands on with stuff.

Thanks everyone for the input so far.

 

[giantpandaman2]

Did you handle the Surface Pro 4 cover or one of the previous ones? The Pro4 cover is head and shoulders above the others.

 

[XavierMace]

http://www.topazsystems.com/pdocsigner.html

 

[sdifox]

Or go surface book