Tablet for grad school & research

[lilrayray69]

Hey

I'm gonna be starting graduate school soon and am also a research assistant. I'm looking for a tablet to use to collect data (patients fill out survey via tablet, or I input for them) as well as graduate school work - papers, research, presentations, etc... I'd like something with good battery life and a nice screen. I keep looking at Microsofts Surface tablets and they look nice, though I'm not sure the difference between RT/surface/surface pro. I'm really not familiar with other tablets that run android so not even sure where to begin looking.

I'd like to get one under $600. I think MS offers some student discounts on their Surface tablets but was wondering what general opinion is on their quality/price.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

Doing a little looking I'm also interested in this ASUS Book T100, Galaxy Tab, and Nexus 7.

 

[s44]

If you're looking to use it as an input, I'd definitely get one with a Wacom pen/digitizer.

 

[Imaginer]

If you only use Office and not other productivity, engineering, media, and creation suites that are fully featured, that already in existence for Windows, the Surface (non Pro) lines would work well enough for the price, form, and travel aspects.

If you are also not anticipating the device to translate a bit better from school to work force applications (for use of software suites companies may leverage), the Surface (non Pro) lines are fine.

Also, the biggest differentiator, would definitely be the pen for natural handwriting and look of the written or hand diagrammed notes. That in itself, if the above points apply, the pen is worth it in my eyes. Original Surface Pros are possibly out there around your price.

Since you have Steam, some leisure can be had with games on the Surface Pro (and Pro 2). But I do not think this is a big requirement for you - more like a bonus if you do have it.

Keep in mind though, from my usage of my Surface Pro (and Pro 2), I treat it more as a tablet with a keyboard flush on the surface it rests on, more often than in a stand mode (because of touch and flipping like I would a textbook on a table). I treat it as a sketchbook and notebook for writing, so having the angles of the kickstand, mostly do not apply much or at all (only reason it would, is if I solely use it like someone would a traditional laptop).

Most often than not, I have a symphony of utilization between the pen, touchscreen, type cover, and wireless trackball (I can care less about the tiny trackpad on the type or touch covers).

 

[cronos]

The Surface Pro series is by far your best option. It is also the most expensive. Do not get the RT version. If this will be your primary/only workstations then getting a non-full-Windows tablet is a terrible decision. Maybe you could get the first Surface Pro for a little cheaper.

Now, if you wanted to cut the price down then you're likely going to have to settle with something else (and you will need a laptop/desktop that will be your primary work machine). If so, you need to be sure what features you absolutely need from the tablet and go from there. Do you need digitizer support? If you are a grad student and expect to be doing a lot of note taking (impromptu or otherwise) and reading+annotating journal articles in PDF format, then it's probably a yes. Your option then becomes limited to the likes of Galaxy Notes (8" - 10.1" - 12.2"), the last option probably out of your price range.

A middle ground option which can be the most suitable for you is the Bay Trail Windows 8.1 tablets. There aren't a lot of these out yet so you're limited to the Dell Venue Pro and Asus Vivotab Note (I think it's what it's called) and maybe one or two other model. These are relatively cheap, surprisingly fast for regular office work (and includes Microsoft Office license, although as a grad student you probably got that for free), and they include a digitizer (although in the Dell's case it's not a Wacom).

Personally I thought I would wait until later this year when more of the Bay Trail 10-12" tablets with Wacom digitizer come out. For now, I'm really happy with my Galaxy Note 8. It's the perfect size for a note taker + sketching diagrams + reading/annotate, and with a slim BT keyboard that I always carry around in my bag I could write on a real keyboard when needed. I also got an MHL adapter for it and did a presentation using the Office Suite Pro 7 app, which worked out really nicely. The presentation goes out to a 52" Samsung plasma TV, which with Office Suite Pro 7 is recognized as a second screen, so I could actually see the Powerpoint notes while presenting it full screen on the TV (the tablet works as a remote and also show the notes).

 

[lilrayray69]

Yeah being able to play games is just a bonus, although movies/shows would be nice. I do think I'd like it to have a stylus, as I likely will be taking a lot of notes and annotating articles. I don't anticipate using it for workforce applications. I also want a nice keyboard accessory though I guess you could get a nice one for just about any tablet. It will primarily be office applications.

I know to avoid the RT non-full Windows versions, I never got the point in those anyway. I did look at the VivoTab with the Wacom digitizer, not sure how good the tablet is though.

I was wondering the difference between Surface and Surface Pro, the regular Surface price is pretty reasonable but the Pro jumps up quite a bit, though I'll look into the original Pro prices.

I've been leaning towards the Surface tablets just because they seem very well built, though if there are ones just as good, or better, with competitive prices I'll definitely look in to those.

EDIT: Aww I was looking at the Surface 2 which has $75 discount for students, but apparently the stylus is not compatible with it - only with the Pro.

 

[quikah]

MS is having an event on the 20th. speculation that it is for Surface mini, but also maybe an updated Surface Pro, so hold out until then to see what they announce.

 

[cronos]

I know to avoid the RT non-full Windows versions, I never got the point in those anyway. I did look at the VivoTab with the Wacom digitizer, not sure how good the tablet is though.

I was wondering the difference between Surface and Surface Pro, the regular Surface price is pretty reasonable but the Pro jumps up quite a bit, though I'll look into the original Pro prices.

I've been leaning towards the Surface tablets just because they seem very well built, though if there are ones just as good, or better, with competitive prices I'll definitely look in to those.

EDIT: Aww I was looking at the Surface 2 which has $75 discount for students, but apparently the stylus is not compatible with it - only with the Pro.

Err... The non-Pro Surface are RTs, that's the difference.

 

[lilrayray69]

Err... The non-Pro Surface are RTs, that's the difference.

ohh ok I had thought the Surface RT and 'Surface' were 2 different things, woops. I see that now. So really the Pro is the only good option of the MS tablets since it has full Win8 and the stylus, but they are quite expensive.

EDIT: I'm looking at this Galaxy Tab 12.2
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galax...F8&qid=1399917951&sr=1-2&keywords=galaxy+12.2

Seems quite nice, it's pretty much at the very max of my price range. Maybe that or one of the 10.1, though there are a lot of options in the 10.1's I'm not sure which is the best option. I'm also a little concerned about the Android OS and Samsung bloatware.

 

[s44]

The Tab doesn't have a pen -- that's the difference between Tab and Note.

There are excellent refurb/sale deals on the Note 10.1 2014 all the time. (Currently $340 for a refurb 16gb). Also, the bootloader is unlocked so you can root/debloat/flash to your heart's content... or you could just disable all the bloat from the app settings menu without rooting.

A lot of people use this device and the LectureNotes app for school.

 

[cronos]

If you're looking at Samsung Galaxy tablets, make sure you're looking at the right ones. Only the ones with 'Note' in their names have digitizers.

Edit: two minutes late

 

[lilrayray69]

Ah so that's why some did and some didn't! Haha just one little word change in the name makes all the difference.

I'll look more into these Galaxy Note's - they seem like probably the best bet. They have MicroSD expansion right so only having 16GB built in wouldn't be much of a problem?

EDIT: That refurbished one seems a good deal, comes with the stylus and all. May think about getting that and using saved money vs retail to get accessories like a keyboard and whatnot..

 

[desura]

The Surface Pro stinks.

Very heavy. Very hot. Very bad battery life. Lots of heat.

Very awkward to use. I've used one. It did not impress me. Honestly, the RT impresses me more than the pro.

I recommend an Atom tablet.

I am using the Dell Venue 8 Pro. Dell also makes larger ones.

The digitizer is amazingly good.

Very light (under alb), very good battery life (8 hrs), very good price ($200) + digitizer ($30)

 

[cronos]

You meant 'stylus' instead of 'digitizer' for $30, but yeah

 

[tsupersonic]

Honestly two devices: Surface Pro 2 or Note 10.1/12 OR wait for the Surface Mini announcement on 5/20. The original Surface Pro is not good - bad battery life. The new Surface Pro 2 has much better battery life. I get all day battery life and the device is powerful. It's downsides are it's expensive, and heavy for a tablet for extended periods of usage.

The Note android tablets are great value. I just hate Touchwiz and Samsung's bloated features. I wish there was a GPE of the Note 8/10

 

[Imaginer]

The Surface Pro stinks.

Very heavy.

Coming from a regular notebook or even an ultrabook, it is very light per capability and function (software and hardware computing power spectrum) it sports.

Very hot.

Pushing 3D modeling software and full DirectX games gets the device a bit cooler than a warm cup of fresh coffee in a good insulated mug. The device won't burn your hands if that is what this quote entails.

Very bad battery life.

Context with these statements. I pushed 3 hours 3d modeling. I pushed 7 reading and note taking. I pushed about 2 hours running Elder Scrolls Online. Battery Meter widget tells me I can have up to 8 hours (left), if I keep up the 4 W draw at currently 89% capacity.

Lots of heat.

See my quote on your "very hot"

Very awkward to use.

In one hand for an extended period of time, quite possibly it would be heavy. But this also means since it is an all encompassing computer, your files and documents do not need the necessary step of "syncing" or transfering and conversion for work elsewhere.

More than whatnot, I handle the device in two hands by the thumbs. With a pen for notes, I cradle like a clipboard or a thick notebook.

I've used one. It did not impress me. Honestly, the RT impresses me more than the pro.

Outright at a store, it wouldn't. I do not expect it to from just a play around. It was actually owning one for an extended period with the software I normally use and install on it that devices like the Surface Pro really shines.

I recommend an Atom tablet.

I am using the Dell Venue 8 Pro. Dell also makes larger ones.

The digitizer is amazingly good.

Very light (under a lb), very good battery life (8 hrs), very good price ($200) + digitizer ($30)

That is possibly the only thing I can see out of devices like the Venue 8 Pro. For me, 2 pounds or so isn't heavy at all.

 

[lilrayray69]

Looks like I'm between the Samsung Galaxy Note (maybe the refurbished 2014 10.1 for ~$340), Dell Venue 8 Pro which is like $250, and the ASUS VivoTab probably around $320.

I'm leaning towards that 10.1 as I think I'd like that screen size better. Do you all think a refurbished one such as that one linked earlier (http://www.ebay.com/itm/310956606801) can be trusted well? It's about the cost of an older 10.1 for the 2014 edition.

 

[desura]

Dell (and others) makes larger tablets as well.

I'm not a fan of android tablets in the least. All that they offer over phones is a larger screen. They are not as versatile as a windows tablet. File operations are a pain.

 

[lilrayray69]

Yeah I probably would prefer Windows over android. Those Dell Venue's do seem nice, I wish the 11 didn't jump up in price so high as I'd like the larger screen. For whatever reason Dell lists the Venue 11 Pro starting at $430 but the cheapest amazon shows is $600+

 

[sweenish]

I would get something with Intel inside, and running real Windows.

You may get a system that eventually works for you using Android, but the option for a real computing device is right there.

 

[s44]

I would get something with Intel inside, and running real Windows.

You may get a system that eventually works for you using Android, but the option for a real computing device is right there.

I completely disagree.

For a portable device, make sure it does everything you need it to do... and not the rest. As long as you have a proper home-base desktop, specialization and *lack* of cruft is the key.

 

[Imp]

Context with these statements. I pushed 3 hours 3d modeling. I pushed 7 reading and note taking. I pushed about 2 hours running Elder Scrolls Online. Battery Meter widget tells me I can have up to 8 hours (left), if I keep up the 4 W draw at currently 89% capacity.

Holy crap. You can run "real" modern games on that thing?

I'm interested in a Surface Pro but the price is exorbitant right now compared to a desktop (I can do a complete rebuild) or laptop -- and you'd still need to buy the separate keyboard.

 

[toughtrasher]

Holy crap. You can run "real" modern games on that thing?

I'm interested in a Surface Pro but the price is exorbitant right now compared to a desktop (I can do a complete rebuild) or laptop -- and you'd still need to buy the separate keyboard.

Anything for a portable touch screen lol

 

[lilrayray69]

I found a 2014 edition Samsung Note 10.1 for $300. Anyone know how good they are with doing things like powerpoints, papers, research, article annotating, etc ?

I also happen to have a Samsung Galaxy phone, so I'm guessing the two would sync up nicely.

 

[zerogear]

I found a 2014 edition Samsung Note 10.1 for $300. Anyone know how good they are with doing things like powerpoints, papers, research, article annotating, etc ?

I also happen to have a Samsung Galaxy phone, so I'm guessing the two would sync up nicely.

To be honest, if you want to do Powerpoint or anything, having a proper OS (Surface Pro/2 or even Surface/2 if you just need Office) would help productivity by leaps and bounds.

 

[tsupersonic]

To be honest, if you want to do Powerpoint or anything, having a proper OS (Surface Pro/2 or even Surface/2 if you just need Office) would help productivity by leaps and bounds.

You can get Microsoft Office on iPad/Android devices now...Having said that, it's tough to type a lengthy document on any touch screen device without a physical keyboard. I would recommend picking up a bluetooth keyboard if you're taking notes a la keyboard. Otherwise, you're going to have to hand write your notes via stylus on the Note.

Yet another reason to like the Surface Pro 2 - best of both worlds. You can pick up a physical keyboard and still use stylus. Again, it's a bit pricey, but you do get a lot of (portable) computer for the money.