The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsAbout 6 months ago my company gave its field techs iPads to replace laptops
Last edited Wed Nov 18, 2020, 10:40 AM - Edit history (1)
And now, after working extensively with my IT department, implementing dozens and dozens of shortcuts and workarounds, and making numerous concessions about the user interface and connectivity limitations, I'm pleased to report that this super-expensive Apple product can, with considerable real-time effort, almost do most of the things that the much cheaper laptop did consistently and with ease.
The only positive thing I can say about the iPad is that its shape and mass would probably allow me to throw it farther out into the ocean than would be feasible with a laptop.
spooky3
(34,300 posts)Orrex
(63,083 posts)I'm just about convinced that my company forced them on us so that we would look like super-modern field techs with iPads.
Expensive window dressing, to be sure.
spooky3
(34,300 posts)Orrex
(63,083 posts)But you didn't hear it from me.
Midnight Writer
(21,540 posts)Junk from a Radio Shack that didn't work.
Then he set up some desks and put these "computers" on them.
When the corporate chiefs came around, he walked them around and pointed out how he was automating all the office operations on computers. He used all the buzzwords like paperless office and workhour replacement and made up specs for his computers.
It worked. He impressed the bigwigs and got promoted to district manager.
Before he left, he threw out all the junk parts.
dawg day
(7,947 posts)IPads are okay for watching a movie at least
Orrex
(63,083 posts)"It has that bluetooth keypad."
Yes, so I can carry two pieces of equipment instead of one, and one of them is about as fragile as a stale graham cracker.
I can type between 70 and 80 wpm on an actual keyboard. On an iPad, I'd say that's cut by about 75%.
fearnobush
(3,960 posts)They are essentially internet toys. Id recommend MS Surface Pro. Its basically a Fully functional laptop scaled down to tablet size with a very functional keyboard.
flying rabbit
(4,612 posts)barbtries
(28,702 posts)and a new tablet. I only play games on them. I keep a computer in my bedroom, in the living room, and in my office.
There is no way I want to be working on an iPad. the time wasted. i wonder why they made that choice. do you know?
Orrex
(63,083 posts)They didn't specify in which way they're "better," only that they're "better."
I have yet to see an example of this magnificent betterness, but I'm sure it's super-duper.
barbtries
(28,702 posts)seems like someone encountered an extraordinarily good salesperson maybe. anyway, hopefully with time it will work well for you.
needledriver
(836 posts)to work to use as an inventorying and documentation tool. I used it to take multiple photographs of subjects in the field, sort them into a database, write up accompanying notes, then wirelessly send my work to my supervisor.
I was working in a day and night exterior environment for weeks, under conditions including dust, dirt, and moisture.
I keep my iPad in an impact resistant cover, shoved in a bag on my hip next to the bag with containers of dirt, grease, baby wipes, and other sticky and unpleasant substances. I can wipe it clean, and there are no exposed switches or buttons to get clogged with dirt.
The software is optimized for a mobile device, I have done similar work with my iPhone.
Sometimes a laptop is not the best tool for the job.
Having used the device now for half a year, I can say firmly that there is no function at which it is better than the laptop that it replaced, and for many functions it is much worse.
Worse, there are some applications that we need in the field that simply don't run on the iPad.
Again, the only discernible benefit is that now we look like techs with iPads instead of techs with laptops.
YMMV
Worried2020
(444 posts).
.
My phone is a Samsung Galaxy J3, and I use it for a phone only - well, yeah - the camera of course
I do not do text on it - the tiny keyboard infuriates me.
No internet connection on the phone - my choice - it's a PHONE!
Besides - I gotta keep my eyes open to avoid the idiots wandering roud town with their eyes on their phone, not the road or the sidewalk
Laptops suit my needs/desires just fine -
W
Skittles
(152,963 posts)they both have their uses but no WAY would I want to exclusively use a tablet, that is nuts
retread
(3,752 posts)engineer/tech back in the "dark ages".
"No one ever got fired for buying IBM!" Even if they cost more and were inadequate for the tasks, if they were genuine IBM pc's you were absolved from any consequences.
hlthe2b
(101,701 posts)But, that said, I'd sure prefer to lug a small iPad, rather than laptops which inexplicably have gone from a trend of smaller is better (in past decades) to you need a damned suitcase to lug it.
ismnotwasm
(41,916 posts)From my bed at home. I cannot fathom having to work with one.