Windows tablet recommendations

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Windows tablet recommendations

blackjack17

1713 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 865

#272650 8-Jul-2020 06:53

My brother is a builder and is looking at upgrading his laptop (6 year old consumer asus or something)

He is not a poweruser at all. He would mainly be using the laptop for spreadsheets, word documents, xero and viewing pdf plans. He would also like to be able to take pictures of build sites, have clients sign off and walk them through browser based plans. For personal usage he would like to be able to view netflix and facebook.

It doesn't need to be LTE capable as he can hotspot. He is happy with the the non-pro windows version.

I have a Surface pro 7 through work i5 8gig and that seems like it would fit the bill. Would it be overkill? Would the i3 be sufficient.

Are there any other devices that he should consider. My last device was an HP elite 2 that other than some weird bugs (like not wanting to wake from sleep) was great.

Thank you

Electric kiwi signup credit Sharesies credit

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 671

Trusted

#2518849 8-Jul-2020 06:59

Surface Pro X for the portability with Pen and Cover or Surface Pro 7 with Pen and Cover but the i5 model with 256GB SSD

Do whatever you want to do man.

nathan

5695 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1630
Inactive user

#2518851 8-Jul-2020 07:05

its worth spending the little bit extra to get the i5/8/256 to future proof. the i3 only has 4/64

blackjack17

1713 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 865

#2518854 8-Jul-2020 07:17

nathan:

its worth spending the little bit extra to get the i5/8/256 to future proof. the i3 only has 4/64

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TABMST71312811/Microsoft-Surface-Pro-7-Home--Personal-Model---i3?qr=product_option

This is the i3 with 128 (but only 4gig) Would the lack of ram be noticeable in what will essentially be only a browser + data entry + netflix?

Any other brands to consider?

The x is out of the picture as i don't want to have to explain why he can't install XYZ software down the line

Electric kiwi signup credit Sharesies credit

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2518866 8-Jul-2020 07:40

I've had a couple of surface devices and I'm not a fan at all. Expensive, terrible WiFi, generally not a great experience. HP or Lenovo do much better hardware.

Jogre

182 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#2522076 13-Jul-2020 13:23

Agree avoiding the X for now (sods law they'll need something that doesn't have a 32 bit or compatible installer), also advocate avoiding i3 in favour of at least i5. I sold an i3 once and just getting it ready for customer was painful and slow where an i5 just champed through it and I felt nice about it when it left my desk where i3 made me feel dirty (it felt slow at that time rather in a few years after bloat had taken its toll).

If you do get a Surface for a builder, for the love of God get accidental damage cover (I think it's the Complete warranty) as builders have big clumsy fingers that drop things.

Jono Green

Microsoft New Zealand