Tablet help please

macaud

I feel like a dinosaur, I'm so out of my depth on techie stuff these days. Thinking of buying a tablet for my OH for Christmas but i am getting so confused looking and comparing. I think I have narrowed it down to the Microsoft Windows surface rd which is on offer in Currys for £249 plus the keyboard cover thingy or the Samsung Galaxy note 10.1. My hubby is a property developer so he will be using it to show customers plans, show them costings, check out cost of raw materials, play some casual games and take/show photos of past projects.
Thought I wouldn't bother getting a 3g/4g one as most of the time he will be in peoples houses so he can use their broadband.
Anyone know if either of these are good/suitable for purpose?
Recommendations which is best?
Anyone know of any software which can change flat plans into 3d which I could use with either of these. No idea where to find out about these kind of apps.
I'd so appreciate any help.
Thanks

redfragglebiker

Hi There,

I know you said you had narrowed it down to either the Note or the Windows tab but I'm wondering if you have had a proper look at the Nexus 7 tablets? They're great little devices, really reliable and sturdy with a great range of apps available and pretty good battery life too. Software wise I can't help you I'm afraid but if you could let me know of any software he already uses on a PC/Desktop that does a silimar job I could have a look and see if there is an equivalent for a tablet PC.

Bigphil1474

I wouldn't rely on him being able to use other people's broadband. Every time you want to connect to a new router, you have to obtain the password for that router from the owner. Not sure I'd be giving my password router to all and sundry.
The Nexus 7 is excellent, but the screen may be a bit small for his purposes. Sounds like he needs at least a 10 inch screen.

JJ_Egan

As above re WiFi.
Excuse me sir can i have your WiFi password to pull up some details .
Sorry its a hashed key llk32866htfag or something similar and i don't remember it .
Or sorry no i don't want you parked outside my house using my internet .
Note 10.1 would be my choice .

macaud

Thanks for your replies. I did look at the nexus and a friend who has one recommended it highly but think the 7" would just be a little bit small for him.
Maybe I need to rethink the broadband situation!
He doesn't have any of that type of software at the moment but think it would be really helpful.
Decisions decisions

cookie365

If a potential supplier visited me and wanted access to my own broadband in order to make their tech work, they wouldn't be a potential supplier for long.

He needs a 3g broadband connection while he's out and about.

A handful of tablets have 3g sim slots, but I'm not sure about the ones you've quoted. For some reason they're not that popular in the UK.

Some will allow you to connect a 3g dongle into the USB port if it supports USB OTG (on the go), again, not sure about the ones you've quoted.

Alternatively, he could carry a mifi unit around (basically a box the size of a deck of cards with a 3g sim in it, that broadcasts a wifi signal). Or if his mobile phone plan allows it, he could create a wifi hotspot with that too.

Neil49

I would suggest using a mifi if you don't get a tablet with 3g built in.

I got a Huawei one from Tesco and got it unlocked for less than £1

After that you just need to get a data only sim package and there are plenty of those around. For business I would suggest he considers a 4G mifi and sim package as this will provide a faster connection and give a better impression when using it in front of clients.

macaud

Thanks Cookie and neil for the suggestion of this mifi doo- dah. Never even heard of these but sounds like a good compromise.
Can you get these on a pay as you go basis or does the sim have to be a contract? Sorry if that is a stupid question. I'm way out of my depth with this bloomin tablet!

neilwoods

Does he have a android phone or iphone, if so more than likely a contract for business purpose. Could get wifi tablet and tether it to the phone (same as you would would if you bought a mifi). Essentially, the phone creates a wife network and lets the tablet to browse the net.

italiastar

Id get the latest note with built in 4g