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| Subject: | [gislist] Need help selecting the right tablet pc and gps equipment |
| Date: |
02/15/2006 06:55:01 PM |
| From: |
Scott Madsen |
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My county recently developed its gis department and hired me as the gis
coordinator to get the one-man-show going. I'm in the process of acquiring
equipment and could use some advice.
I've been reviewing tablet pc's and am looking to buy one as a supplement to
my desktop pc for gis and gps work. I'll be taking the tablet to meetings,
using it for presentations, and using it for gps collection. I'll be
running Arc Info 9.1 with spatial analyst and 3-d analyst extensions (as
well as a couple other custom tool sets) and am still considering what GPS
equipment and software to use.
First question: I've pretty much narrowed my tablet pc search down to
Toshiba and HP. For Toshiba, I'm looking at the Tecra M4 and the Portege
M200 models. For HP, I'm looking at the tc4200 model. I realize that other
brands may also suffice but am probably going to go with one of these. I
would appreciate any input from actual users (please, no dealer input - I've
read it all) on which model(s) you are using and how well or how poorly
they've performed in the gis/gps arena.
I've heard good things about each machine and I've heard a few Cons as well.
If you've experienced any Cons (including but not limited to the following,
I'm interested in your input:
Toshiba models:
- gets hot easily due to built-in DVD: thus, fan runs often and
loud and battery life is very short
- service is poor
- problems with the cd/dvd software playing nice with the tablet xp
software
- very heavy
HP model:
- have to use an external DVD drive
- 1GB RAM barely enough when running a lot of graphic processing
- No optical drive
Second question: I'm planning on specifying (among the fairly basic
components) the following upgrades for whichever machine I end up going
with. Are they insufficient or overkill in any ways?
- 2GHz Processor
- 1GB RAM
- 80 GB HD
- DVD+/- RW drive
- Bluetooth
- Docking station
- Auto/ac adaptor
Things I'm not sure about are:
- I want to swap data back and forth between my desktop and tablet.
Will I need an optical drive or wireless network or something else to assist
with this?
- WIFI 802.11 A/B/G? Anyone able to clarify just what this is and
why I may or may not need 'A'?
- Do I need additional pens?
- Is there really that much difference between the 12" and 14"
displays and is glare a significant factor between the aforementioned
models?
- What else am I overlooking?
Third question: I'm looking to use gps to collect new roads (we have an
existing road inventory), to map critical infrastructure and roadway assets
and to do a bit of field collection of environmental data, etc. I'm
planning on doing most of the gps collection from a vehicle: thus, I thought
the tablet pc along with a Trimble Pro XR would be a good start. Any input
on the XR or on software? I'm considering GPS Analyst. This setup should
also work for field collection, right as the XR comes with a backpack?
Remember, when submitting your suggestions, to bear in mind that my
department is still in the building stages. Eventually, personnel and money
within my department may increase enabling me to do more but, for now, I'm
trying to keep it as simple as possible.
Thanks for your input - I really appreciate it. I'd ask my IT department to
help me some with these questions: however, like me, he's also running a
one-man show and has plenty to do.
Scott Madsen
GIS Coordinator
Brown County, SD
25 market St
Aberdeen, SD 57401
Ph: (605) 626-4023
Fax: (605) 626-4010
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