Looking for tablet for travel

[PlacidWaters]

Do electronics count as gear?

I get more chances to travel and camp if I take my work with me. I need MS Word and the internet with email for my work. Often my trips involve being away from my car for hours (while hiking) or days (kayak camping), often in remote places. I really should leave my main laptop at home---it's a miracle it hasn't been stolen yet. What kind of device could I get that would be large enough to be comfortable for typing and has MS Word on it, yet small enough to pack or stash in a kayak hatch?

Another question: Do any of you ever leave a laptop in your vehicle when you're away from it? I was thinking of cabling a tablet to the bracket under the seat.

 

[Geodoc]

I discovered that my Samsung tablet with a Zagg keyboard and one of the folding solar panel rechargers (the type with a USB cable) works great. I used it at the NWOR in June (managed to use my phone as a wifi hotspot and got some grading and other work done). It doesn't have MS Word, but it does have a somewhat simplistic word processing program. Plus, if you like movies, I discovered that I could back-up my DVDs onto a micro-SD card and have up to 50 movies with me (great for long plane flights).

 

[Kerensky97]

I've always been disappointed with how lethargic most tablets are. I've got a nVidia Shield tablet now and it's the first one I've been happy with. They make it for gaming so all the performance boosts means it's halfway decent. I was surprised how reasonable the price was for a "gaming system".

 

[PlacidWaters]

I discovered that my Samsung tablet with a Zagg keyboard and one of the folding solar panel rechargers (the type with a USB cable) works great. I used it at the NWOR in June (managed to use my phone as a wifi hotspot and got some grading and other work done). It doesn't have MS Word, but it does have a somewhat simplistic word processing program. Plus, if you like movies, I discovered that I could back-up my DVDs onto a micro-SD card and have up to 50 movies with me (great for long plane flights).

Thanks Geodoc. MS Word is essential---no other program works for the type of work I do. It sounds like if I had your setup I could be on the road for weeks.

 

[haven]

I love my new iPad Pro 9.7. It's a big improvement over my 4 year old iPad 3.

Microsoft Office apps are free on all Windows, Android and iOS devices that have screen size smaller than 10.2 inches diagonally. It's one reason why I chose the 9.7 inch iPad. Here's a recent article that explains the situation:

http://www.macworld.com/article/304...t-office-for-free-while-larger-ipad-cant.html

 

[BIGdaddy]

I rock a surface pro 4 as my main work computer. Typing from a lake resort in Kentucky at the moment, having schlepped it all over the state in a messenger bag. Not without it's quirk's, but a good, reliable little computer.

 

[doug720]

I guess it depends on how "Remote" you go. Where we camp, our cell phones don't work...

 

[kf4zht]

I use a Surface Pro 3 for work after dumping my dull size latitude. Plenty quick, easy to toss in my smaller bag and has a very convenient and decent keyboard. Its the I5 4gb model and is plenty quick for me. Battery life gets me around 6 hours of real use, so typically a day or normal use.

 

[perterra]

I guess it depends on how "Remote" you go. Where we camp, our cell phones don't work...

Normally that is a requirement for a camp site for me.

 

[PlacidWaters]

I love my new iPad Pro 9.7. It's a big improvement over my 4 year old iPad 3.

Microsoft Office apps are free on all Windows, Android and iOS devices that have screen size smaller than 10.2 inches diagonally. It's one reason why I chose the 9.7 inch iPad. Here's a recent article that explains the situation:

http://www.macworld.com/article/304...t-office-for-free-while-larger-ipad-cant.html

Thanks for that link, Haven. Very interesting. And tempting because the cost of a tablet plus MS Word is pretty high.

QUESTION: I do intensive text editing using Track Changes. On a screen smaller than 10.2 inches, is the text too small to see? The Track Changes feature takes up a large part of the righthand margin. (I use the comment balloons extensively.)

 

[PlacidWaters]

I guess it depends on how "Remote" you go. Where we camp, our cell phones don't work...

Good point, Doug. Not having internet access limits my work but doesn't bring it totally to a halt. When I travel I stop in at small-town libraries to use their internet.

Does anyone carry a spare battery for their tablet when you can't recharge?

 

[haven]

Fortunately, several navigation aids will function offline. You do need a GPS signal to properly locate your position.

 

[PlacidWaters]

I figured out that a tablet would be too small for my work and I bought a Dell Inspiron with an 11.6" screen. It's a bit heavy at 3.1 lbs but that's better than 5 lbs for a 15".

TWO MORE QUESTIONS:

1. WATERPROOF PROTECTION for the latpop. I found three possibilities:
--Aqua Quest Storm: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KLJA3WU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3U0POL7IT4VS5
--YUMQUA dry bag: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X27FTB8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A18QWIPY310LRZ
--Loksak: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UTK918S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AYNF8J8N43NHE

Anybody have experience with these or other products? I don't want the weight, bulk, and cost of a Pelican.

2. CHARGING. Someone mentioned solar chargers. Any specific suggestions?

I'm getting excited about the possibility of staying away for an extended period. I'm ordering a DWPower action camera (EX5000)---I had no idea there was anything that cheap and good, compared to GoPro which I can't afford. See, taking work on the road makes the trip and new gadgets pay for themselves.

 

[kojackJKU]

damn, wish i saw this a few days earlier. I am selling a surface 3, keyboard, pen, case and dock..as a nice package.

 

[Fireman78]

I just picked up an IPAD MINI 2 at Costco for 299. Absolutely love this thing. It's perfect.