[quote=no_such_reality]You say “places” and then say “into the field” along with “collect some data … via wifi” and “might do a bit of coding”.
So having supported field staff for a couple decades in various roles couple questions come to mind.
First, will you have access to a decent flat surface (like a desktop/table, etc) to work on? Yes, you see people working with it on their lap at the airport, but really, that’s just because they’re desperate to get it done. You don’t want to work that way
Second, is the “field” basically clean? i.e. Indoor office/store type environment or is it “field” like oil field rig, truck stop, construction site, etc.
Third, are you dependent on interacting with local staff while collecting data and will busting out a laptop be intrusive on that interaction?
Fourth, if this is truly a uni-purpose device, can a simplified tablet or phone be purposed to talk to the data collection device? i.e. could you just use a $59 Amazon BLU android phone with an app to collect the data?
The answers determine if you really what just a $200 disposable laptop, low-end tablet or tabletesque PC like the Surface or Ipad with keyboard.[/quote]
1) No. I will be on a golf course or driving range. I won’t be doing a lot of typing but hitting balls and collecting data on the flight of the balls. This data will appear in the browser that connects to the device (over wifi) and I will then copy the data from the browser into a txt file to be analyzed later. (The device has a built in web server that any browser can connect to)
2) See answer to 1
3) Nope I’ll be doing this on my own. No concerns about clients, staff or anyone I’ll need to impress or interact with.
4) While this will be the laptop’s main function I might use it at night in bed to code a bit(visual studio) or surf the web a bit. I have tried this with an iPad and it connects but iPad (and iPhone) are awkward if not impossible for copying data from browser and storing to txt file. A laptop seems like a simple way to go. (Don’t get me started on the Mac iOS way which seems to include not allowing access to files!)
I don’t want to spend a ton, but it will be a tax deductible business expense and I would probably like it to last a while. I’m thinking 8megs memory and at least 512meg SSD drive, reasonably lightweight would be good, but it doesn’t have to be the lightest laptop ever made. Preferably under a grand.
