Which tablet?

[witch]

One of my schools has asked me to look into possibly buying some tablets for the staff. We have something called School Pupil Tracker and they think it would be really handy to be able to carry a small tablet around and be able to look at a pupil's work and immediately update the pupil tracker. It is web based and I see no need for the tablet to be on my network.
Now that some of you have had these things for a while, can I ask for thoughts on what would be the best option?
I think it needs to be fairly small and also fairly cheap.
No ipads please!!

[stevenlong1985]

Nexus 7 only £159

https://play.google.com/store/device...exus7_campaign

I do plan to get a few of these, to replace the old ebooks and get the tablets used for other things

[sted]

depends on wha web based standards it uses. If it flash for example needs to be android (and thats going soon aparently). Some pages do/ont work well on different tablets ive found

[Arthur]

depends on what web based standards it uses.

School Pupil Tracker works best with Internet Explorer and Flash Player (like all good educational software does).

[witch]

School Pupil Tracker works best with Internet Explorer and Flash Player (like all good educational software does).

So...given that piece of info...which tablet?
Would the Nexus 7 mentioned by @stevenlong1985 be OK?

[SYNACK]

Windows 7 tab like the dell st or the acer iconia 501w that can run w8. We'll be running a couple on the ctp till release to work out all the bugs and get all the required sites on the metro ie flash list. Edit: posting on one now

[crc-ict]

So...given that piece of info...which tablet?
Would the Nexus 7 mentioned by @stevenlong1985 be OK?

The Nexus 7 certainly won't do Flash - it uses the new Android 4.1 which Adobe won't support Flash on.

[plexer]

Have you got the wireless access for the devices sorted? If not just something else to think about.

Ben

[witch]

I has Ruckus
I's good ???

[Arthur]

The best tablet given the requirements above would be one running Windows 8 (like Microsoft's forthcoming Surface for Windows 8 Pro). However, if they aren't too fussed about viewing the Flash charts, the Nexus 7 tablet would be almost perfect (certainly better than the iPad).

[witch]

But you said School Pupil Tracker needs Flash?
I can guarantee that they will want to look at everything...

[Arthur]

I can guarantee that they will want to look at everything...

If you purchased Nexus 7 tablets, you could download the Android version of Flash Player before 15/08/2012, but that's probably not a good long-term solution given the Flash situation on mobile devices.

A Windows 8 Pro (non-RT) tablet would be your best bet, unless School Pupil Tracker Ltd can update their software so that the charts are made using HTML, CSS and/or JavaScript instead of Flash.

[SYNACK]

If you purchased Nexus 7 tablets, you could download the Android version of Flash Player before 15/08/2012, but that's probably not a good long-term solution given the Flash situation on mobile devices.

A Windows 8 Pro (non-RT) tablet would be your best bet, unless School Pupil Tracker Ltd can update their software so that the charts are made using HTML, CSS and/or JavaScript instead of Flash.

As with my post above grab an x86 tablet, they are cheap atm thanks to the impending switch, 5h battery and cheap upgrade to W8, you don't need to domain join, it runs everything and you can upgrade it later. W8 CTP is still a bit rough but usable and you could use it with W7 till full release if needed. You can force flash to be enabled for a single domain for the reporting software to work with flash under metro ie even if it has not yet been added to the list by MS. Waiting till October/November will get you a bit more battery life and will cost more.

[witch]

Not looking to buy them this side of the summer I don't think so it probably will be Oct before we get around to it. I am really looking for something that will just work and do what I want it to do - I really don't have the time to faff about.

[Arthur]

As with my post above grab an x86 tablet, they are cheap atm thanks to the impending switch, 5h battery and cheap upgrade to W8

There's a limit on the Windows 8 upgrade offer...

Why is there a limit of 5 upgrades per customer?
This is a consumer offer on individual PCs and for non-commercial purposes. The installation process and media is designed for individuals. Microsoft Volume Licensing Home Page for more information).

Will businesses or enterprises be eligible for the offer?
Microsoft has designed this promotion for individual customers such as students, home users, and enthusiasts. Organisations can be eligible subject to this maximum limit per organisation. (Source)

Obviously not an issue if the school in question has an EES subscription or they are buying five or less tablets.