Windows Tablets

[Badaz52]

Hi,

 

We are looking at getting our hands on some decent Windows 10 tablets. We tried the Linx ones a while ago as they were cheap but struggled to load a WDS image onto them as there is no RJ45 port, PXE doesn't work on Wi-fi and loading the image from USB/DVD is far too time consuming for a class set. I'd like to get some that I would have no trouble getting a WDS image onto and that are at a reasonable price. I've also been asked to get them with a bigger screen than 10".

 

Trouble is I don't know of any that would accomplish these goals other than the Surface machines but these are expensive.

 

What are you guys using? can you get a WDS image on? how much did they cost?

[NB9457]

Personally I think the Microsoft Surfaces are the best, can't really get on with any other ones, but then again I don't really like Windows with a touch screen. Can I ask what their intended usage is?

[Badaz52]

Personally I think the Microsoft Surfaces are the best, can't really get on with any other ones, but then again I don't really like Windows with a touch screen. Can I ask what their intended usage is?

 

Sure. They want some for teachers to use in classrooms to be mobile and to engage more with the students rather than standing at the front. They also would like some to use with 6th form students in a study room capacity.

 

Nothing overly clever at the moment in terms of functionality just office and internet.

[Accura2k7]

Look at Dell Latitude tablets, they list a universal D6000 dock that has an RJ45 connector, unsure if it will PXE boot....

 

Also, look at USB to LAN PXE adapters....

[NB9457]

From experience, an iPad would be a good solution. You can get a lot of apps on them, o365, GSuite, staff love them and you can run RDP an Remote Apps on them for things like SIMS. Pair that with an Air Server license to stream to the class PC and it's a winner. Even better is iPads have become a lot cheaper lately. Also as they'll be presumably walking around, iPads are much user friendly in the sense, even when compared to a windows tab.

 

I'd consider a case study, buy a couple iPads, buy a couple Windows tabs and pick a handful of staff and let them try both, see which they prefer, it is them who will be using them after all! Then regardless of which route you go down, I doubt the losing devices will go to waste

[HTCPCP]

Might be worth having a look at the Lenovo Miix and X1 ranges (the latter you are looking well into the Surface price range).

 

Dell tablets - when they work, they are great, if you have problems, they are a nightmare - Make sure you buy the extended warranty for them.