Tablet for proofing on trips

Amp34

Amp34

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The GF is looking to update her electronics gear. After some umming and arring she has decided on a new desktop and a tablet to use when away. That leads to the question. What tablet?

It'll be used to view and delete images after a shoot (when on holiday and long weekends) along with transferring from SD card to an external HDD.

Battery life and weight are also important.

Any recommendations would be good.
 
What tablet?

It'll be used to view and delete images after a shoot (when on holiday and long weekends) along with transferring from SD card to an external HDD.
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This is not as straightforward as you would think.
 
I know. It was only when I was typing the question that she mentioned that bit... It does narrow the options down a lot I think, possibly towards only one or two, running window RT?
 
Off the top of my head, I couldn't think of any tablets with USB & Full size SD slots (which at a minimum would be required to transfer from camera to external hdd)
But a little googling found one with:
Ports - Full-size USB 2.0, Full-size SD memory card reader, docking connector, stereo headphone/microphone combo jack, micro-USB charging port, mini-HDMI™, mini-SIM (WWAN only)
Slots - Full size SecureDigital card slot and micro SIM slot
So, presumably would do wnat you need.
Here's a link:
http://www.dell.com/uk/business/p/latitude-10-tablet/pd
It runs windows 8, so I would guess it'll happily do the copying you require (but it is purely a guess, so I would be tempted to phone Dell and ask them).
I must admit, I actually quite like the look of this (and I'm usually an android fan).
 
Well there's always the option of copying to the device and then copying off again so one USB could be fine. Alternatively with an RT or windows device you could stick a small hub into the socket and run both off it. I'm really not a fan of Atom processors, few of the benefits of full fat windows and few of the benefits of ARM at the moment, also USB2 only it seems?

She started looking at the Kindle HDX 7" which appears to be quite nice (and has a 16x10 screen, a massive positive for photos), anyone use one of those? I'm still trying to work out if you can upload images via the mini usb port.
 
Amp34 said:
Well there's always the option of copying to the device and then copying off again so one USB could be fine. Alternatively with an RT or windows device you could stick a small hub into the socket and run both off it. I'm really not a fan of Atom processors, few of the benefits of full fat windows and few of the benefits of ARM at the moment, also USB2 only it seems?

She started looking at the Kindle HDX 7" which appears to be quite nice (and has a 16x10 screen, a massive positive for photos), anyone use one of those? I'm still trying to work out if you can upload images via the mini usb port.
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Presumably something like http://www.amazon.co.uk/female-Micro-male-Cable-Adapter/dp/B005GI2VMG would allow either a HDD or SD card reader to attach to the micro USB slot. To be honest, I'm not sure if micro USB will power a 2.5" external HDD. More research needed.
 
Difficult. Do you require the tablet to handle raw files, also what sort of capacity of data are you thinking of?

I've just returned from Thailand, shot raw on the cf card, small jpeg on the sd card and transferred pics from the sd to iPad via sd reader. I could then edit any I fancied to post. I also then had copies on the iPad as a backup. I hadn't considered transferring to another external device as my memory cards are reliable.

I considered this an additional possibility rather than a final one as I've brought the full raw images into Lightroom for processing on return home.

Perhaps consider the workflow?
 
Your gf might be better off with a netbook as a compromise as they have a HDD built in and full size USB ports are much more common. They are also better value for money than tablets,they also tend to have windows 8
 
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ash59uk said:
Why not use a flash drive to upload and later transfer to Hdd?
Most tablets have WiFi so you could possibly use that if you are near a hotspot then upload to the cloud.
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Do you mean a card backup drive (or whatever they are called?)

Cloud is out of the question as most of the places we go are not in cities, also it'll take forever to upload several GB of data every night! :)
Byker28i said:
Difficult. Do you require the tablet to handle raw files, also what sort of capacity of data are you thinking of?

I've just returned from Thailand, shot raw on the cf card, small jpeg on the sd card and transferred pics from the sd to iPad via sd reader. I could then edit any I fancied to post. I also then had copies on the iPad as a backup. I hadn't considered transferring to another external device as my memory cards are reliable.

I considered this an additional possibility rather than a final one as I've brought the full raw images into Lightroom for processing on return home.

Perhaps consider the workflow?
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That's actually what I do, except I have an iPad mini. She doesn't want an iPad because of the way it deals with photos (big disappointment for me actually, it's a real pain, especially at the end of the trip when you have to delete all images one by one! Unless I'm missing something?).

I think it's more a space and sorting issue rather than reliability. That said I've had a SanDisk card fail on me when I was in Africa last year and she's had another fail on her as well...

I will discuss a bit more with her about the workflow though. Good points about whether a tablet will power a 2.5" HDD! Will check into that.
She's looked at nnetbooks but they fail at the size and general browsing ability, where tablets excel. I think she's going to have to compromise but she's currently looking at Windows RT tabs which seem to fit most of the above, but not all.
 
How about one of the small laptops then rather than a tablet.

I know what you mean about the ipad but you can tap a photo, hold and slide to select many, then hit delete
 
Well we did start looking for good 11" laptops but they don't appear to make very many any more. Sony had a nice on (VAIO Pro 11) but they don't seem to be in stock anywhere. Asus' isn't available anymore either. The only other option is the 11" Air but the resolution is poor and it runs OSX as standard (she doesn't like it). We could stick Windows on it which could be an option but that also kills the battery life.

Thanks for the tip, I didn't realise that. Doesn't solve a problem for her but I will be using that next time I want to delete stuff! (which will be after I buy another SD adaptor as the last doesn't work since the iOS7 update...:rolleyes:).
 
I use a net book with an external hard drive for the same thing works really well
I used to use a Phillips netbook which has lasted year's and been completely reliable and have just upgraded to a macbook pro I went for the mac partly because of the excellent battery life
Some places I go don't have mains power so longer battery life is peace of mind
The screen on the macbook is really good and it runs light room 5 with no problems in fact I'm using it a lot at home instead of the desk top
I have tried an ipad for viewing using usb but getting photos on and off is very fiddly
 
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Ok off beat suggestion. The issue seems to be in backup storage. How about something like a dedicated backup device like a jobo or something similar. That would then allow you to pick the best tablet for editing, viewing etc.
 
My Tesco Hudl can read images from any FAT-formatted USB storage medium with the aid of a simple USB-OTG cable. So if I ever wanted to waste my time trying to view images on an uncalibrated tiny screen then it would be quite easy. However, it won't recognise NTFS formatted drives (although I believe there is a workaround).
 
hollis_f said:
My Tesco Hudl can read images from any FAT-formatted USB storage medium with the aid of a simple USB-OTG cable. So if I ever wanted to waste my time trying to view images on an uncalibrated tiny screen then it would be quite easy. However, it won't recognise NTFS formatted drives (although I believe there is a workaround).
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Hi Frank, I noticed you have a Hudl, are they any good as I am considering getting one in the future but will probably wait for Hudl 2 due out later this year?

I agree with what you say about "an uncalibrated tiny screen" but I think the op just wants to separate the wheat from the chaff rather than any serious editing.
I find that the easiest way to move files between a non windows machine and my windows desktop is via WiFi rather than messing with cables.
 
ash59uk said:
Hi Frank, I noticed you have a Hudl, are they any good as I am considering getting one in the future but will probably wait for Hudl 2 due out later this year?
.
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I got mine for free with a load of ClubCard points. I played with it for a few days and decided I preferred my iPad.
 
Have you considered a wireless HDD like the HyperDrive?
 
Samsung tab 3 8.0 is what I use.
You can ether use a micro SD card in your camera via the adapter and put it in or copy from a usb reader.
I use Photomate to read raw files.

Word of warning with specing a tablet.... make sure it supports USB on the go... Not sure if kindles do...
 
FlyingShrapnel said:
If you are prepared to carry a tablet, an external HDD and potentially a cable/card reader for the tablet to read the SD card you might as well go for a net book or even small laptop to save the hassle!
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One of the big factors was weight at the beginning. I think she's realising that now and we're going back to just a tablet she can delete and sort images on the SD card itself. Much lighter!

If it's a laptop or netbook then it would need to be good enough for running lightroom etc. and have good battery life (6+ hours).

The Tab and Note we will look at, otherwise the Surface 2 or Nokia 2520 may be the best bet!
 
Hi, I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (first edition) for this. You can get adapter that means you can use SD cards or a USB and card reader throught he proprietary port (the big charging one)

Its good enough to open raw files using the right apps and good enough to proof and comes with preinstaleld Photoshop touch which is good although it only handles raw. Considering the new note are out you can prob get one for fairly cheap.

Dead easy, simple and light

As for backing up. The basic 10.1 note has 16gb of storage(say 8 once you have apps etc installed) and can be expanded with a 64gb Microsd card. Or just have another SD card to back up onto.
 
pocquet said:
Hi, I use a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (first edition) for this. You can get adapter that means you can use SD cards or a USB and card reader throught he proprietary port (the big charging one)

Its good enough to open raw files using the right apps and good enough to proof and comes with preinstaleld Photoshop touch which is good although it only handles raw. Considering the new note are out you can prob get one for fairly cheap.

Dead easy, simple and light

As for backing up. The basic 10.1 note has 16gb of storage(say 8 once you have apps etc installed) and can be expanded with a 64gb Microsd card. Or just have another SD card to back up onto.
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I have one as well, never knew the preinstalled photoshop handled raw! thanks for the tip :thumbs:
 
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