Are you in the market for a new mobile device? The array of tablet choices can leave you with more questions that you started with. Some have impressive specs and equally impressive price tags. Some are designed for people who need a tablet but don’t need all of the bells and whistles. And in the middle, some have a nice balance of durability, features and a price that won’t make you faint.
Here are three tablets that work for home inspectors, whether the sky’s the limit or you’re pinching pennies.
Rugged, Lightweight and Expensive: Getac RX10
If not the king of tablets for rugged performance, it’s definitely in the running. With a price tag of around $2,000 and up, it’s an investment. It’s also quite resistant to water, dust, and impact.
Getac was born when Mitac and GE Aerospace Group joined forces in the late 80s, says TechRadar. The Getac RX10 is light, built like a tank and has a functional, built-in handle that’s wide enough to grab wearing gloves.
Here are the specs:
- CPU: Intel Core m-5Y10C
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5300
- RAM: 8GB
- Screen: 1920×1080, 10.1-inch
- Storage: 256GB
- Camera: 8MP rear, 2MP front
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Total dimensions: 11” x 9.65” x 0.74”
Water and Dust Resistant, Mid-Range: Sony Xperia Z4
It’s not the toughest tablet on the block, but it can handle spills like a pro and keeps dust out. It’s also got a respectable camera. Tech Radar says the Sony Xperia X4 Tablet is “one of the best Android tablets available on the market right now.” It’s competitive with the aPad Pro 9.7 and has excellent battery life.
This tablet is lightweight. Extremely lightweight, which is a pro or a con depending on your preference. There’s also a screen glare issue, especially outdoors, says Tech Radar, and it’s lower on RAM and storage than some of its competitors. But for about $600, you get a versatile tablet with a decent camera and plenty more going for it.
Here’s what you get:
- CPU: 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
- Graphics: Adreno 430
- RAM: 2GB
- Screen: 2,560 x 1,600, 10.1-inch
- Storage: 32GB
- Camera: 8MP read, 5MP front
- Weight: 0.86 pounds
- Total dimensions: 10.0” x 6.57” x 0.24”
If you don’t need high performance and extreme ruggedness, a less expensive tablet can get the job done.
Good Battery Life, Low Price: Asus ZenPad S 8.0
If money really is an object but you need a tablet that you can rely on, check out the Asus ZenPad S 8.0. According to Tech Radar, this tablet is fast, has a high-resolution screen and it’s “a little more intelligent than Google’s stock experience” as it applies to storing new apps, like your home inspection reporting app. It’ll set you back between $200 and $300.
The ZenPad has a respectable camera, but it lacks a flash. That could be problematic for photographing defects in confined spaces and dark corners. If you need an entry-level tablet with dependable battery life and a quick-charge option, this could be the tablet you’re looking for.
Here’s are its specs:
- CPU: Intel Atom Z3580 quad-core
- RAM: 2/4GB
- Screen: 8 inches
- Storage: 16/32/64GB
- Camera: 8MP rear, 05MP front
- Weight: 12.35 ounces
- Total dimensions: 8” x 5.28” x 0.26”
A tablet gives you a larger screen than a smartphone for filling out home inspection reports, editing photos and sending emails and files. The market is overflowing right now, so do your homework before making an investment. Whether you need something that can take a beating or not so much, there’s a tablet that’s just right for your home inspection business.
Download our home inspection app for your Android tablet today or get it for your iPad at the App Store.