Transitioning to tablet/I-pad reports

I’ll try to make this as short as possible. I’m an old dinosaur (not tech savy) and do written reports (20 years) but have to transition to I-pad, the company I deal with (AHIT) are discontinuing their report books. Anyone have any suggestions on a good, fast, & simple to use I-pad/tablet to purchase? Probably need a stylus or pen. HELP, please!

Ron, I use a iPad 6th generation 2018 release that has a 9.7" display and 32gb. It is plenty sufficient for my reports ( I use TapInspect) and never had any issues with it. I have a stylus pen but hardly ever use it. I have a mini bluetooth keyboard that I use when doing the reports, however they are all office generated as opposed to field reporting. There are plenty available on eBay for a very reasonable price.

Hope this helps some.

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The keyboard came with a folding case for the iPad. This is how it sets up for work.

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Thanks Thomas, its a starting point, I’ll check it out.

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Ron, what were you using previously?

A written report from AHIT. Years ago watched an inspector friend use a palm pilot and laptop, wasn’t for me but now I’m forced to get with the times.

Are you meaning those pre-printed carbonless bound reports from the '90’s?
I used to you those or something very similar, can’t believe anyone still hand writes an inspection report anymore.

Anyway, don’t buy a tablet or device without first deciding what report writing/software you’ll be using.

I’ve found that the keyboard is everything when it comes to report writing. A lot of the tablets don’t have the best so if you’re planning to type a lot you might try a few and see which you like. I’ve always been partial to the IBM/Lenovo ones.

Thanks, Ron.
You used a computer for report writing? Wouldn’t it make since to purchase a software that used multiple devices? I use discover horizon. Laptop, Mobile Phone or Computer. I just purchased a Laptop Go @ although I preferred my Surface Pro 6 but that device is no longer functioning. Keyboard or Touchscreen.

This is the keyboard I have in my setup in the pic. I didn’t realize it had the key lighting options until I just watched this video… :thinking: :crazy_face:

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Keyboard? You guys still use keyboards?

I press the microphone button and just talk into my phone, and just like that, it converts it to text, of course I can still pop-up a keyboard and make adjustments if needed.

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Of course these auto voice conversions were created by someone that has no clue about Southern dialect. I would spend more time correcting it than I would just typing it myself… :stuck_out_tongue: :wink:

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How reliable is that? I do some voice to text on my phone and it’s pretty inaccurate. I couldn’t imagine all the proofreading I’d need to do for a report but maybe there’s better stuff out there than my Android.

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Sounds like a potential patent in the works.

Most likey with all the AI right around the corner a computer will learn a users particular dialet and convert it seamlessly.

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I use 3D software so it when I hit the microphone button the text goes right into the subject line I have chosen. For me it’s very reliable and works great although there are some occasional mis-understandings between me and the microphone, but in those instances I can just pop up a keyboard and fix it as needed.

I only use it when I have issues and defects arise that I don’t already have in my canned statements.

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My wife is from Ohio but has lived in GA since the early 80’s. She still pronounces the shower as a “shire” in " I’m going to take a shire…" Her family in Ohio still refer to a creek as a “crick”. AI may be smart, but it’s going to take some work getting it right across all regions. :wink:

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Sorry to Hijack your thread Ron. It’s pretty common around here. :shushing_face:

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She must be from Southern Ohio. When I moved down here back in the day, I was shocked at the differences between Northern and Southern Ohio dialect.

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Southeast, not far from Pittsburgh. And the same can be said with most any state. You may have problems understanding a conversation from the Mountain folks in my North GA area as to that of from someone in South GA. AI may just short circuit figuring it out…

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Yes those but with carbon copies, been using them for 20 years. Easier for me, clients love’em, realtors not so much.I’m looking at Inspectcheck for my software. What device is best?