Are you looking for the best contractor tablets? If yes, you are in the right place. In just a few years tablet computers have become an integral necessity for tradesmen, from homebuilders and plumbers to contractors, engineers, and architects. And why not? A tablet is a great tool for working out in the field. You can check your schedule or send a message to a colleague all while accelerating the pace of your work by using your tablet to look up information online. If you’re looking for a tablet that will improve your productivity as a contractor or architect, you’re not alone.
Working in the construction field means that you have to bring a lot of equipment to help you do your job. That’s why it’s important to have a tablet that will help you scan blueprints, measure distances, design and upload images, and order materials right from the comfort of your job site. But finding the best tablet for contractors can be a time-consuming process, especially because there are hundreds of different models from dozens of brands, and covering each of these is a huge challenge.
So, if you like to work in the field, designing buildings (for example) and need a tablet to help you save time and money, then check out the guide below. It’s got everything you could possibly need to know about the best contractor tablets.
Professionals can use tablets to optimize their businesses and increase productivity. But choosing the right device isn’t easy given the overwhelming number of tablets on offer. That’s why I put this guide together, so you can easily select a machine that’s going to be a pleasure to work with.
In this article, I’ll do a deep dive into tablet options that might be worth your attention. In a nutshell, you can expect to find a lot of contractors / architects / business owners among the general public and everyone else who are looking for a tablet, often with a view to owning a few for different purposes.
Best Contractor Tablets – Top 3 Picks
After carefully reviewing dozens of tablets, here are my top three picks. Here are the top three tablets that are available on the market for construction professionals. As always, I’ve taken a deep dive and have compiled the very best tablet for contractors.
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active PRO – Best Overall
The Galaxy Tab Active PRO is the Android tablet that lets you do what you need to do and nothing else.
The S Pen lets you write or draw on screen with precision for detailed marking and note taking. The Tab Active has a 15-hour battery and quick charging capabilities to stay on the job all day long, so no one gets left behind.
The 10.1-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Active Pro combines a premium tablet design with day-to-day durability and superb performance. Perfect for outdoor professionals and active people who need a rugged tablet to go everywhere they do a tablet that’s up to any challenge.
When we first came across this tablet, we were pleasantly surprised. It offers so much in terms of technology that it’s hard to keep up with all of it. This tablet is the perfect size for construction professionals because it has the power to tackle any work situation. The 10.1-inch screen is great for viewing content such as websites or presentations. The display is also bright and clear, which makes working on the go even easier. This is a ruggedized tablet that is designed to be able to withstand the harsh conditions that are often associated with the construction industry. This means you can be confident that it will be protected even if you drop it or throw it against a wall.
It also has an advanced IP68 rating which means it’s dust proof, water-resistant, and can survive being submerged in water. This is one of the most feature-packed tablets on the market.
I have been using this tablet for about a month now. It is very durable, and it has a good size and weight. I also love the display, which is sharp and bright.
It comes with a stylus, and the touch screen works well with it. It is a little bit heavy, but it has a rugged shell, so it is not easy to break. The battery life on the tablet is amazing, and it easily last 15 hours. The Wi-Fi is fast, and there is no slowdowns.
2- Vanquisher 8-Inch Industrial Rugged Tablet
The Military Grade Vanquisher Rugged Tablet is one of the best tablet computers in the world. It is a highly durable and fully functional tablet with mini-PC functionalities. It is IP67 waterproof, ruggedized and can withstand wild handling in outdoor, extreme conditions and demanding industrial environments from mining to maintenance in all weather conditions. Windows based enterprise mobility can keep your team always connected without worrying about data lossing in the field.
In addition, this rugged tablet comes equipped with GPS capabilities, allowing you to achieve accurate location tracking and augmented reality applications on-the-go, or use the integrated map function for GPS navigation to find your way in unfamiliar areas quickly and easily. It’s perfect for field workers, consultants, engineers, geologists, maintenance staff, and anyone needing lightweight & rugged mobility in the field.
The Vanquisher 8″ rugged tablet was designed spefically for mobile workers who needs a windows-based enterprise mobility device to remotely connect to corporate office.
It is built to withstand the rigors of the construction site and is drop resistant. Also it has an ultra-slim and light form factor with a backlit multi-touch display that allows you to use your finger or pen to navigate your tablet. It has a rugged industrial design that is built to stand up to hard work and travel.
The tablet is built to support 4G LTE data communication capabilities, making it ideal for use in the field where data loss can be a concern. It has built-in Bluetooth 4.0 for connectivity. It has a micro-USB port for charging. There’s a full size USB port for connecting a mouse/keyboard
3. TRIPLTEK Tablet 7″ PRO – Best for Outdoor Use
The TRIPLTEK tablet is the most powerful and reliable tablet to help you work from the job site. It’s designed for professionals and the military, with the rugged case.
It’s also equipped with 4G LTE, so you can stay connected to the cloud whenever you need to. And because it’s a great tablet for drones, you won’t have to worry about dropping it while you’re flying.
The screen is very bright and the resolution of the display is very high. This is one of the best tablet for contractors. This tablet has a high brightness, long battery life, and rugged construction. Its a great all in one tablet. You can easily connect to it to your laptop and use it like a desktop. It also has an integrated tripod mount and a built in speaker which makes it great for using it for presentations.
Keep your team always connected with the help of this rugged tablet, which is perfect for enterprise mobility. Built-in GPS module makes it possible to navigate even in remote locations without a cell signal. The built-in battery keeps you productive for long hours on a single charge. Use it to collect data, do GIS mapping, track vehicles or perform geological surveys without worrying about data lossing
Overall if you are looking for the best tablet for contractors, then you should definitely consider the TripLTEK tablet. It’s the best choice. It’s a great all-in-one tablet that’s ideal for contractors and the military.
What to Look for in a Contractor Tablet – Buyer’s Guide
Tablets for contractors are not all created equally. If you’re considering buying one, there are several factors to keep in mind.
Before we get into the good stuff (specific tablet recommendations), I want to let you know that if you select a model that is compatible with your existing business apps and offers smooth multitasking, then this will certainly make it easier for you to do your job. But there are other important things to think about as well, such as:
The Operating System
In the past, a lot of contractors bought devices running a version of Android, but this is no longer the case. Nowadays many people choose Windows-based tablets because they can run Windows apps (you can get Android and Windows versions of some brands).
The size of the tablet’s screen
Obviously, this is really important too. If you want to do heavy editing on your device, then you will need a larger model with a high-resolution display. Alternatively, if you prioritize portability (and don’t mind zooming in and out using your fingers), then a smaller tablet might be the way to go.
The Tablet’s Battery / Battery Life
You don’t want to get caught with a dead battery when you need your device most, so it’s important to read reviews about how long tablets can last on a single charge.
The tablet’s price is another important factor that you might want to consider.
But just because a device costs more doesn’t mean it will do what you need it to do in the field. Also, even though some expensive models come with tons of features and premium components, they might not be worth the money.
Comparing Windows and Android Tablets
There are some pretty major differences between the various operating systems, so it’s important to make an informed decision about what you want from your tablet. If you choose a model running Windows 10 (or later), you get access to the full-featured version of Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and so on). You can also use most of the business-related apps that you already know (there is a good chance that your existing apps work with Windows tablets out of the box).
Durable Construction
Tablets are not very resistant to shocks, dust, and water (at least not yet), so you should go for a model that has at least some degree of sturdiness.
When it comes to durability, most contractors feel more secure with devices that are completely solid. A tablet with a protective case might seem like enough when you read reviews about the product, but in reality this is not always the case.
If possible, try to get one with an IP65 rating (this means it’s both shockproof and splash-resistant). IP67 models are better because they can also survive submersion in water.
You will need a tablet that is tough enough to travel with you no matter what, but this doesn’t mean it has to be bulky.
Price
You shouldn’t choose a tablet just because it’s cheap. Instead, check if the price is reasonable for what you get (or don’t get).
Also, think about how often you will use your new device and why (are you buying it to replace an old one or to simply try out something new?). If you don’t need a luxury model, then getting a cheaper tablet might be the right thing to do.
Importance of Tablet for Contractors and architecture in the Workplace
There are several benefits that come with using a tablet in the workplace for professionals:
One of the biggest advantages is mobility. You can use your tablet in any situation and it doesn’t matter if you work outside or indoors. Also, when you get back home after a hard day’s work, you can watch a show on Netflix, play games etc.
If you don’t have a computer at home, then it’s easy to get things done there too. You can make spreadsheets and presentations with ease if your tablet has the right software (or use an online version).
You will see that when it comes to productivity, tablets are much more versatile than smartphones. Most companies allow their employees to use personal devices in the workplace, so if your company doesn’t have a policy for this yet, you can always ask them about it (or wait until they update the rules).
Tablets provide you with access to all kinds of information that you might need to know to do your job well. There is a good chance that you can get the specs on any construction site or building by using Google Earth, for example (or other mapping and measurement tools).
Tablets make it easy to take and share photos and videos (you don’t need an additional camera if you have a tablet). You can also easily share these files with your friends, family, and colleagues (a laptop or smartphone isn’t as easy to carry around).
Tablets are great for recreation too (they allow you to play games online or read e-books), but most people won’t be able to use them like this during the day.
There are lots of things that make tablets great for professionals (and regular people) in all kinds of industries. The good news is that instead of spending too much time reading extensive reviews, you can simply go to any online store and pick the right model yourself (even if it’s your first tablet).
Final Thoughts
In short, if you want to select a good tablet for work, then you should go through the most important factors and decide what’s best for your job. For example, you might prefer a Windows-based model if your existing business apps are running on Microsoft Office (or they work with it seamlessly). In this case, a tablet running Windows 10 is going to be the right choice for you.
There are also some other things to take into account before you buy a new tablet, such as its durability and battery life. If possible, try to get one with a solid construction and a long battery life (this means it can last through a full day of work and it won’t run out of power when you’re commuting).
Also, consider the average price of a good tablet for contractors. You don’t need to get the most expensive device on the market if that means that you can’t spend some extra cash on accessories (or additional tools).
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