I’d like to get a Windows tablet, maybe about the size of an iPad but first I would need to know something about them…

I would like to write my own software to be used on it. I occasionally do work as a sales rep, and I’d like to have something that I can do orders with while I’m in a store. Simple stuff, just using VB6.

If I write my own software in VB6, will it work on a Windows tablet?

I’m assuming here that tablets exist that run Windows, maybe Windows 8? I’ve never seen or used Windows 8 but I’m sure it’s not all that difficult….

• I’m assuming here that tablets exist that run Windows, maybe Windows 8? I’ve never seen or used Windows 8 but I’m sure it’s not all that difficult….

So you are not sure if something exists but you want one anyway? In that case, I’m still waiting on my hoverboard. Luckily for you, such things do exist…

furious said:

• I’m assuming here that tablets exist that run Windows, maybe Windows 8? I’ve never seen or used Windows 8 but I’m sure it’s not all that difficult….

So you are not sure if something exists but you want one anyway? In that case, I’m still waiting on my hoverboard. Luckily for you, such things do exist…

That’s awesome then :) Glad they do exist … any idea if a Windows 8 tablet will run standard Windows software? It works on my Windows 7 laptop, so is it safe to assume it will work on a Windows 8 tablet?

JTQ said:

I’d like to get a Windows tablet, maybe about the size of an iPad but first I would need to know something about them…

I would like to write my own software to be used on it. I occasionally do work as a sales rep, and I’d like to have something that I can do orders with while I’m in a store. Simple stuff, just using VB6.

If I write my own software in VB6, will it work on a Windows tablet?

I’m assuming here that tablets exist that run Windows, maybe Windows 8? I’ve never seen or used Windows 8 but I’m sure it’s not all that difficult….

I’m not sure about VB6, I doubt it.

I was about to say they won’t run VBA, but checking I can’t see a clear yes/no answer anywhere, which I suspect means they won’t.

JavaScript seems to be the preferred technology.

furious said:

• I’m assuming here that tablets exist that run Windows, maybe Windows 8? I’ve never seen or used Windows 8 but I’m sure it’s not all that difficult….

So you are not sure if something exists but you want one anyway? In that case, I’m still waiting on my hoverboard. Luckily for you, such things do exist…

Tablets running Windows 8 definitely do exist!

They will run a version of office, but I’m not sure if it has VBA.

Windows office for Android phones definitely does not have VBA (and neither does Cloud Office).

A Windows Pro tablet will/should run VB6. A Windows Pro RT will not.

*add the word Surface where needed…

poikilotherm said:

A Windows Pro tablet will/should run VB6. A Windows Pro RT will not.

http://www.insystem.com/vb6tablet.htm

poikilotherm said:

A Windows Pro tablet will/should run VB6. A Windows Pro RT will not.

What is a Windows Pro RT?

The Rev Dodgson said:

poikilotherm said:

A Windows Pro tablet will/should run VB6. A Windows Pro RT will not.

What is a Windows Pro RT?

:P

Surfrace RT…

It’s got a bodgy Windows version which will not run VB6.

poikilotherm said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

poikilotherm said:

A Windows Pro tablet will/should run VB6. A Windows Pro RT will not.

What is a Windows Pro RT?

:P

Surfrace RT…

It’s got a bodgy Windows version which will not run VB6.

OK.

They’re not very up front about the bodgy Windows, are they?

The Rev Dodgson said:

poikilotherm said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

What is a Windows Pro RT?

:P

Surfrace RT…

It’s got a bodgy Windows version which will not run VB6.

OK.

They’re not very up front about the bodgy Windows, are they?

Not really, but in their defense, I think this model was targeted at potential iPad users with its use of ‘app stores’.

Surly you can load Red Hat or some such and give the finger to Bill and Melinda Gates and their running dog exploitative product.

Peak Warming Man said:

Surly you can load Red Hat or some such and give the finger to Bill and Melinda Gates and their running dog exploitative product.

Yea, Mr Ballmer blocked that, funnily enough.

You can buy tablets that run native x86 (traditional) windows 8. This is the Microsoft Surface Pro, several from Asus and other third party manufacturers. The Surface Pro runs a full blown Intel Core I5 processor and 8gB RAM.

The Asus ones run the low power Atom dual core processors and generally only have 2 gB of RAM but have great battery life. Both the Atom and Core I5 versions are basically touch screen PCs and run normal ‘programs’ like the full suite of MS Office.

Microsoft also created a version of Windows 8 that runs on ARM processors. This is basically the Windows Phone style software in much the same way that Apple have the Ipad / iphone operating system. This Microsoft Phone style tablet is called the Surface RT. It uses ‘apps’ that work with MS Phone. It runs a phone / app version of MS Office.

The files are compatible between the Surface Pro and the Surface RT, but the actual programs/apps are not.

No different to Apple Macs and Iphones/ipads in that regard.

poikilotherm said:

Peak Warming Man said:

Surly you can load Red Hat or some such and give the finger to Bill and Melinda Gates and their running dog exploitative product.

Yea, Mr Ballmer blocked that, funnily enough.

Seems strange anyone would intentionally buy a Surface tablet to run a free distro. When you buy Surface, you also buy a windows 8 OS license. If you wanted to run free distros smart money would be on a google Nexus tablet.

Microsoft also created a version of Windows 8 that runs on ARM processors. This is basically the Windows Phone style software in much the same way that Apple have the Ipad / iphone operating system. This Microsoft Phone style tablet is called the Surface RT. It uses ‘apps’ that work with MS Phone. It runs a phone / app version of MS Office.

I have a Surface RT. SWMBO bought one for me as a birthday present as she thought it would be great for site work, rather then lugging around my rather large laptop.

Nope.

Look, for word or excel, no problem, but you can’t load my ‘working’ style programs on to it. Basically the salesman at the shop gave her a snow job.

So, I wouldn’t but another one, and must admit don’t like win 8 one little bit; saying that, I may eventually look at a Pro model. If it can load autocad / mathcad and other non microsoft programs, it may save my weary bones.

sibeen said:

Look, for word or excel, no problem, but you can’t load my ‘working’ style programs on to it. Basically the salesman at the shop gave her a snow job.

So, I wouldn’t but another one, and must admit don’t like win 8 one little bit; saying that, I may eventually look at a Pro model. If it can load autocad / mathcad and other non microsoft programs, it may save my weary bones.

Maybe word no problem, but Excel without VBA is near useless for work for me.

OTOH, the ones that load the full Windows 8 will presumably load the full MS Office (as well as Mathcad, if you must :))

sibeen said:

I have a Surface RT. SWMBO bought one for me as a birthday present as she thought it would be great for site work, rather then lugging around my rather large laptop.

So, I wouldn’t but another one, and must admit don’t like win 8 one little bit; saying that, I may eventually look at a Pro model. If it can load autocad / mathcad and other non microsoft programs, it may save my weary bones.

Bummer on the RT. They really are good for consuming info, not creating it.

One of my guys at work have been trialling the Surface Pro and he is happy with it’s performance. So much so his Lenovo T series Think Pad is now collecting dust. He is is running a range of Autodesk products and a specialised engineering package as well as Office 2010.

The only issue I have is the limited number of USB ports but it is a tablet and if you want portability, that is what bluetooth is for. Also there is no ethernet port, but you can use bluetooth or a usb to ethernet dongle. It does have HDMI out for a second monitor.

>Also there is no ethernet port, but you can use bluetooth or a usb to ethernet dongle

A usb to ethernet dongle would be be grand. I actually had one lying around and connected it to the RT – no joy at all – sob

That would have been very handy, and another reason I may look at teh pro model down the track.

As you stated, the RT really is an ipad, and useful for consuming content, other than that….just no.

The Rev Dodgson said:

sibeen said:

Look, for word or excel, no problem, but you can’t load my ‘working’ style programs on to it. Basically the salesman at the shop gave her a snow job.

So, I wouldn’t but another one, and must admit don’t like win 8 one little bit; saying that, I may eventually look at a Pro model. If it can load autocad / mathcad and other non microsoft programs, it may save my weary bones.

Maybe word no problem, but Excel without VBA is near useless for work for me.

OTOH, the ones that load the full Windows 8 will presumably load the full MS Office (as well as Mathcad, if you must :))

I do realise that I’m the only one left using mathcad in the known universe, but I’m fairly set in my ways. I’ve been using it for close to 20 years, and in my case you cannot teach an old dog new tricks :)

• I do realise that I’m the only one left using mathcad

Isn’t that the one where the bowler runs out the non striker during his bowling action?

We recently got Windows tablets for work.

Mine is running Win7 Pro with a core i7 and 16 Gigs of RAM. I was a little disappointed with the 256 Gb SSD as by the time they loaded all of my work software, it only had 20 Gb left. I’m still getting used to the handwriting recognition. It’s cool but it feels quite unnatural.

It will run any software that will run under Win7.

It’s a little larger and a lot more expensive than an iPad though.

http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_f5.asp

Teleost said:

We recently got Windows tablets for work.

Mine is running Win7 Pro with a core i7 and 16 Gigs of RAM. I was a little disappointed with the 256 Gb SSD as by the time they loaded all of my work software, it only had 20 Gb left. I’m still getting used to the handwriting recognition. It’s cool but it feels quite unnatural.

It will run any software that will run under Win7.

It’s a little larger and a lot more expensive than an iPad though.

http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_f5.asp

How many dollar, Teleost?

Depends on how many fall off a truck.

Not much change out of $4500 :(

They seem to be bombproof though.

Teleost said:

Not much change out of $4500 :(

They seem to be bombproof though.

:O
I would want them to cook and clean for me at that price!

Divine Angel said:

Teleost said:

Not much change out of $4500 :(

They seem to be bombproof though.

:O
I would want them to cook and clean for me at that price!

It was the integrated GPS and barcode scanner that upped the price tag.
Dog only knows how much the licensing and customisation for ArcGIS mobile was. It should save me at least an entire day in the office every week though as all our mapping will now be automated.

Teleost said:

It was the integrated GPS and barcode scanner that upped the price tag.
Dog only knows how much the licensing and customisation for ArcGIS mobile was. It should save me at least an entire day in the office every week though as all our mapping will now be automated.

Don’t you get that on $200 phones?

The Rev Dodgson said:

Teleost said:

It was the integrated GPS and barcode scanner that upped the price tag.
Dog only knows how much the licensing and customisation for ArcGIS mobile was. It should save me at least an entire day in the office every week though as all our mapping will now be automated.

Don’t you get that on $200 phones?

+1

Divine Angel said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

Teleost said:

It was the integrated GPS and barcode scanner that upped the price tag.
Dog only knows how much the licensing and customisation for ArcGIS mobile was. It should save me at least an entire day in the office every week though as all our mapping will now be automated.

Don’t you get that on $200 phones?

+1

OK then, $201 dollar phones.

I don’t believe Windows Tablets exist.

You can get that on $100 phones.

Except for the bit where I run software that won’t run on either Android or iOS.

My team would have preferred something in the iPad or phone size due to some of the bloody awful field sites we work in. The IT boffins didn’t want to do any development for those platforms and identified these units as practically indestructible.

We shall see though. I’ve found with dedication, even the most robust of field equipment can be destroyed without any more than the rigours of the real world.