2023 Tablet/Laptop Issue

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kpmidmanguy20

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Apr 29, 2019
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Recently learned that 2023 is being issued Microsoft ‘Surface’ Tablets in lieu of traditional laptops. Several of my classmates have been participating in ‘trials’ using these tablets. To be concise, these tablets are AWFUL. They are barely up to standard for a midshipman to use in the classroom, and they are definitely not advantageous to use at sea. Despite repeated negative feedback given to DoIT (department of information technology) on campus after these trial runs, they are moving forward with this plan. Negative feedback is basically met with “get with the times, touch screens are the future.” The touchscreen barely responds once DoIT loads the tablet up with the incredible amount of software required to operate on the academy network.

I highly recommend exploring alternatives to being issued these tablets. I remember my plebe year DoIT publishing information regarding what laptop specifications are required. If you buy your own that meets the requirements, (or exceeds them), they should be able to format it for you so you can use it on the academy network, unless they changed regulations since 2-3 years ago.

I can reply back with a bit more in depth pro/con of these tablets if this post gets traction. I may need to do some more research to develop a better opinion.
 
kpmidmanguy20 said:
Recently learned that 2023 is being issued Microsoft ‘Surface’ Tablets in lieu of traditional laptops. ....feedback is basically met with “get with the times, touch screens are the future.” The touchscreen barely responds once DoIT loads the tablet up with the incredible amount of software required to operate on the academy network.
Click to expand...

Ahhh so glad to see nothing has changed since I've been gone.

Doing projects on a tablet sounds like one of Dante's Nine Circles...
 
There is a learning curve when going from a laptop to the surface pro. But, when DS started, before this change came about, we sent him with the laptop purchased through the NEX, along with his own personal laptop, along with some portable, heavy duty, shock resistant couple terabyte hard drives, with the advise of whenever you do something on the "NEX" computer, make sure you have it backed up elsewhere, and, vise versa, along with the further advise of back everything up, especially when at sea and on projects.

With regards the surface, if you can get used to it, it is a very capable machine, although such may depend on what it is running and what speed and memory it has been built with. I imagine a 128 I5 with 8gb ram will be less capable than an I7 with 16gb ram. I don't know why the touchscreen would be impacted, although i guess there could be so much running that it is not the screen itself but the underlying process that is slow. We do have a DS in a science program, not at an academy, who swears by the surface pro and the ability to draw, write, copy calculations from class, etc., on it, as well as simply standard typing on it.

Does KP allow access to the cloud for memory? or is it restricted to on the device. That is something I don't think I ever asked DS.

But, onboard ship, The weight and size should be helpful, but, I would wonder a little about durability just because of the environment.

No banging your tires kpmidmanguy20. Your points are a valid concern. Just making a comment about the surface pro.
 
golfindad said:
There is a learning curve when going from a laptop to the surface pro. But, when DS started, before this change came about, we sent him with the laptop purchased through the NEX, along with his own personal laptop, along with some portable, heavy duty, shock resistant couple terabyte hard drives, with the advise of whenever you do something on the "NEX" computer, make sure you have it backed up elsewhere, and, vise versa, along with the further advise of back everything up, especially when at sea and on projects.

With regards the surface, if you can get used to it, it is a very capable machine, although such may depend on what it is running and what speed and memory it has been built with. I imagine a 128 I5 with 8gb ram will be less capable than an I7 with 16gb ram. I don't know why the touchscreen would be impacted, although i guess there could be so much running that it is not the screen itself but the underlying process that is slow. We do have a DS in a science program, not at an academy, who swears by the surface pro and the ability to draw, write, copy calculations from class, etc., on it, as well as simply standard typing on it.

Does KP allow access to the cloud for memory? or is it restricted to on the device. That is something I don't think I ever asked DS.

But, onboard ship, The weight and size should be helpful, but, I would wonder a little about durability just because of the environment.

No banging your tires kpmidmanguy20. Your points are a valid concern. Just making a comment about the surface pro.
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I’ve heard the touch response is slower than expected, and I assume it is because of the underlying processes DoIT has running in the background.

I’ve specifically heard that running AutoCAD, a software needed for engineers in certain classes, is a frustrating process. Again, probably heavily related to competing for memory/process usage with DoIT’s bs underlying programs.

I don’t think we have access to cloud storage for personal use. I haven’t heard of anyone using anything of the sort.

I appreciate your opinion.
 
I would wonder about the autocad program as well. I don't use it, never have, probably could not comprehend how to even try, but, I would think it uses a ton of power/space
 
kpmidmanguy20 said:
Recently learned that 2023 is being issued Microsoft ‘Surface’ Tablets in lieu of traditional laptops. Several of my classmates have been participating in ‘trials’ using these tablets. To be concise, these tablets are AWFUL. They are barely up to standard for a midshipman to use in the classroom, and they are definitely not advantageous to use at sea. Despite repeated negative feedback given to DoIT (department of information technology) on campus after these trial runs, they are moving forward with this plan. Negative feedback is basically met with “get with the times, touch screens are the future.” The touchscreen barely responds once DoIT loads the tablet up with the incredible amount of software required to operate on the academy network.

I highly recommend exploring alternatives to being issued these tablets. I remember my plebe year DoIT publishing information regarding what laptop specifications are required. If you buy your own that meets the requirements, (or exceeds them), they should be able to format it for you so you can use it on the academy network, unless they changed regulations since 2-3 years ago.

I can reply back with a bit more in depth pro/con of these tablets if this post gets traction. I may need to do some more research to develop a better opinion.
Click to expand...


I'd rather have an MS surface than my Dell Latitude. The Dell's have to go no matter what.
 
Mr2020 said:
kpmidmanguy20 said:
Recently learned that 2023 is being issued Microsoft ‘Surface’ Tablets in lieu of traditional laptops. Several of my classmates have been participating in ‘trials’ using these tablets. To be concise, these tablets are AWFUL. They are barely up to standard for a midshipman to use in the classroom, and they are definitely not advantageous to use at sea. Despite repeated negative feedback given to DoIT (department of information technology) on campus after these trial runs, they are moving forward with this plan. Negative feedback is basically met with “get with the times, touch screens are the future.” The touchscreen barely responds once DoIT loads the tablet up with the incredible amount of software required to operate on the academy network.

I highly recommend exploring alternatives to being issued these tablets. I remember my plebe year DoIT publishing information regarding what laptop specifications are required. If you buy your own that meets the requirements, (or exceeds them), they should be able to format it for you so you can use it on the academy network, unless they changed regulations since 2-3 years ago.

I can reply back with a bit more in depth pro/con of these tablets if this post gets traction. I may need to do some more research to develop a better opinion.
Click to expand...


I'd rather have an MS surface than my Dell Latitude. The Dell's have to go no matter what.
Click to expand...

The Latitude is a solid machine, but DoIT still manages to bog it down immensely with their background software. I still think this effect would be tenfold on a tablet with less processing power.
 
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