The iPad is tiny and still convinient

If we compare the notebook with a desktop, and take how much it is lighter and smaller than a desktop computer: in case of on-site work a desktop is out of scope. An iPad is the same way better choice for on-site surveying compared to a notebook. This brings up the question: "Will I see that small screen at all? A laptop has a much bigger display than an iPad!". The answer is simple: you will see exactly so much that is necessary and enough for the surveying and data entry. You do not have to carry the big screen of which you will use only a small part during your work as you will concentrate only a small piece of the drawing the same time: a wall detail, a closure or a distance. How does it look in your hand? Lets see it on this photo!

Size

The iPAd is massive

Usually where you take a survey, there is dust, no place to put your device on, at least if you want to take advantage on the portability of your notebook, you have to carry it in hand. You can get a "clean" enviroment by using a cart, but no matter how you try to protect your notebook, if it will falling it is still a sword of Damocles over you. On one side you might loose your data, but also you have to count on a relevant service cost and time. Not with aan iPad, being a small, light device without moving components. Apple iPads are tolerant towards mechanical influences, making them a perfect tool for a long time work.

Durability

The iPAd is really lightweight

iPads are in the tablet category they can well fit in your hand. Therefore the weight of such a device is really small, some hundreds of gramms (1.35 pounds = 613 g). This weight allows whole day work with this gadget without any stress. You can buy accessories, like holders and pens, which make carrying, sketching, drawing or measuring even more simple.

Weight

An iPAd can work more days with one charge

Battery running time is a complex question, with an advance on the iPad at each component. First of all, with the direct data entry and OrthoGraph's sketching and measuring functionality, the floor-plan surveying takes much less time with an iPad than with a PC or laptop. In addition, with continuous use the battery lasts much longer in an iPad, providing 9-10 hours operation time. Considering the power saving methods of an iPad (they can be switched off for waiting time like walking between rooms etc. without any shutdown and reboot time) it is obvious, that with one charge they can be used for days. If you are equipped with car charger, you have a quasi unlimited running time by recharging them during driving. Of course you need a car for this, but it is usually available.

Running time

Easy to use: sketch and draw like you'd do it on paper!

With running the OrthoGraph Architect on an iPad, we simply transferred the paperwork to electronic media. You can use your finger (or just like on paper, using a special pencil) for sketching and drawing . The most important difference is, that you can draw a "real" straight line, you can assign real measures to drawing elements, you can resize or morph the floorplan immediately diplayed by the tablet. A paper must be big for a floorplan survey, as you have to put the whole drawing on it with distances, and of course you need place for the corrections... With the OrthoGraph software it is much simplier, and therefore you need only that small part of the drawing you are just working on, and this is why that small screen is perfectly fits this usage. Moreover, unlike the paper, the OrthoGraph need no external lighting, as the iPad provides the good visibility either in dark or bright environment.

In contrast to notebooks, while drawing with a notebook you must use mouse, trackball, mousepad or other "strange" pointing devices, with an iPad you can do it with your finger, or a special pencil-like device.

Usability

An iPAd is quick, really quick

We said that the iPad is small and light. This brings forth the question if the size detracts the performance? We have again a double answer to this. An iPad can be extremly slower compared to a laptop in making complex calculations, but this is not the purpose we want to use it for. For using it as a note, as an audio player, a media player, a game console or as a surveyor with OrthoGraph it shows much better performance than a PC, as there is no boot and shutdown time, you can use it instantly after switching it on, and it has strong graphical capabilities. There is no wonder: as an iPad has no moving components, has a smaller screen and it is prepared to be used with those special applications, it can be quick, and it brings the feeling like drawing on a paper and not with a computer.

Performance