These days, you simply can’t keep up in the field service industry without utilizing technology in some form. More and more businesses depend on mobile devices in order to run their company efficiently and effectively.
But with so many choices on the market, where do you start? Running a field service business means you have a lot of other, bigger decisions to make. How do you find the time to find the right devices for your company?
Well, you can start with this article!
Below we've compiled the best tablet choices for contractors of every budget. Of course, you have a lot more choices than what you'll see here, so always feel free to explore your options (including the idea of using phones instead of tablets). Also, remember that if you want to save even more money, you can opt to purchase refurbished, pre-owned devices.
The device prices listed here will be for brand new devices, sorted from the most expensive to the least expensive.
iPad Mini 5 - $349.99
Storage: 64 GB
Charging cable: Lightning cable
Screen size: 7.9”
Rear camera: 8 MP
Many users prefer the sleek style and simplicity of Apple products, but can find the hefty price tag scary. The iPad Mini 5 (2019) offers you the performance and style of an iPad, but won’t hurt your wallet as much as one of the newer iPad Pro models. This compact tablet will give you plenty of power to work with. This is the newest model of the iPad Mini series, which means the device can handle the newest Apple operating system. The iPad Mini 5 has the best display resolution of anything on this list with an impressive 2048 x 1536 resolution display at 326 PPI (pixels per inch). This model is compatible with the Apple Pencil as well, giving you more options to utilize your device in the ways you see fit!
Samsung Galaxy Tab AÂ - $229.99
Storage: 64 GB
Charging cable: USB-C
Screen size: 10.1”
Rear camera: 8 MP
A little more accessible price-wise than the iPad Mini 5, the Galaxy Tab A is a very popular tablet amongst those who prefer Android-based devices. This device boasts a larger screen than the iPad Mini, a feature which could land on either side of the pro/con fence when it comes to your personal preferences. Like the iPad Mini, it also has an 8 megapixel rear facing camera and 64 GB of storage. The processing power won’t be quite as good and the display quality won’t match Apple’s retina display, but the lower price point here is very attractive for some who want a cheaper option. This model is equipped with a 10.1”, 1920x1200 resolution screen with a PPI (pixels per inch) of 224.
Lenovo Tab M10 Plus - $149.99
Storage: 32 GB
Charging cable: USB-C
Screen size: 10.3”
Rear camera: 8 MP
A step lower on the price ladder from the Galaxy Tab A, this Android-based Lenovo tablet still has a lot to offer its users. Downgrading to 32gb of storage saves you a pretty penny, and as long as you don't need to save a plethora of large files on-device, you likely won’t miss that space. The Tab M10 Plus wields considerable processing power for its price point while matching the 8 megapixel camera from the tablet models listed above. With a slightly larger screen than the Galaxy Tab A at 10.3”, this tablet is actually the largest one on the list! If you want a decent tablet on a tight budget, this Android device should satisfy your needs. Comparable to the Tab A, this device comes with a 1920x1200 resolution display at a PPI (pixels per inch) of 220.
Honorable Mention: iPad 7 - $359.00
Storage: 32 GB
Charging cable: Lightning cable
Screen size: 10.2”
Rear camera: 8 MP
We tried to keep the options here under $350, so this device just missed the cut. Even so, this full size 7th Gen iPad is a decent alternative to the iPad Mini 5 if you’re looking for something with a bit more screen space. The trade-off you make here is that for roughly the same price you’ll have to sacrifice half of the storage space and take a large hit to the selfie camera resolution (1.2 megapixel vs the iPad Mini 5’s 5 megapixel). This model is also compatible with the Apple Pencil.
Conclusion
In the end, there are a plethora of different brands and models of tablets that may fit your needs. However, these popular selections at various price points will satisfy any field service contractor. All the models should easily run your mobile field service software.
When choosing your devices, keep your goal in mind. If high quality photos are what you’re after, you’ll want to make sure to have plenty of card or cloud storage space as well, not just a great camera!
