Using a Tablet PC (such as the Microsoft Surface) with ConstructConnect Takeoff

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Questions

Can you recommend a Tablet PC for me to buy to use with your programs? (answered below)

Do you recommend the Microsoft Surface Pro? (also answered below)

What about Apple products like MacBooks and iPads? (see: Using ConstructConnect Takeoff on a MAC)

Does ConstructConnect Takeoff work with "Touch" screens? (see: Using Touch Screens and ConstructConnect Takeoff)

Tablet Recommendations

Although we cannot make specific recommendations or endorsements regarding personal computers, tablets, or other peripherals, we want to provide our customers with some guidance on Tablet PCs that should work well with our software. Please note, just because the software works on a touchscreen computer, you cannot use "Touch" to work with CCTO. Please see the Related articles for information on whether your Tablet uses pointing technology that will work with CCTO.

Before you continue, you need to determine what you expect to be doing with your new Tablet. The activities you intend on performing and the size of the jobs you plan on working factor into your choice of Tablet PC.

Activities you perform may include:

  • Reviewing Plans (that are already in the Cloud)
  • Creating Projects, uploading Plan Sets
  • Performing Takeoff
  • Exporting Project data to Quick Bid or Excel

Questions to ask yourself

  • What is the average size of the projects your company bids and the complexity/size of the digital plans/Plan Sets you use?
  • Do you bid large jobs (greater than $10M), with numerous change orders?
  • Do you manage plans with numerous addenda (many plan sets)?
  • What type of plan files do you normally use (PDF, TIF, etc.)?
  • What else will be running on this machine (Outlook, Accounting software, other services, etc.)

You also need to decide what form factor suits your business needs.

  • Many of the smaller, more affordable models are called Slates. Slates are similar to an iPad™ - they often do not include a hardware keyboard (although some allow you to attach a separately purchased accessory) and may not have additional ports for connecting peripherals such as external monitors, mice, and keyboards. Slates do not stand up on their own the way a laptop screen does so a separate stand may be required (the Microsoft Surface is a bit of an exception here; it has a built-in "easel" which allows it to stand up and it includes several ports for adding peripherals.
  • At the other end of the spectrum are Convertible tablets, which are like a laptop PC with a screen that swivels around to become a tablet. These are generally more powerful, although they are typically heavier and pricier.

We do not recommend buying a tablet with a screen size smaller than 12" - these screens are simply too small to be used efficiently and the devices typically cannot connect to an external monitor (at least not easily).

Caution
Reminder: If a Tablet doesn't support using a Wacom pen-type stylus (also called an active digitizer screen/stylus), you must use a mouse for performing takeoff. Finger pointing/touch is simply not precise enough for performing takeoff although page navigation, panning, zooming should work fine using finger gestures. We recommend you contact the manufacturer of any machine in which you are interested before purchasing to make sure the hardware is an appropriate/working solution for your needs - better yet, see if you can use a demonstration model for a few days.

What to Look For

Microsoft maintains a list of great laptops, tablets, and convertibles (2 in 1) on their Web site: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/devices - one of our personal favorites is the Surface Pro line of tablets, notebooks, and laptops.

Inclusion in Microsoft's list does not constitute a specific endorsement of any manufacturer or product. We are simply stating that the product should meet the expectations for performance and suitability but does not provide support or specific advice for any hardware products.

No matter what device you chose, be sure it meets our System Requirements.

When looking for a tablet, we recommend looking for a machine with the following specifications:

Entry Level

The biggest benefits to these machines is lower cost, lower weight (matters if someone is carrying the PC around a job site), and extended battery life.

Entry level machines typically come with the following specifications:

  • Most do not come with Windows 10 PRO. Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 S-Mode are not acceptable operating systems. You will need to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro to use our software. If you are running Windows 10 in "S-Mode", you can perform a one-time, one-way upgrade - see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4020089/windows-10-in-s-mode-faq for details.
  • Atom™ processors (single- or dual-core)
  • 2 GB of RAM
  • Hard drive - 32GB or larger (usually solid state - no moving parts)
  • Weight less than 2 pounds (or so)
  • One USB or connection port (if any)
  • Capacitive Touch Support (not expected to work with the software). Optional Active Digitizer support (uses a hard-plastic nub pen, not just finger-touch) may be available
  • WiFi connectivity (Broadband (cellular) is a huge convenience but it is often not available on these lower-cost models)
  • Usually, costs less than $600.00 US

These are relatively 'lightweights' in the computing world and suitable only for plan viewing and possibly uploading project files.

Power User

These models would be suitable for performing takeoff and estimating on mid- to large-scale projects although, if the project is very large, working on a desktop with multiple monitors is significantly more efficient. These machines are considerably more powerful than the Entry Level models but are usually more expensive, heavier, and generally provide shorter battery run-times.

  • Windows 10 PRO (Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 S-Mode are not acceptable operating systems. You will need to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro to use our software. If you are running Windows 10 in "S-Mode", you can perform a one-time, one-way upgrade - see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4020089/windows-10-in-s-mode-faq for details).
  • Intel i5 or i7 processor
  • 8GB RAM
  • Hard drive - 128GB solid state hard drive (the largest hard drive you can afford is recommended)
  • Optional Broadband connection (cellular)
  • Multiple USB and other input/output ports
  • Active Digitizer support (uses a hard-plastic nub pen, not just finger-touch)
  • Usually costs over $800.00, sometimes up to $2000.00 or more

These are serious machines and cost more than the lesser powered 'entry level' models, but they are worth every penny to a power user. Most could easily replace your desktop computer, provided you can connect multiple monitors along with a real keyboard and mouse to them.

Note
Whichever tablet you purchase, be sure to ask the vendor if it supports the use of WACOM-style active digitizer pens (a hard, plastic nib, not an eraser-type tip) - finger pointing is convenient, but is not compatible with our software (some gestures work but the program is not designed for finger/touch). Always ensure the hardware you are considering meets or exceeds ConstructConnect Takeoff System Requirements before you purchase the hardware. We recommend that you ask the reseller if you can demo the product before purchase to ensure it meets your needs and that our software works to your expectations on the device.

Can I use a Microsoft Surface™ with ConstructConnect Takeoff?

Surface PRO Line

Go for it! We love the Surface Pro and consider it a great option for field work or even as a desktop replacement. You must be on the latest version of our software (OST/DPC 3.93 or higher, QB 4.95 or higher), however, to license properly.

Although we don't perform certification-level testing on the Surface Pro, Surface Book, or Surface Laptop, there are no technical reasons the software would not work very well on these devices.

Surface GO 2

Yes, however, all Surface GO 2's come with Windows 10 running in "S-Mode" which prevents installing any applications that are not delivered through the Microsoft Store. You can perform a one-time one-way transition to Windows 10 Pro, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4020089/windows-10-in-s-mode-faq for details.

As far as hardware goes, follow the guidelines above when choosing which configuration suits your needs. Do not try to save money by buying the cheapest tablet you can find - make sure it has enough horsepower and storage space for 3-4 years of projects.

The original Surface and any computer running Windows RT

The first Surface™ tablet released in October 2012 is known as the Surface RT. Windows RT is not a supported operating system - it is designed to run apps available from the Microsoft Store and does not support running applications installed from an external source (nor is its hardware sufficient for running ConstructConnect Takeoff). If you are using a device that runs Windows RT (or even Windows 10 in S-Mode), check out our browser-based product line: https://www.constructconnect.com/construction-management-software.