Running Full Logos On A Tablet

I am trying to sort out in my mind what a table that could run full Logos 5 would mean to me. Personal books on the tablet? Yes! But what else?

I love reading my Logos books on my iPad. But even if I could use full Logos 5 on the tablet, would that be better than using Logos 5 on my computer / laptop? After all, Logos was not written with the tablet in mind. How easy would it be using Logos and Microsoft Word together on the tablet? How much of a gain would Logos 5 on a tablet really be? And would it be worth the cost?

Right now I use my iPad and laptop together in study. I do extended reading on the tablet, and most other functions on the laptop. How comfortable would it be to do both on the tablet? I have never composed much more than an email on my iPad. I suppose one has to get used to writing on it. And to be very useful, wouldn't you need a bigger keyboard than most tablet Bluetooth keyboards?

I just don't know! I would appreciate as many opinions from others about this as I could get, and especially from anyone with experience running Logos 5 on a tablet.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

David Thomas

I used to use the same tools as you are now using (iPad for reading, Laptop for "heavy lifting"). The main reason I purchased a Microsoft Surface Pro was that I left previous employment and returned the iPad and Laptop. When I was making purchasing decisions for my own hardware I found that the Surface pro did in one device what the other 2 provided. I connect an external monitor to my Surface Pro for the most effective sermon prep (Logos on one monitor, Word on the other). The Surface Pro has the power to effectively drive that setup and the portability when I just want to open Logos to follow along with another pastor's sermon or read in bed.

If I already had the tools that you have, it would be hard to justify a tablet running Full Logos functionality. My humble advice, wait until you need to replace one of the current tools.

DMB

Interesting question.

I think the answer lies with 'the keyboard'. I use a convertable Lenovo x220t. For a long time, Bible study = keyboard. It's simply faster, since Logos5 doesn't offer a Bible book keypad. And Libronix is very text-y too.

But life changed when W7? and thense Lenovo added finger support with Logos5. My fingers scroll etc. Unbelievable to watch 10 spinning resource panels. Plus my wrists were hurting from the keyboard. I went all touch-screen. Got a handy bluetooth keyboard that literally fits in my hand for notes.

And finally I got a Pagewhite to slip in my purse. My spouse offered me a free Nexus7, but pocket-abiliy and ease-on-eyes were criticalities. Hopefully Logos will export to the Pagewhite as they've hinted.

Alan Myatt

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/504069#Comment_504069

I have an Acer W500 tablet that I upgraded by installing a 256 GB drive and Windows 8. I run the full Windows version of Logos 5.1 - Platinum in the desktop (not the Windows 8 Logos app, but the regular version). It works great. I understand that Acer has a newer version of this Windows tablet that works even better. I am very happy with it. The only drawback is that Acer ships the tablet with only a 32GB drive, so you will have to upgrade that. I can pretty much do anything on this tablet, especially with the included detachable keyboard, that I can do on my laptop.

Mike Childs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/504095#Comment_504095

I have an Acer W500 tablet that I upgraded by installing a 256 GB drive and Windows 8. I run the full Windows version of Logos 5.1 - Platinum in the desktop (not the Windows 8 Logos app, but the regular version). It works great. I understand that Acer has a newer version of this Windows tablet that works even better. I am very happy with it. The only drawback is that Acer ships the tablet with only a 32GB drive, so you will have to upgrade that. I can pretty much do anything on this tablet, especially with the included detachable keyboard, that I can do on my laptop.

Alan, I really appreciate the information. Doesn't the Acer W500 only have 2 Gig of RAM? Does that seem to be enough for Logos 5 to run really well? Logos recommends 6.0 + Gig RAM. Is it not much slower on the Acer W500 than on a regular computer?

Thanks for the response.

Mike Childs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/504069#Comment_504069

Thank you, Denise.

One of the reasons that I am raising the question now is that I am starting to have trouble with my laptop, and may be replacing it soon. So I wondered about finding a tablet that could replace it completely with Logos 5. A convertible like the Lenovo may be the best solution for me, too.

I am very interested in what you say about the "finger support with Logos 5." That is one of the issues that I have wondered about. I take from your comments that it is no problem to use Logos 5 without a keyboard - except for notes, which you do with a Bluetooth keyboard. Right?

Does the weight of the Lenovo present any problem when using it as a tablet to read extensively?

One other question. Pardon my ignorance, but by "Pagewhite" do you refer to something like an e-ink Kindle? Personally, I am blind in my right eye, but I still have no problem reading on my iPad. I am not certain if a laptop screen would do as well for me as my iPad, but I would think so.

Mike Childs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/504027#Comment_504027

If I already had the tools that you have, it would be hard to justify a tablet running Full Logos functionality. My humble advice, wait until you need to replace one of the current tools.

Thanks, David. Very helpful. I agree with your recommendation. However, my laptop has had troubles since I upgraded to Windows 8, and I may need to replace it soon. That is why I am interested in a Tablet that could replace what I do with Logos 5 on my laptop.

I am glad to hear that the "Surface Pro has the power to effectively drive an external monitor" with both Logos 5 and Microsoft Word running. I wondered about that. Speed holds up on Logos?

I guess your Surface Pro has 4 Gig RAM. From your statements, that seems to be sufficient to run Logos 5 at full speed, right? I would not want to have a significant speed compromise.

I assume that you use the optional keyboard that can be purchased for the Surface Pro. Would you say that is an essential for using Logos 5 for "heavy lifting"?

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/504550#Comment_504550

I am glad to hear that the "Surface Pro has the power to effectively drive an external monitor" with both Logos 5 and Microsoft Word running. I wondered about that. Speed holds up on Logos?

I guess your Surface Pro has 4 Gig RAM. From your statements, that seems to be sufficient to run Logos 5 at full speed, right? I would not want to have a significant speed compromise.

I assume that you use the optional keyboard that can be purchased for the Surface Pro. Would you say that is an essential for using Logos 5 for "heavy lifting"?

yes, the i5 processor plus SSD drive makes running Logos5.1 a joy.

Yes, the 4 Gig Ram is sufficient for any query I have thrown it (I tend not to open more than 3 or 4 programs while studying - I am a clutter freak!)

For a pastor with a significant amount of Logos Library plus several gigs of Church correspondence and Microsoft Office files I wouldn't even consider the 64GB SSD. I have all my necessary files on my SSD and still have about 40 GB of free space.

I got the "Type" Keyboard which is a little more expensive than the "touch" keyboard but the responsive keys are easier for me to work with. I think the keyboard is essential.

My configuration when I am at my desk is a USB hub plugged into the one USB port on the Surface. With the hub connected I can access both a wireless mouse and my external hard drive. I bought a cheap Mini-Display Port to VGA dongle from Monoprice which allow me to connect my new Surface to a legacy monitor that I already owned.

To go mobile I only have to 1) unplug 1 usb cord, 2)unplug the Mini DP dongle, 3) disconnect the AC adapter and put the stylus into the magnetic holder. and I am out the door.

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/504633#Comment_504633

One other plus from having the Microsoft tablet - When I did the laptop/iPad combo I had to save my sermon files as PDF to use them for preaching from my iPad. With the Microsoft tablet I can preach directly from Microsoft Word (in reading mode). Without the export to PDF and copy to other device. I can edit my sermon file in the middle of service, then as soon as I click in reading mode, I am ready to go with all my fresh edits.