Over the past year one of the tools I find really useful whenever I'm working in the garage is a tablet. I've often used my iPad and occasionally even my Galaxy S2 to reference FSMs, PDF files, and even forums w/ threads that have information relevant to the work I'm doing. I find it works a lot better than printing since you can have a whole lot more depth in the info you need.

One main difficulty I'm having w/ using my iPad is having to keep it clean. I often wear gloves and/or keep it in a location away from the work where it won't get dirty and/or damaged. It would be far more useful to be able to use it w/o having to take the added time and precautions of keeping it clean. There are a lot of tablets out there, mostly tablet PCs that are ruggedized to be used under shop conditions, but they start at around $1k and up which is more than I'd like to spend. I'm not concerned about dropping it, having it subjected to impact, getting it wet or being subjected to excessive heat. My main concern is touching it when my hands have touched brake fluid or using it after my hands have dirt or metal grindings on them. A screen protector would be good, but how's that stand up to gasoline or brake fluid?

I'm sure that I'm not the only one that uses a tablet in the garage. What are some of the other solutions that people have used? Is there an affordable tablet (preferably an Android) ~$500 that is made for work in the garage? Something that you could get dirty and just wipe it clean when you're done? Is there a simple solution like some kind of bag that you can put over the tablet so you can get it dirty and still be able to use it?

 

ipad or touchpad stylus pen

 

An iPad 2.

 

i have the ipad 2 and use a otter box to protect it from drops and scratches. i also where gloves and keep it a good 10-15 feet away from where im working. i feel your pain, but the ipad is better then going all the way to the desktop in the living room. I would like to know if anyone has tested how durable they are with light exposure to dirt/liquids.

 

why not build/buy a cheap computer that you can leave in the garage. for ~500 you could build yourself one hell of a shop computer

 

Done! I already have a "shop-puter" in the garage, it's useful but is stationary. The iPad works really well for when I'm in other parts of the garage, when I can't see the monitor, when I'm in the shed or in/under a car. In some cases I can not have it right w/ me since it would have to lie on the floor but when I can put it on the seat next to me when doing work inside of the car, it works great.

 

how big of a garage is it that you cant walk to the shop-puter? lol

maybe you can pick up a touchpad on ebay or something for cheap and use that.

 

first world problems? haha

buy ghost armor or a full body vinyl for your ipad. i got mine from here and it does the job. protects against splashes and scratches. and once it gets really dirty u can always peel it off and replace. http://www.bestskinsever.com/ipad-2-skin

 

It's a 4 car, 40' x 19.5'. It's not a mater of walking to the computer, it's about not having to do it often. If there are a dozen fasteners that need torque specs for, it's much more convenient to have the FSM right there in front of me instead of trying to remember them and having to go back every so often. I've done print outs but the iPad works out much better since you can always reference other parts of the FSM that you may not have accounted for, reference on-line info, pics, videos, or do a search for parts right there. Also the camera is helpful if you want to take a pic or video for whatever reason. The iPad is more of a time saving tool than anything.

 

I always have my phone one me. RAZR. Internet on the phone is a life saver. But I bought my wife galaxy s2 and I have used it a few times also.

 

iPad 2 with SkinIt back and front.

I just need to remember to leave my smart cover in the house.