Most of your reply's are consistent with what I was thinking. I'm just looking for more ammo when I submit my request and the supervisors start asking questions.  

Agree with why everyone on this one, why would you even consider tablet ???
for the same money or less you can get 11.3 - 13.3 lightweight netbook with more power than any current xpad/tablet "thingo" on the market

xpad/tablet = not expandable, limited memory, limited storage, limited ports or no expantion ports at all, no forensic applications to run!

lightweight netbook = faster CPU, 4 gb ram, (some expandable to 8 gb) 7200 rpm HD (on some), enough ports to attach other external devices, run forensic stuff, easy HD encrypt for field work security.

no contest

Chris  

You need a tablet because you are a nerd and it is shiny, not because it does any job better than, say, a dedicated PC would.

Unless of course you work in an Indiana Jones-style warehouse and need it to scan a load of barcodes and double check where you put the Ark of the Covenant.  

I have a tablet personally and it's certainly very convenient for casual consumption of information, but I don't really think there's a compelling business reason for their use by Digital Forensics practitioners. You can accomplish most tasks you would need to perform as efficiently or more efficiently using a laptop than using a tablet.

If you encounter or expect to encounter a lot of tablets it may be helpful to have access to the more common models for training, research and development, but that's a different story.  

- miket065

iPad running Filemaker-Go with a Chain of Custody Database that features signature capture.

Interesting. Has anybody encountered issues with admissibility in court of the chain of custody when using only electronic signatures like this? It's certainly a good way to save some trees...  

- ntexaminer

It's certainly a good way to save some trees...

Until you have to print EVERYTHING to present it in Court ....

Let's call it "good way to delay the execution of a few trees"...

jaclaz
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- In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is. - 

I made this post due to the high volumes of manuals and training material one needs to read to keep proficient in Computer Forensics. Sounds like there is a broad response and it appears it is a personal decision. If anyone is using a tablet, are there any recommendations to a particular brand, (ie Apple vs droid....etc) With the release of droid 3, can anyone say how it compares to an Ipad????