Memorandum 12-097 Tablet Device for City Council to Access Email and Conduct City Business

City of Homer
Office of the Systems Manager
491 East Pioneer Avenue
Homer, Alaska 99603-7645
 

Fax: (907) 235-3148
Telephone: (907) 435-3156
E-mail: npoolos@ci.homer.ak.us

________________________________________

MEMORANDUM 12-097

DATE: 6/6/2012

TO: HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM: NICK POOLOS, SYSTEMS MANAGER

THROUGH: WALT WREDE, CITY MANAGER

SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION FOR A TABLET DEVICE WITH WHICH CITY COUNCIL WILL ACCESS EMAIL AND CONDUCT OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Following the Council Worksession on April 16, 2012; Nick Poolos, Jo Johnson, and Walt Wrede evaluated several 7” and 10” tablets in the Homer Public Library’s collection. All agreed when viewing email and council packets, that a 10” screen size was a requirement for any device purchased.

Here are the cost estimates for an Android Tablet, keyboard, case, and apps:

Asus Transformer $385.00
Square Trade 3 year warranty $88.99
Docking Keyboard $141.37
Poetic Keyboard Case $19.95
Office App $20.00
PDF Annotation App $20.00
Cost per unit $675.31
Here is the same for an iPad 3:

iPad 3 $499.00
2 year AppleCare Warranty $99.00
Zagg Folio Keyboard and Case $99.00
iWork Apps $30.00
PDF annotation app $15.00
Cost per unit $742.00

Taking into consideration cost, screen quality, market share, accessory availability, and ongoing support, the Apple iPad is the better choice.

RECOMMENDATION: PURCHASE APPLE IPAD 3 TABLETS