Dentist Office Setup - Go Tablet or Laptop? Needs to be Cleaned Repeatedly - Ideas?

[LordX]

Hey all - I am about to look at a Dentist office that wants to do a full upgrade of their computer equipment (yay!).

The Dentist has his mind leaning heavily towards tablets. I have yet to use a windows 8 tablet - and dont use tablets at all personally. So I am a complete noob when it comes to them.

So first question - they will be running their dental software on the tablets - so I would like something that has decent power behind it - what should I be looking for?

2. These will need to be wiped down and cleaned after EVERY patient who comes into the room - so that is multiple times a day. Are there screen covers for tablets that would allow this process to not strip away at the screen itself - but still allow for the touch to work well?

3. Their dental software doesn't 'officially' support windows 8 yet - but they DO support windows 7 - has anyone had any issues running any software on windows 8?

4. Do windows 8 tablets have all the same compatibility running programs as a standard laptop would? Also - can I reformat a windows 8 tablet using the standard windows 8 media on USB?

5. If I choose to go with laptops instead - is there a brand that has the tablet/touch screen models that anyone would recommend (remember the constant cleaning!)?

Thanks for any suggestions/experience anyone has!

 

[oldtech]

Check out Motion Computing's healthcare tablets. You need to have a system that is completely sealed. The C5t is what we sell into medical offices. There are some sealed, wall mount touchscreen units out there as well if you look.

http://www.motioncomputing.com/products/tablet_pc_c5.asp

 

[Avgsmoe]

What software are they using? Dentrix?

 

[angry_geek]

As with any database application, if you're going wireless (tablets), you want to use remote desktop services. Therefore, OS doesn't really matter. If they're using Dentrix, G5 works fine with windows 8 in my testing. I still run it on 7 though. However, with the tablets running rds, it won't matter.

 

[knc]

Dentrix over all is a PIG! I would never recommend a laptop for it but... that is just my opinion. For instance when you try to close the "Chart" program it says "Are you sure if you leave it minimized it will run faster"....

I would NOT recommend windows 8 if they don't officially support it, they (support) love to say "Oh we don't support that, good bye"..

Also keep in mind Dexis, (digital xray addon) might not support Windows 8 (Actually I bet they don't)...

I would recommend gig a bit through out, fast server drive 10k's or better. Plenty of ram.. I7's ..

They will need a GOOD inkjet printer for xrays (Dexis only supports inkjet's) not a laser.

A decent video card on desktops (which is recommended)..

 

[knc]

As with any database application, if you're going wireless (tablets), you want to use remote desktop services. Therefore, OS doesn't really matter. If they're using Dentrix, G5 works fine with windows 8 in my testing. I still run it on 7 though. However, with the tablets running rds, it won't matter.

Dentrix does not support RDP or Terminal Services..At least they didn't ... I always follow recommended specs because if not they can come back and bite you..

 

[angry_geek]

Dentrix does not support RDP or Terminal Services..At least they didn't ... I always follow recommended specs because if not they can come back and bite you..

Nearly every software company out there says that.

 

[knc]

Nearly every software company out there says that.

Actually I was pleased to find Idexx (Cornerstone) Pet practice management fully supports term srvcs..

But if they don't recommend/support it DON'T do it..

 

[knc]

dentrix does offer a kiosk product for tablet registration for patients..