Il Rilevamento Geologico Digitale: Tablet PC o PDA?

The aim of this work is to compare and review the pros and cons of DGM systems, which are based on Tablet PC (running MapIT) or Personal Digital Assistant (running ArcPad) platform. The systems were tested by outcrop mapping of deformed Permian and Carboniferous sedimentary rocks at Tynemouth, NE England. The test was carried out based on various pre-defined evaluation criteria related to hardware and software. Generally both the systems performed well. The PDA system, extremely portable and light weight, best fits for routine and simple data collection tasks due to the small screen and limited processing power. The tablet PC is the most suitable of the two systems for outcrop mapping purpose. Its big screen and fast processing combined with the MapIT software assign the system to be very close to the traditional method of surveying.