PC Files Synced with Tablet for Offline Use

[GlynnJ]

I have a laptop for work. It's a pain to carry around (I fly a LOT) and slow to start up. I would like to regularly sync my laptop data with a tablet (Android or Apple) and use the data OFFLINE. This would be easier to carry around and quicker to access.

I do not want to use a cloud-based service for reasons of data security.

iPads are difficult to transfer files to - iTunes works on a file-by-file basis and I don't know of a way to sync folders based on changed files.

Android has many apps that will, in theory, do what I want using local WiFi but the problem is that Android 4.4.2 prevent write access to the SD card

I currently has a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 running 4.4.2 which I would prefer not to root. It only has 16Gb of internal memory and the SD card cannot be written to because of the above restriction.

The only way I can think of at the moment it to use Microsoft SyncToy to sync my data folders with a USB stick and use the OTG facility in on the Galaxy Tab to access the data. That works, but is cumbersome.

So, given all the above, does anyone know of a way to achieve what I want to do? To sync PC files for use offline on a tablet (Apple or Android)?

 

[Schtum]

I haven't used it but it looks like Pushbullet might do what you want..... https://www.pushbullet.com

 

[GlynnJ]

Thanks, Mike.

I had a look but it only allows you to push files one-by-one. I am wanting to sync a couple of gigabytes of data and keep it regularly updated.

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

Glynn, did you consider a Microsoft Surface ?

I like iPads but couldn't find an easy way to get documents from my PC to iPad while maintaining original formats. These are mostly contracts and I use MS Word markups. The Surface works great for this. I also use OneDrive and is secure enough for me and IT dept at work.

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

Why not use OneDrive (PC/Android) or Dropbox. Simples!

 

[GlynnJ]

Why not use OneDrive (PC/Android) or Dropbox. Simples!

Not available offline, except by 'favouriting' file-by-file. Third party apps wopuld allow data sync to offline storage on an Android tablet but I would run up against the problem of not being able to write to the SD card. Plus, I cannot store this data on an offshore server. I need a way to transfer & synchronise data without it leaving the building. Doesn't seem possible, except possibly with a Surface tablet.

 

[Gonzo]

I was about to say Google Drive before I saw your last post.

All the stuff is stored on all sync'd devices - and available offline - but it does leave the building to get there, via the magic process.

Have you thought about a smaller notebook? I umm'd and ahh'd about a tablet vs laptop and ended up with a Macbook Air. Not much heavier than a full size tablet but much handier. Windoze versions are available.

 

[GlynnJ]

I think that a Surface tablet is probably the best way to go. But they are so expensive it is a non-starter unless my employer will buy it (and they won't - they prefer iPads for other reasons - doesn't help me)

 

[GlynnJ]

I was about to say Google Drive before I saw your last post.

All the stuff is stored on all sync'd devices - and available offline - but it does leave the building to get there, via the magic process.

Have you thought about a smaller notebook? I umm'd and ahh'd about a tablet vs laptop and ended up with a Macbook Air. Not much heavier than a full size tablet but much handier. Windoze versions are available.

Gonzo

You are probably right. I am trying to do it with equipment I have, on the cheap. But experience tells me that things done cheaply never work well But I thought it was worth asking in case others had a way to do this.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Android can write to sd card but only the folder that the app creates itself. How much data are we talking about here?
For obvious reasons you shouldn't be carrying about a device with huge amounts of data on it anyway and in my book is worse than having it on cloud storage. I am guessing it is a work requirement that nothing goes into the cloud so the obvious solution is for your work to supply a vpn service which android can use quite happily. Nothing ever leaves your servers or shared drive on laptop this way as you will connect directly to the data when you activate the vpn.
Other options might be to use terminal services directly onto your laptop as well. Needs to always be on but you will use full office or whatever you use on the laptop. Another option as terminal services can get complicated over a firewall would be something like log me in. There are many variations of this type of software and some are free.
My first choice would be vpn, my last would be to carry the data around in the first place.