Please share your thinking as to why an IPAD or other tablet device (with built-in GPS, and running Forefligh, Garmin Pilot, etc.) is not desirable for this purpose. …
First, a little background. I'm a life time IT guy and have had to support these units, Apples, Microsoft, etc.
Reasons:
1. The operating systems are unpredictable. They are designed to do more than just provide flight information and are subject to viruses. Because of this, they can run slow, crash, operate erratically. Even if you have antivirus software on them, something will get by.
2. The hardware is unpredictable. Remember, these were designed to be used in an office or home environment. They may or may not work in an airplane. Most do work, which is a good thing. However, each of our planes are different and at altitude, they could have issues due to the thin air that is supposed to provide insulation from one component to another. That's why airplanes with turbocharged engines have pressurized ignition harnesses.
3. Battery life on these things seem to die fairly quickly. So while you might think you have four hours of battery life, you might be down to an hour or less, when you really need it.
4. They are constantly changing the form factor. Thus, you design your panel and wire in brand X notepad and two years later, it goes Tango Uniform. Now you have to either buy a replacement on eBay or rewire your panel and replace the cool snap-in holder you installed for it. Oh, and by the way, the new replacement unit is a completely different size so you will have to redesign your entire panel. (Note, my Garmin 496 is also considered obsolete; however, I can buy a replacement that has been lightly used. Good luck finding a "lightly used" tablet.)
5. Can you read it in our cockpits? Some I have tired are so dim, they might as well have stayed in my flight bag.
Don't get me wrong, I like tablets but with my SkyView, D1, 496, etc. I simply don't feel the need for a "non aviation" device being pressed into service.
PS. How many people who fly with a tablet for "backup" leave it on a screen displaying an AI when they fly? Should the primary EFIS go dark or turn upside down, that would be a bad time to have to start fiddling with your tablet to bring up the appropriate screen.