Here is my idea:
I want to make a gaming table that includes six player slots, each equipped with it's own cupholder, dice rolling box, and most importantly, a tablet.
So my questions are:
1) Whats the cheapest way to get six tablet screens that can display 1gb worth of pdfs and Masterwork Tools that I can imbed into a table?
2) Would it be preferable to have the tablets lay flat or at a 45 degree angle?
3) Is it possible (and worth the effort) to let multiple players control a larger display (projected on the table) through the tablets?
Depends a bit on what you need. I suppose my 2cents would be either the Asus T100. It is a solid little performer and just got a slight cpu refresh. You're still looking at 350 minimum per tablet though. If you need cheaper start looking in to some of the android options. I've not used them personaly but they tend to more in the 200$ range on the low end.
Depending on their use I would take a look at some in person. I find 10inch screens to be a bit on the small side and use liberal zoom. If I could have coughed up the extra 400# I'd have gone with a new serface 3 for the large screen.
If you can compromise with a laptop instead there are some great deals on chrome books if all you need is access to stuff online.
Well these are supposed to be ONLY for MW tools and pdfs, so wouldn't $350 per tablet be way too much? The cheapest I could find on my own was $55 but does way more than I need it to.
Not sure what MW tools are so d'know. I was basing things on buying new, of which I have not seen any at under 100$. If you are finding them used or on ebay just be aware they may not have an OS and one might need to be purchased seperately.
Building a table with tablets in mind sounds like a cool idea. For the tablet recesses, I'd make them so that they can pivot at the point further from the player, and be raised/lowered at the edge of the table. A couple slots into which dowels can be fitted should do the trick. In this way, players could either leave the tablet recess flat (and store books under it), remove it (to place a laptop), or angle it as they see fit.
As far as they tech itself goes, I'd stick with the modern IT philosophy of BYOD (bring your own device). IME, people tend to me more competent and capable with their own devices than with foreign systems that they only use occasionally. They are also apt to take better care of something they themselves have purchased vs. someone else's gear.
With the money you save on not buying a device for each seat, you could pick up a loaner or two and then sink the rest into a PDFs or software tools for each of your regulars.
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Masterwork Tools is an amazing android app you should all have a look at right now, if you can. It's the fastest and most efficient method of looking up rulebooks in several books on a phone or tablet.
Malwing:
2) Tablets on an angle will probably be better; having to lean forward unnecessarily causes neck strain. Just keep in mind that if it's too steep, you might have an issue with having to look over the tablet to see other players or a central map/dice/whatever.
3) Not sure what Roll20 is like on tablets, but if it does work, this could be a good idea. Depends what your feelings are with dealing with printed or drawn maps (I hate them)