driddy61,
As of June 2014, none of the Adobe Reader mobile products support the hyperlink action for opening a separate PDF document.
- Adobe Reader for iOS
- Adobe Reader for Android
- Adobe Reader Touch for Windows 8
In addition, the Reader mobile products do not open multiple windows/documents simultaneously, which would make the navigation between PDF documents nearly impossible. (Once a hyperlink takes you to a different PDF document, you have no way to go back to the original PDF document.)
The only Adobe Reader product that fulfills your department's requirements is Adobe Reader XI (mostly for Windows/Mac desktop/laptop computers). Acrobat Pro and Standard are paid products.
Because you are in search of a less expensive device for your department, you could get a Windows tablet instead of a Windows desktop/laptop computer. Microsoft Surface Pro (that you've mentioned in your previous reply) is just one example. You can also find other less expensive Windows tablets.
However, please keep in mind that there are two different types of Windows tablets running two different operating systems.
(a) A Windows tablet with an Intel-based processor running Windows 8.1 Pro
Example: Surface Pro 3
You can install and run traditional desktop apps (e.g. Adobe Reader XI) and new Windows Store apps ("Modern" or "Metro-style" apps).
(b) A Windows tablet with an ARM-based processor running Windows RT 8.1
Example: Surface 2
You can only install and run Windows Store apps (e.g. Adobe Reader Touch) but not traditional desktop apps like Adobe Reader XI.
In general, type (b) tablets are more affordable than type (a) tablets. However, if you want to run Adobe Reader XI, you do need to check the technical specification of each tablet and make sure the following conditions are met.
- Processor: Intel
- Operating system: Windows 8/8.1 Pro, not RT
Hope this helps you choose the right device for your department. Please let us know if you have any questions about system requirements or supported features in the Adobe Reader products.