When the iPad first came out it was either dismissed as a toy, or begrudgingly given the status of add-on or secondary tool. It was flashy and gimmicky and all, but would never replace the PC or laptop when it comes down to doing some serious business work.
However, a lot of businesses nowadays, especially the newer ones, have been equipping their employees with tablets instead of laptops or PC’s, and it makes sense; a tablet is infinitely more portable and flexible than a PC or even a laptop, and with tablets slowly growing in processing power and business functionality, it is overtaking the other two devices in sales.
That being said, most users don’t really need a tablet as often a laptop or PC will do the job just as well. If you are thinking of equipping your office with one, you will have to consider just how it is going to be used. Will the user be working from remote places making meetings only possible using VoIP service? Or will he stay in his office most of the time? Replacing your PC with a tablet simply means expenditure with little difference in performance and productivity.
Here are some pros and cons for you to consider when purchasing tablets for your office:
I. Benefits
Mobility
A tablet is a lot lighter and smaller than either a laptop or PC. Because of this, it is easier to bring your business along with you and keep working wherever you are. No need for cables, a mouse, or other add-ons as the tablet is a complete and contained package by itself. It is as easy to take out and use as a notepad and pen, requiring just as little set-up time.
Organic use
The main feature of a tablet is its touchscreen, which replaces the keyboard and mouse. This feature is more natural to use and quicker to get used to allowing you to seamlessly multitask, and work faster. A use of this feature would be, for example, to take notes, just as you would on a notebook, rather than having to type the text.
Equal Performance
Performance-wise, the tablet is at par with a Laptop or PC, and is backed by the best in operating systems from Microsoft, Android and IOS. Tablets also come with specific apps designed to make the most of its capabilities to perform certain tasks more efficiently. Tables also enjoy a longer battery life.
II. Drawbacks
Cost
Tablets, especially the higher end ones, are quite expensive. If you wish to own a tablet with performance and storage at par with that of a laptop, you will need to pay more, and while there are cheaper tablets on the market, its performance and capabilities will be noticeable lower than that of a cheap laptop. It is therefore recommended that for regular office use to stick to a desktop PC, since using a tablet that way offers no real cost effective advantage.
The Lack of a Keyboard
While the touchscreen is useful for taking quick notes and navigation, it isn’t especially comfortable for composing longer documents. To overcome this discomfort, there are detachable keyboards available, but that is an added expenditure and defeats the purpose of having a table in the first place, since you have just turned it into a laptop.
Security
The tablet has multiple means to stay connected such as Wi-Fi. Since most tablets are being used outdoors, most connected to a public Wi-Fi hotspot, it is vulnerable to both malware which then can be spread to other office devices, and to people looking to steal sensitive company information.
In summation: a tablet is a very handy tool, easily transported and easily used. But unless it is used in its proper context, by people who need to work on the go; using a normal PC is more cost effective.
