Tablets for information work

Exploring the different approaches taken by the three major vendors – Apple, Google and Microsoft towards tablet-based solutions

The presentation embedded below looks at the tablet devices on offer from the three major vendors: Apple, Google and Microsoft. With a specific focus on using tablets for ‘information work’ – the type of activities that have traditionally been completed on desktops and portable computers but are increasingly going mobile.

The presentation looks at the trade-offs made between mobile portability and workplace functionality, to help decide which tablet is the most appropriate for work. There is an extra slide at the end looking specifically at using tablets for accessing SharePoint sites. A popular request…

Tablets fit in the gap between using a smartphone (ultimate mobile portability) and using a traditional desktop or notebook computer (full workplace functionality). The choice of tablet will mean a trade-off between portability and functionality. Adding functionality will increase price and decrease battery life.

The three main vendors – Apple, Google and Microsoft – all have different approaches to the tablet market and each brings different strengths and weaknesses. There is no one clear winner. Google is focused on open source software, creating a wider ecosystem of choices and driving down prices. Apple is focused on tablet design and touch-based apps, aiming to win on quality and design over price. Microsoft is the most focused on using tablets in the workplace, but hanging on to traditional methods in the process – keyboards and causing confusion with Surface RT vs Surface Pro offering very different workplace capabilities. The best option depends on whether you want open source or not and how mobile your work in the future is going to be…