PCWorld Forums: Three Reasons The Ipad Will Lead The Tablet Pack For Business - PCWorld Forums

Post your comments for Three Reasons the iPad Will Lead the Tablet Pack for Business here

I work for one of the largest companies in the world. At present, we are going through computer hardware and software upgrade. We are still staying with Window 7 based laptop. There is no mention of any tablet computer at all.

Among the companies in the same industry, all we see are Window based computers. I am of the opinion that companies will migrate to tablet computers is a little far fetch in the near term. There may be some specialized applications.

I myself am waiting for Window 8 based tablet to see how it will tie to my current home and office Window PC. If I am to buy a tablet today, it will be a 7 inch tablet to replace my 6 years old MP3 player. A good candidate is BB Playbook because of the good price.

@can

The survey said one in five business are planing to buy a tablet....not migrating to tablets from PCs.

4 reasons why the iPad won't be seen in many businesses.

#1 Form factor. A slate is awful. It's hard to deal with. It's awkward to use. Productivity suffers without a lot of expensive accessories, and even then costs more than a far more powerful, productive laptop or a dedicated device for the business.

#2 Cost. Existing devices cost less and are dedicated to the task in the long run. Buying extras costs more and productivity isn't going to improve because of tying in a lot of external accessories to make it at least functional, if not efficient. It increases the number of potential points of failure in a business. Additionally, there's more to keep track of. More to buy. Equipment failure or losses costs even more money in terms of productivity. The expense of new training is also a major cost factor.

#3 Integration with existing infrastructure. That hurdle hasn't been passed yet and until it does - and form factor productivity and costs are in line with what's readily available through normal channels, iPads will only ever be used by businesses with too much money and not enough business acumen or fiscal sense.

#4 Businesses which insist on shoehorning a tablet into their budget and infrastructure at the expense of productivity will go out of business very quickly, thus reducing the number of businesses one will see using them. Those who buy them will find out for themselves that, for the most part, they don't integrate well into the business environment.

They're devices designed for CONSUMPTION, not productivity. Businesses are meant to be productive. There's no getting around any of that. There are always the curious out there, but they'll learn what the more seasoned businesses already know: Tablets are curiosities best left to the consuming public which have no easy place in a business environment that doesn't involve drawing.

This is just a fanboy article. It should state 3 out of every 5 companies leaving the Ipad for just about anything else. We had the Ipad in our company for 2yrs. We decided to get rid of it because it was more of a time consuming hassle that did not have the power to back the hype. Many companies including schools have in my area are phasing out the Apple products. Every year apple promises the best and hypes their products. Then when it comes time to show off, the only ones they impress are the people who just like to buy for name and popularity, but have no idea about electronics.

Although there are significant professional uses for the iPad ... or any tablet for that matter ... I can't see tablets being much more than the standard for consumer media consumption and very light communication work. The iPad is without peer in that regard, but until there's a way to make it more oriented toward creating professional caliber documents and media, its unlikely to show much ROI in business.

karthiq, on 13 March 2012 - 11:24 PM, said:

Hi, karthiq,

My apology. I meant to say "include tablet computer in the migration".

Fatesrider, on 14 March 2012 - 12:59 AM, said:

CF542, on 14 March 2012 - 11:29 AM, said:

Agreed. The iPad is the best out there now but not for business. When Windows 8 comes out later this year, it will be the go-to for businesses because of compatibility with security policies, Outlook and MS Office functionality. Ever try printing with a tablet? What a nightmare.

Here's the dirty secret... for those businesses that actually go for the pricey ipads, they currently use the ipad as a remote terminal... like remote desktop to their server. or is used as a single app device, like using only that one app specific to the networked company software. they are not using ipad specific benefits like iwork apps, or music, photo, or game apps or garage band... or even need much internal storage, or 3g, 4g, LTE, cameras, quad-core graphics, Siri, etc. All that businesses care for is like ONE APP like "jump" to do the thin client gig, or the one app specific to their company software. no ipad word processing app, or spreadsheet or email app. The problem with ipad is that while businesses just want to go to work, ipads are designed to go to play. there's a mismatch in motive... if resulting in reduced productivity and cost-effectiveness. Any $150 - $300 android tablet out there can already do this age-old remote desktop or thin client thing... or as a one trick pony thing.. Also when the windows tablets come out with tighter integration of ability to remote desktop to their Windows servers, which is what many businesses have, the ipads will still look pretty, but no longer as functional or cost effective. the ipad hype (as a business device) will soon fade and businesses will shift to tablets that can do the same remote desktop apps but for much less.