7 PC Alternatives For Work: Tablets, 2-in-1s, Ultraportables
A recent spate of enterprise-class tablets -- and a significant increase in the ability to create content on tablets -- could change how enterprise users view the devices.
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Proclamations that the PC is nearing extinction have been spouted for the better part of a decade. Most recently, Tim Cook took a swipe at the venerable PC in order to promote the new iPad Pro tablet. In an interview with The Telegraph, he stated: "I think if you're looking at a PC, why would you buy a PC anymore? No really, why would you buy one?"
Seems like plenty of people would still opt for a PC. In early November, Gartner released the results of a survey of 19,000 consumers in the US, Brazil, China, France, India, and the UK. According to the survey, only 2% of respondents who are planning to replace a desktop PC in the next 12 months said they would choose a tablet instead of another computer. Only 4% of respondents who are planning to replace a laptop said they would choose a tablet instead.
So it's hardly a surprise that the enterprise IT executives I speak with in the course of my work are not rushing out to replace PCs with tablets. Tablets and their ilk have long been considered by many in enterprise IT as content consumption devices, not content creation devices. And, in most employee situations, content creation is absolutely necessary.
[ Are tablets actually helping PC sales? Read 8 Reasons The PC Is Not Dead. ]
A recent spate of enterprise-class tablets -- and a significant increase in the ability to create content on tablets -- could change how consumers and enterprise users alike view tablets. Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system, along with the latest 2-in-1s and ultraportables, blend the benefits of tablets and PCs.
Added to the list of hardware and OS advancements found in these devices, we now have a number of enterprise applications that fully function as mobile apps -- or at least as Web-based applications -- which will likely run well on touchscreen devices.
If you're considering a shift to tablets as the main computing device for some of your employees, we're here to help. Here's a look at eight of the latest pro tablets, 2-in-1's, and ultraportables that are worth considering as a replacement for a full-blown desktop PC or laptop for some of your users.
The latest devices offer several key advancements. For one, device screen size and resolution are significantly better than in earlier models. Most devices featured here also have the ability to easily connect to an external monitor when at the desk. Additionally, most come with a built-in keyboard, or one can easily be attached.
So here's a look at the ultra-thin and ultra-cool devices that are vying to be the de facto standard employee device in your enterprise. After you've taken a look at the options, tell us what you think in the comments section below. Are you already using a tablet or 2-in-1 as your primary computing device? Could you realistically consider any of these devices as a replacement for the the PC as your device of choice for work?
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Today's tablets, 2-in-1's, and ultraportables have come a long way from their predecessors. Are you considering any of these as desktop/laptop replacements for employees within your organization who are still using antiquated hardware? While not every device we listed will work in every situation, some of your users can be as productive -- if not more so -- with this type of hardware and software in their hands. Tell us which users you think will benefit from these types of devices, and what your hardware upgrade plans are, in the comments section below.
Today's tablets, 2-in-1's, and ultraportables have come a long way from their predecessors. Are you considering any of these as desktop/laptop replacements for employees within your organization who are still using antiquated hardware? While not every device we listed will work in every situation, some of your users can be as productive -- if not more so -- with this type of hardware and software in their hands. Tell us which users you think will benefit from these types of devices, and what your hardware upgrade plans are, in the comments section below.
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