Advantages of using tablets

Tablets for business: the bottom line

For businesses, tablets can deliver a significant productivity boost - and not just because employees who use them feel more valued than those forced to lug ancient laptops around. Like smartphones they're always on and wake instantly from sleep, so there's no waiting for the computer to catch up.

They can go places that normal computers can't, because they're as portable and accessible as clipboards, with integrated wireless networking and in some models, high-speed mobile broadband too. They're almost as light as clipboards too.

And they can run apps that are specifically designed to speed up common tasks such as data entry, note taking and reporting from site visits. That's a particular boon for any business that currently relies on paperwork and form-filling.

Take field service staff, for example: tablets can carry not only the necessary forms but technical libraries, maps and schematics. Sales staff can access email, calendaring and CRM software, and do so in a way that's acceptable in client meetings where pulling out a laptop might be inappropriate. Insurance assessors can easily enter claim details and add location data and even photography. And executives can write reports, build models, communicate, delegate and sign off documents.

Well you can play games on it and listen to music. It's lighter than a laptop