Don't knock what you don't know. Tablet-based work is still work.
In fact, IT can limit the tablet to just doing work-based tasks, and by keeping storage of documents on the net, you make your data more robust and available for sharing. Always-available 4G networks on tablets mean that you're never out of touch with that collaborative data, or remote-wipe a device if security needs require it.
Can the same thing be done on Windows? Sure, it can with any OS. But tablets are cheaper, more portable, and have everything for this style of IT built right in.
Win 7 is an excellent platforum and OS.
For what it is, sure - I run it, along with Mac OS, and Linux. There's nothing really wrong with Win 7 at all, as far as being a modern "heavyweight" OS. (Putting aside my UNIX biases for the moment.)
But heavyweight OSes are overkill for many business tasks. Running a pay point? (Used to be called a "cash register"?) Writing sales pitches? Filing an expense report? Communicating via e-mail or IM?
If the task could be done 12 years ago with an XP computer, odds are that the task can be done today with a tablet. To many businesses and workers, that's of great appeal. CHOMP! There goes PC sales down the toilet.
“Don’t knock what you don’t know. Tablet-based work is still work.”
I can’t do my job with a tablet. Fact. It would be stupid and unnecessary when a PC is perfect for the job. I do data entry.
“In fact, IT can limit the tablet to just doing work-based tasks, and by keeping storage of documents on the net”
AHAHAHAHA.
Please. Tell me who you work for! Yeah, I’m sure the cloud is where you want to keep important business documents as opposed to secure on site storage.
“But tablets are cheaper, more portable”
FACT. I can do my job perfectly well with a wifi connection and a computer that costs 250 bucks. IPADs start at 500.
So, no. Tablets are not in fact cheaper. They are more expensive and I cannot do my job with a tablet. I’m far faster with a properly designed keyboard and a large screen.
And I keep all my important documents off this laptop and in secure storage that isn’t connected to the internet. Can I send the data? Absolutely - but the data is secure in an external HD should anything happen to the laptop.
“But heavyweight OSes are overkill for many business tasks. Running a pay point? (Used to be called a “cash register”?) Writing sales pitches? Filing an expense report? Communicating via e-mail or IM?”
Hahahahaha.
Yeah, I can really type quickly on a tablet. By the time you’re done punching in your four word sentence, with your thumbs I can type a page. Plus I can do it all day. Sure, a Tablet can do all these things, but a laptop does them better. A cheap end laptop is actually cheaper than the tablet, so it’s not cost.
“If the task could be done 12 years ago with an XP computer, odds are that the task can be done today”
HAHAHA. I’d love to see a developer working with a tablet or someone doing data entry on a tablet.
“There goes PC sales down the toilet.”
What is there to be afraid of? A tool that works less well, that’s more expensive that has fewer capabilities? Sure, when you’re done playing games on the bus to work on your tablet, you get into work and work on your laptop that’s far easier and much better designed to actually get work done.