choosing tablets for information work

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Choosing Tablets for Work: Apple – Google – Microsoft Sharon Richardson Joining Dots October 2012 Web: www.joiningdots.com Twitter: @joiningdots Listed in alphabetical order

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Comparing options from Apple, Google and Microsoft for using tablet devices in the workplace. Specifically looking at information activities - creating/editing files - that have traditionally been completed on desktops or notebooks running Microsoft Office but are increasingly going mobile.

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Page 1: Choosing tablets for information work

Choosing Tablets for Work:Apple – Google – Microsoft

Sharon RichardsonJoining Dots October 2012Web: www.joiningdots.comTwitter: @joiningdots

Listed in alphabetical order

Page 2: Choosing tablets for information work

‘readme1st.txt’

The following presentation contains Joining Dots’ opinions of the differences between tablets provided by three vendors – Apple, Google and Microsoft

The focus is on standard ‘information work’ that has traditionally required a desktop or portable computer running Microsoft Office or similar. Work that is becoming increasingly mobile but for which MS Office is still popular

Tablets are positioned in the space between mobile phones (screen too small for regular work) and traditional laptops or desktop computers (keyboard and mouse still required)

Only vendors’ own tablets are included. Google and Microsoft have also licensed their operating systems (OS) for other hardware vendors to use.

All product names, logos, brands and other trademarks referred to within this presentation are the property of their respective trademark holders

© Copyright 2012 Joining Dots Ltd. All rights reserved

Page 3: Choosing tablets for information work

Google vs Apple vs Microsoft

Device Key Differentiator Pros ✔ Cons ✖

Google Nexus

Focus on open source software and ecosystem

Usually cheapest. Wide range of form factors and specs to choose from if Nexus not up to scratch

App store reputation (quality and security) No default local app such as MS Office or iWorks

Apple iPad

Focus on tablet design and touch-based apps

Usually best performing form factor and spec. Widest range of apps

Usually most expensive. iWorks is not Office. Showing little interest in business uses for tablets

Microsoft Surface

Focus on keyboard and stylus input, hybrid-tablets

Familiar tools - MS Office (RT version). Promoting business uses for tablets

Weak mobile spec and design. Trying to match tablet and PC means trade-offs from both

Page 4: Choosing tablets for information work

Portability vs Functionality

Workplace FunctionalityMobile Portability

Pric

e

Smar

t Pho

nes

Not

eboo

ks

iPad Mini

Nexus7

SurfacePro

Battery life

10+ hours

7 – 9 hours

<6 hours

iPad SurfaceRT

Nexus10

TBC

Page 5: Choosing tablets for information work

Trade-offs

Nexus 7 Nexus 10 iPad mini iPad Surface RT Surface Pro

Connect to corporate network

✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✔

MS Office/Office RT installed locally for editing files

✖ ✖ ✖ ✖ ✔ ✔

MS Office default alternative (iWorks)

✖ ✖ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Quick note taking, apps to edit files

✔* ✔ ✔* ✔ ✔ ✔

Sync and read content on/offline

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

3G/4G option for mobile broadband

✔ ✖ ✔ ✔ ✖ ✖?

Battery life 10+ hrs ✔** ✔** ✔ ✔ ✔** ✖?

Lightweight ✔ ✔*** ✔ ✔*** ✔*** ✖?

✔* Reduced screen size limits ability to edit files ✔** Battery life is 7 – 9 hours, good but not great✔*** Not light enough for long periods of one-handed use??? Waiting confirmation

Func

tiona

lity

Mob

ility

Page 6: Choosing tablets for information work

Comparison: Small Tablets

Features

Screen size of 7 – 8 inches (diagonal)

Long battery life (11+ hours)

Very lightweight

Best suited for: Reading/Viewing, quick note

taking and form-filling Access to content and

online services anywhere Use separate laptop as

primary device

Nexus 7 iPad Mini

Cheapest, Open source, <10 hr battery

Lighter, Larger screen, 12+ hrs battery

Most people considering a small tablet would likely continue to use a separate notebook or desktop computer for regular activities. Keyboard and mouse input still likely to be required: large documents, media editing, programming etc.

Choice between Google Android devices and iPad mini for many will come down to price or ecosystem preference (open source vs closed)

Amazon Kindle is also a possible option, but limited work-related uses.

Page 7: Choosing tablets for information work

Comparison: Standard Tablets

Features

Screen size of 10 inches approx (diagonal)

Good battery life (7+ hours)

Fairly lightweight

Best suited for: Full range of reading and

note-taking activities including editing files

Access to content and online services anywhere

Mobile working

iPad Surface RT Nexus 10

Import/edit MS Office files in iWorks

Edit/Save MS Office docs natively

No default office apps

3G/4G Wifi only Wifi only

Longest battery life (11+ hrs)

Keyboard integrated

Best screen and camera

Could become sole device for people who create ‘lighter’ content: don’t need rich media editing capabilities or large/multi-screens, particularly if work involves regular travel. All devices support external keyboards

Surface RT includes Office RT for Word, PowerPoint and Excel. iPad includes iWorks for Pages, KeyNote and Numbers. Nexus requires third-party apps to be installed

Page 8: Choosing tablets for information work

Comparison: Hybrid Tablet-PC

Features

Screen size of 10 inches approx (diagonal)

Touch-enabled but traditional PC-style operating system

Best suited for: Single device provided for

both onsite and mobile work Keyboard/mouse remains

primary input method Separate personal device

used for travel and reading (e.g. Amazon Kindle)

Surface Pro*

Able to connect to corporate network (device login to Active Directory)Less portable (heavier weight and shorter battery life) than a standard tablet, more portable than traditional notebook PCRunning full Windows 8, able to install apps locally including legacy and bespoke ‘in-house’ applications

* Not yet launched (due January 2013).

Assumptions about weight and battery life are based on testing of Samsung Windows 8 tablet and comparison with MacBook Air notebook. Both require larger battery and integrated fan to power and cool the spec required to run a full OS

Page 9: Choosing tablets for information work

‘Tablets at Work’ Decision Criteria

Requirement Recommendation Why

Looking for a single device to cover all work-related information activities

Surface Pro It’s the only device that can be connected to a workplace network and run legacy or bespoke apps. Downside is reduced portability due to weight and battery life (it’s a hybrid tablet-PC)

Still plan on using a separate desktop or laptop for most information work

iPad/iPad mini or Nexus 7/10

If likely to also be carrying a laptop, go for thinnest lightest tablet to read/capture notes. Vendor may depend on ecosystem (open source vs closed) and size is most likely down to personal preference

Keyboard and/or MS Office basics are essential, even when on the move

Surface RT Integrated keyboard cover and kickback stand is most convenient design. Similar options are available for other tablets by third parties. Alternatives to Office are not Office

Mostly mobile and often need to work without a flat surface

iPad Keyboard attachments rarely work well without flat surfaces and hybrids are too heavy. Of the standard tablets, iPad has best range of touch-friendly business apps for mobile working

Page 10: Choosing tablets for information work

Extra slide: Accessing SharePoint

Key difference between Surface RT and other standard tablets is having Microsoft Office RT installed for editing/saving Word, Excel and PowerPoint files natively on the device.

Had Windows RT/OfficeRT been integrated with corporate networks and SharePoint or Office 365, it would be a far more compelling tablet option for Microsoft-centric organisations

Feature Nexus iPad Surface RT Surface Pro

Automatic site login (device connected to corporate network)

✖ ✖ ✖ ✔

Full integration with MS Office (incl. Outlook, InfoPath, Visio, Designer)

✖ ✖ ✖ ✔

Office Browser integration (e.g. Datasheet view, Bulk upload)

✖ ✖ ✖ ✔ (IE only)

Editing standard Office docs using MS Office (RT) locally

✖ ✖ ✔ ✔

Editing standard Office docs using other apps locally

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Office Web Apps (browser-based) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Browser-based site login ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Page 11: Choosing tablets for information work

Thanks for reading!

Author: Sharon Richardson

First Published: 29th October 2012

Additional notes posted to the blog:http://www.joiningdots.com/blog/2012/10/choosing-tablets-for-information-work/

Contact info to discuss this presentation:

Joining DotsEmail: [email protected]: www.joiningdots.comTwitter: @joiningdots

Page 12: Choosing tablets for information work

Definitions

iPad Apple iPad tablet running IOS with 10” approx screen

iPad mini Apple iPad tablet running IOS with 8” approx screen

Nexus Google tablet running Android OS. The number indicates approximate screen size, e.g. 7 = 7” approx

Surface RT Microsoft Surface tablet running Windows RT, based on Windows 8 but does not allow local installation of apps

Surface Pro Microsoft Surface tablet running Windows 8. Full OS including the ability to install applications locally like a traditional PC (hybrid tablet)

Page 13: Choosing tablets for information work

Updates

6th November Windows Surface RT increase on price axis to match spec. 32GB model

only has 16GB free space after recovery partition, OS install, Office and built-in apps. Means 32GB model price should be compared against 16GB Android and iOS devices.

Nexus battery life specs updated. Nexus 10 tested just over 7 hours and Nexus 7 is just over 9 hours. Surface RT receiving mixed reviews ranging from 7 – 9 hours, iPads now 11+ hours