Author: Jason Hiner
When you talk to IT pros and business managers about tablet computers, the first question they tend to ask is, “Looks cool, but what do I do with it?” This conversation has been happening for a decade since Microsoft’s pen-based Tablet PC was introduced at Comdex 2001. There, Bill Gates declared, “Within five years I predict it will be the most popular form of PC sold in America.”
That turned out to be a false prophesy. Microsoft’s tablet never attracted a mass audience, although it has gained some niche adoption in industries such as health care, field service, and hospitality. However, the Apple iPad and the new breed of slate computers that are hitting the market in 2010 are looking to revive the tablet concept with a lighter, thinner form factor that uses a touch-based interface rather than pen computing.
5. Replace 200-page business documents
Large business documents waste a lot of paper. Most of these tend to be legal documents that people never read cover-to-cover. Slate computers that can lay flat on the table could be more conducive to an open discussion. There’s also a security implication—a company-owned slate could display sensitive documents for guests to flip through while all the data remains in company hands.
4. Business reading and audiobooks for road warriors
Frequent business travelers often have a briefcase full of newspapers, magazines, and books. The new tablet computers could consolidate this media experience into a single device.
3. “Back of the Napkin” sketches
With his “Back of the Napkin” concept, Dan Roam has convinced a lot of professionals to draw simple pictures to help solve problems and sell ideas. With built-in drawing tools like the ones in the iPad, it’s about to get a lot easier to quickly draw simple pictures and circulate them digitally.
2. Small-scale presentations
While projectors and slide presentations have their place, there is also the opportunity to bring those same powerful visuals to smaller meetings, even 1-on-1s. The slim form factor of slates lends itself to better portability and show-and-tell.
1. Conference room computing
Slate computers could become the conference room PCs of choice. People could use them to access documents, emails, images, and illustrations needed for the meeting, make their own notes, and share visuals just by pulling up the data on-screen and flipping the slate around.