Surface Ripples

Do Tablets Boost Productivity?

Tablet computers (“tablets”) are appearing with more regularity and in different sizes. Since Apple launched the iPad in 2010, tablets have become the new “must-have” executive toy. I finally invested in an iPad 2 having (barely) contained my enthusiasm when the iPad 1 came on the scene.

Which tablet you choose depends on your needs. Mine were to be able to: manage diary, contacts and ToDo lists, produce documents, spreadsheets and presentations, send/receive email, access the internet and listen to music or watch films. I didn’t want a screen that was too small or too big.

In a classic case of “customer lock-in”, I went for an iOS device as I already had an Apple iPod and wanted to be able to continue using iTunes which already synchronised calendars, notes and contacts to my device.

The iPad came with calendar, contacts, notes and email software pre-installed, so I was able to synchronise my calendar, contacts and notes direct from Microsoft Outlook on my laptop. I downloaded other software that I use such as LinkedIn, Facebook and a useful (paid-for) programme (or “App” as they’re known) that handles my task list. I have an App to create, read and edit Microsoft Word and EXCEL documents as well as to read PowerPoint presentations (the “premium” version will allow me to create and edit as well). This synchronises wirelessly with my laptop so it's easy to transfer the documents I need.

My iPad has 32GB storage capacity, built-in WiFi and is a 3G model which means that it can take a Micro-SIM card (this won’t fit into a device that uses a “regular” SIM without an adaptor). As a result, I can connect direct through my mobile service to access email or the internet.

Does the iPad replace my a laptop? To a great extent, yes.

1. It holds the same diary, contacts and ToDo information as Microsoft Outlook on my laptop.

2. It's highly portable, weighing in at 613 grams and measuring 24cm x 8.5cm x 0.9cm – better than the screen of my 15” laptop. It boots up immediately, rather than taking the 5 minutes or so that my laptop does and the battery lasts longer.

3. I can send and receive emails and network with my social and professional contacts from anywhere.

4. I can create, read and edit Word and EXCEL documents, and read PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat documents. Any important documents for client meetings can all be kept on the iPad, replacing bulky paper files.

5. Quality of graphics is excellent, so I can read everything easily.

So far, it does everything that I need it to do. What’s the downside?

1. Less memory than a laptop. Even if memory capacity increases as time goes on, it’ll never compete. This is excellent for discipline as I generally don’t think about what I keep on my hard drive and end up with all sorts of stuff that hardly ever sees the light of day.

2. The iPad 2’s “soft keyboard” requires me to switch from alphabetic to numeric keyboards and back when typing. For certain symbols (e.g. %), I have to switch again. This makes typing long documents a chore and I’m looking for an external bluetooth keyboard to overcome this.

3. The App that creates, edits and reads Word and EXCEL documents only allows “simple” formatting. This isn’t surprising, given that it’s a “lite” version of the full software suite. My solution: prepare “form” letters and quotes on my laptop and transfer them to the iPad. I have to save the documents as lower versions than Office 2010 documents for them to work with the App and to make sure that any formatting will save in the “older” version.

4. Reduced functionality also means that I can’t perform certain tasks like reading the comments that I have made on a Word or a *.pdf document on my laptop using the “full” Word or Acrobat software. A minor inconvenience.

5. The iPad lacks USB ports, keeping it thin. The lack of a VGA output port is a disadvantage when giving presentations using a projector; Apple get round this by selling an adaptor. ACER have included USB and mini-USB ports on their Iconia tablet.

In short, my iPad can and does replace my laptop for portability, convenience and most functionality. As I use the laptop mainly for email, word processing, creating spreadsheets and presentations and surfing the internet, I can now take the iPad on trips on which I would previously have taken a heavier and bulkier laptop. As time goes on, many of the “niggles” above will no doubt be ironed out. I will still use a laptop as my “main” PC, but the iPad is now my “portable” and my productivity has definitely increased.

I have spent more than half my life working in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With more than 20 years in the world financial services industry running different service, operations and lending businesses, I started my own Performance Management Consultancy and work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email . My website provides a full picture of my portfolio of services.

Labels: Productivity

posted by William Martin @ 17:16