In today’s digital world we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting equipment to help us run a successful business, as new technology solutions are constantly being developed, adapted and improved upon. With such a wide variety of technology devices at our disposal, it can be difficult to know which to choose and which our businesses are likely to benefit from the most – do we really need that interactive whiteboard that is also a phone and a fax, or would we be better off with something simpler? It would seem that one of the biggest decisions companies have to make at the moment is which computer format to opt for. Whereas before we might have had difficulty choosing between a desktop and a laptop, we now also have the option of tablet computers to consider. In an attempt to help you make a more informed decision, we examine the pros and cons of each device in turn…

Tablets have become increasingly popular in the last few years thanks to their lightweight design and portability. They are favourites among both teenagers and businesspeople on the go – a fact that hints at their versatility. Available for use both online and offline and providing a wide range of useful tools and apps, the tablet can help to increase productivity by being suitable for use almost anywhere. Whether you’re running late for a meeting and need to complete work on the way or need to send a last minute email before boarding your flight, a tablet can enable you to do so with ease. They are ideal for businessmen and women who are not often at their desks.

Being so lightweight and portable means the tablet does have a few downsides, one of the most obvious being that they do not come with a keyboard. Of course, most tablets boast a touchscreen keyboard, but this can be uncomfortable and difficult to use when creating lengthy documents or using for word processing for long periods. Tablets also tend to lack connectivity in the form of USB, FireWire and HDMI ports, limiting overall functionality. While tablets are costly they are also quite fragile, so it is important that should you choose to purchase a tablet for business purposes that you also buy the necessary protective casing.

Although perhaps not as lightweight as the tablet, a laptop is still lightweight and portable in comparison with a desktop! When fully charged a laptop can provide you with the ability to work just about anywhere, offering a full qwerty keyboard on which you can type as you would when using your desktop. Laptops usually come complete with a number of external ports enabling you to connect to televisions and computers, making them ideal to take to conferences and meetings. Due to their portability yet similarity to a desktop, laptops can make working remotely easy, enabling you to offer staff the opportunity to take their work home with them.

With portability comes the increased risk of a break and of theft. While laptops are designed for use on the lap, those with larger flip screens can be difficult to use in smaller spaces, such as on a packed train. When they are not well charged, the battery of a laptop tends to fade fast which can result in you being let down in the middle of something important and although most laptops are intelligent enough to save your work automatically, there are some that aren’t! Laptops are best used for those who introduce hot-desks in the office or tend to work from home occasionally.

Many believe the desktop computer to be outmoded and irrelevant, but desktops are still constantly being updated and are found in almost every office in the UK. They are reliable and are managing to keep up with the progression of laptops and tablets quite successfully. The biggest advantage of a desktop computer is the screen size, and there is no contest between an external monitor and the small, compact screens of laptops and tablets. Desktops also enable you to use multiple monitors and as they tend to stay in one place they can be linked to various devices by cable, without having to rely on any wireless networks to get the job done.

The most obvious disadvantage of a desktop computer is that it isn’t portable and you cannot just pop it into your briefcase to continue your work at home. Desktop computers and their monitors can take up quite a lot of desk space, leaving you little room to do much else. When you require a large number of computers in on office it can look untidy and cluttered – not to mention with a number of computers plugged in at once, the electricity bills can be colossal. Desktops are best used for companies that rely solely on their computers and require large screens.

All three of these devices have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is up to you to decide which is best for your business. At Staples Advantage we provide a wide range of state-of-the-art technology solutions, so when you’ve chosen your device, be sure to browse our range.

March 25th 2014 | Back to Industry Insights