Netbook, Tablet, or a Tablet PC: A Guide to Choosing Your New Mobile Companion

If your business frequently takes you for a ride, you’re probably looking for the ultimate mobile companion. In the 21st century, that’s not a way of saying ‘travel-buddy’ or even a nickname for your favorite pooch—man’s new best friend is his computer!

It was not too long ago when a good laptop was the latest and the greatest, but today we have Netbooks, iPads, and Tablet PCs competing for that place in your lap.

So which one should you choose?

First, let’s look at some pros and cons:

Netbook

Pros:

• Fully functional computer
• Can run most any software that runs on your desktop
• Lots of storage space
• Affordable (starting below $300)
• Full Keyboard (great for data creation)

Cons:

• Low battery life, typically 1-3 hours (6-9 hours batteries also available but sold separately)
• Some may find the keyboard too small for extended data creation
• Slower boot time (1-2 min)

A netbook is essentially a fully functional computer. Originally developed as a low cost entry-point for third-world users, the new mini-PCs quickly caught up in the west to fill a niche between the laptop and the smartphone.

Netbooks are available for a variety of platforms, from Win XP and 7 to Linux, and come equipped with all the bells and whistles we’ve grown to expect from a first-class laptop (webcam, built-in wireless LAN, USB connectivity, etc). They additionally feature a full (if scaled down) keyboard and sufficiently large hard-drive capacities (up to 256gig on the MSI Wind, for instance). All that at a very attractive price point, which can start below $300. This definitely gives them the best bang-for-the-buck factor.

On the downside, the life of the included battery usually leaves something to be desired (generally 1-3 hours), and though larger batteries are available for purchase, they can be a bit bulky and increase the overall cost.

iPad (and other tablets)

Pros:

• Great user interface, designed for mobility.
• Light weight
• Quick boot-time (seconds)
• Good battery life (~10hrs on the iPad)
• Lots of apps to choose from
• Great for data consumption (reading documents, watching videos, playing games)

Cons:

• Can’t run regular desktop software
• Limited HD space (up to 64gig on iPad)
• Limited connectivity (no USB/SD/HDMI on iPad)
• No Flash videos (on iPad)
• Not ideal for data creation

Tablets are all the new rave (to say ‘tablets’ is to say ‘iPad’—not because competing products are any less functional, but because, as with anything Apple, shoppers seem to have been taken by an epidemic).

Virtually all tablets have adopted a touch-screen interface, which allows them to do away with keys, touch-pads, etc. This significantly reduces the form factor and permits for some very sleek designs. They boot in a matter of seconds and have very good battery life. All this makes for one great mobile experience as far as data-consumption is concerned.

It’s worthy to keep in mind though that the iPad does not support Flash videos (Android tablets do), which would limit your data consumption at least to some degree, and also desire in standard connectivity features, such as USB/SD/HDMI (though here again, competitors have bridged the gap).

But if your main use is for data creation, things can get a bit finicky. The on-screen keyboard is probably fine for a few sentences here and there, but less than ideal for any intensive finger-work. There are optional accessories available, such as a Bluetooth keyboard, but this somewhat defeats the streamlined ‘grab-and-go’ idea, as well as affects the total cost and battery life, which are the main pros we had just mentioned.

Further, since tablets use solid state hard-drives, their capacity tends to be significantly smaller (only up to 64 gigs on the iPad). What’s more, you cannot install traditional (i.e. desktop native) software programs, and are limited to the apps offered in the app store. While there are literary hundreds of thousands of apps there, one would still have to consider this a disadvantage if the goal is to enjoy a seamless workflow across devices.

Tablet PC/Hybrid

Pros:

• Versatility: use as a tablet or as a netbook
• Available with large hard-drive capacities (320 GB on Dell’s Inspiron Duo)
• Can run at least some standard windows software to edit documents, etc.
• Full Keyboard
• Great for data consumption AND data creation

Cons:

• Heavier than a tablet
• Less battery life than a tablet
• Boots longer than a tablet (though faster than a netbook)

More recently, as the popularity of tablets peaked, manufacturers began looking for ways to attract the data-creating crowd as well. One of these efforts resulted in the double-duty Tablet PC that, at least in theory, offers the best of both worlds. There are different variations on this theme—from Dell’s flipping screen to Acer's snap-in/out screen—but the concept remains the same: use it as a tablet when you want a tablet or as a netbook when you want a netbook.

In reality, as with anything, this should be taken with a grain of salt, because while it’s great to have the versatility of both—it often comes at the price of additional weight and reduced battery life, which are two of the most attractive aspects of the tablet to begin with. Then, it’s also worth noting that all-in-one convertible gadgets may break more easily—after all, adding hinges etc is adding potential points of failure. This doesn’t mean that these devices are not well constructed, but I’d definitely look at the warranty to see what’s covered.

Update:

A notable new design, the Esus Eee Pad Transformer TF101, introduces a double-duty keyboard that also functions as a docking station, thereby actually increasing battery life (up to 16 hours according to the manufacturer) as opposed to reducing it. This is a very exciting concept that might very well address some of the previously perceived drawbacks with Tablet PCs, making them an increasingly attractive choice.

Summary:

So to sum it up, if on the road your work mostly amounts to emailing, data consumption, and perhaps some light data-creation—tablet might very well be your poodle, giving you those few extra inches of screen real-estate you need over your smartphone. However, if your primary use will involve intensive writing or some specific software product without a comparable app, perhaps the netbook is a better pet.

Then again, if you’re really having a hard time picking one over the other, don’t mind carrying around a couple of extra pounds, and rarely spend more than 2-3 hours away from an electrical outlet, you might opt for the new cross-breed. [Note: see update under Tablet PC]

On a final note, some users (especially those endowed with 10 thumbs) may find the mini-keyboards less than ideal for data creation altogether and prefer to stick with a less-portable-but-more-roomy old laptop.

It all comes down to finding the right a balance between function, convenience, and (dropping all pretense) that darn 'cool' factor!

Labels: business, computer, flexibility, mobile, mobility, Netbook or tablet or tablet pc, pc, travel, work

4 Ways a Virtual Phone System Can Boost Productivity in Your Business

Running a small business can be hectic: wearing different hats, juggling different tasks, staying on the nose while keeping ahead of the ball... this might sound like fun if you’re part of a circus troupe, but we’re talking serious business here!

Dealing with phone calls amongst all this hustle and bustle can be quite a challenge.

If you’re like many other one-man-band-ers who’ve been delaying a proper solution for a while, your system of managing all the scheduled calls, notes, and follow-ups is probably comprised mostly of sticky-pads and paper clips.

Now, you can keep on juggling all you want, but if your hands get tired or if you feel like taking a break, come on out and sniff the 21st century air. You’ll find there’s a much better solution in town that’s been putting that old circus act out to lunch.

Organization

A small business PBX keeps all your client information in one place. Call-backs, requests, comments—everything stored conveniently, updated automatically, and accessible by the entire team.

Moreover, each designated department views their own call records, so there can be no confusion or stepping over each other’s toes. Even if it’s just you and your partner—that’s four toes already...

Flexibility

Perhaps the best part of a virtual PBX is that it’s truly freedom personified. Since everything is up in the cloud, you can work anytime, anywhere, and on any device (to learn more about what makes virtual so awesome, check out 'Walking on Clouds--the Freedom of Going Virtual'). You’re no longer tied to the office, or even to your own computer.

They call it running a small business for a reason—and since you’re always up and about, the less hardware you have to carry around, the easier your life will be.

Efficiency

One of the greatest challenges faced by any small business is scarcity of resources—from supplies to personnel, there never seems to be enough of anything to go around—and that’s why managing them effectively is so critical.

A PBX system lets you designate departments and use your call tree to route calls simultaneously to the entire team, so that the first person to become available can answer the next caller. Making conference calls also becomes easier than ever as you need only dial a single number to reach a designated cluster of people.

IVR (Interactive Voice Response), which is a standard component in any PBX system worth its salt, can answer many common queries and provide useful information before the caller ever reaches a live agent. This takes a significant load off of your already overwhelmed staff. Some system providers, like Synclio for instance, even offer a Live Answer service for a small additional fee. This is especially useful if you’re running a small operation, as by letting their trained staff handle the few callers that still get through the IVR strainer you'll be freeing your own team to deal with a gazillion of other daily tasks.

It’s your business, reinvented.

Cost savings

It must be clear by now why a virtual PBX is infinitely cheaper than—and superior to—any physical counterpart (not sure? Try reading our '5 Reasons Virtual Systems are Taking Over the Physical World'), but what you may not realize is that, in many cases, it’s even cheaper than having no system at all!

Here’s why:

If you’re using multiple landlines or cell-phones, things can get pricey—fast. For a single low monthly fee, a virtual PBX usually gives you a local or 1 800 number and an unlimited set of extensions.

This means that both you and your customers can stop running into international calling charges whenever you’re dealing outside the province, and that you no longer need multiple landlines to accommodate your personnel—simply squeeze all the juice out of that single landline you already own by dressing it with all the extensions you’ll ever need!

The availability of unlimited extensions is also a great prospect for the future, as it can accommodate your business as it grows without running into any significant growth pains.

For a detailed discussion of what makes virtual PBX so cost effective check out 'A Fortune 500 Customer Calling Experience that Won't Cost your Company a Fortune', and for an overview of 1- 800 numbers and their benefits, try 'Advantages of an 800 Number for Your Business'.

If you haven’t made a switch already, no time is better than the present to treat yourself to a brand new phone system. Quit the act and get in on the action—here's to leaving the old circus days behind!

Labels: business, cost saving, efficiency, flexibility, organization, productivity, technology, toll-free, virtual PBX, virtual phone

5 Reasons Virtual Systems are taking over the Physical World

It’s no secret that Cloud computing is taking over the world in a storm with a myriad of virtual solutions ready to address all of our modern IT needs, leaving the vendors of traditional systems moaning: “don’t rain on my parade.”

As a small business owner you want to stay ahead of the weather, so let’s take a look where the winds of change are blowing. Here are 5 reasons virtual solutions are fast replacing their physical counterparts:

Flexibility

In the virtual world, your work and data are no longer confined to a single machine or location and instead 'float' in the cloud—a figurative way of saying reside in centralized servers conveniently accessible via your own web portal. This gives you the freedom to work anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

Productivity

Because your work is up there in the cloud, it's now easier than ever to stay on top of changes in a team-environment, share files, and collaborate with co-workers. It also makes on-site backup a redundancy, as all your work is already backed up automatically in the safest place on earth (er...in heaven)

So if your equipment catches a bug or your if office burns down, at least the safety of your work will NOT be one of your worries.

Upgradability and Maintenance:

Since both the physical infrastructure and software components are now centralized in a single location and maintained by a company whose sole business is to provide the service it has chosen to specialize in—upgrades are simpler, smoother, and far more frequent than if you had to wear an IT hat (on top of your other office apparel). In plain speak, this means that the user always remains on the cutting edge, and with minimal interruptions.

Security:

There are many reasons that make Cloud Computing at least as safe, if not safer than, traditional systems. Not the last of these is the fact that companies who’ve made it their business to offer a virtual service have far greater resources than the average user to invest in combating security threats and coming up with solutions.

Furthermore, since such companies usually host their servers in state of the art facilities, they're far better protected against hardware failure and natural disasters.

Affordability

The essence of specialization in any industry is reflected in the bottom line, and here is no exception. The savings are vast because users have no need to purchase any additional hardware or software components, or to worry about installation, configuration, maintenance, and upgradability issues. What’s more, a single low monthly fee can often buy our access to services we would have otherwise simply not been able to afford.

For this reason, the advantages of going virtual are perhaps most evident in hardware intensive operations, where just the costs of getting in is often beyond the means of most average users.

A virtual phone system such as the one offered by Synclio is a perfect example of how cloud computing brings the sky within reach of virtually anyone.

Labels: affordability, business, cloud computing, cost saving, customer service, efficiency, flexibility, IT, productivity, security, technology, virtual PBX, virtual phone

A Fortune 500 Customer Calling Experience that Won’t Cost Your Company a Fortune

Labels: affordability, business, cloud computing, cost saving, devision of labor, efficiency, flexibility, phone system, productivity, specialization, technology, virtual IVR, virtual PBX, virtual phone

Walking on Clouds—the Freedom of Going Virtual

Labels: affordability, business, cloud computing, devision of labor, flexibility, freedom, IT, phone system, productivity, specialization, technology, virtual IVR, virtual PBX, virtual phone, web management