The tablet market is a crowded one, make no mistake. There are hundreds of options out there. But when you are talking about purchasing a tablet for work, you need something that will provide the best compatibility and give you the best features. That is why it is my opinion that if you are looking for a tablet for the office, you simply shouldn’t consider any other model other than a Windows 10 tablet.
There are many reasons for purchasing a Windows 10 tablet for work. As you will see, in many cases it simply makes the most sense to buy a tablet running Windows for the office. Let’s take a look at 10 reasons to buy a Windows 10 tablet for work so you can begin to understand exactly why you should be considering these devices for the office instead of iOS or Android.
1. Available Choices
First things first, there are tons of choices when it comes to tablets based on Windows. Sure, there are tons of Android apps out there, but many of these are of low quality. Almost all the Windows tablets out there are of high quality and have a wide range of features and accessories that you can buy to enhance your tablet experience. Now the Surface line of tablets are by far the most popular and usually look the coolest, but there are many other tablet makers that have created outstanding Windows tablets. Some of these are so powerful they could almost be a desktop replacement, but that is a discussion for another day.
2. Apps
I know, there aren’t as many apps on the Windows Store compared to the Google Play and App Store. However, all of the leading apps that you will probably need for business are available, and they work almost exactly like their desktop counterparts these days. This means that everything you need for work will be right there and easily installed and even updated later. It should also be noted that the Windows Store is growing and more and more apps are being released every day for the platform, meaning there is room to grow so you can add even more apps to your tablet later.
3. Multitasking
Android and iOS still haven’t gotten this one quite right. Sure, they sort of do it. But you will only find seamless multitasking on a Windows based tablet. That is because it is Windows, an operating system that has been able to multitask applications for many years now. If you need a tablet to do some serious multitasking, as many users in the business world do, then your best option is to pick up a Windows tablet instead of an iPad or some type of Android powered tablet. Only Windows can give you true multitasking power, so why even consider the competition if you want to make sure apps run simultaneously.
4. Windows 10
Nobody really loved Windows 8, and it is understandable. Microsoft tried to mesh the worlds of PCs and tablets into one, but their first attempt was just a failure. Enter Windows 10. With Windows 10, Microsoft learned from their mistakes and created an operating system that can truly be run in multiple modes across a wide range of devices. From computers to tablets to smartphones and more, Windows 10 can handle it all. It is also one of the slickest and most advanced operating systems in the world at the present time, so why not choose it for the next tablet you buy. Think about it, you get the compatibility you need with the most advanced features found all in one.
5. Workplace Compatibility
I mentioned compatibility above, and with good reason. One of the most important aspects of tablets in the workplace is their ability to be compatible with their desktop counterparts. In many cases, all the systems do a pretty good job at this. However, if you are running a tablet with Windows, you don’t have to worry about compatibility. Remember, it is Windows, after all. So what will run and function on your desktop PC sitting at your desk will also work on that tablet you have inside your bag. You don’t have to worry about which apps you get for what, as they are all the same. This makes supporting the devices much easier as well, meaning that your IT departments won’t have to invest as much time ensuring that all your files are compatible across platforms that are sometimes very different from one another.
6. Pen Support
If there is one thing that many workers need, it is the ability to write while they are on the go. Most tablet makers, Apple especially, initially shunned the use of a pen on a tablet, saying instead that the finger is all they need. Microsoft thought differently and early on included advanced pen support in their operating system. Fast forward to today and you have most of the other manufacturers playing catch up to Microsoft by including pen support on their tablets. Apple has even decided to start selling one of its own. I wonder if they will try to take credit for it as an invention, just like they did the tablet?
7. OneDrive
This one may sound rather specific, and I guess it is. OneDrive is Microsoft’s answer to cloud storage. In my opinion, it is also one of the best. They do support almost every type of device out there today, but the storage really shines when it is working on Windows on a laptop, desktop and especially on a tablet. Store all your files in the cloud and easily access them from anywhere using this cloud storage solution. What makes this one even better, is the amount that you get, especially if you sign up for Office 365. For just $10 a month, you get access to Office plus 1 TB of storage. That’s a deal you really can’t beat. So why bother storing anything locally ever again? I know I don’t.
8. Multiple Windows
Today all tablets and smartphones will create split screens and multiple windows that allow you to work in more than one app at a time. But guess who pioneered this little feature? That’s right. Microsoft. This new feature was first introduced in Windows 8 (I guess they didn’t do everything wrong) and has continued to be present in the tablet mode for Windows 10. It proved to be such a popular feature, that both Android and iOS incorporated it into their most recent versions. They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. I guess they were correct. If you want to use this feature with the company that invented it, a Windows based tablet is the way to go.
9. No Learning Curve
Everyone knows how to use Windows. Now, I admit, some people know how to use it better than others, but regardless of your experience it is tough to find anyone in the world today that hasn’t used Windows at one point or another. This means that it is very easy for almost anyone to pick up a tablet powered by Windows and use it just like they would any other device. For business, this means you don’t have to spend a lot of time training your employees on the tablet. This frees up valuable business time for other work or different types of training.
10. Office
To be fair, Office is now available on iOS and Android, but it began on a Windows system and the tablets have had access to it for quite some time. Office was also born on Windows, meaning you will find that many more features will be functional and you can easily share these documents between your various Windows system to create a seamless workflow that will help you accomplish your goals and tasks much more quickly. I should also mention Outlook. In my opinion, Outlook for Windows or even for any other mobile device is far superior to all other mail programs. When you have a Windows tablet, you can easily set Outlook and the rest of the Microsoft Office suite up to use when you have to get a little work done while you’re on the go.
Final Thoughts
Despite what Apple wants you to believe, the very first tablets were pioneered by Microsoft many years ago. Apple perfected them and transformed the market, but it was Microsoft that first believed they could be useful. While Microsoft fell behind during the tablet revolution, they are most certainly back and are creating some great products that can be used both at home and at work.
If you are looking for a tablet specifically for work, you can’t go wrong with one loaded with Windows 10. These tablets will give you the most compatibility and are hands down the easiest to use if you don’t have much experience with technology. They are instantly familiar and can handle all of your work related tasks with ease, thanks to the software that is available for them. While Android and iOS may be more popular today, that doesn’t mean they are the best solution for you. A tablet powered by Windows 10 is hands down one of these best solutions for businesses currently on the market and should be considered by anyone looking to get a tablet to take their work on the road.