If 2012 was the year that the business tablet came of age from a hardware point of view, in 2013, the focus has been on getting the software and features right. As the regular players in the market began to drill down into core features and add on the kinds of extras the business user needed, tablets shifted into the corporate space.
"This year, tablets are going to be more about what they can offer the business user, and the HP ElitePad is one of the devices to take advantage of this trend," says Sophia Evans, HP PSG business unit manager at Tarsus Technologies. "This tablet is extremely thin and light, at only 9.2mm and 0.63kg, making it superbly portable."
The HP ElitePad also runs Windows 8, a robust and solid platform that handles the touch-screen realm with ease while simultaneously delivering the right level of functionality for the business user. Microsoft places a reliable and scalable operating system into the hands of the user, and there is the added advantage of guaranteed compatibility with other Microsoft Office products and services, including Microsoft Office 365.
"The HP ElitePad does more than offer a solid operating system and a lightweight build," says Evans. "It also takes the security concerns about the bring your own device (BYOD) trend seriously."
Included in the HP ElitePad is HP Client Security, HP BIOS Protection and Microsoft Defender. Protecting the screen is the latest from Corning - Gorilla Glass 2 - and the body is wrapped in machined aluminium to keep it safe from daily knocks.
With the market flooded with tablets, many of which are sitting at low price points, it can be hard to show why one brand is better than another, and why customers should pay more for something that looks the same as another that is half the price. The HP ElitePad sits at the higher price point in the market, but what makes it, and others of its ilk, stand out is the attention to detail and feature-rich package.
"The 10.1-inch display, enterprise-level security software, 8MP rear-facing camera, 64GB of storage and built-in productivity tools all show why a product like this is an investment," explains Evans. "A cheap tablet may not necessarily be as robust, nor will it ensure that data is kept safe and that the end-user has access to tools that allow them to work any time, anywhere."
The ElitePad allows users to take notes using the HP Executive Tablet Pen, extend the battery life with the Expansion Jacket and the Jacket Battery, and dock at the office to transform the tablet into a workstation with one click. All these additional products can be tacked onto the HP ElitePad as optional extras.
"This tablet has advanced voice capabilities for hands-free control and presentations, and it is x86 compatible with legacy applications. This makes it very easy to put forward to the business as a solid investment that demands no unnecessary expenditure," concludes Evans. "For any buyer, not having to re-invest in expensive software or applications is a bonus."
The HP ElitePad includes a 1080p front camera for video conferencing, plenty of connectivity options, and is driven by Intel for performance and power. Additional IT-ready software, like HP Custom Integration Services and HP Global Services, give even more ticks to the seller box when putting forward a comprehensive and reliable business tablet solution.
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