All the signs are that we are fast forwarding to a “post-PC” future. Alongside the smartphone, the tablet PC has become the very PC device which, in a staggering short period of time, has become the mainstay of the busy on the move, urban professional and his out in the field, industrial counterpart.

Surveys just keep popping up everywhere with news of dwindling laptop and netbook sales as double the quantity of tablet PCs fly off the shelves – to the tune of nearly 14 million in Q2, 2011. With the current tablet PC market estimated to be somewhere around 50-60 million, and global IT analysts, Gartner, predicting the PC industry could reach around 400 million units in 2012, it really does seem that the market for handheld computers will soon overtake the PC. Around one-fifth will most probably be sold to corporate users by 2016.

In the next five to ten years, Gartner suggests, "modular designs will enable tablets to take on new functions, becoming the cross-platform controller and brain for hybrid consumer electronics and computers”. Tablet PCs docked in vehicle dashboards can replace dedicated navigation devices, in-car entertainment, and environmental controls. Other diverse applications may see tablets used as fixed position PC digital signage instore and as home health monitors.

Gartner have also said that B2C engagement by companies and organisations, through the use of touch screen tablet pcs, must now be addressed. A handheld PC  is becoming the constant companion device, for “work, web and play”, simply because it has an OS designed specifically for mobile use anywhere, a large clear screen and longer battery life. A rugged tablet PC is virtually drop-proof!

We are already seeing many savvy brands redesigning their company websites to be fully optimised - and also offering mobile apps - for mobile and tablet technology. Increasingly, tablet PCs are accompanying smartphones into the workplace as indispensable portable tools for instant data, file and web access at any location, inside or in the field.

However, according to a recent Carphone Warehouse study, just under 10 per cent of smartphone users tether their mobiles to their tablet PCs, although android tablet owners are twice as likely to tether their tablets to their phones than other leading brand OS.

The first wave of tablet PCs powered by single-core processors are being replaced by second wave of dual-core chips. Ushering in the next generation of multicore processing, the tablet PC will shortly be the universal touch screen tool permanently at hand wherever needed, at home, in the workplace, on the move, in any environment.

The growth and rapid expansion of the tablet PC market is a continuing gamechanger for both consumer and website owner. The number one priority for many businesses and organisations is for their websites and intranets to be fully optimised to enable users to quickly access on handheld computers. Microsoft will be launching their Windows 8 OS in 2012, which is specifically designed to run on a touchscreen tablet PC as well as traditional desktop and laptop.

The global figure for 2011 third quarter output of tablet PCs (other than the most well-known brand) was 5.7 million, a 10.1 per cent increase on the second quarter of 5.7 million and up from 0.6 million in the same period in 2010. While web access, media consumption, email and online transactions have been most popular with the general user, it is in the professional and commercial sectors that the most vital implementation has been taking place.

Nowhere more crucial can an UMPC be put to use than to take on the task of dealing with paperwork within the healthcare sector where handheld PC tablets are either being used or are on preliminary trials within hospitals, clinics and other medical environments.

The urgent and vital necessity for doctors, consultants or physicians to carry and have immediately to hand a copious number of files and medical records for each and every individual case has led to the embrace of the lightweight and supremely portable tablet PC as literally, a lifesaver!

Today’s busy healthcare professionals will often work away from a traditional desk, waiting room or permanent clinic area. Tablet PCs offer instant mobile access to current and important information without having to look for a computer workstation. No more need to struggle with heavy files, juggle papers and folders or even find a desk or flat surface upon which to place a traditional laptop.

Endless valuable tasks can be carried out simply and easily while on the move and at the patient’s bedside, such as viewing patient charts and input notes, checking drug reactions and medical images, accessing medical databases, ebooks and ejournals, and showing patients illustrations/pictures and information, as well as using online training sites.

The quick access to data reduces the time a doctor might spend with a patient and also eliminates the need to transcribe notes or to input data into patients’ charts. Healthcare workers too, can use a pen-tablet PC in a variety of situations where access and inputting of critical information is essential.

Motion Computing, has just recently introduced the CL900 SlateMate. The redesigned CL900 Tablet PC with 8 hours battery life, provides an integrated MagTek magnetic stripe reader and barcode scanner to handle 1D and 2D imaging, and allows hospitals to scan patients' ID bracelets, insurance and credit cards.

Valuable key benefits not only include allowing hospital staff to access a patient’s electronic health record, such as blood pressure, weight and blood glucose information, but also admittance and discharge of patients at a hospital bed rather than at a customer service area, ensuring that doctors treat the right patient with the right medicine ( with an unique identifier).

Latest research reveals that nearly ten per cent, or just under 4 million UK consumers, owns a tablet PC with two thirds of owners saying they, ” found them more useful than laptops ... and have improved their quality of life”. Furthermore, around a quarter, or nearly 9.5 million, said they intended to buy a handheld  computer.

While principally used by domestic users in the home or on the move for internet access, media consumption, emailing, gaming and watching films, tablet PCs are making significant inroads into UK industrial and commercial sectors, most prominently out in the field, in architectural survey and construction project delivery.

As with many other key industries, which are now dependant on access to key data at any location and under any circumstance, rugged tablet PCs have become indispensable tools to carry out vital tasks in an open environment. The key is in the replacement of architectural plans, paper-based files, weatherproof field notebooks, documents, drawings and clipboards by a lightweight, portable screen based technology, but specifically built to withstand the rigours of operating in extreme conditions.

Construction design technology software has rapidly evolved within the office and studio / workshop environment. Until recently, there was only the bulky laptop or netbook available for limited access to internet, internal files and communications needed in the field, especially when research was suddenly required.

The field-optimised handheld PC  has transformed expectations, performance and communications in the architectural and construction sectors and related large scale urban development industries. Construction field personnel, project managers, general and field superintendents and engineers now have instant available access via their tablet PC for key data operations.

Rugged tablets PCs  provide a range of toughened glass screen displays up to 13 in, anti-glare and readable outdoors in bright sunlight. Some large display sizes greater than 10 in at 1024 x 768 pixels supply construction field personnel, such as superintendents and field engineers, enhanced  access to vital markup construction documents, such as plans and specifications.

Weighing only around 3 lbs and easily portable, rugged tablets are encased in an IP rated, MIL-STD compliant body, both dust and moisture proof. With an extended battery life and integrated communications and components, such as WiFi, Mobile Broadband and Bluetooth, many vital field / outdoor / onsite / on the road communications and data accessing can be quickly and easily carried out.

Applications can include interaction with Building Information Models to streamline essential path field operations, such as supply chain and materials management, commissioning and quality assurance / quality control as part of a Field Management Program.

Daily scheduling can also require access to key items such as budget breakdown alongside bank balance, and an on-line inventory report from the materials supplier. Job orders and personnel records, architectural plans and surveys, and billing history can be easily tracked, site images, receipts and site reports forwarded whenever needed.

Rugged tablet PCs simplify tasks and provide immediate access to critical information where, previously, this was not possible with analysts predicting that by 2014, sales of the mobile tablet PC will have overtaken the notebook.

Technology market experts suggest that tablet PCs are accelerating the adoption of the mobile internet. Lightweight, portable with a large touch screen yet smallform functionality, the tablet PC has proven to be a more convenient and useful tool for universal content consumption.

While considered as valuable additions to the growing handheld computers market, tablet PCs are replacing netbooks and laptops by users for everyday applications of web access and search, emailing, gaming, video, and routine content creation. Recent research by Google found that over three quarters of handheld PC owners were reporting around 20 per cent decreased use of traditional desktop or laptop in favour of  using their tablet for at least one hour per day, engaged in web search and email.

A forecast of 165 million tablets expected over the next two years will likely further reduce PC market growth by 3 per cent and challenge legacy technology. Both the rugged tablet PC and UMPC represent the twin drivers of a continuing  fragmentation of traditional computer use and highlights a broader shift towards mobile devices.

As a result, computing tasks and requirements have separated according to “when and where” required.  Specific functionality is assignable to a touchscreen tablet PC better adapted to unique environments and activities because of their lightweight mobility, heightened connectivity, OS innovation, applications, power-efficient processors and battery life.

A high specification rugged tablet design enables easy transference across multiple work locations, from indoor education,healthcare and research spaces to a variety of demanding outdoor environments, as occupied by industries such as construction, manufacturing and retail distribution.

If netbooks were viewed as an evolutionary step in the traditional notebook form factor, tablet PCs  are the next revolutionary step from a graphical, keyboard and mouse user interface to a touch user interface. New operating systems with touch screens rather than point-and-click puts ultra portability and vital internet, shared file, data and content access literally at the field worker’s fingertips.

Tough dust and moist proof IP rated, rugged tablet touch screens are high res, anti glare and provide identical colour quality and image precision in the “open” environment as would be expected within an indoor space. Multi connectivity options combining WiFi with cellular connectivity and GPS means users are no longer confined to their desktops.

The ultra mobile tablet PC is “always ON”.  In addition to the many cloud-based services that can be now accessed, the development of tablet-optimised applications and content specifically designed for tablet PCs increases functionality well beyond the horizons of netbooks and traditional PCs.

Within ten years, it has been predicted that 10 billion mobile internet devices will be in use, up from 2 billion today.