The popularity of using tablet PCs to primarily consume media content, browse the web and social network has also increasingly  led the tablet PC owner to create or edit basic files as they would do on a netbook or laptop.

Many users will view handheld computers as support devices, which do not necessarily replace the laptop or deskbound PC for specific word processing, spreadsheet and editing applications. Nevertheless, the rapid and widespread takeup of the handheld PC signals a key change in PC usage.

The migration towards mobile devices has seen a corresponding shift in user behaviour as around three quarters of total personal computer time is now spent consuming and sharing content, instead of creating content.

In 2010, around 20 per cent less time was spent on traditional PCs compared to 2008, and more time devoted to content consuming and sharing activities, such as web browsing, email, and social networking. Over 75 per cent of tablet PC owners browse the web and check their emails on the move, while two thirds watch videos and read online publications.

Market analysts predict that consumers will increasingly use technology devices such as a UMPC or rugged tablet PC, designed and fully optimised for fast web access and content viewing and interaction in diverse personal and commercial applications.

It is because a touchscreen PC is optimised for content consuming, and purpose built for portable and universal connectivity, that adoption across private enterprise and public service sectors has been rapid and a proven success.

In major industries, such as retail and manufacturing, as well as in healthcare, education and research, companies and organisations have found the high resolution display, long battery life, rugged build yet light and easy portability, a must-have web tool in any working environment.

Furthermore, the mobile app marketplace now offers an ever increasing array of options, including powerful third-party and custom-created business applications, which, significantly enhance the handheld computing experience far beyond traditional desktop computing. 

It has been estimated that around 20 per cent of companies now purchase tablet PCs for their employees, a figure which is expected to more than double to nearly 50 per cent for companies expecting to purchase tablets for employees in the coming 12 months.

Within three years, experts predict that sales of the mobile tablet PC will have permanently overtaken notebooks.

Two good looking PAs define the tablet PC : “Portability and Accessibility, Productivity and Adaptability!”

Mobile technology is on the rise, bypassing static PC devices across the personal, social and business web. It means a company or organisation workforce is now liberated from their desk and can be on the move, armed with ultra-light handheld computers to access online and database, digital file and handwritten note, wherever needed.

The appearance of tablet PCs in the workplace environment is a result of recognising that they offer more than simply being personal media devices for web surfing, social networking and gaming. Key industry sectors, from retail and manufacturing to research and construction have been quick to see the advantages of a large touchscreen slate or pen tablet PC weighing no more than 2-3 pounds and less than one inch diameter, as compared to the bulky laptop.

Also, there are  key benefits to being able to view an entire web page on a 9 to 13in tablet screen rather than a fiddly scroll across several mobile site pages or a confusing rendered version on the smaller 3.2in screen of a smartphone.

The touchscreen tablet PC is finding favour now at office / client meetings, executive boardrooms, conferences and in any customer-facing locations. Previously, the traditional laptop acted more as an unwieldy barrier, compared to the less obtrusive handheld PC, an instantly user friendly tool, easily accessible whether you are standing, sitting or if the tablet is placed on any work surface.

A key feature is undoubtedly the longer battery life, which can keep going for up to eight hours on fast operating 802.11n WiFi connectivity. Adaptability means the option to take ‘paperless’ hand written notes on a large, clear digitizer tablet PC screen, which are instantly available for download or forwarding.
 
Undoubtedly, the explosion of apps now available for instant direct online access has been a key influence on the introduction of Microsoft Windows 8 OS in 2012, and designed to run on a touchscreen tablet PC – known as a ‘Metro’- as well as desktop and laptop.

But the fact that the early arriving successor to Windows 7 is now firstly, a touch-based interface, only highlights the direction taken by major brands focusing on tablets and mobile as a result of the change in computer purchasing, which has overtaken traditional office desktop PC sales in the last five years.

According to Gartner, IT information analysts, the worldwide market for tablet PCs is forecast to reach 70 million during 2011 and continue to grow on a more steady incline to 300 million by 2015.

In just twelve months, the tablet PC has been tailgating the smartphone as a favoured form factor technology to possess for more than 3.6 million people, i.e. over seven and a half per cent of the UK population. Three times as many people now own handheld computers than just twelve months ago, an increase of nearly 3 per cent.

And the surge is set to continue as tablet PCs increasingly supply the key needs of lightweight, portable and fast internet access and media / data file sharing for vital services in healthcare and education as well as key commercial sectors ranging from manufacturing to retail distribution.

According to recent consumer surveys, the strategic benefits of owning a handheld pc have overcome initial scepticism as around a quarter of people canvassed intend to purchase a tablet, coincidentally, the same number who previously chose to buy a tablet from a different manufacturer brand than a more high profile market name. Up to 10 per cent of prospective customers can still be undecided whether to choose between a smartphone and a tablet PC.

Tablet PCs are not expected to completely replace the traditional PC as their functionality is streamlined towards portable, immediate connectivity and data reference access, uniquely adapted to specific working environments and driven by an exhaustive array of applications. Defined as a ‘lightweight operating system’, a mobile tablet PC supplies ultra fast boot up times and longer battery life for all day, on-the-move Wi Fi connectivity, and web accessibility, on-demand.

Offering tough, anti glare, hi res touch screens up to 13 ins, makes ‘information at the fingertips’ a genuine user friendly utility from estate agent offices, marketing suites and design studios to hospital wards and warehouse hangers.

The use of touchscreen rather than a mouse is completely transforming interaction and user behaviour with digital content, including the expansion and telescoping of images for fast detail drill down. Building trades, such as plumbers and electricians find they have no more problems with emails on the job and keeping their digital paperwork in order!

Consumer surveys of tablet owners also reveal that reading ebooks, online newspapers and game playing were high on the list of applications, with over 40 per cent of tablets being used while commuting.

Already the right solution provided in a wide variety of work and leisure locations without the burden of carrying a laptop, the next generation of tablets will be building on a solid base of known user functionality that can only enhance capability and take over more of the traditional laptop role without sacrificing portability.

In just two years the tablet PC has rapidly become recognised as the portable handheld computer, perfectly designed for the essential daily functions of internet, email, mobile app and data / file access at any location or working environment.

As a consequence, the rising demand for the tablet form factor has attracted serious procurement attention by key commercial industries such as manufacturing, construction and retail distribution, who seek a lightweight but robust alternative to the laptop for mobile-specific functions.

Surveys conducted early in 2011 were finding that the key impetus driving enterprise interest in adopting tablet PCs include, “ ... mobilising business processes, improving customer responsiveness, increasing levels of collaboration, increased competitiveness, improving sales, and note-taking at meetings.”

Interest in the handheld pc has, of course, become a technology essential for the general media consumer on-the-move or away from their desktop computer, with options for fast touchscreen pc or pen tablet pc applications. Latest estimates reveal that around 13 per cent of consumers say they intend to purchase a tablet computer – exactly the same number who say they also plan to buy a new HD television!

This is because of the explosion in multitask television viewing, which has spread rapidly across general consumer demographics. Watching television while browsing the web on a UMPC or other mobile device is now common place amongst 20 per cent of 18-24 year olds who make purchases after first seeing products on television. Studies also reveal  that half of all women who are also online whilst watching television say they are most likely to be visiting shopping sites.

It is predicted that watching television and shopping online is set to increase as tablet technology makes instant product or service purchasing easy and straightforward from the comfort of the living room sofa!  Projected growth patterns for multi-channel retail have found that nearly 45 per cent of transactions are either researched or completed online. Also, the value of the transaction/s tends to be higher when consumers use more than one channel to complete their purchase/s.

As more consumers buy tablet pcs, the retail sector is seeing the tablet as becoming a ‘digital till’ that simply sits on the lap while‘potential’ customers, simultaneously, watch television ads, research online at price comparison sites and then make a purchase - all within the time allotted for a TV ad break!

In a little over 12 months, tablet PCs have made their presence felt in a wide number of commercial and professional fields, from defence and aviation, to construction and retail distribution, as well as being increasingly used for personal and social applications. By early 2011, studies had found that PC sales had fallen to 1.1 percent over the previous year as tablet sales increased – viewed as a  likely reason for the significant change.

Apart from the most well known global brands, the marketplace offers a diverse range of handheld computers, which are taking their place, often as the handheld PC of choice by essential professional sectors, in addition to the business community.

One critical area where portable tablet PC functionality has become a crucial lifesaving technology is within healthcare, where it is increasingly being used for a multiple number of key applications.  Essential everyday routines include nursing care at bedside aided by patient and medication data capture, instant and easy access to electronic medical records and as a key educational and management tool.

While some of the more high profile UMPC tablets can have problems if dropped or simply subject to normal ‘hard wear’ usage, the durability of a waterproof, dirt resistant and anti-microbial rugged tablet PC is naturally designed for environments such as busy hospital wards, and with it’s outdoor viewable IP rated antiglare screen, by ambulance crews as an emergency care system out in the field.

From first launch, doctors and other medical practioners immediately recognised the practical use of the tablet PC, e.g. accessing a patients’ prescription and medical history, X-rays, MRI or CAT scan results at bedside or wherever required. Easier, lighter and more portable to carry than laptops, either as a touchscreen PC or pen tablet PC,  the doctor has access also to email, voice mail and internet as well as using the tablet for making vital patient notes.

Most importantly and crucial to the healthcare industry, the hospital will have full control and can directly address any issues over data security. Throughout hospital buildings, tablets are used on a Wi-Fi network without any carrier imposed limitations and all data linked to a centralised hospital hub.

In addition, Medical Handheld Terminals have also been specially developed for dedicated use as mobile point-of-care applications by health professionals. Small and lightweight and portable with bacteria-resistant enclosure, they provide instant WLAN connectivity, an optional RFID and bar-scan capability.