Windows vs. Android vs. iOS tablets – which is the best for business operations?

Are you an avid tablet user? If so, it might surprise you that it’s only been 5 years since the first tablet hit the markets – and it took the world by storm. It wasn’t look until busy business people found a way to use the new device for their purposes. So the questions all entrepreneurs and other business people need to ask themselves is: which one is the best? Which one works the best for me?

In the sea of different companies, competitors and ever changing technology, it is all too natural to feel confused and lost. After all, tablet isn’t a small investment. And it’s not all about the money: its performance can spell doom and gloom for your business, even though you can safely assume that they all work relatively well. So – which one to choose from? Let us go through categories.

The Hardware

You are probably aware that, as far as ergonomics go, you are better off with a desktop computer. They’re made to be used in sitting positions, and you don’t lean as with tablets. However, if you want to use tablets extensively, there are a number of additional options that you can buy in order to simulate the computer environment. There, iPad definitely wins the race, as the largest number of hardware piece is available precisely for this gadget. Of course, if you’re a fan of other companies check out the other categories and see what works best for you.

The Operating System

Hardware is mostly just accessories; the operating system is the heart and mind of the body. This is where are the action happens, and you better make sure it runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. There are three options here:

• Apple’s iOS systems. Their benefit is that they’re very intuitive, very easy to use. It is very difficult to get lost in their state of the art design. The downside is that, when you opt for iOS, you’re practically bound to Apple forever; no other company uses it.
• The second contender is Android. Android is probably the system that will be present on any non-Apple product. It works well, has impeccable notification system and, definitely not the least important item on our list, is perfectly configured with all of Google’s products and apps. Android has a great use in that allows multiple users to share one device via apps; this offers for some interesting business opportunities.
• If you prefer an environment where you feel safe and secure, Windows 8 OS might be for you. It comes the closest to offering a computer-like atmosphere, and it comes with good old Microsoft Office to boot.

The Apps

We can’t live without the apps. Apps is what will most of your business run, and you cannot afford having subpar apps for otherwise brilliant phone. So let’s dive into all the things that can make your business flourish.

Here, a clear precedence needs to be given to Apple and their famous Apple Store. There is over one million apps made for iPad alone. These third party apps are all checked by Apple to ensure top notch user experience. Cubby, Dragon Dictation, eFax, FileMaker Go and tons of other neat apps are just waiting to be explored by a busy businessman.

Android is trying hard to make up for the lead start Apple’s got. There is a plethora of apps to choose from, and Google’s been offering different incentives to developers to make apps for their brainchild. Sadly, the number doesn’t come close to Apple’s selection.

Windows, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. It has a large number of apps (over 100,000, numbers constantly growing), which is nice but, again, nowhere close to Apple. But there’s an upside to the tradeoff, and that is compatibility with all the Windows programs. It all boils down to that you have gotten used to, of course.

The Size

The size matters in the ongoing tablet wars. Just how much big of a tablet do you want? Do you want small and handy or big and wide?

Tablets generally come in sizes of 7’ to 10’ – 7 being considered on the smaller side and 10 being considered larger. Remember, the number doesn’t indicate neither height nor width, but the diagonal. Here, there’s not much to discuss – all companies make their tablets in all the sizes mentioned above.

However, the differences do manifest when it comes to screen resolution. For a businessman, this might not be such a vital statistic; after all, resolutions are only ever so important when it comes to films and gaming, not accounting apps. However, if you do need HD, the sharpest you’ll find is 2,560 by 1,600 pixels on the Amazon Fire HDX 8.9″ (339 pixels per inch; IPS LCD), the Asus Transformer Pad TF701 (299 ppi; IPS LCD), the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 (288 ppi; AMOLED HD), and the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 with their 2,048-by-1,536-pixel Retina displays are no slouches either.

Bear in mind that tablets, while weighing considerably less than a laptop (their primary advantage over that medium), they’re definitely cell phone light; even the smaller ones might be tad cumbersome to carry.

The Net

Tablets generally come in Wi-Fi-Only versions and cellular models that use wireless providers to get you to the world wide web. In the world of today’s business, being constantly online is a must, a no brainer; being offline is closest thing to having no job. Opt for the cellular version as it will ensure that you’re online constantly, as opposed to having to rely on the whimsy of local cafes.

So in the end, what can we say? Simply, the best advice is to test the devices yourself and see what works for you. That way, you can know device’s strengths and weaknesses before you buy. Check online reviews; their invaluable for determining performance.

Based on everything that has been outlined so far, what do you personally prefer when it comes down to doing business on a tablet? Which operating system is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.