eWEEK Readers Still Love The iPad

It seems that eWEEK readers are sticking firmly with what they know when it comes to tablet PCs, with Apple’s iPad coming out firmly on top in this week’s poll.

Of the 137 people who voted for their tablet of choice, nearly a third said they were hoping for an iPad in their Christmas stocking. Interestingly, however, the next most popular category was “I don’t want a tablet”, suggesting that 21 percent of you are yet to be convinced by the hype surrounding the new form factor.

Not suitable for the enterprise?

For many readers, this comes down to the fact that tablets simply aren’t built for business use. One reader, Jeff, said: “I’m an information worker, I need my full email files and directories full of pitches and competitive data. I agree there is a low-end market, and it’s big for certain functions, but it’s about power for me.” He voted for the yet-to-be-released Windows tablet, claiming this was the only device that would work for him. However, he was in the minority, as only 11 percent agreed.

Another reader, Chris, noted the limitations of using the iPad with Citrix support when it comes to getting files on and off the device. He also said that managing the data service posed problems, as billing cannot be consolidated. Meanwhile, Joe said the iPad’s inability to multitask means he is forced to switch out of Citrix to read emails and then log back in again every time. “I see people taking them into meetings to take minutes or notes. The downside of that is they could be checking emails rather than paying attention in meetings,” he said.

There was a strong contingent of Android fans in our voting sample, with 18 percent saying they would choose a Samsung Galaxy Tab, and several more in the “other” category voting for low-cost Android tablets, such as the Advent Vega and the Archos 101.

While the Android operating system is undeniably growing in popularity, its suitability for business use was again questioned. “My concerns are that the Android system is not as secure with the open-ness of the applications,” said one reader, Kevin.

Despite this, only four percent voted for RIM’s PlayBook – a tablet aimed specifically at the enterprise market. However, this could be down to its relatively recent emergence on the market. One reader also voted for the Cisco Cius – another business tablet which supports mobile, cloud computing and collaborative applications.

iPad still rules

The results are a fairly good representation of the market as it is today. The iPad is still storming away, with sales rates currently at 4.5 million units per quarter. Bernstein Research analyst Colin McGranahan predicts that sales of the device will be about $9 billion (£5.6 billion) in 2011.

However, Android is slowly creeping up behind, attacking the market on several fronts. Units running the operating system range from Samsung’s high-end Galaxy tab, which is more expensive than the iPad, to relatively cheap units from the likes of Archos, Advent, and even the retail chain Next.

It remains to be seen whether the likes of RIM and Cisco will be able to truly break the enterprise market, but according to early reviews, the PlayBook stands a pretty good chance.

Which communication channel do you most rely on?

Next week we want you to tell us, what is the most important communication channel to your desk? In the run-up to IP Expo this month, a survey of the show’s attendees found that 65 percent thought an IP outage would cause more damage to their businesses than a loss of phone connection or web presence.

The reason for this, supposedly, is that over the past ten to fifteen years, almost all manual procedures have moved onto the network. “IP networks are now mission-critical. Lose your IP at your peril,” warned Adam Malik, content director for Imago Techmedia.

So we want to know what you think. Could you not live without your Ethernet connection, or is Wi-Fi just as efficient in your workplace? Maybe you still rely on your desk phone, preferring to interact in a more traditional, personalised way. Or maybe you’ve moved away from technology that anchors you to your desk altogether, and 3G mobile technology is now your lifeline.

Let us know what you think. Vote using the poll on the left hand side of the site and join the debate.