How convertible laptops change our perspective on industry
Though some of us may be too young to remember, early on in the age of computers, devices were anything but portable or convenient. Mobile phones and laptops were five to ten times larger than they are today.
They did not boast impressive battery life, and whatever advantages they offered in terms of performance were offset by design and build disadvantages.
However, that was a long time ago, and innovation in consumer and business computing technology has led to the newest generation of devices offering a level of versatility like never before.
The emergence and growth of ‘convertible’ laptops mean professionals and businesses do not have to compromise productivity for practicality, regardless of use case or industry.
We can see this in how these devices can be applied in some of South Africa’s most important sectors and how form factor plays an important role in selecting the right device for your needs.
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Essentially, convertible laptops (also known as 2-in-1 laptops) combine the functionality of a laptop and a tablet (i.e. a touchscreen and other tablet-style conveniences with an operating system, keyboard, and other PC features).Such a marriage of the two types of devices has only become possible in the last 15 years, as technology such as touchscreens, new shell materials, and advanced technical components, has let devices become lighter and thinner, enabling portability and practicality. We have also seen how other devices are following suit. Mobile phone manufacturers can now offer mobile devices that, when closed, look and act like a normal touchscreen phone but can fold out to the size of a tablet.
The opportunities that convertible laptops pose are immediately apparent. Thanks to standard PC OS and laptop-grade processors, these devices are much faster and more capable than traditional tablets, especially when it comes to multitasking. Users can deploy and leverage the touchscreen functionality as they need, using their fingers or a stylus. Depending on the device and its hinge design, the keyboard can serve as a stand or be completely detached, letting users enjoy the traditional tablet experience. It is, put simply, a case where users have to pack and carry just one device instead of two.
In the classroom, the doctor’s office, and the factory floor
In education, where teachers and administrative staff always have their hands full (figuratively and literally), convertible laptops can prove to be useful tools. Educators can switch between laptop and tablet forms to best fit their teaching modes, such as giving presentations or engaging in creative exercises with their students.
These features also apply in healthcare. Using convertible laptops, doctors and hospital and clinic staff can move between patients at greater speed thanks to the devices’ lightweight design, touchscreen capabilities, and convenient keyboard options. These features enable the quick and accurate capturing of patient data and signatures, while high-definition resolution and screen clarity mean said information and other healthcare applications are displayed as clearly as possible.
Finally, in manufacturing, employees can easily take their devices wherever they go throughout manufacturing sites and use them to engage with staff and systems. Available with comprehensive cybersecurity packages and hardware warranties, these devices remain secure and can be used to store and process sensitive information, while also being protected against physical damage, giving users complete peace of mind.
Use cases and hardware preferences may vary, but there’s no doubt that convertible laptops and devices add a new dimension to computing without abandoning tried-and-tested experiences. Users can maintain performance and productivity levels while benefitting from increased practicality and convenience – must-haves for both home and business users.