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batye
3,080 pts.
 iPad versus netbook for enterprise hardware upgrade
Acer, Enterprise Administrator, Hardware Upgrade, iPad Application Compatibility, iPads, Netbooks, Open IT Forum
Question to all
one of my clients thinking to upgrade /update hardware mobile workforce.
his in house IT recommended Ipad
I recommend Acer Netbook dual core ...
in my opinion Ipad is not ready for wide Ent. road warrior adoption...
any one have experience with 150 to 200 ipads  got successfully implemented for the mobile workforce in the mid size Co... any pro vs con


Software/Hardware used:
Apple ipad Acer netbook
ASKED: February 2, 2011  4:31 AM
UPDATED: March 25, 2011  4:54 PM
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I recommended Intel Centrino 2 with VPro.... Great hardware-assisted diagnostics and repair options that let manage mobile workforce even remotely. I hope it will never happen, but if the OS does not work properly, it will manage tricky. Needless to say that it has great productivity with better performance and solid battery life. Here is a better <a href="http://www.intel.com/technology/mobility/index.htm?iid=tech_product_lhn+mobility">ConcepT</a> Also I am providing several steps for securing Mobile Workforce.... 1. Keep the backup data secure with on a USB drive 2. Must encrypt the HDD, if this is stolen/lost then it keeps ur data secure as well as emails also 3. Always update & download latest patch for authenticated softwares 4. If possible try to use a VPN, because it helps to encrypt all important data before it leaves laptop, and keeps it encrypted until it reaches a trusted environment. 5. Run a firewall and a good anti-virus software, though there is no anti-virus SW in the market provides guarantee to protect ur system, but prevention is better than cure. Hope it helps u !
Last Wiki Answer Submitted:  February 2, 2011  5:15 am  by  Subhendu Sen   22,125 pts.
All Answer Wiki Contributors:  Subhendu Sen   22,125 pts.
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thank you
I was looking at dual core and overlooked Intel Centrino 2 with VPro

batye
 3,080 pts.
 

The applications that would need to run on the machines and the type of operations that users would need to perform on them, could be the key.

If they need to run windows applications, or they need to transfer data from/to usb drives, or they need to run flash applications (or … etc), then an iPad is simply not an option.

carlosdl
 63,580 pts.
 

If they need to run windows applications, or they need to transfer data from/to usb drives, or they need to run flash applications (or … etc), then an iPad is simply not an option.
you are right
but new third party camera cards ipad adapter do give you option to use sd card

batye
 3,080 pts.
 

Can you wait 10 months? Apple keeps toying with the idea of incorporating Flash. Battery life is also key. Since both device are lightweight, I take both my Asus net book and iPad with me on the road. I prefer not adding the external keyboard so typing is a pain but, visually and with the option of Instantly enlarging or decreasing a window has it’s benefits. the real issue is with the battery life, though. On a wifi connection in Starbucks, etc I get much more time on the netbook without having to find an outlet so I can sit wherever and in comfort. So I guess the real issue is what type of users you have and what apps will they use? Can these be people who can easily add the adapter to get flash drive access or, do they need the imaged net book that they can’t break and just power on and work?

Fork92
 945 pts.
 

plan to get netbooks or ipad at the end of 2011
on the trial run
customers sales reps ended up breaking ipad – after 90 days of use
netbook is still operational

batye
 3,080 pts.
 

Sincerely recommend the notebooks. Use an iPad myself for quick configs, some mobile work, but for day-today and serious stuff, always use the laptop. iPad may be up-and-coming, but the notebooks are tried-and-true…

Sixball
 8,500 pts.
 

I hope Batye already implemented !

Subhendu Sen
 22,125 pts.
 

client moving towards netbooks with dial core…

batye
 3,080 pts.
 

Thanks ! Batye for ur great response.

Subhendu Sen
 22,125 pts.
 

Beware the hype. I’d hate to see anyone falling on the netbook or iPad sword by jumping into a 200 unit deployment with the results I’ve seen.

I’m not keen on anything other than a sales presentation or basic email access running on an iPad for now. And Netbooks are…. Not there yet either.

Stick with lightweight laptops for now. (Personally I’m holding my breath hoping Google Chrome Netbooks show up soon and surprise us)

slack400
 2,680 pts.
 

Also, I’ve been using Solid State Hard Drives on the Dell Latitude laptops for the past year. Very awesome results. Loose weight, gain battery life, huge time saver with starts/stops/data access.

Personally I’d never recommend USB storage devices either. Data should be secured and accounted for. Thumb drives floating around, even if encrypted just doesn’t sit well.

slack400
 2,680 pts.
 

Good to hear they went with the notebooks. The iPads are nice, but lack any real functionality

Sixball
 8,500 pts.
 

ok now I got new problem client decided to take a look at ipad 2
I try to stay my ground on netbook with dual core cpu

batye
 3,080 pts.
 

Stick with the notebook – its not locked into the “iTunes walled garden” like all Apple devices are…

Sixball
 8,500 pts.