iPad Gaining More Traction among IT Pros and Business Users

Apple’s (News - Alert) flagship tablet continues to entrench itself in the workplace, now being used on the job by more IT professionals and business users than ever, according to a new report from IDG Connect.

Based on a poll of IT and business decision-makers, IDG found that 51 percent of IT decision-makers always use their iPads at work, while an additional 40 percent sometimes use them at work. And a hefty 79 percent report using the popular tablet on the road.

The iPad is also battling with the traditional laptop for the attention of their owners. Among those surveyed, more than 10 percent said that the tablet has completely replaced their laptops, while more than half said it has partly replaced their portable PCs. Further, three-quarters of them said that they carry around their laptops less often now that they have their iPads.

Taking into account the consumerization of IT, 54 percent of those polled said they always use their iPads at home, with 31 percent using them for entertainment and 42 percent for personal communication. So the tablet has clearly emerged as a dual-use device, popular both at home and on the job.

So, who’s paying for all these iPads? Three-quarters of those polled said they bought the tablet themselves, while only one-quarter were given an iPad by their employer. Either way, most seem happy with the device. Only 17 percent said they’d consider buying a different tablet next time.

I’m not surprised by the results of the survey. I often find myself turning to my iPad to run a search, browse the Web, or read a file that in the past would’ve required me to launch my laptop. The ease and quick use of the iPad and other tablets are conducive to doing certain tasks without having to wait for a computer to boot up.

Of course, there’s still a fundamental difference between tablets and PCs.

Tablets are geared for consuming content, while PCs are designed for creating content. Sure, I’ll fire up my iPad if I want to find something on the Web or read a file stored on my home network. But when I need to write an article, modify a document, edit a photo or video, or work with other types of content, I still rely on my trusty laptop or desktop.

The survey results also bear this out, with most of those polled saying that the iPad isn’t a substitute for an existing device but more of a supplement.

Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see if this fundamental difference remains, or if tablets will take on more of the power and functionality of PCs, transforming them into devices that could one day truly replace the traditional personal computer.

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