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Laptop or tablet – which is better for your business?

More and more companies are faced with the question: should we use laptops or tablets for our employees? In a digital working world in which flexibility, efficiency and mobility are becoming increasingly important, this decision should not be taken lightly. Both types of device have their individual strengths – but also weaknesses. Particularly in the context of B2B rental of mobile devices, it is important to select the devices specifically according to requirements and intended use.

In this blog post, we analyze when a laptop makes more sense, when a tablet offers advantages and what companies should pay particular attention to in 2024. At the end, you will find a helpful FAQ and a conclusion to help you make your decision.

The most important decision criteria at a glance

Whether you should rent laptops or tablets for your employees, trade fair appearances or events depends on several factors. The most important criteria include:

Performance & software compatibility
Mobility & battery life
Operating system & ergonomics
Data security & administration
Costs & useful life

1. Performance and software support

In the corporate context, the required computing power is often the decisive criterion. While tablets with powerful ARM processors have caught up significantly in recent years, they quickly reach their limits when it comes to parallel work, professional applications or large amounts of data.

Laptops, on the other hand – especially business devices such as the HP ProBook 450 G7 or the powerful Asus ROG – offer sufficient computing power for demanding software such as CAD, Adobe Creative Cloud, databases or virtual machines. Multitasking on large screens also works much better on a laptop.

2. Mobility and battery life

This is where tablets usually come out on top in a direct comparison. They are lighter, easier to handle and fit easily into any pocket. Tablets are a preferred choice, especially for field staff or for the digitalization of warehouse and logistics processes.

With battery runtimes of up to 12-14 hours, high-quality tablets such as the iPad Pro 4 12.9″ or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 can easily last the whole working day. However, business laptops such as the compact Dell XPS 13 are catching up in this area and offer battery life of up to 10 hours thanks to efficient processors.

3. Operation and user-friendliness

Tablets offer intuitive operation thanks to the touchscreen, which is particularly useful in presentation situations, during sales talks or when recording data. Many tablets today can also be equipped with a keyboard and stylus, transforming them into so-called “2-in-1 devices”. The Microsoft Surface Pro X, for example, offers a flexible combination of tablet and laptop.

Nevertheless, longer texts, working with complex tables or having several windows open at the same time are more comfortable on a laptop. Anyone who regularly works with Word, Excel or industry-specific programs has an advantage with a laptop.

4. Data security and IT manageability

IT security is particularly relevant in B2B environments. Modern laptops offer advanced security features such as TPM chips, face or fingerprint recognition and encrypted hard disks. Integration into company networks is also much easier.

Although tablets are catching up – iOS devices in particular offer a strong sandbox architecture – laptops are generally more flexible and comprehensive when it comes to full device management and integration into MDM systems. For companies that use many devices simultaneously, centralized management via tools such as Microsoft Intune is often crucial.

5. Costs, sustainability & flexibility of use

Tablets are generally cheaper to buy. But this is where the rental model comes into play: with B2B rental, you can calculate exactly which device is worthwhile for which period of use. Tablets often offer better value for money for short-term projects, events, training courses or trade fairs. For longer-term employee assignments, a laptop is usually worthwhile.

Sustainability is also playing an increasingly important role. The rental of appliances promotes a resource-conserving circular economy: After the rental period, the appliances go into the refurbishment process or are optimally prepared for the next customer.

Rental equipment for every situation – your advantages with us

Regardless of whether you opt for laptops or tablets – with a B2B rental for mobile devices, you benefit from numerous advantages:

Flexible terms – daily, weekly or monthly rent
The latest models from manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, HP & Co.
Devices are ready for immediate use – with optional software & accessories
Full service: delivery, collection, support and insurance

Especially for trade fairs, roadshows, internal training courses or temporary remote workstations, renting is much more economical and environmentally friendly than buying.

Conclusion: Which devices should companies choose in 2024?

The decision between laptop and tablet depends heavily on the intended use and the user’s requirements. Companies should consciously choose between the two worlds – or even combine them. Many of our customers now use hybrid strategies: Tablets in the field, laptops in the back office. The rental of mobile devices offers maximum flexibility and minimizes investment risks at the same time.

Are you unsure what makes sense in your case? Our experts will be happy to advise you! Request a non-binding quote now and benefit from state-of-the-art devices, individually tailored to your requirements.

Laptop or tablet – with us you can rent exactly what suits your business.

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