Spring 2017 Business Computing Announcements

In the consumer electronics market, vendors often release new products, such as computers and TVs, twice each calendar year. The first launch occurs in the March or April time frame and is colloquially known as the Spring Refresh, where the spring season is starting in the northern hemisphere. The second portfolio change occurs around September, which coincides with the back-to-school season. The timing is also important in preparation for end of the calendar year boosts in consumer purchases during the Christmas holiday.

The business market goes through a similar update cycle each year for mobile devices and computing solutions. Several announcements have already been made in 2017 for enterprise-grade and rugged computing products.

Several OEMs announced business computing solutions during the first three months of 2017. Not surprisingly, all of the new products embrace the mobility use cases of the tablet.

Alcatel PLUS 12 2-in-1:Known for its portfolio of smartphones, Alcatel Mobile announced its PLUS 12 during March (2017). The 11.6-inch, 2-in-1 includes a variety of ports to connect external monitors, storage, and other workplace peripherals. A fingerprint reader performs biometric identification for added security. Unlike most computing devices, an LTE modem is standard on the PLUS 12.

Getac MX50: Designed to address the mobile computing needs of tactical operations and field computing, the wearable Getac MX50 tablet offers a sunlight readable, glove-friendly, 5.7-inch display. The device is water and dust rated to meet IP65 conditions.

HP Pro x2 612 G2:HP expanded its enterprise computing portfolio with the addition of the HP Pro x2 612 G2. The HP Active Wacom Pen with App Launch offers additional input methods for drawing and taking notes on the detachable 2-in-1. Select configurations include a micro SIM card slot for use in conjunction with an LTE modem.

Lenovo Miix 320: Lenovo used the Mobile World Congress (MWC) event to announce the Lenovo Miix 320. The 10.1-inch display on the 2-in-1 is detachable for on-the-go touchscreen work applications. The system utilizes Microsoft’s Continuum feature, which changes the user interface (UI) to support the keyboard and touchpad in laptop mode or the touchscreen as a tablet. LTE connectivity is optional.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 2-in-1: Panasonic announced the Toughbook CF-33 detachable laptop as part of its seventh generation of rugged portable computers. Featuring a 12-inch display, the CF-33 offers hot-swappable batteries and is compatible with previous-generation Toughbook vehicle docks. Mobile communications using LTE and GPS modules are both optional.

Samsung Galaxy Book: Microsoft and Samsung partnered on the development of a 2-in-1 for business workers called the Galaxy Book. The 10.6-inch or 12-inch display doubles as a touchscreen tablet when detached from the keyboard and includes Samsung’s S-Pen for handwriting and ink-style drawing input. LTE models are available for both the Galaxy Book 10 and Galaxy Book 12.

Businesses have several requirements for computing that make their needs unique from consumer-designed products, including:

• The device performance to execute a variety of enterprise applications;
• Designed to survive harsh work environments, drops, and spills;
• Be deployed for a range of workforce roles and job duties with flexibility in design for use mounted in-vehicle, on a job site, or wherever workers perform their tasks; and
• Customizable to support barcode readers, biometrics identity verification systems, and even displays operated with gloved hands.

Companies issuing computing solutions historically had to choose between a laptop and a tablet. As the 2-in-1 devices started to gain traction with consumer audiences, business users started adopting these consumer detachable products. OEMs have had to play a bit of catch-up to design detachable 2-in-1’s that meet enterprise IT requirements.

Purchases of the new rugged 2-in-1’s will be a good indicator of business adoption for systems that have multiple use cases. Feedback from business users will also be critical for OEMs to understand if keyboard attachment mechanisms for 2-in-1’s are sufficient for workplace use.