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The first tablet PCs were introduced with much fanfare in 2002, but the market for the products has remained relatively small and largely limited to particular industries, according to experts. Gartner Inc. in April 2007 reported the tablet PC market "remains a small fraction of the mobile PC market, only about 1.4 percent worldwide in 2006."

But there are indications that tablets might play an increasing role in enterprise IT infrastructures in the years to come. "Windows Vista, which integrates tablet PC extensions, will drive some tablet PC sales as a result of increasing enterprise adoption starting in 2008," the Gartner report says.

While the market might get bigger, the products themselves will not. "Tablet PCs are getting smaller and lighter, more comparable to the ultraportable PC in form," says Catherine Roseberry, an independent consultant who runs the Mobile Office Technology Web site. "The UMPC [Ultra-Mobile PC] form seems to be the way that many companies are going, and these UMPC models are also being made in the rugged style."

The smaller form makes tablets easier to use in the field, Roseberry says, and the ruggedness makes them better able to withstand being used in environments that can be extreme at times.

Among the basic benefits of tablet PCs is that they enable users to easily take notes by hand—at sales meetings, for example—and then have these notes available in electronic form, where they can be stored, searched or e-mailed to colleagues. Handwriting can be easily converted to text. The ruggedized models can be especially useful for people who work mostly outdoors or in harsh environments.

But any organization looking to launch a major tablet rollout needs to consider the costs, Roseberry says. "The biggest concern is that tablet PCs are more expensive than laptops," she says. "The total expense and return for using tablet PCs compared to conventional laptops should be closely examined."

Organizations considering an investment in tablets also need to examine who will be likely to benefit from the technology. "Job functions should be reviewed to see how the tablet PC will provide better functionality compared to laptops," Roseberry says. Once it's determined that the tablet PC is the equipment of choice, she says, then companies should provide training for employees to learn how to properly use the devices and how to make the most of their capabilities.

In addition to costs, a number of factors should be considered when selecting tablet PCs, Roseberry says. One is the size and weight of the device. If users will be traveling a lot, smaller and lighter machines make sense. Deciding on whether to buy conventional or rugged machines also depends on how and where the tablets will be used.

Another consideration is which software packages are included with the device. Extra programs, which often come at extra prices, might not be necessary if the organization plans to install its own applications. It also pays to know what types of warranties are available for the devices and what's covered by these warranties.

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