Why Business Owners Should Travel With a Tablet
Tablets are no longer just for playing games and watching videos in bed—they’ve become indispensable tools for daily life. Thanks to a slim, compact design and powerful specs, a tablet is ideal for travelers who want to have fun and also need to get a little business done while they’re away.
Whether you’re traveling for business, pleasure, or a little of both, here’s why bringing a tablet on your trip is more practical than a laptop.
1. Tablets are portable and compact
Compared to a heavy laptop that needs to be carried in a big bag, a tablet can be carried in a small tote bag, a purse, or even on its own, provided it’s protected by a durable case.
Tablets are significantly lighter and smaller than laptops, which makes them easy to use in small spaces, like when you’re on a plane and need to hold your tablet in your lap. Instead of fighting for elbow room to type on a laptop, it’s easy to stay in your own space while using a tablet.
2. You can get work done on a tablet
Although tablets are designed for consuming information and media rather than working, you can do both. If you’re not planning on getting in 8-hour days, a tablet will work just fine. All you need to do is download your business-related apps and bring an external keyboard and mouse.
Most popular applications have been specifically optimized for tablets, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace (Docs, Drive, Sheets), Slack, Discord, and project management apps, like Monday and Asana.
When you plan to do a lot of work, consider getting a tablet that has more power than just the base model. Plenty of remote workers thrive using only a tablet, but it needs to be the right one.
3. Long battery life
When you’re used to a laptop, you know the frustration of constantly searching for power outlets in public places. The battery life on a tablet is better than a laptop, and there’s a good chance you won’t run it down before returning to your hotel room. You could leave your tablet on and never touch it for weeks, and you’ll still have a charge.
As long as you charge your tablet before catching your flight, you don’t need to worry about your tablet’s battery dying on the plane. Many people report being able to use their tablets for a solid 7-9 hours on one charge. If you’re taking a particularly long flight, you may need to bring a portable charger if you plan to actively use your tablet the entire time. However, if all you’re doing is playing music with the screen turned off, the battery will barely drop by 10 to 20 percent.
4. You don’t need to shut down daily
Unlike a laptop, which needs to be shut down daily, a tablet can stay powered on for days or weeks when not in use. With just one touch, you can turn it on and have instant access to all of your emails, documents, and messages. This makes tablets convenient when you want to check on something or send an email during a short period of downtime. For example, you might want to quickly check in with your team on Slack while you’re relaxing in your hotel room, waiting for dinner.
5. Independent internet connectivity
Tablets can connect to any available Wi-Fi network, but you can also purchase an internet plan from your cellphone provider for your tablet. Doing so will give you internet access anywhere with normal cell service. These plans aren’t cheap on their own, but most providers offer deals to existing customers.
6. Tablets are a good source of entertainment
Having some form of entertainment is essential on any travel adventure. With a high-resolution display and nice speakers, tablets are perfect for playing games, streaming movies and music, watching YouTube videos, or reading books on Kindle cloud.
7. Kids love tablets
If you travel with younger kids, a tablet can be a lifesaver for keeping them entertained during long flights or car rides, and when you have down time in your hotel room. With kid-friendly apps, games, and educational content at their fingertips, a tablet will keep them engaged for hours.
Tablets make traveling fun and easy
Next time you head out for an adventure, consider swapping your laptop for a tablet and leaving your e-reader behind. If you must bring a laptop on a business trip, carry a tablet for convenience. And if you’re traveling for fun, limit the amount of work you perform and enjoy your destination.