Technology

Sitting somewhere in the murky no man's land between smartphones and traditional laptops, and retailing for a hefty $499 minimum, Apple's iPad still remains a large question mark from a small-business owner's standpoint. While some ambitious entrepreneurs have found ways to make the tablet PC work for their particular operations, others continue to wonder why they should toss their trusty old notebooks. Looking for an excuse to add one of these must-see devices to your own IT budget? Here are five ways it can help you potentially add to the bottom line--and enjoy the added personal benefits like cutting-edge digital publishing, streaming audio/video and game-playing capabilities it offers on your next business trip:
1. Product and video demonstrations: Despite its lack of Flash support, the iPad's internet-connected access, touchscreen interface and organic web surfing experience make it an excellent way to demonstrate online products and services. Businesses that rely on video to tell their story via reels, testimonials, commercial spots, product demonstrations and more will also find the gadget's dazzling 9.7-inch display a great method to get the point across. As a multi-function device, it's further possible to jump between slideshow presentations and pulling up online traffic stats on-demand, making it a solid all-purpose solution when screening examples for retailers, trade partners and prospective clients alike.
2. Endless functionality: Arguably the gizmo's greatest strength--beyond its powerful A4 processor, 3-D graphics capabilities and user-friendly front-end--is its massive level of support from the third-party software development community. From mobile invoicing and customer relationship management programs to apps that let you track mileage and monitor flight statuses in real-time, a legion of bedroom coders continue to push the device further than even its creators ever imagined. A few quick software purchases and downloads is all it takes to transform the iPad into a portable translator, inventory management system, voice recorder and more. Buy one, and you may never need another gadget again.