Multi-Mode Notebooks & the Next Wave of End User Computing

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Multi-Mode Notebooks & the Next Wave of End User Computing How BYOD-driven end user computing is causing an evolution of the corporate notebook End user computing in the enterprise has gone through more change in the last two to three years than in the 10 years prior. An era of   new devices, new touch-enabled interfaces,   new applications and literally thousands of   new usage patterns   has completely changed the game. End users have driven the vast majority of these changes with their consumer-oriented devices and applications. This rampant consumerization   is forcing enterprise IT to catch up to the users and move to new types of hardware, software and communication solutions.

October 2013

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White Paper: Multi-Mode Notebooks & the Next Wave of End User Computing

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One of the most important changes visible to the end user is a movement away from traditional notebook style computers, essentially unchanged since 1990, to a new generation of devices that have much more in common with today’s popular consumer devices. The driver of this change is an evolution in the mode of use. End users have moved from using their device to principally create new information or content, to using them to consume information and collaborate with others. As a result, the need for new or different capabilities on the end user’s device has come to the fore. In a short period of time, this change in usage has created a schism between the corporate notebook and the consumer products that are infiltrating work environments. It has become essential for the next generation of corporate devices to close this gap, and work in a synergistic manner with the new class of consumer style tools.

This change in usage has created a schism between the corporate notebook and the Changing usage patterns demand changed devices consumer products changes in the applications and usage patterns of end users that are infiltrating Fundamental have left the traditional notebook and other devices firmly in the past. Coupled work environments. with ubiquitous connectivity, end users now augment their traditional Microsoft Office-focused work with all kinds of new applications and activities, both personal and professional. As a result, the traditional enterprise clamshell notebook is of more limited use, with its lack of a touch interface just the tip of the iceberg in terms of differences between traditional devices and clamshells.

The most common jargon for describing this change is to look at end user’s past activities as creation-centric, meaning it was focused on creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations. By contrast, many new applications and activities are consumption- and/or collaboration-centric, where the end user is manipulating information from other sources and sharing data with other users. As a result, the physical design of enterprise notebooks must change to better support the consumption and collaboration activities that are more common today and in some cases account for the bulk of end users’ interaction with their systems. Among the most important changes in the next iteration of the enterprise notebook is the delivery of “multi-mode” capability. Multi-mode describes a device that offers multiple physical forms beyond a traditional clamshell orientation, including a tablet mode, standing presentation mode, media consumption landscape mode and others. New features include better incorporation of cameras, touch interface, high definition display, longer battery life for true all day use, digitizers/pen annotation from the screen, improved device reliability and true keyboards for when they are needed.

The rise of the multi-mode notebook One of the primary differences between the highly popular tablet or smart phone and the traditional notebook is the physical orientation of the device as it is being used. With keyboards no longer the only means of entering information to the

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White Paper: Multi-Mode Notebooks & the Next Wave of End User Computing

notebook, there is now huge demand for display-centric orientations. This is the heart of the benefit statement that multi-mode notebooks bring to the table. The ability of the multi-mode notebook to be used more like a tablet increases its attractiveness to end users and, as a result, its value to the organization.

The ability of the multi-mode notebook to be used more like a tablet increases its attractiveness to end users.

At this point, it is useful to define what multi-mode notebooks are. To be considered a multi-mode device, a notebook should have the following features: • The ability to work in clamshell, tablet and presentation modes

• SSD storage

• Touch-enabled

• Full complement of ports and connectors

• Less than 1.5 kg (3 lb., 5 oz.) • Less than 20 mm (0.75 inch) thickness

• Full-function keyboard

• All-day battery life

One of the most important aspects of the multi-mode device is the need to close the perceived “look and feel” gap between corporate-provided devices and the consumer devices that many end users bring into the organization. Two aspects are involved in bridging this gap. The first is to deliver a replacement for the traditional corporate notebook that has a touch interface similar to what is found on tablets and smart phones. The second is that the new device has the ability to provide a similar form factor to the tablet. The ability of a multi-mode notebook to mimic the thin, light form factor of the single-function consumer tablet, and to provide much the same user experience, is an essential capability of multi-mode notebooks. For enterprise-class customers, this capability enables a shift away from replacing corporate notebooks with personally owned devices to instead supplying a corporate-owned multi-mode device. This offers many benefits to the enterprise in terms of data security, manageability and support. It’s a migration that will take time, but that enterprises would do well to begin.

Benefits of device consolidation One of the more costly and complex aspects of end user computing today is supporting three (or potentially more) devices for each user. Not only does this raise costs for IT, it also creates confusion and data location issues. The ability of the multi-mode notebook to provide one device that can do the job of two (notebook and tablet) is extraordinarily valuable. A recent study by Principled Technologies put the two-year total cost of ownership (TCO) for a tablet at between $2,100 for a Windows tablet and $2,500 for an Android. Clearly, consolidating devices makes good financial sense. It is also important to consider how to close the gap that exists between today’s base of corporate notebooks and more modern tablets. Many end users have stopped using their corporate notebooks and replaced

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Lenovo recommends Windows 8 Pro.

Tablets have dramatically changed the device landscape for PCs, not so much by 'cannibalizing' PC sales, but by causing PC users to shift consumption to tablets rather than replacing older PCs. – Mikako Kitagawa, Gartner

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them with personally acquired tablets. As Gartner analyst Mikako Kitagawa noted, “Tablets have dramatically changed the device landscape for PCs, not so much by ‘cannibalizing’ PC sales, but by causing PC users to shift consumption to tablets rather than replacing older PCs.” This trend creates the numerous problems described above, but given the difference in these two classes of products, it’s not surprising. Multi-mode devices are the starting point in closing this gap and allowing enterprise IT to regain some control over the end user computing environment. But for multi-mode devices to attract tablet users they will have to bring benefits to the user beyond what tablets offer. One of the most important differentiators will be the keyboard. Today’s tablet keyboards are, for the most part, not high quality and their use for creation activities is marginal at best. A multi-mode device with a high-quality keyboard has an advantage. Additionally, the multi-mode device must be thinner and lighter than traditional notebooks, and not substantially more than a tablet and keyboard combined. The 3 lb. weight and 0.75-inch thickness are key specifications. Finally, the multi-mode device should provide some features not found in tablets. These include ports, particularly USB, larger storage capability (more than 200GB) and better durability and reliability, especially from drops and falls.

Lenovo ThinkPad® Helix: an optimal multi-mode solution A number of multi-mode designs blend capabilities of the notebook with tablet-style functionality to meet the demands of new usage patterns. However, one design is particularly noteworthy for its ability to detach the screen to provide an actual tablet device, and to flip the screen over the keypad: the Lenovo ThinkPad® Helix. Engadget called it, “the most innovative Windows 8 tablet hybrid we can think of.” The detachable tablet/screen capability is the optimal approach to migrating end users from a tablet plus notebook or tablet-only model to a single device that can effectively support both modes. The detachable display doubles as a tablet and is similar in size and weight to popular tablet-only products, at 0.5” thickness and approximately 1.5 lb. When “docked” with the keyboard, the device offers far more functionality and better industrial design than today’s tablet and external keyboard solutions. The device offers more ports, a better notebook-like user experience with a quality, tactile response keyboard and much better physical integration of screen and keyboard. Users will no longer experience confusion over what data is on the tablet vs. on the notebook; it’s all in one place. This is an important simplification for the end user and the corporation. In addition, IT has only one device to manage and can thus mitigate the high TCO associated with an extra tablet. Lenovo is uniquely qualified to design and build this kind of innovative multi-mode notebook with the quality and reliability required for true corporate use. More than

Lenovo recommends Windows 8 Pro.

White Paper: Multi-Mode Notebooks & the Next Wave of End User Computing

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40 engineers were part of the team that developed the industrial design, materials and user interface capabilities for the ThinkPad Helix. The team has strengths in specific disciplines, such as materials, to deliver the physical durability mobile users expect. Lenovo also performs “torture testing” both internally and with third parties to make sure any potential issue is discovered before customer delivery, ensuring the ThinkPad Helix will stand up to years of use. Lenovo offers a range of multi-mode devices, in addition to the ThinkPad Helix, to meet a broad range of customer needs. The ThinkPad Yoga provides similar multi-mode functionality without the removable tablet/screen, at a lower price point. This allows an enterprise to offer more end users multi-mode functionality and close the gap between tablets and older notebooks, while saving money.

Lenovo is uniquely qualified to design and build this kind of innovative multi-mode Conclusions notebook with the quality With the rise of tablets, smart phones, touch interfaces and ubiquitous the last two to three years have seen tremendous change in and reliability required connectivity, end user computing. For enterprise IT, one of the most important aspects for true corporate use. of this change is the movement away from corporate-provided notebooks

to employees purchasing their own tablets. This creates a more expensive, more complex and less secure environment. As we move forward, enterprises must respond to this risk with products that are attractive and useful to employees yet work within the new usage paradigm. One of the best approaches for enterprise IT is to provide multi-mode notebooks as an upgrade from existing corporate clamshell notebooks. The multi-mode device provides the touch interface, the physical design that lets it act as both tablet and notebook, and the size, weight and battery life necessary for this new usage model. The Lenovo ThinkPad Helix provides a removable screen that doubles as a tablet, thus truly merging the notebook and tablet formats. The ThinkPad Helix can be the catalyst for reducing the number of devices IT must support, substantially lowering costs for the enterprise and reducing complexity for the end user. Lenovo’s heritage as the design innovator in the notebook space, coupled with its investments in design engineering and reliability, make it the vendor of choice to help enterprise IT make the move to multi-mode and help IT regain a valued position among the end user population.

Sources • Fishman, David. “The Daily Roundup for 07.04.2013.” Engadget. AOL Inc., 4 July 2013. Web. • Goldsborough, Reid. “Which Way to Go, Laptop or Tablet?” Information Today. 15 Feb. 2013. Web. • Principled Technologies. Tablets in the Enterprise: Comparing the Total Cost of Ownership. Principled Technologies, Jan. 2013. PDF.

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