driving the ultra-mobile enterprise

Productivity for mobile workers revolves around more than simply getting your notebook and hitting the road. In 2009, there are a few things that I would like to see happen in mobile computing to make working on the road easier and more productive.

One of the most important parts of the mobile productivity puzzle is Internet access. I’d like to see more notebooks and netbooks (especially netbooks) come with 3G and 4G internet connectivity integrated. The integration of 3G service (which is a necessity for many mobile workers) could result in more subsidized computers along the lines of the $99 Acer Aspire One that went on sale at Radio Shack recently. The netbook isn’t ideal for some mobile workers, and there’s probably a larger market for full notebooks that offer integrated 3G (along with a subsidized price tag) than the currently low number of such offerings would indicate.

I’d like to see faster 4G service become more commonplace, but Sprint’s WiMAX has a long road to go and may not amount to anything more than a footnote in the road to LTE 4G service. Many don’t foresee WiMAX becoming a strong competitor in the market due to Sprint’s inability to launch the service outside of a very limited number of markets. Verizon has announced that it hopes to roll its 4G LTE service out at the end of 2009, so 4G service is on its way. The key to making mobile Internet access more appealing is for the ISPs to eliminate the often ridiculous monthly download limits on mobile Internet service. Some service plans limit downloads to the point where one driver update blows the usage for an entire month. Read More »

There is more to being a mobile worker than simply picking the notebook with the best performance and battery duration your budget can afford. Working on-the-go is often not as productive as working in an office because most portable notebooks aren’t designed for users who work for extended periods.

Tip #1: Increase comfort and battery life with a laptop stand

To increase productivity notebook users can outfit themselves with a few basic accessories and peripherals that make working on a notebook more comfortable. I know when I work on a notebook for an extended duration, one of the first things I notice is that my neck gets sore from looking down at the screen.

This issue is easily avoided by utilizing a laptop stand. A laptop stand will raise the screen of your notebook making it much more comfortable to work on over a long period. Some notebook stands can also help keep your notebook running cool with integrated fans, thereby increasing battery life; even stands without fans can passively increase battery life by opening up airflow under the unit and preventing the laptop’s internal fan from kicking in. The thing you have to look out for when buying a laptop stand is to not go too bulky or too heavy. There are stands on the market that work well and will add very little to the weight and bulk of your mobile gear, so keep an eye out for something that fits in your bag. Read More »