Like technology experts and IT insiders, small-business owners may have noticed a startling trend. Technology is suddenly everywhere.
A slow buildup of netbooks, 3DTVs and eReaders at the beginning of last year quickly built to a crescendo, and is now giving way to nearly innumerable new apps, tablet PCs and online solutions.
Dozens of surprisingly affordable consumer electronics are ready to aid entrepreneurs in any new enterprise. The watchwords for small-business technology still remain the same: mobility, value and convenience.
From supercharged slate computers to 3D video cameras, disaster-proof hard drives and even motion-sensing, app-ready Bluetooth headsets, what follow are several gadgets you'll want to add to your operating budget. All for (wink, wink) research-and-development or productivity purposes. OK, some may also hold special appeal for that inner gadget geek.
The Best Tablet PC: BlackBerry PlayBook (Under $500)
BlackBerry's answer to the iPad, this beefy 7-inch tablet PC skillfully straddles the line between business and pleasure. Credit a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 16-64GB of storage, capable of powering mid-range productivity software and a wealth of custom business apps. Coupled with enterprise email support, wireless connectivity and native multitasking support, it could be an effective laptop replacement for many small-business owners. Features like 1080p high-definition video recording, dual HD cameras (suitable for impromptu videoconferencing) and built-in Flash (rich multimedia) browsing are a bonus.
More Great Tablets:
Motorola Xoom ($699) -- A Motorola tablet that stands out for its serious computing muscle, lightning-fast connectivity, dual cameras and an intuitive Android 3.0 operating system (a.k.a. Honeycomb) user interface that's custom-designed for tablet displays.
G-Slate (Not yet priced) -- Super-fast connectivity, optional videoconferencing, 3D video recording and a stunning multi-touch display prove highlights of this anticipated tablet from T-Mobile, due to ship in March.
9 Series ($1599 and up) – An ultra-thin and lightweight 2.89lb MacBook Air competitor from Samsung, offering 6 ½ hours of battery life, a crisp screen and surprising power for a laptop computer with its Core i5 processor. OK, so the 9 Series isn't a tablet, but it deserves inclusion because it still weighs in as one of 2011's most travel-ready computing options.
The Best Smartphone: Motorola Atrix 4G ($199.99 with two-year contract)
This standout from Motorola packs a lot more power than the average smartphone, and can dock with a laptop, letting users take advantage of a full-size keyboard and screen. Its dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM and 16GB of memory are more akin to the specs you'd find on a netbook computer, not cellular handset, offering an obvious boost to performance and productivity. Running on the Android operating system, and compatible with thousands of downloadable apps, the device also offers 4G speeds (a large increase over current 3G standards). Bundled with the dock, it costs a whopping $499.99 with two-year service agreement. However, few mobile business solutions appear as versatile.
View more at Business Insider
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