Deploying Ultrabooks in Your SMB

Businesses that have deployed netbooks in the past may have been burnt by their poor, productivity-sapping performance. Fortunately, the new ultrabook laptops from Intel incorporate a number of technologies that allow them to deliver a very usable experience from a form factor that is both compact and lightweight.

In my tests of a Lenovo U310 Ultrabook, I found the ultra-thin laptop to be a responsive device with excellent boot-up and wake-from-sleep timings. Sold at a price that is lower than standard laptops with similar levels of portability, ultrabooks are especially appealing for smaller businesses that don’t require powerful workstations.

For SMBs looking to deploy ultrabooks in their organization, I would like to offer three suggestions in order to better take advantage of them in the workplace.

Deploy 802.11n wireless

With new ultrabooks and laptops incorporating 802.11n wireless capabilities, it makes sense to ensure that your SMB’s wireless network is capable of supporting them. Moreover, with support for both 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz frequency bands, 802.11n is ideal for deploying high-density, high-speed Wi-Fi networks. You may want to read my post on this titled,  “Why It Makes Sense for SMBs to Deploy 802.11n Wi-Fi.”

Procure additional power adapter

I’ve always found it unintuitive that employees have to unpack the power adapters for their laptops each morning, only to pack it again when they knock off. One simple way to eliminate this hassle while also reducing wear and tear would be to procure an additional power adapter for their ultrabook.

On this front, I’ve always been a fan of the very high-quality AbsolutePower power adapters from Kensington. On top of various swappable power tips, the charger is capable of simultaneously powering a laptop and two USB devices.

Get additional external storage

As SSD-only ultrabook models may not have much storage capacity, SMBs may also want to consider purchasing an external storage device to bolster their available storage capacity. Of course, it is important that proper data backup procedures be adhered to for these external storage devices.

Despite the usability and portability of ultrabook devices, some businesses may find themselves requiring more processing capability than can be delivered by them. In my next post, I will talk about upgrades that businesses can implement to bolster the capabilities of their laptops.