Technological innovation always leaves behind some previously impressive ideas. The new dinosaur might be the desktop. With more businesses embracing remote work or a hybrid working style, the 5G laptop is a new device sure to gain popularity.
“Remote work is here to stay in larger numbers than pre-pandemic,” concludes Teradici’s The State of Remote Work 2021. That means business owners need to continue to offer viable alternatives to the traditional way of doing mobile work.
In 2021, the number of laptops, tablets, and smartphones in use worldwide could reach 6.2 billion, per Gartner. Yes, that’s billion with a b. Specifically, according to the analysts’ research, the number of laptops is likely to increase by 8.8%.
Yet, having to find WiFi hotspots can be time-consuming and annoying. Not to mention the security risks involved. Connectivity is going to be a primary pain point for remote work. Or it could be for those who don’t have the right tools to work anywhere.
A 5G laptop is one good solution for remote workers. With advancements in security, reliability, and data plan rates, a 5G-connected laptop can help employees effectively work remotely.
The momentum to 5G technology is driving a device revolution too. The mobile laptop has many benefits, such as:
- Security
- Reliability
- Affordability
- Convenience
- Efficiency
Security
With a 5G laptop, your business fully controls the security settings over cellular. There’s no need for a virtual private network (VPN). The built-in connectivity also decreases the risks of employees connecting their company laptop to public WiFi.
There is a type of cyber attack that takes advantage of people trying to connect to the internet from outside of their offices. Bad actors spoof the WiFi network for a familiar location, and, acting as a “man in the middle,” they capture all the data transmitted over that connection. That’s less likely to happen with 5G connectivity.
Reliability
What remote worker hasn’t been frustrated by flaky WiFi connectivity? Whether it’s in a hotel, coffee shop, or airport, the mobile worker can have trouble staying connected to public WiFi. Then, there’s the issue of finding a WiFi signal in the first place. A WiFi signal typically has a limited area, but cellular service is more widely available. That offers your workers a better mobile experience.
The 5G network also offers increased signal reliability. The always-on computer lets the individual access what they need, even when the WiFi is unavailable. Employees might have been working around WiFi challenges by turning their phones into a mobile hotspot. However, it drains your smartphone’s battery life.
Affordability
The main manufacturers of 5G computers include Dell, HP, and Lenovo. They are all inking deals with cellular carriers to provide lower plan rates or unlimited data plans to suit the connected computer usage. CCS Insight’s Kester Mann told a telecoms industry reporter about a bank that disabled WiFi on its users’ laptops to rely 100% on 5G connectivity.
National cellular providers can offer more affordable options because 5G technology coverage will be broader. With the ability to tap into low-, medium-, or high-band spectrum to supply 5G connectivity, the carriers have more reach without having to invest in digging up the ground to install cabling.
Convenience
The future of work is now, according to McKinsey. The consultancy firm noted, “as more workloads become digitized and shift to the cloud, companies have even greater incentive to rethink their physical footprint.” Yet, the move is seeking “better options than juggling cellular and WiFi dongles and passwords to access secure, reliable, and adequate WiFi.”
The 5G laptop offers the solution. Employees no longer have to find a WiFi hotspot or put in a username and password to log into public WiFi. With a cellular-connected computer, and the 5G technology rollout on in earnest globally, a small business can equip its remote workers with the laptops they need to work flexibly and access data or collaboration tools when on the go. Better still, the connected laptop gives employees one device to cover all their needs in one place.
Efficiency
Being connected on the go and the convenience of seamless connection will encourage efficiency and improved productivity. The 5G laptop, with its cellular connectivity, is always on, providing immediate access to documents, data, audio, visual, collaboration, or communication tools.
With multi-channel bandwidth capabilities, 5G speed is competitive enough to let users access whatever cloud-based applications they might need. This fifth-generation (yep, that’s why it is 5G) technology boasts “anywhere from 10 to 100 times the speed of 4G and rapid responsiveness.” Now those working remotely can enjoy the same super-fast connectivity of their colleagues onsite in the office.
Connect Employees to 5G Laptops
When employees need to work remotely, getting them connected to 5G with an always-connected laptop offers reliability, security, and more. The Dell-Verizon Connected Laptop is a great investment for any business, especially coupled with a 5G data plan customized to fit any budget. You can make 5G computing a part of your business plan and achieve a competitive advantage as a small business.
