Choosing a Tablet for your Conference Room Schedule Display

You’ve decided that your workplace would benefit from having some sort of conference room schedule display —likely some sort of tablet or small device that can quickly allow your people to see and schedule events. If your signage system (like Room Sign App) supports a lot of devices, it can feel a little overwhelming. Where do you even start?

Know what kind of experience you want for your conference room schedule display

To start narrowing down your options, it helps to have a clear vision in your mind of what your room schedule displays will look like.

Some examples:

• a sleek tablet, professionally mounted so that all power and networking cables are hidden and run within the walls and the tablet is enclosed in a secure case
• a kiosk stand that can quickly be setup and moved but still keeps your device locked
• an inexpensive device that can handle abuse and can easily be replaced if damaged without denting your budget
• a casual display that sits on a reception desk on a small A-frame stand

Know your budget for the true cost of a schedule display

Budgeting for a conference room schedule display means you need to think beyond just the cost of the device. Depending on your vision (and your building’s rules), there may be several other factors to consider. For example:

• Cost of cases or stands for the devices
• Cost of installation (some buildings require using approved contractors for signage installations)
• Cost of replacement – we wish devices lasted forever, but accidents happen and devices wear out over time

Consider the durability, feel, and aesthetic of the schedule device

There are plenty of devices that are inexpensive and effective as room signs, but there are a lot fewer devices that truly have that “premium” feel. Everything from the resolution of the device to the brightness of the screen. It’s also good to consider the “view angles” of the device you choose.

The type of screen the device has is also something to consider. Devices with OLED screens are more prone to “screen burn-in” as they display the same image for long amounts of time. Devices with LCD screens are much less vulnerable. The Room Sign Mobile apps have a setting that automatically attempts to minimize the screen burn-in on all devices, but OLED screens will still develop a ghosting effect over a long period of time.

Do you care if the screen is glass (or glasslike) or plastic? Do you care if the body of the tablet is metal or plastic?

Can you find suitable cases and stands for your devices? In some markets, there are a good number of “universal” options that cater to several standard tablet sizes, but in other markets there are a lot fewer options. Some devices (yes, we mean iPads) are popular enough to almost always have a decent case option. (If you really want a premium look, you might check with a local cabinet maker or craftsman and get custom frames made for the devices you choose).

What tablet should you choose for your conference room schedule display?

We can’t make this decision for you, but our general advice is this:

• Prefer a bright LCD screen over an OLED screen (unless you absolutely need a wide view angle or you are repurposing recycled devices)
• Make sure there is a suitable mount/case/stand for your device. iPads have been ahead of the game in this department for years, but in larger markets, there are some excellent options for 7″, 9″, and 10″ tablets of any make.
• Ask your IT department if the device needs to be enrolled in your company’s Device Management Platform, and if what types of devices will be supported. (Room Sign App offers its own management system for businesses that prefer a locked-down Android device but do not have their own Device Management Platform)
• If you are purchasing devices for many rooms, do a test run with a single device before going all in. We have a free 30 day trial that we’re normally happy to extend to give you time to make sure you get the devices, stands, mounts, etc that you need to be successful.