Multiple Platforms: The argument in favour of Web Designers arriving with Multiple "PADD's"

First, yes the title of this blog does indeed reference the technology from Star Trek: The Next Generation, as PADD stands for "Personal Access Display Device".

Now, with that out of the way, lets look at just why should a Web Designer actually arrive at a presentation with multiple platforms,each on their own tablet, and all tablets running around the same sized screen.

Currently available to the general public, tablets come running any of the following operating systems.

• Apple's iOS
• Google's Android (current version being KitKat)
• Microsoft's Windows 8 / RT
• Blackberry's QNX

And as addressed in prior articles, each of these platforms have different browsers available to their installed user base.  This, of course, means that any design created for cross platform browsing HAS to display properly on all platforms.

But how do you, as a Web Designer, show this to your client? Mock ups show off the concept, but falls short when it comes to interactive testing. Simulators for Android and iOS might not display the site correctly when emulated on a Windows laptop or Macbook, and the client wants to play around with the designs in each platform's environment anyway.

The solution comes in the form of the 7" - 8" screen Tablet market.  Think about it, for about the cost of one Apple Macbook Pro, a designer can equip themselves with less than 4 pounds of machines, which can be stacked into a secure area of a backpack or briefcase, deployed quickly at a meeting (say at Starbucks and the virtual office) and allow for quick access and evaluation of a design over multiple platforms. A good entry level selection for a Web Designer's "Field Kit" might look something like this

• Apple's iPad Mini with Retina Display ($399)
• Lenovo's Miix 2 Tablet running Windows 8.1($299)
• Google's Nexus 7 by Asus running Android KitKat ($229) and
• Blackberry's Playbook running QNX (price and stock questionable, good if you have or can find one)

Combine these 4 devices with a portfolio to take down notes as your Client looks over your designs, and you will find that you can quickly make tweaks to the design code in an efficient manor pleasing to your Client's eye and potentially building a strong future proof professional relationship for years to come