There are many benefits to the inflatables. Modern designs mean they perform better than you would imagine, and they are more durable and hard wearing than hard boards. A small knock against a hard surface such as a stone or a roof rack will do serious damage to a hard board, but not an inflatable. Inflatable SUPs are also much lighter, and easier to transport as they can be deflated and put in a small car.
however if you get into wave paddleboarding, then we would recommend the higher performance hard boards.