Both the tablet PC
and the laptop have emerged as must-have necessities in recent times.
But, when you are planning to make the purchase, what must you
eventually buy? Here are some points to compare the tablet PC with the
laptop.
Monster commenting on tablet pc features
Did You Know?
Windows
8 hybrid tablets combine full-size keyboards and touchscreens to give
you a feel of both, laptops and tablets, in one device.
Laptops and
tablets are different. Their functionality is different and so is their
utility. There are people who consider a tablet to be the next best
invention after wine and cheese, and then there are others who think of
it as a frivolous waste of technology. Laptops and tablets may look
similar, but are worlds apart. They are two different devices running
two different systems.
A point-to-point comparison may yield no
winner as such, but it will at least give you a fair idea of what is
similar and different between the two. This will eventually affect your
evaluation of your device requirement and your final decision as to what
you will be opting for. Read the comparison below and choose wisely.
Physical Characteristics :
Tablet
Essentially,
a one-piece computer device, a tablet is portable, lightweight, and can
be operated by gesture control, viz. stylus, finger-touch, accelerated
movements, etc. A tablet screen comes in sizes varying from 7 inches to
11 inches, with a resolution that varies from 1280×800 to 2560×1600.
Input options are limited to touch gestures. Typing on a touch screen is
not always as accurate, speedy, and easy as a keyboard though. Of
course, there's the option to connect external keyboard devices to a
tablet, but that only ends up denting the wallet a fair amount.
Laptop
A
portable computer, heavier than a tablet and accompanied by an attached
keypad, a laptop is truly a personal computer. Modern laptops come with
gesture input functionality, although a traditional keypad at its base
is still the most popular form factor. A laptop should be the first
choice for users who will be typing heavily. A touchpad, used like a
mouse is also available, putting the user in his 'PC-comfort-zone'. A
laptop screen comes in sizes varying from 11 inches to 17 inches, and a
resolution that varies from 1280×800 to 1680×1050.
Battery:
Tablet
Tablets
use light hardware components and hence are battery-efficient. A
tablet's battery assembly may not be as powerful as a laptop's, but its
usage is enough to carry it slightly beyond 6-7 hours.
Laptop
Although
a laptop's battery assembly is more powerful than that of a tablet's,
its overall efficiency does not go beyond 4 hours (even lesser in some
cases). This is because laptops carry heavy hardware that uses the
battery far more intensely.
Performance:
Tablet
Tablets are
built for low-utility usage. They consist of a low-power processor and
deliver decent performance for tasks like web browsing, playing movies
and music, etc. More complicated tasks like heavy games, multitasking,
graphics, etc., slow down the device considerably. Tablets are the most
inappropriate devices to run loaded programming and computing tasks.
Laptop
A
laptop's processor is a full-fledged, high-performance processor. It
can not only handle heavy tasks, but also multitask 2 or 3 heavy tasks
at the same time. Laptops also deliver better and more efficient
performance.
Utility:
Tablet
Tablets are typically used for
light tasks such as browsing, playing small games, playing music, etc.
That a tablet can be controlled by your own hand gives a more personal
feel to the operating experience. However, the small and static screen
is a disadvantage. Multiple people cannot see the screen at the same
time. This, indeed is the essence of a tablet, but sharing something
quickly with people around you need not always be a Bluetooth operation.
A tablet's bar-form shape means that a user has to adjust his position
according to the screen. A tablet cannot be used as a stand-alone device
since it cannot deliver on all tasks.
Laptop
A laptop is
strong and sturdy and hence heavier to carry around, but it still is
portable and that counts. Its powerful hardware assembly allows for
heavy-duty operations to be carried off with ease and speed. Everything
you do on a PC is possible on a laptop; only, it is more personal. A
laptop's screen can be tilted to the user's advantage. The keyboard and
keypad allow relatively easy navigation as compared to a tablet. A
laptop can be a user's standalone device.
Cost:
Tablet
Tablets
are fancy devices and carry fancy price tags with them. If fancy tasks
is what you are buying a device for, this is your device. The price of a
tablet averages around $500.
Laptop
Laptop prices are flexible. Depending upon your need, laptop prices range from around $300-$1500.
Verdict:
Tablet
Tablets
are limited by their ability to function. While it is lighter and more
portable than a laptop, if performance is your criteria, tablets are a
disappointment. If light use coupled with longer battery life is what
you are looking for, tablets make a great buy.
Laptop
A laptop is a system in itself. If you are looking for a replacement to your old computer, a laptop is your best bet.
Choosing
which of these two to buy could be an overwhelming decision to make .
Both come with their pros and cons. It depends on what you really need
to have. There are also hybrid tablet PCs available in the market today,
which are basically tablet PCs, but you can attach a keyboard and mouse
to them, and use them in a vertical position just as you would use a
traditional laptop. These devices are worth a look, but they are more on
the expensive side, so one would have to take into account that as
well.
