Understanding the Difference between Laptops and Tablet PCs
Tablet PCs such as Apple’s iPad have seen growing popularity because of their easy portability and exciting interface. As they develop in processing power, they’re starting to give laptops a run for their money.
For those of us who aren’t tech savvy, it can be hard to know the difference between tablet PCs and laptops – the following guide will help you understand how they compare so that you can make the best choice for your individual needs.
Performance
Especially when it comes to more demanding computing tasks such as multitasking or graphics performance, laptops generally have far more powerful processors to get the job done swiftly. Tablets have very low powered processors in comparison, so while they’re fine for email, web browsing and playing audio or video, they’re currently too weak to really pack a performance punch. This might not always be the case as tablet technology develops, but the bottom line is that laptops have more performance capabilities than tablets.
Software
While running the same software should make both the tablet and laptop perform equally when it comes to basic tasks, because of the lower processing power in tablets, they will generally perform slower.
Typing Text
The first thing you’ll notice about a tablet PC is that unlike laptops and desktop computers, it doesn’t have a keyboard. In this respect, it’s more like a smartphone – you use virtual touchscreen buttons to type. This is fine for activities such as pointing, dragging or tapping to navigate, but it can slow you down compared to a keyboard when you have emails or other text to type.
That being said, if you wanted to use your tablet for typing, most models these days allow you the option of adding an external Bluetooth keyboard, although some might find this extra accessory off-putting for use while on the move.
Size
The size factor is one of the main reasons why people enjoy tablets – they have roughly the same dimensions as a piece of paper and don’t weigh too much more either. In comparison, even the smallest ultraportable laptops such as the Apple MacBook Air 11 are noticeably bigger and heavier. This is mainly because laptops need to accommodate a keyboard and touchpad, plus models with more powerful components also need extra cooling which makes them larger. Ultimately, if the most compact size and weight is what matters to you, you’ll definitely want to go for a tablet PC.
Storage Capacity
Most tablets rely on new solid state storage memory to keep their size and costs down, so they only allow for a mere 16 and 64 gigabytes of storage. In contrast, laptops use traditional hard drives that are capable of a much greater memory to store files and programs. These days even the affordable netbook models have 160 gigabytes of storage. Nevertheless, some laptop manufacturers have moved to solid state drives as well, meaning their low storage capacity is on par with tablets.
Battery Life
Because tablets have lower power requirements, they can generally achieve all day usage without being plug,ged in. Laptops use more powerful hardware so they eat up more battery life – most would only run for around three to four hours.
In addition, the majority of a tablet interior is taken up by the battery, whereas the battery component of laptops occupies a much smaller percentage of its internal components and thus has less life expectancy before needing a recharge.
Pricing
Since tablet PCs are relatively new to the market, they tend to have a higher price tag (as with all new technologies) than some of the cheapest laptops which can perform equally as well. Another way of looking at it however is that the average price of a decent laptop is slightly more expensive than a mid-range tablet, however they will often have better performance abilities. I would say that all in all, the pricing for both types of device is more or less on par – it is other factors which will sway your choice.
Stand-Alone Computer
What some people who are unfamiliar with technology don’t realise is that while a laptop is a completely self contained computer system in terms of loading programs and data plus backing them up, tablets are not actually stand-alone devices for all your computing needs. Many tablet PCs even require an additional computer system to activate them and to backup data onto, which would be a problem if you went away for an extended period of time and didn’t bring an additional computer.
Conclusion
While tablets are a great deal of fun and perfect for performing basic activities on the move because of their ultra light weight and size, they still have a long way to go before they can be your main means of computing. So, if you need a full computer that isn’t chained to one place, you’d need to buy a laptop.
That being said, for people like me who have a desktop PC, a tablet is an excellent mobile computing solution. Apple’s iPad tablet has definitely caught my eye – if you agree with my conclusion, a final tip is to read plenty of iPad reviews before making your final decision, as it always helps to find out what people who actually own the product have to say.
About the Author: Michael Dehomme is an electronics repair shop owner and iPad fan.
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