What to choose a Tablet or a Laptop

Today there are many computing devices from desktop computers to tablet computers. The market is full of different brands and the competition is severe. We buy a new gadget and in a few weeks the next upgraded version hits the market. A few days ago friends of mine started arguing about what is better – a tablet or a laptop. I decided to investigate the differences between them and see who was right.

Firstly, let’s go through the main features of a tablet PC and a laptop. The Ipad is the most popular tablet, with a size and weight roughly between a smart phone and a laptop. It is equipped with an e-reader, gaming device, digital photo frame and an iPod for music. It also has a multi touch display (9.7 inch), 1Ghz dual-core Apple A5 processor, 64 GB storage space, long battery life (about 10 hours) and Wi-Fi + 3G (attention: you need a micro SIM), Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The prices of tablets start at $400 and can run more than $800.

Secondly, let’s take a look at the laptop’s features. For instance, Toshiba Satellite L750 comes with a broad 15.6″ HD display, Intel multi-core 2.3 GHz processor with Turbo boost up to 2.9 GHz, 640 GB hard disk drive, 4GB RAM, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, USB and DVD SuperMulti drive. Its price is between $400 and $600 (older laptops start at about $200).

So on a specification level both of them have similar functionality, but are they really that similar and what is the reason for the debate about which one to buy?

What are the advantages of a tablet PC?

One of the main advantages of the tablet PC is that it is lighter than most laptops. The iPad weighs 1.5 pounds, whilst a laptop weighs 5 to 7 pounds. The tablet can be easily carried around and can be quick booted; in addition it passes through security checks a lot faster. Laptops need to be opened up and plugged in to be used; we need to lug a separate bag for them, while iPad dimensions are equivalent to a thin book. So, tablets score more points here. We have to include chargers as well. The tablet’s charger is tiny and fits easily in our pocket, while laptop’s chargers are bigger and heavier.

The iPad battery life exceeds that of laptops. It has up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge. In comparison laptops work for a maximum of 3 hours (life decreases of we play games or watch video).

Another advantage of tablets is their input. They possess a special stylus offering the opportunity to use our handwriting style as the input. This is a better solution for artistic people and graphic designers. They can draw images and edit photos better with a stylus than with a mouse or a trackpad. There are also handwriting recognition applications that can train the tablet to learn our specific handwriting and convert it into text or graphics with up to 99% accuracy. Tablets have a personal approach – they can adapt and be unique to the user.

Tablets are also great for note-taking during meetings and don’t obstruct our clear view if we are in a conference. They can be easily laid flat on the desk, while laptops typically sit at 90 degrees and look like a barrier between the user and the person sitting in front of him/her.

With a web focus of consumption and not production, tablets are optimal. They are highly portable and offer an easier, more flexible way to surf the Internet, play games, read books, use mobile apps, and consume movies, video, and music. With an easy-to-use touch interface and rich computing environment delivered by iPad and Android-based devices, they are a perfect fit for a mobile lifestyle.

What are the benefits of a laptop?

People will always need laptops or desktops to do the heavy work when creating things like reports, long e-mails, excel sheets or to manage their music and video libraries, edit their photos and videos, and multitasking. If content creation is important to a user, a laptop might prove a better choice than a tablet. Sure, we have to appreciate the portability of a tablet, but the devices’ small screens and soft keyboards are not ideal for content creation.

Physical keyboards are perfect for typing intensive texts. The iPad falls below the mark here. Many tablet users find it difficult to type on a virtual keyboard. The PCWorld reviewer L. Jacobi says ironically: “Overpriced pads: Touch screens without keyboards. How innovative!” Of course, many tablet manufacturers offer physical keyboards we can purchase, but they won’t synchronize exactly like a steady laptop keyboard.

Laptops offer wide screens, and even the option of a second screen outlet and the ability to multitask. With tablets you can’t simultaneously listen music, write text documents and check CNN. In addition laptops have versatile ports, which enable users to plug in a mouse, digital camera, phone, printer and fax, speakers, etc. There are no USB ports on tablets, though adapters can be bought. Laptops also have huge storage space. We can download and store up to a terabyte of high-definition movies, music and videos, PDF and PowerPoint presentations, while the iPad2’s maximum storage is 64GB. Moreover, laptops give us the opportunity to store back up files to external storage devices. It also has a DVD and CD player for those who prefer burning CDs in order to save their favorite photos, music hard drive, program and video files.

Furthermore, laptops can have any operating system (even Mac gives us the opportunity to have Windows as a second software), while tablet operating systems can’t be changed. Tablets also can’t be used by many users. The tablet understands your handwriting and gestures and may not understand those of others, while laptops can be used by many people. The tablet’s handwriting input brings another obstacle: it can’t compete with the speed of a keyboard and mouse, which laptops use.

Finally, let’s not forget the price. Laptops are cheaper than tablets. (I have included numbers at the beginning of the article). Depending on brands and functionality we need deep pockets for tablets. If you are still wondering which corresponds to your needs, you may find some customer opinions useful:

“I will wait until the tablets come around to have more storage & come with photo editing software. Then I will join the ‘quick connect crowd’ and carry it with me everywhere. Until then I will have to lug my laptop along on vacations and weekend outings.”

“I would like to mention that iPad 2 and any other such tablet PC are attractive in looks but if you come to the usage and purpose of the same I would say laptops are better.Iin any of ways tablets can not be used for the business purpose, it is more of entertainment device and laptop can be used as entertainment and business.”

“Having used both a tablet and pc I find no similarities, they are separate entities to be used for different purposes. If you are looking to keep spreadsheets, pay your bills/do banking and work away from home, the laptop is your go to. If you want to browse the internet, read, do research, store pics, then the tablet is the perfect tool. My choice, both.”

“My son will be in 11th grade this fall, and will be taking more Honors and AP classes. We have been advised the students can bring lap tops or tab pc to school, however the device will be required to have Notepad, Word and a Powerpoint option. For me the winner is a laptop.”