Summary
A tablet is a device that is similar to a Laptop Computer except for the fact that they have Touchscreen interfaces instead of a Keyboard and Mouse acting as a primary input source (although they can be paired with Bluetooth Keyboards).
They are generally low-powered devices in terms of Hardware Specifications and as a result are designed for less processor intensive applications such as Word Processors. Because of the lower-spec hardware and the need for touchscreen interaction they generally have bespoke operating systems such as iOS or Android, but some (such as the Surface Pro) can feature full desktop operating systems such as Windows. Tablets can come in a variety of forms to suit different use scenarios, which include:
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Advantages
- They are much more portable than Desktop Computers and even more portable than Laptops so can be taken easily with the user.
- The touchscreen are considerably bigger than on Smartphones which means that they are easier to use for users with a visual impairment for instance.
- They are able to connect wirelessly to the Internet which reduces the clutter caused by network cables which generally have to be run with desktop computers.
- They are also more convenient to access in comparison to Desktop Computers which often have long boot times.
Disadvantages
- A key disadvantage with Capacitive Touch screens - which are often made of glass - is that they need to be cleaned regularly due to fingerprints and smudges appearing on the screen (which isn’t generally a problem with most desktop computer systems).
- Because tablets are generally underpowered in comparison to most modern laptops and desktops they are often unable to run full versions of applications such as Photoshop or Microsoft Word and instead have to rely on using cut-down versions which often lack certain specialist features such as macros.
- Battery life is still a key problem as whilst the arteries do last longer than previous versions of tablets, many users still find themselves being required to carry a charger or use power banks. This issue doesn’t arise with desktop computers which are permanently plugged in.
Common Applications
Because of their portability and power, tablets are used for lightweight consumer tasks such as: checking email, surfing the web, streaming video and playing mobile games. This makes them the ideal replacement for a laptop for many low-power users.