Since the emergence of tablet computers, more and more people are skipping out on the purchase of laptops as tablets are more convenient to use, depending on the type of usage. The passages below will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of tablet computers.

Keyboard

The most immediate difference between laptops and tablet computers is the absence of a physical keyboard in a tablet computer. Tablet computers use an onscreen keyboard that you have to tap. Some people like on screen keyboards because it allows them to carry tablet computers that are light and ready to use, unlike laptops that can be quite heavy. Laptops also have to be opened up and set up on a table while tablet computers can be used anywhere, without needing to set it down on a flat surface. For example, one can use a tablet computer while they go for a walk, whereas it would be extremely awkward to walk down the street with an open laptop.

Touchpad in laptops against full touch screens in tablet computers

Laptops will usually have a tiny square space that can be used as a track pad to move the mouse pointer around. In tablet computers, the whole screen will have touch functionality, where users can simply press on icons that they want to activate, without having to drag a mouse pointer. This provides a more enjoyable user experience as everything is readily accessible on a tablet computer.

Screen angles on laptops and tablet computers

This is one feature where laptops have an advantage. Laptops will allow the user to adjust the viewing angle according to their choice. With tablet computers, one will always need to look straight into the screen. While a laptop can be easily set up on a table and watched without using hands, it would be very difficult to sit comfortably and watch the screens of tablet computers as they are just not designed for tabletop use.

Cost of tablet computers

Since tablet computers is a new technology, they usually cost more than comparable laptops. When one wants to buy a tablet PC over a laptop, they must be ready to pay about $100-$200 more than the price of a comparable laptop. However, the price of the tablet computers have already begin to fall and stabilize, which could mean that tablet computers will only get cheaper in the future.

The most popular tablet computers

When tablet computers were first introduced, the iPad reigned supreme. Now, Apple has released the iPad 2 which is also quite popular. However, many tech lovers will quickly agree that the Samsung Galaxy tab is the most popular tablet PC that is currently out there.

The market is also full of low cost tablet computers that are made by small, innovative companies. When choosing tablet PC’s, you must first decide what you want out of it and then buy one accordingly, with the right performance features. More about that is explained below.

Intended usage of tablet computers

If you do a lot of typing, tablet PC’s will not be very ideal for you as it is not easy to type a large amount of text on onscreen keyboards. Buy tablet PC’s if are a graphic designer or artist who is going to be using the touch screen option extensively, while also not requiring the extensive use of the on screen keyboard.

iPAD from Apple, the best known of the tablet pc’s and probably the most widely used.
HP SLate buy Hewlett Packard. Android operating system.
Streak by Dell. another android tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab My personal favourite of the Android tablets. I feel the 7 inch is the perfect size and swipe typing is great.
Asus EEE Tablet A good cheep 9 inch Android tablet.
Google HTC Tablet it is rumoured that this pc will be launched by Google in the next year or so. It will be interesting to see what it will be like. Hopefully it will take on the iPad head to head.
Motorola Xoom Tablet Motorola have come out strongly with this Android Tablet, it is already proving to be a winner.