Due to the enormous advancement in tablet technology in recent years, many people wonder whether they even require a laptop anymore. Tablets and laptops, however, have their own characteristics that make them better suited for specific purposes than the other.
As a result, they both have different advantages and disadvantages.
The purpose of this article is to explore the unique strengths and weaknesses of these devices. It compares the capabilities of a laptop and those of a tablet to help you determine which device is best suited to your requirements.
Mobility
If we compare a tablet with a laptop, portability is usually the first aspect that stands out. Generally speaking, tablets are more portable than laptops. The majority of tablets have a screen size between 7 inches and 13 inches. Larger tablets are generally designed for professionals.
Typically, tablets have a screen size of 8 to 10 inches. It is the ideal size that strikes a balance between ergonomics and usability. Furthermore, tablets are significantly lighter than laptops, with most weighing 300 grams (10 ounces) or less for the smallest devices to about 700 grams (1.5 pounds) for larger devices.
Comparatively, laptops have a wide range of screen sizes. These range from twelve inches up to approximately twenty-one inches.
The majority of laptops, however, have screen sizes of between 15 and 17 inches.
In general, laptops are heavier than tablets. The weight of these laptops varies greatly depending on the model and feature of the laptop. There are laptops that weigh under a kilogram, as well as those that weigh up to eight kilograms.
Generally, most tablets will be lighter and smaller than even the lightest and most compact laptops available today. So, tablets are a more convenient option with regards to portability.
Results
The performance of the device may also need to be considered, depending on what you intend to do with it and your budget.
In some cases, tablets perform as well as or even better than low-end laptops, however, the gap between the performance of laptops and tablets widens as the price of the device increases.
As long as you intend to use your device for casual gaming, web browsing, and multimedia, you should be able to get the same or even better performance from a tablet as you would from a low-end laptop. However, most midrange and above laptops perform much better than tablets.
Lifetime of the battery
Battery life is another important consideration. The battery life of tablets is generally longer than that of laptops.
Laptops tend to last two to six hours depending on how they are used, while tablets typically last between 8 and 12 hours with a single charge.
A number of high-end laptops are capable of keeping up with tablets in terms of battery life, with some lasting more than 12 hours.
Tablets have a longer battery life thanks to their ARM processors, which consume less power than the more complex versions of desktop CPUs found in laptops. As ARM processors produce less heat, they are an ideal choice for tablets, which lack active cooling systems. Tablets also feature optimized operating systems.
In contrast, laptops are equipped with hardware that consumes a great deal of power. In addition, the operating systems of laptops are not as efficient as those of tablets. It is a fact of life that laptops have more advanced power-saving features that reduce the amount of power being drained but at the expense of the device’s performance.
When they are used for tasks that do not require a large amount of power, they will last much longer.
The battery life of tablets is generally better than that of laptops in a similar price range. Despite no additional throttling, tablets remain operational longer than laptops. Consequently, tablets are the better option when it comes to battery life.
Present
When it comes to determining the size and resolution of a display, there are two important factors to consider. Since laptops have larger frames than tablets, their screens are larger as well. Additionally, due to their smaller screen size, tablets have a higher pixel density than most laptops.
In other words, they tend to deliver sharper images than laptops with fewer visible pixels.
The resolution of a device also varies according to the device’s price, with more expensive devices offering a higher resolution.
Ultimately, however, tablets at lower price points offer better visuals than laptops at the same price range.
Computer software and operating systems
Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are the two most popular operating systems for tablets. Laptops, on the other hand, use the same operating systems as desktops. These include Windows, macOS, and Linux as the most commonly used operating systems. A hybrid device may also run Windows as an operating system.
Mobile operating systems are easier to use and more streamlined on tablets and similar devices. In contrast, desktop operating systems provide a greater range of features and allow you to access an array of software.
As compared to desktop operating systems, mobile operating systems are somewhat limited. Due to this, mobile apps tend to lack several features which are available in the desktop version of the same app.
Therefore, desktop operating systems are generally more powerful than mobile operating systems. Laptops are therefore more powerful and reliable than tablets when it comes to software and operating systems.
Stores
Another factor to take into consideration before purchasing a device is the storage capacity. The storage capacity of laptops is generally greater than that of tablets. On the lower end of the market, laptops come with 128 GB SSDs or 500 GB hard drives.
The storage capacity of this device is significantly greater than that of a tablet computer. A tablet can have an internal memory of as little as 8 GB or as much as 512 GB.
Most devices have a storage capacity ranging from 32 GB to 256 GB.
It is not recommended that you rely on the default storage capacity. Expandable storage capacity is also an important factor to consider. Except for iPads, the storage capacity of most tablets can be easily increased.
A microSD memory card can be used to expand their storage capacity. For newer tablet models, the maximum expansion capacity is 256 GB.
In contrast, when it comes to expandable storage options, laptops have a wider range of options. The options range from external hard drives to memory card readers. Similarly, it is much easier to upgrade the internal storage of a laptop.
To begin with, you may not need a lot of storage. If you do not require much storage, a tablet might be the best option for you. For those who require extensive storage, laptops have more storage capacity and SSDs that can easily surpass the performance of tablets.
Amount
Before choosing between a laptop and tablet, it is also necessary to consider the price of the device. Some tablets are available for as low as $50, making them a much more affordable option than laptops. A low-end laptop, on the other hand, costs around $150.
Tablets can cost up to $800, and some hybrid tablets that cater to professionals can cost even more.
The cost of a mainstream laptop will start at around $500 to $800, while a high-end laptop will cost anywhere from $1000 to $5,000.
A tablet is generally less expensive than a laptop and, in most cases, cheap tablets are more functional than a cheap laptop.
Connection
A second important factor to consider is how your device is connected to both physical and wireless devices. Most laptop computers today come equipped with both wireless and Bluetooth capabilities. Most laptop computers do not, however, support cellular connectivity.
The bulkier laptop models typically support all of the ports found on the motherboard of modern desktop computers. However, compact laptops are more likely to employ the smaller type-C USB connectors.
As with smartphones, tablets are also well equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
In addition to cellular connectivity, most tablet manufacturers also include WiFi, an aspect that is uncommon in laptops. Connecting tablets via wire requires either a USB-C or Micro USB connector. Apple’s iPad utilizes the lightning connector.
Choosing between a laptop and a tablet with regard to connectivity depends heavily on the needs of the user as they all have different requirements when it comes to cellular connectivity or different ports.
The interface
Interfaces enable you to interact with a device easily. Input is typically provided by an integrated keyboard and a touchpad on laptops.
External mice and keyboards are also available provided that your laptop is equipped with the necessary connectors to connect to external devices and wireless technology.
Tablets, however, rely almost exclusively on their touch screens to function.
In addition, they use a virtual keyboard. It is often difficult to use virtual keyboards for those who have difficulty typing. The majority of tablets are compatible with Bluetooth keyboards, but a mouse may pose a challenge.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both touchscreen controls and keyboard and mouse controls, depending on the intended use of the device. In general, laptops offer a more precise user interface, while tablets offer a more intuitive one.
In-camera
Both laptops and tablets are equipped with built-in cameras. In general, though, tablet cameras are better than laptop cameras.
Tablets nowadays have both a front and a rear camera, and in most cases, both cameras are of higher quality than laptop cameras of similar price ranges.
This is primarily due to the fact that tablets are more portable and have many features similar to smartphones.
Typically, laptops are equipped with one camera, with very few models having a rear camera. Video calls are the primary purpose of the laptop’s camera.
Tablets offer a wider range of choices in terms of camera quality as well as a lower price point when compared to laptops.
Conclusions
Tablet computers are by and large more portable, easier to use, have a better camera, and last longer than most laptop computers. A tablet may be the best choice for you if convenience is important to you.
Mobile computing, on the other hand, is a much more flexible application of laptops. A laptop is therefore the best option if you are going to use complex applications, have a full keyboard, and have access to multiple HDMI and USB ports.
