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Tablet Comparison

Compare, review, and buy digital tablets, graphic tablets, and tablet PCs.

How is a Tablet PC different than a Regular PC or Laptop?

A Tablet PC is portable computer whose primary input device is touch screen. Typically they don’t even have a physical keyboard or a mouse. Because of their mobile nature, tablet PCs come with a variety of connectivity features from Wi-Fi to 3G to Bluetooth. They are powered by variety of operating systems including Apple’s iOS, Blackberry’s Blackberry OS, Windows, and Android. Traditional PCs typically only run Windows or Linux operating systems, while Macs run OSX (a flavor of Linux). Tablet PCs are less bulky than notebooks since they are usually lighter, thinner, and require less cords. This also means that tablet PCs usually have less storage capacity. This is partly because they are both not meant to replace laptops and because files and programs are meant to be stored and ran in and from ‘the cloud’. And while the term PC usually refers to IBM-compatible, Windows-based computers, with tablets, the line gets blurred and begins to include IBM-alternatives and non-traditional operating systems.

History of Tablet PCs

A project that started in Apple laboratories in 1983 as “Bashful” resulted in the prototype tablet PC in 1989, named “Newton”, which launched in 1993. A revolutionary idea that was way ahead of its time, the Newton sank into history almost unnoticed. The next major step was in 2001 with the introduction of a special Microsoft Windows XP operating system named “Windows XP Tablet PC Edition”. This version of XP, created by Chuck Thacker and his team at Microsoft, incorporated support for pen-sensitive screen and handwriting (ink apps). This is actually the first time the term, “Tablet PC” was used and thus Microsoft gets the credit for coining the term. Various attempts from different companies were made since then, but the tipping point in the market didn’t come until Apple’s second tablet release in 2010, the (again) revolutionary “iPad”. WIRED has a great article of Tablet Computing From 1888 to 2010.

What Doest the Future Hold?

It is estimated that their share will grow and soon surpass a popular netbooks, laptops, and notebooks. Forrester Research is predicting that over 20 millions of units will be sold in 2005. This means more then 40% growth per year and thus most rapidly growing market among personal computers devices.

Tablet PC Form Factors

We can find different types of tablet PCs on the market. Tablet pc comparison can be done according to their form. These are standard forms of tablet computers:

  • Slate Tablet PC – A classical tablet pc form of pad with one touch screen and without keyboard.
  • Convertible Tablet PC - Basically a notebook with touch screen capability. They come in form of base and a screen that can be rotated around swivel for 180 degrees.
  • Hybrid Tablet PC – Convertible tablets with detachable keyboard
  • Booklet Tablet PC – A dual screen tablets that can be folded like a book.
  • Rugged Tablet PC – Tablet PC resistant and adapted to hard atmospherically conditions. Used as a platform for using PC on terrain.

Advantages of Tablet PCs

Advantages of tablet pcs are their size and weight. Due to their dimensions they are very practical and can be used while sitting in sofa, lying in bed or walking around. With a size of a book and special application they can replace this traditional reading source.

Disadvantages of Tablet PCs

Hardware especially screen is prone to damage as they are used in various situations and environments. Compared to other personal computers as notebooks and PC’s they have weaker capabilities. Especially video with its low resolution is a draw back comparing it to its big brothers. Minimalist ergonomic can be a trade off regarding typing experience. Traditional keyboard with wrist rest is much more comfortable. Also, printing can be an issue, but Apple and Google are actively working on this issue.