A recent Pew Research study illustrates the rapid growth of tablet ownership versus laptops, showing that although the rate continues to increase for both devices, tablets have experienced a much faster rise in popularity. Currently, 42 percent of American adults own a tablet, and the trend shows no signs of slowing. In fact, a Nielsen survey found that 35 percent of those who own a laptop use it less or not at all since acquiring a tablet. For the most part, a tablet is more versatile, costs less and is more durable than a laptop, leading to this radical change in device preference.
Design
Tablets are sleek, intuitive and simple. For example, the iPad Air is less than eight millimeters in width and weighs only one pound. Compare this to a laptop, which on average, weighs anywhere between four to six pounds. A tablet is also more portable than a laptop, making it the better choice for on-the-go professionals. Plus, the built-in mouse and keyboard of a tablet saves space inside purses and briefcases. The same can’t be said of the clunky laptop, which must be carried in a completely separate bag.
Functionality
A tablet doesn’t beat a laptop’s processing capabilities. However, a tablet is typically powerful enough for most user needs including reading, Web browsing and playing videos. A tablet’s ability to showcase multimedia content with ease also makes it ideal for people with creative careers, including those in the music and design industry.
Unfortunately, all devices have shortcomings. Currently, a tablet cannot support demanding games, create presentations or conduct heavy research. The tablet was created primarily to make simple tasks easier. They help people who need to perform the minor tasks of their job, such as checking email or responding to client queries, while away from their desks.
Versatility
Tablets are a hybrid of a smartphone and laptop, and they offer the best of both worlds. Tablets can take photos, shoot videos, support video chat and even double as e-readers. Alternatively, if your company allows BYOD, a tablet is the perfect go-between device for home and work.
Tablets also are great at keeping professional and personal data separate. In a mobile device usage and document security survey conducted by Litéra, more than 79 percent of respondents stated that they use the same device for work and play, making it more important than ever for tablets to keep both domains balanced.
Cost
An Android tablet can cost you less than $100. Laptops, on the other hand, are never priced at less than $200. Some laptops, like the 11-inch Macbook Air can cost over $1,000. With a tablet you can save yourself a nice chunk of change while getting good functionality. Although a tablet is significantly less expensive, you don’t want to replace it every time it gets scratched. Therefore, it is still wise to consider getting a protection plan for your tablet, in case you damage your device.
Power Consumption
Tablets are known for their extended battery life. Since these handheld computers have smaller mobile processors, they don’t drain the battery as quickly as a laptop does, reports PCMag. A long battery life is important, since both devices are almost always used away from a power outlet. PCWorld performed an informal experiment with an iPad that just wouldn’t quit. The device in question ran for more than seven hours, while the notebook it was competing against died after two hours.
The tablet’s portability hasn’t changed much, but function has improved, and if the numbers are any indication, we’re turning into a tablet nation. It will be interesting to see the tablet sales numbers for the upcoming holiday shopping season.
