Should I buy a tablet computer or a laptop? Once upon a time, your budget would have made the decision for you, but that is no longer true. Prices can be quite similar for the two mobile computing platforms. In spite of all the similarities between tablets and laptops, there are a few key differences to consider when it’s time to put your money down.
Battery Replacement
Finding replacement or backup batteries for laptops is usually easy. Not so with many tablet computers. Some brands contain sealed batteries that cannot be replaced by the user. If you’re in the middle of something big in the middle of an out-of-the-way place without electricity and your tablet battery dies, your work is toast. In the long run, battery replacement is usually necessary due to casual wear, so if you plan on using your mobile computer for a long time then do your research concerning the battery and how to replace it.
Consumption vs. Creation
Consider what you’ll be using the computer for. Will you be surfing or creating? If your primary need for a computer is to consume internet content (play games, surf, read books, use mobile apps, watch movies and videos, etc.) the tablet has everything you need. However, if creation is your primary need in a computing device, a laptop is likely to better suit your needs. Laptops were made for creating spreadsheets, reports, presentations, long correspondence, text editing, and photo-editing.
Keyboard
Laptops come with a keyboard built in. Tablet computers are often built so that a portable keyboard can be easily attached. What isn’t necessarily so easy is using that portable keyboard. If you do a lot of typing/keyboard activities, a laptop rates higher than a tablet pc. If you’ll just be web surfing and texting, you’re likely to be fine with the tablet. Keep a look out for tablets that have their keyboard setup similar to a laptop’s that holds the screen up as well- Asus have a few models like this.
Ports & Drives
Tablets do not contain DVD drives so you can’t burn a disc for use elsewhere. Nor can you pop in a CD to view or play. If either of these attributes is important to you, a laptop is the better choice.
Portability
Tablets like the iPad fit into pockets and small areas while carryig a laptop often means lugging a laptop case. The weight of a tablet is measured in ounces versus the weight of the laptop measured in pounds. The more you must carry it, the heavier those pounds can become.
Tablet PCs reign when it comes to portability. Laptops have to be unpacked, setup and powered up. Tablets are instantly there. You can reach for them and start using them with one hand. Tablets are all about mobility – computing on the go.
Storage Space
The majority of tablets come with around 64GB of space. Once upon a time, that was a lot of space. Now with the popularity and availability of videos, music and movies, 64GB can force you to choose between titles. How much storage space do you need to support your mobile lifestyle on a computing device? Remember that you can access files stored on the web in various ways using both tablets and laptops.
Should you buy a tablet or a laptop computer? The answer relies entirely on your mobile lifestyle and what you plan to use the computer for. If you are primarily a web surfer and on the go, a tablet should fit your lifestyle and needs. If you need a computer that allows you to create media and utilize more storage space and drives, a laptop will fit your needs better than a tablet will.
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