Laptops versus tablets, which one is better?

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Over the last two years or so, and especially with the introduction of the Apple’s iPad last year, computing tablets have been growing in popularity. They are often depicted as a hybrid of a smartphone and a laptop (or notebook), but increasingly, people are reportedly replacing their laptop with a tablet. Below, we examine the pros and cons of tablets and laptops, and conclude by providing some final considerations should you be in the market for one of those devices.

Benefits of tablets over laptops

Tablets generally offer three key benefits over laptops: portability, battery life and versatility.

1. Portability. Tablets are by far more portable that laptops, especially with respect to weight. On average, tablets weigh under 0.8 kg (1.75 lbs), whilst laptops tend to weigh 2.3 kg (about 5 lbs) and up. Most laptop manufacturers include lightweight versions in their offering, which tend to weigh between 1 kg and 2.7 kg (2 lb and 6 lbs). However, to reduce a laptop’s size and/or weight, built-in functionality is reduced when compared with standard laptops.

2. Battery life. Typically, the battery life of the standard laptop ranges between 3 and 6 hours, but can be significantly lower depending on the processing power of device and the applications that are being used. On the other hand, a tablet on battery can last up 10 hrs.

3. Versatility. With tablets being all the rage, professional and amateur programmers are developing a multitude of applications. Many of the applications are designed to capitalise on the device’s portability (over laptops), which in turn makes tablets extremely versatile.

Benefits of laptops over tablets

Today’s laptops offer a number of advantages over tablets, but this will most likely change as tablet technology continues to evolve and as manufacturers find more innovative ways to improve their tablet offerings. Below are five benefits laptops currently have over tablets.

1. Processing power. The average laptop. by far, has greater processing power than a tablet. Currently, the processor speed of the typical laptop is in the region of 2.5 GHz, whilst that for a tablet is less than half that – around 1 GHz.

2. Keyboard interface. Laptops have built-in keyboard interfaces, which make intensive data and text entry activities quite efficient. On the other hand, tablets use a touch screen – a fully tactile interface that requires little or no skill to use competently. They also offer a graphical keyboard, but at the heart of it, tablets are not designed for lots of typing. However, some manufacturers are increasing the flexibility and functionality of tablets, by allowing them to seamlessly connect to a keyboard. For an example of this trend, see Asus Eee Pad: The tablet that thinks it’s a netbook.

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