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Laptops are Better than Tablets

Mobile computing is a way of life. Tablets, laptops, and SmartPhones are

proficient devices for mobile computing in their own way (Jacob and Biju Issac 9).

Tablets have become quite accepted because of their tremendous portability, simplicity

in the use of interfaces, and the extensive range of ways to use them. In various ways,

they can nearly substitute the laptops. The argument as to whether the tablet is a

superior choice over a laptop is on the rise. After all, laptops are also portable and have

a range of duties. This paper examines differences between laptops and tablets to

ascertain how they compare and contrast to each other and which among them is

better. By investigating this in detail, one can have a clear perception of which of these

two devices of the platform of mobile computing would serve them better (Jacob, and

Biju Issac 11).

Major Differences Between Laptops and Tablets

Size. This is perhaps the major reason to prefer a tablet as compared to a laptop.

The size of a laptop is close to that of a small paper pad and weigh less than two

pounds. As a result, most laptops are heavy and larger than tablets. Even one of the

negligible ultra-portables, the Apple’s MacBook Air 11 weighs more than two pounds. It

also has an outline superior to an iPad 2. The major reason is the track pad and the

keyboard that makes it bigger. There are also more powerful components requiring
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extra-cooling and power that makes the laptop larger. Due to this, it is greatly simple to

move around a tablet rather than a laptop, particularly if one is traveling.

Input Method. The most apparent discrepancy between laptops and tablets is the

unavailability of a keyboard. Tablets rely exclusively on a touch edge for all input

(Alvarez, Brown, and Nussbaum 839). This works well when it engrosses mainly

dragging, pointing or tapping to find the way around the program. Issues arise when

one has to input text into the program, for example, an email or document. Because of

the lack of keyboard, users need to type on implicit keyboards with anecdotal layouts

and designs. Most people are unable to type quickly or precisely as required on a tablet

virtual keyboard. Consumers lack the alternative of adding an exterior Bluetooth

keyboard on their tablets to make them laptop-like, but it adds extra expenditure and

non-essentials that must be carried with the tablet.

Battery Life. A tablet is designed for effectiveness due to low power requirements

of its hardware components. Majority of the interior mechanisms of the tablet are

occupied by the battery. Nevertheless, laptops use more potent hardware. The battery

constituent of the laptop occupies a smaller proportion of the laptop’s internal

mechanisms. Therefore, even with laptops with high battery capacities, they cannot run

for longer hours as tablets. Today, most of the tablets within the market can run for ten

hours without charging. A standard laptop would only run for approximately three hours.

This show that tablets can be used throughout the day, which few laptops can realize

(Alvarez, Brown, and Nussbaum 841).

Performance. Because most tablets have processors that are lowly powered,

they will normally fall after a laptop in terms of computing tasks (Van Oostveen,
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Muirhead and Goodman 81). For duties like web browsing, e-mailing, and playing audio

and video, both gadgets perform equally. However, things get more complex once

these devices are used to carry out more demanding duties. In such cases, multi-

tasking or graphics performance is usually suitable for a laptop.

Stand Alone Device. This group describes a state where a tablet is the sole

computer system. It is not something that many individuals would automatically

conceptualize when gazing at the devices, but it is quite decisive. A laptop is a

completely self-contained system, which can be fully used by an individual as a

computer system while loading information and programs and aiding a back-up. Many

tablets really need an extra computer system outside the tablet to back the device up or

activate it.

Cost. According to Van Oostveen, Muirhead, and Goodman (87), tablets are

fairly new on the market and tend to cost higher for the new technologies, which are

fitted in them. By contrast, some laptop can be purchased at lower prices. Therefore,

most individuals tend to go for the least expensive. Laptops still have additional benefits

over tablets due to their corresponding performance and features. For instance,

notebooks can handle similar tasks as a tablet, although it is not easy to use or carry.

Conclusion

Laptops still present a better degree of flexibility as in mobile computing.

Although they luck the same level of running times, portability, or ease of use compared

to tablets, there are still several concerns tablets need to solve before being considered

the main mode of mobile computing. With time, most of the issues have a high

likelihood of being resolved. By having a laptop computer other than a tablet, it may
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serve as an option for amusement and web usage. Therefore, laptops are better than

tablets.
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Works Cited

Alvarez, Claudio, Christian Brown, and Miguel Nussbaum. "Comparative study of

NetBooks and tablet PCs for fostering face-to-face collaborative learning."

Computers in Human Behavior 27.2 (2011): 834-844.

Jacob, Seibu Mary, and Biju Issac. "Mobile Technologies and its Impact-An Analysis in

Higher Education Contexts." International Journal of Interactive Mobile

Technologies 2.1 (2008). Print.

Van Oostveen, R., William Muirhead, and William M. Goodman. "Tablet PCs and

reconceptualizing learning with technology: a case study in higher education."

Interactive Technology and Smart Education 8.2 (2011): 78-93.