• Tablets VS Notebooks.











    If you are anything like me, you get to ask questions like what computer should i buy, what phone to buy, or what gadget to buy. More recently, a whole lot of people have been asking: “should I buy a notebook computer or should i just go for a tablet?” This question goes to show how much upside this tablet category has in the computing paradigm shift we are observing. However, with where we are in the early days of this category, does it really make sense to recommend a tablet over a notebook?


    When laptops/notebooks entered the technology market, everyone wanted one of those small devices for computing on the go. Laptops received a lot of hype because of their portability and their ease of use. This new technology took the computing world by storm and dominated the portable computer scene until a new device entered the market: the tablet. This device offers several of the same features as laptops but with added portability. Some individuals may feel this is the new way to compute and they can’t live without their tablet, whereas others say laptops can never be replaced.

    So, How do we now answer this Question, a Notebook or a Tablet?
    We respond to their Question with a Question
    Like any good or helpful IT person, the best way to answer any tech related question where multiple products, platforms and companies are being considered is always to ask “what do you plan to use it for?” This allows you to get to the heart of a person’s computing needs and then recommend a product based on their primary uses.

    However more often than not I am still recommending a notebook over a tablet, especially when they are looking at replacing their primary computer. I don’t currently believe a tablet is a notebook replacement at this point in time. We can actually say that touch computing represents the opportunity to bring us into a new age of computing where tablets and other touch computing devices can replace a notebook, but I don’t feel we are there yet.

    In some cases I have actually recommended the combination of an all-in-one desktop and a tablet over a notebook. I’ve found that the question of performance over portability comes up quite a bit in these conversations and the all-in-one desktop combined with a tablet hits both performance and portability in ways a notebook can not. There is decent sync software on the market from companies like DropBox or SugarSync which keeps content aligned across devices and is useful in the desktop / tablet combination.


    Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each device to help decide which will best fit us and our needs.


    Laptops
    One of the benefits of using a laptop is the hardware included on the product. Laptops come with full keyboards, large screens and much higher screen resolution than you would find on any tablet. A full, physical keyboard is a desired feature for many individuals who do not like to type on a touchscreen. You can type much faster and more accurately using a full keyboard. The screen is also much larger for viewing photos, browsing the web or even enjoying entertainment content. For a full laptop, not a netbook, your screen size will be 13 inches or larger, depending on the type of product you purchase. Laptops are also more durable than tablets, and you won’t have to worry about scratching or damaging the touchscreen display.
    However, bigger may not always be better. Originally, laptops were designed for portability. These devices accomplish work on the go but they can be a burden to carry with you. Most laptop computers weigh anywhere from 3 to 9 pounds. Not only can this heavy weight be an annoyance to carry in a backpack or briefcase, it can cause back pain if they are carried for extended periods of time.

    Tablets
    These highly portable computing devices give you full control of the screen, features and applications. By using your finger or a stylus, you can directly touch the screen to make gaming more interactive, and the hands-on approach provides a more tactile experience than a mouse for drawing and illustrating. Compared to laptop computers, these products are small. Most tablets offer anywhere from a 7-inch to a 10-inch display screen and weigh less than 1 pound. You can store all your music, capture photos or videos, video chat and even read books on their built-in eReaders.
    Aside from some hefty price tags, you must take special precautions in the care of these devices. They may have a durable body, but the touchscreen display is exposed. And if the touchscreen is damaged, your device could become useless. You can buy a case to protect the screen, but these are not included with the product and require a separate purchase.
    If you're trying to decide between a laptop and a tablet, it all depends upon you and your needs. If you are planning to carry your computer for extended periods of time, the lighter tablet may be ideal for you. Or maybe you want a physical keypad and don’t like the touchscreen display. If you are in the market, figure out what features you must have in your device. Compare and contrast different products to see which ones have the specifications you are looking for. Only by figuring out your needs will you discover which type of computing device you prefer.


    What you should buy depends on what you expect to do with the device. So let's break it down a bit to help you make a decision...

    Do you want to create stuff or consume it?
    The tablet is more of a consumption device, whereas a notebook is more of a creation device. Ask anyone who has ever tried typing a document using a tablet's touch keypad and he will tell you that it can be quite a tedious task.
    On the other hand, if your job requires you to mostly access your emails, browse the web, read reports (as opposed to creating them) and video conference, then the tablet is right for you. And whether it's watching a movie or reading a book, the slate is a far better option.
    Which software do you need?
    Software offerings for notebooks - especially office suites - are still superior to what's available for tablets. In terms of serious offerings, many mobile apps do not promise the same flexibility that the computer versions do.
    On the flip side, tablets have apps that are not only cheaper, but also a lot of fun. And there are lakhs of them, both paid and free, spanning genres such as productivity, photography, gaming, social networking, music, reading, etc.
    How much stuff do you have?
    If you're a media junkie, with a huge collection of MP3s, photos and videos, or the type that deals with huge files, and softwares, then the notebook remains the best option. Most laptops will give a minimum of 200GB of space, going all the way up to 1terabyte (1024GB).
    Tablets, on the other hand, come with just 16, 32 or 64 GB of storage, which is insufficient for high-definition multimedia content. Still if you don't need to store vast amounts of data, a tablet is not a deal-breaker.
    Will you carry it around a lot?
    There is no denying that a tablet is more portable than a notebook, offering better battery life in a significantly lighter package. Besides, if you're a frequent flyer, you will definitely appreciate the tablet when passing through the myriad airport security checks.
    How well does it play with other gadgets?
    In your professional life, you might need to hook up your gizmo to a projector, a broadband wire or a printer; and you might even need to connect other gadgets, like pen drives or a phone, to your device. A notebook is a clear winner here, since most come with at least three USB ports, one HDMI port, an Ethernet port for broadband as well as a card reader. These machines also support USB dongles or Wi-Fi for internet connectivity.
    With a tablet, you will have support for Wi-Fi  and 3G SIM cards work just as well. Most hotels provide wireless internet, so using your tablet when travelling should not be an issue. But unless you have the right cables handy, connecting your tablet to other gadgets is going to be a pain.




    If a Tablet is the best option which do I recommend?
    Often times, however, the person asking the question is looking to add a device to their home, not necessarily replace a primary computer. When this is the case a tablet is a great second, third or fourth screen in the home. It can do quite a bit of generic computing, but having a desktop or notebook as a primary computer is still recommended in some capacity.
    When recommending a tablet it’s important to understand the technical savvy of the person asking the question. For those who I know, or find out, are very technical and love to tinker, customize, tweak etc their technology I know they will love Android. For those like my wife or her parents, or anyone who is not in the 12-15% of early adopters, I’m not as comfortable recommending the Android route yet.
    The middle part of the consumer market is called the early majority and the late majority. Most of that market is made up people where technological understanding is not central. They are the consumers who just want their technology to work: they don’t want to have to think about it, they just want to use it.
    For those consumers I overwhelmingly recommend the iPad. First of all because I don’t want to be tech support, which is also why I recommend Macs in general for these folks, second because the things that Android fans love don’t even enter the minds of these non-tech savvy consumers. It’s not because they are not enlightened, as some would claim, or indeed that they need to see the light, its simply because for them technology represents something very different. These consumers value something different and that is the point – value.


    Laptops and tablet PCs are both viable options. However, there are some key differences, and the notebook offers more benefits than the tablet


    1 comments → Tablets VS Notebooks.

    1. Tablets is better for presentations at work, but notebook is better to work with it, for other hand, to stay at home is better the tablet, less weight and it's funny share the game with others or the new too. I think about it of this way. Bye Bye