Tablet vs. Laptop: Key Differences and Comparison
Advertisement
This article explores the key differences between tablets and laptops to help you make an informed purchase decision. We’ll compare features, specifications, and ideal use cases, providing a comprehensive overview of both device types. We’ll also examine the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet and the Lenovo Yoga 300 laptop as examples.
Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Tablet
Figure-1 depicts the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet device.
Here’s a look at some of the Surface Pro 4’s features:
- Display: 12.3 inch
- Processor: Intel Core M3
- Cameras: 5 MP Front, 8MP Rear
- Resolution: 2736 x 1824 pixels
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Dimensions: 292.1 x 201.42 x 8.45 mm
- Weight: 766 gm
- Operating System: Windows 10
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, Headphones
- Sensors: Accelerometer, ambient light sensor
- Price (as of July 2016): $899
Lenovo Yoga 300 Laptop
Figure-2 depicts the Lenovo Yoga 300 laptop.
Let’s examine some of the Lenovo Yoga 300’s features:
- Display: 11.6 inch
- Processor: Intel Pentium N3540p, 2.16GHz, Quadcore
- Webcam: 0.3M WEBCAM, HD with Digital MIC
- Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
- RAM: 4GB DDR3L, 1333MHz RAM speed
- Storage: 500GB
- Dimensions: 299 x 209 x 21.8 mm
- Weight: 1.4 Kg
- Operating System: Windows 8.1, 64-bit
- Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, LAN
- Price (as of July 2016): $299 to $399 (depending on RAM)
Key Differences: Tablet vs. Laptop
The following table highlights the general differences between tablets and laptops:
Specifications | Tablet | Laptop |
---|---|---|
Definition | A touchscreen device that runs a smartphone-based OS and relies on applications to provide user needs and perform major functions. It performs the same tasks as a laptop. | A mobile computing device that relies on one or more wireless standards for communication. Laptops are categorized into two types: larger, heavier models with better performance, and thinner, lighter models with better battery life. |
Size of Screen | Smaller, typically 7 or 10 inches. | Larger, typically 15 or 17 inches. |
Weight | Light, usually 1 to 2 pounds. | Heavy, usually 5 to 8 pounds. |
Storage | Limited, usually 8-64 GBytes. | More storage, usually 320 GBytes to 1 TBytes. |
Speed | Slower if single-core processors are used. | Faster, typically using multi-core processors. |
Battery | Longer, usually 5-9 Hours. | Shorter, usually 1-3 Hours. |
Keyboard | On-screen keyboard. | Full-sized physical keyboard. |
CD/DVDs | Not available. | Included in most laptops. |
Connectivity | None or a limited number of ports available for external device connectivity. | Multiple USB ports, HDMI, and other ports are available for external device connectivity. |
Security, Malware | Smaller risk. | Greater risk. |
Cost | About $149 to $999 based on features and manufacturer. | About $499 to $1399 based on features and manufacturer. |
Applications | Limited; some regular PC (desktop) programs are not available or compliant with tablets. | A large selection of fully functional applications is available. |
Ideal Use Cases | • Travelling people who would like to enjoy playing games, watching movies, listening music, web browsing etc. while on the go. • People who would like to always connect with their families and friends using social media apps. • People having need of less computing resources as fun. | • People in need of more computing resources. • People who prefer uncluttered workspaces. |
Conclusion
This article provided a basic comparison of tablet and laptop devices, highlighting the differences between the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet and the Lenovo Yoga 300 laptop.
The choice between a tablet and a laptop depends on individual needs and priorities. Some tablets offer features comparable to laptops. Ideally, one should purchase such a tablet. The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet, for instance, provides almost all the functionalities of a laptop.