Understanding Tablet PCs: Features and Components

This page explains what a typical tablet PC is and covers the basics, including its features and internal components. You’ll also find links to tablet PC manufacturers.

A tablet PC is a small, portable computer primarily operated by touching the screen with a finger. They’re usually palm-sized. You can also connect a keyboard and mouse, either wirelessly or via a USB port.

Here are some typical tablet PC features to consider when you’re buying one:

The figure below shows the basic components you’ll find inside a tablet PC.

Tablet Features:

• Size: Usually 7, 10, or 12 inches.
• Screen: Resistive or capacitive touch screen.
• Touch Technology: Palm recognition or multi-touch recognition.
• Wireless Connectivity: 2G, 3G, 4G (LTE), Wi-Fi, GPS.
• Interfaces: USB.
• Operating System: Android, iOS, QNX, Windows, BlackBerry.
• Battery: Should have a long battery life.
• Weight: Should be lightweight.
• Applications: Games, utilities, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, email browser support.
• Storage: Usually 16GB, 64GB, or more.
• RAM: 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB.
• Resolution: 1280 x 800 or 1024 x 768.
• Processor: Available from various companies with different speeds and core technologies (multi-core or single-core).
• Price: Should be affordable.

Tablet PC Manufacturers

Many companies manufacture tablets with the various features described above. The major companies include:

Apple, HP, HCL, HTC, Samsung, Google, Asus, Sony, Amazon, Research In Motion, Microsoft, Lenovo, Archos, Toshiba, etc.