The ancient computer with an oversized CPU and a colossal desktop seems to have been replaced by every technology, and it’s not a new thing that so many technologies are arriving on the market each day.
But which one to buy, more importantly, which one is right for you? – is the big question hitting everyone these days?
The same tussle continues between laptops and tablets. Tablets seem more advanced than laptops, but honestly speaking, both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Laptops are the mini version of the computer, which is a good substitute for all the great things a computer can do.
The Tablet, even if it is such a modern tool, fails to be such an excellent device for computing data, but hey, this opinion does not mean that tablets are less advanced than laptops in doing tasks.
However, when it comes to being portable and mobile, no one can deny that tablets can be taken everywhere, literally anywhere and everywhere!
Looking back at history, laptops were invented a short while after the invention of computers with the sole purpose of making computers portable. It all started in the 1970s, and The Osborne 1 was the first mobile computer founded by Adam Osborne.
However, the history of tablets is a bit complex. It was first thought to have been invented in 1989 by Jeff Hawkins, the founder of Palm Computing, who made it for the military.
Interestingly, the first tablets were made not for computing data but for recognizing handwritten characters by analyzing handwriting motions.
So, if you are pondering whether to buy a laptop or a tablet, this article is just for you!
Table of Contents
Pros of Laptop
1. High-performing processors
Laptops have high-performing processors with an extensive enough cooling system and the capability to run multiple programs simultaneously.
Laptops, like computers, can function efficiently and conduct multiple tasks with multiple files simultaneously.
2. Greater storage capacity
Unlike tablets, laptops have a high storage capacity because laptops use traditional hard drives.
Laptops can have as much as 1 Terabyte or 1000 Gigabytes, giving the users plenty of room to store all the files, images, and videos.
The laptop storage system is way more straightforward than that of a tablet. Even though tablets make it possible to expand storage, it is more complex than laptops, in which you can connect to external hard drives for additional content storage.
3. A physically attached keyboard
One of the key benefits of working on laptops is the well-fitting and robust keyboard. This keyboard provides an easy and ergonomic typing experience for its users.
Whether typing a long word document or making a presentation, the keyboards on a laptop help perform the job at its finest.
Similarly, laptops allow users to use a mouse when trackpad navigation fails to work. This facility, even if present, is usually not so feasible in tablets.
4. Big Screen (Average size about- 15.6″)
Tablets are so small that they could also fit in the pockets. However, the big screen experience is not present in the Tablet, while in laptops, the average screen size ranges to about 15.6″, which is good enough to watch a movie or a video, or for normal tasks.
The laptop screens are similar to computers; the only difference is that they are smaller and more portable than desktops.
5. Proper cooling system
Like the cooling system of the CPU in computers, the cooling system of laptops is top-notch! This means your tablets have a higher chance of getting overheated and damaged compared to cooler laptops with better work life.
6. Multiple USB ports, memory cards, and cable ports
Laptops provide you with a broader range of options for using different ports for USB and cable. This facility is so limited to tablets.
Only a few tablets don’t have ports for any connection except for charging and earphone.
Cons of Laptop
1. Heaviness of laptop
You will prefer to carry your Tablet in your bag rather than your laptop, and we all know why. Laptops are heavy due to their heavy battery, thicker superstructures, and bigger fans.
Laptops are way heavier than tablets, requiring a larger bag pack or work bags to fit them due to their large size.
2. Expense
Laptops are expensive. Due to their higher quality software and beautifully crafted hardware, we cannot deny that laptops are way more expensive than tablets.
As the price of a phone or a tablet could be in the same range, the price of laptops and computers always seems way higher.
3. Often, less battery life
Even if laptops use a heavier power source to function, the battery life of a laptop is comparatively less than that of a tablet.
This reason is the main hindrance for people who have to work for longer hours in remote areas.
The battery life is so minimal that people have to carry the charger where they go, so even if laptops are portable, it is tough to work with laptops while away from the office.
4. Needing more repair
Laptops are a bit more complex than tablets, which work on minimum software and hardware. A tablet can be reset if it’s not functioning well, but a repair process can be painstaking for laptops.
5. More vulnerable to viruses
Viruses are designed to attack computer software, and laptops have higher chances of getting attacked as they share common ground with computer software.
Therefore, it would be wiser to get anti-virus software while buying a laptop. While virus attack is not so prone to tablets, anti-virus apps can also be downloaded online.
6. Camera quality
If you are buying a laptop for clicking more photographs and using the camera, you might as well think otherwise and think of using other options!
The cameras for the laptops are designed just for video calls. Therefore, the quality is not up to the mark.
If you are considering getting a device with good camera quality, it would be wiser to choose a tablet instead of a laptop.
Pros of Tablet
1. Portable
Tablets are very portable, and like a small diary or a book, they can be carried anywhere you go.
They do not require a special bag or a big briefcase to be carried around, as most tablets are so thin and light that they can easily fit in your pocket. For frequent travelers carrying a tablet is mostly the better option.
2. Better battery life
Even though tablets have smaller batteries, they have a comparatively longer battery life than laptops.
As the battery life is longer, tablets do not need to be charged frequently like laptops, preventing the hectic job of carrying the charger everywhere you go.
3. Less expensive
Tablets have fewer features, due to which it is cheaper than laptops. The laptops could cost up to $3000, while the cheapest functional tablets could cost less than $200.
Moreover, even the excellent quality tablets are more affordable and can offer more functions than the basic models.
4. Less prone to viruses
Viruses are designed for computer software, and the Tablet does not resemble the computer software much. Tablets are less prone to virus attacks.
Compared to laptops, the data in tablets are much more protected and safer from the reach of viruses.
Laptops work in a closed system, so the system is unlikely to catch malware. Thus, a tablet is a great option for business cases as it has a built-in security feature.
5. Good camera quality
Like mobile phones, the quality of cameras on tablets is quite admirable. This camera comes both in selfie mode and back camera and is on par with leading smartphones in the market.
While traveling, tablets are a good option as you can do your work and take high-quality photos simultaneously.
6. Better screen for gameplay and e-books
Many tablets are designed for gaming. Even if your smartphones have given up on functioning during the game, your Tablet will stay put.
Be it for gameplay or reading e-books, and tablets are better options than your mobile phones (due to their bigger screen) and far better options than your laptops (due to being more portable).
Cons of Laptop
1. A missing physical keyboard
Most tablets do not come with a keyboard. The keyboard needs to be bought as an accessory for using it with a tablet.
Due to this fact, a well-fitting keyboard for the Tablet is very difficult to find, and even if you find it, it is not so feasible to use and is sure to affect your work effectiveness.
Moreover, tablets have touch screen keyboards, which makes it very difficult to type the required documents and is not practicable for working.
2. Reduced functionality of “computer” software
Using Microsoft documents and software on a tablet is very cumbersome. Similarly, it becomes quite painstaking when it comes to making a presentation, typing a document, or making a Microsoft sheet.
Furthermore, tablets are better equipped for gaming, apps, and e-books and not so advanced for running computer software.
3. Multitasking is difficult
Laptops allow you to open multiple folders and work on multiple documents simultaneously without overworking.
In contrast, tablets are not so efficient when multitasking and have more chances of overworking and overheating.
4. Less accessibility for connecting external storage devices (like USB ports)
Compared to laptops, tablets have fewer ports, and some do not have ports or cables. Because fewer ports are available, there is less opportunity to connect multiple devices, slowing down the work.
5. More resemblance to a smartphone rather than a computer
Smartphones have baby software or rather primitive software for functioning, due to which they cannot do advanced work like a laptop. The same goes for tablets.
Even though they are larger than phones and have bigger screens with more features, they have primitive software resembling smartphones more than computers.
Both devices are pretty advanced, and both serve their own function. There is no better or not-so-good reason for using a specific device, as both are good in their own ways.
So, a laptop is probably best for you if you are looking for a device to help you do a large amount of typing or work with multiple software applications simultaneously.
However, if you are looking for a device that helps you browse the internet, catch up on the news, use social media, and watch your favorite movies- it’s a wiser option to choose a tablet.
(Last Updated on September 22, 2022)
