In the recent few years, both laptops and tablets have gained a huge boost in popularity in work environments. Thanks to the advancements in technology tablets and laptops have come a long way since their introduction in workplaces.
There’s a huge debate among laptop or tablet users that their device of choice is much more suited for work compared to the alternative. In this article, I’ll discuss tablet vs laptop, why you might choose one over the other, and which one would be best for you.
Tablet vs Laptop: Which One is Better to Choose?
Why Should You Choose a Tablet for Work?
Tablets are very portable, has lots of features, are affordable, and are great for carrying around. If you are in a position where you move a lot and need a functional device with you to stay connected then tablets are your best bet.
One of the most attractive reasons for choosing a tablet is its affordability. Tablets cost less than laptops but they offer many functions. A working tablet may be found for a little less than $200. More advanced tablets can still be very inexpensive while providing more capability than more basic versions.
According to Tony from RayPCB, “There’s a fine margin between affordability and features. Tablets can easily fill in that gap with their affordable pricing & functionality.”
He also added that he prefers tablets over a laptop for work. he has to travel, so he doesn’t have a desk all the time. He normally uses his laptop, but recently has been using his tablet, and it is much more convenient to carry around.
Why Should You Choose a Laptop for Work?
A laptop is definitely your best bet if you need to do a lot of typing or operate many software applications at the same time. A tablet is ideal if you only require a device for browsing the internet, keeping up with the news, or relaxing with your favorite movie. If you can only afford one gadget, a laptop is the best option.
Budget laptops are the same price as mid-tier tablets, but they have far more capabilities. Tablets are mostly used for browsing the internet, reading e-books, playing games, listening to music, and other passive activities.
Laptops, on the other hand, are designed for productivity, which includes document creation, email transmission, and the use of powerful software. There are also hybrid laptops, often known as convertible laptops, that can be used as tablets to give you the best of both worlds.
According to Grant Lukin from Nimble, “Choosing between a laptop and tablet comes down to one’s specific needs and liking. I personally prefer to use laptops for work more than tables. Although both of these devices are extremely portable, I find that tablets lack a bit in performance compared to laptops.”
He also added that he likes the feel of a physical keyboard when using his device. Tablets on the other hand can have physical keyboards but it’s usually an extra thing to carry around. There are certain tasks that require software that is only available to PC/laptops which makes it quite hard for him to switch to a tablet.
Laptop vs Tablet: A Brief Comparison
Considering all the advantages and disadvantages of a tablet or laptop, I’ve broken down the features into five categories for a better comparison. Here are the selling points for these devices points:
Size and Portability
Tablets are smaller and lighter than laptops, despite the fact that both are portable. They’re small enough to fit into a magazine-sized handbag or carry on their own. On the other hand, laptops tend to be a little bigger in size which might not be as portable as a tablet. Especially if you need something that is performance heavy they can be bulky and hard to carry around.
An average laptop will weigh somewhere around 2 and 8 pounds. Whereas average tablets weigh around 0.8 to 1.5 pounds. If you travel a lot it can be a huge plus point to own a tablet.
Storage and Performance
When it comes to accessing the web, checking email, and viewing videos, both tablets and laptops function admirably. However, when it comes to more sophisticated tasks or multitasking, laptops begin to outperform desktop computers.
Laptops have more internal memory, which means you can save more documents, photographs, videos, etc. Also, most laptops will have the option to change your hard drive which can be a great way to expand your storage.
Tablets may not have as much internal capacity as laptops, but if you need more space for documents and data, you can use online storage services like OneDrive and Google Drive, or purchase an external hard drive. But they’ll add up to your additional costs.
Accessibility
Accessibility features on most devices include the ability to use a screen reader to convert text to speech, modify the font or display size, use voice to control specific tasks, utilize a braille display or enhance the sound, and pair hearing aids.
The accessibility settings or software are available on both laptops and tablets, allowing you to select options that suit your needs. The available options will be determined by the device.
However, tablets are more geared towards mobile experience and have much better accessibility options compared to laptops.
Wireless Connectivity
Standard tablets and laptops are equivalent in terms of wireless (Wi-Fi) speeds and capabilities. Tablets with built-in cellular data connectivity functions are an extra advantage.
Also, tablets can support sim cards which can be used for phone calls and texts. In this category, tablets have a slight advantage over laptops in terms of wireless connectivity.
Inputs and Functionality
Laptop typically has a physical keyboard attached to it. There are also other options for touch inputs in certain models. If you love the feel of a physical keyboard and want to use the keyboard you will have a much better experience with a laptop.
If you want to use your tablet for typing you should consider getting a wireless keyboard to keep up with your needs.
But If you need to take quick notes and like the feel of a pen then tablets are great in that section. A the end of the day it all comes down to your needs.
Tablet vs Laptop: Verdict
In general, if you need to do something more than read emails and social networks, view movies, and play games, you should select a laptop over a tablet. Even if the task consists just of producing Microsoft Office documents, laptops are superior for genuine work. Most laptops are more powerful and have more internal storage than tablets.
There is far more software available for laptops than tablets and more file compatibility for documents, music, photos, videos, and more. It is arguable that laptops provide a superior web-browsing experience than tablets, particularly given that Adobe no longer supports Flash on tablets and other mobile devices.
