Whats the difference??

Whats the difference between a tablet and a laptop, aside from the obvious lack of a keyboard?

Isn't a tablet just a laptop without the keyboard?

Which one is better?   

Well that completely depends on the Tablet in question. Are we talking about a Microsoft Surface running Windows 10, or a Samsung Tablet running Android? The latter is basically a large Android phone, while the former is basically a laptop that can be separated from the base. For example, the computer I'm using right now is a Surface Pro. I can press a button and release the screen from the keyboard and walk away with it - then it goes into Tablet mode. It still runs Windows 10 Pro, and when sat at my desk in it's docking station, runs 3 monitors and acts as if it were a normal laptop.

Which one is better is subjective. Do you want a device you can use as a laptop computer, or simply a large phone. One costs significantly more, but it depends a lot on what you want your device to do.

Edited by C0bra, 26 May 2020 - 09:59 AM.

Well that completely depends on the Tablet in question. Are we talking about a Microsoft Surface running Windows 10, or a Samsung Tablet running Android? The latter is basically a large Android phone, while the former is basically a laptop that can be separated from the base. For example, the computer I'm using right now is a Surface Pro. I can press a button and release the screen from the keyboard and walk away with it - then it goes into Tablet mode. It still runs Windows 10 Pro, and when sat at my desk in it's docking station, runs 3 monitors and acts as if it were a normal laptop.

 

Which one is better is subjective. Do you want a device you can use as a laptop computer, or simply a large phone. One costs significantly more, but it depends a lot on what you want your device to do.

Thats what I'm trying to work out.  All I've ever had is a desktop.

Lately I've been thinking about a laptop, but then I saw the thread on tablets and I was just wondering what the difference is, if any, and why would someone need a tablet vs a laptop?

A traditional tablet would be something I'd own if I wanted to play phone games, read books, browse the web, check emails, visit social media, and watch videos/movies on a much larger screen than my phone, while not being limited to where I could do all of it. The laptop is for most of the same reasons, but you want it to also be a computer. The Surface Pro that I mentioned is a decent middle ground to the two.

Hope that helps some! 

Edited by C0bra, 27 May 2020 - 06:34 AM.

One thing you may well find restricting after spending time on desktops is the size of the screen !  I have a moderately large smart phone which I do not use a lot because I find doing much more than texting is like looking through a keyhole. Even the 13" screen on the laptop I use from time to time is 'small'.

Having said that, they both win out on portability. Dragging a desktop around is not practical !

Chris Cosgrove

If you ask me, there is a huge difference between a laptop and tablet. I own a couple of laptops and tablets and use them for a specific work on a regular basis. The purpose of owning it will be completely dependent on your job or personal requirements.

If you are into video streaming and simple browsing, a tablet should be more than enough. But if you are working on certain exclusive business applications or using it for gaming then you should stick with a laptop. All the graphics and processor intense activities can be handled efficiently only with the help of a tablet.

May I ask you what kind of work you are planning on performing using a tablet or laptop? I look forward to helping you better.

Edited by satineeraj, 04 August 2020 - 11:31 PM.

I feel I must correct some of satineeraj's points -

6 -  On many modern laptops the battery is not easily removed.

7 -  Many modern laptops do not have a CD/DVD drive either.

8 - Laptop hardware is not normally upgradeable, it is usually possible to add more RAM and fit a larger hard drive.

9 - Almost every laptop has an SD card slot which, with the appropriate adapter, can take any of the smaller cards. This is useful for transferring data but, in view of the typically much higher data storage capacity of most laptops, is not necessary for adding storage capacity as it often is in tablets.

Another area of difference which may be important is that of connectivity. Tablets usually have either one micro USB or 1 USB C connector. Laptops usually have 2 or 3 USB A connectors of which now one will usually be a charging port and one USB 3. Laptops will also usually have an ethernet port and an HDMI video out port.

Chris Cosgrove

thanks @chris Cosgrove