Can a Tablet Replace Your Laptop?

Tablets and laptops are usually used by different types of people. Obviously, if you are playing graphic-intensive games, or running very power-hungry multitasking software.

But if the only thing you do on your computer is play basic games, run basic word processing software, or browse the internet, you may be able to get away with upgrading to a tablet instead of a laptop.

Pros and Cons of a Laptop

There are many advantages to using a laptop over a tablet. One of these advantages may be productivity. Sure, while a tablet can run word processing software and can be a great device to take notes on, laptops are better for larger projects or more demanding software. 

Another advantage of using a laptop is the keyboard and mouse controls, instead of using a touch interface. A keyboard and mouse allow you to do a lot of stuff you could never even dream of doing on a tablet, like writing full essays. 

However, laptops tend to be bulky. While yes, a 17 inch screen is good for a lot of things, it's not very good to have when you need to take your work with you on a trip out of town or go on a long drive. 

This is where a tablet comes in. 

Pros and Cons of a Tablet

Tablets are made for providing portability, without giving up screen real estate. This means that you can do a lot more (like edit spreadsheets) on the go. And if you do decide to get an external keyboard, it makes the whole productivity process a lot easier. 

Tablets also have a longer battery life. Most tablets run on Android or iOS, which are both significantly less power-hungry than Windows and Sierra or MacOS. Even if your tablets battery capacity starts to wither away, you can use the same external battery pack you would use for your phone, and not have to buy one specifically for a special port (or not have one entirely). On a side note, this also means that tablets can boot faster than their Windows and Mac counterparts.

However, some tablet keyboards are so small that they are not comfortable to type on (or require a lot of getting used to). Also, not all tablets have support for mice or USB ports, which may be a necessity to you depending on what you need to be able to do on the tablet. 

The Bottom Line 

Both of these devices are good for different things, but since most people don't play graphic-intensive games and run simulations on their computers, a tablet will be your best bet due to its amazing portability and its long lifespan.