Laptop sales are on a downward spiral of decline, following a rise in popularity of the tablet PC. This trend looks set to sharpen and continue throughout 2012 with the Apple iPad, BlackBerry PlayBook, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus dominating a market once ruled by laptops. So how significant is the increase of tablets at the expense of laptops? And why are so many people choosing the former over the latter?
According to recent findings by polling firm YouGov, 7% of iPad owners bought theirs as a replacement for laptops, rising to 11% with Galaxy owners. All in all, a noteworthy 16% of those intending to buy tablets were planning on doing so at the expense of laptops. Another telling statistic is that without the iPad, Apple wouldn’t even break into the top five of global PC manufacturers. Here, we look at the features of tablet computers that make them more attractive than their laptop counterparts.
Portability
Users can carry their device with them anywhere they go. While tablets are bigger than smartphones, they are a lot lighter and take up much less space than most small laptops, making them particularly useful for those who are always on the road. It does not matter why you are travelling; most operational systems nowadays are a lot more stable and reliable, which means you can use your device for either business or entertainment.
Customization
There is always something new available. Tablet PCs allow users the great advantage of customization and personalization. All the main operational systems have a huge number of apps, widgets and software that can transform your device and enable it to do whatever you like – from currency exchange calculators to news reading applications and social media, such as Foursquare or Facebook download.
Productivity
Of course tablets are not the ideal devices for typing up long text documents; however, they provide the perfect on-the-go device for education or business, allowing you to read documents, make small edits and send emails, not mentioning the huge range of productivity apps that have been produced, from budgeting to calendars and conference calling.
Extended battery life
A powerful battery life is without a doubt one of the main advantages of tablet devices. The battery of a laptop typically lasts from three to four hours when not plugged to a power source, while a tablet can easily work for up to 10 hours. New tablet releases constantly improve on battery life.
Affordability
A new Tablet PC costs an average of US $500, while an ultrabook laptop (the lightest laptop on the market) costs an average of US $1,000. As the functionality of tablet computers increases, consumers are less willing to fork out the extra cost for a laptop that offers little more than extra bulk and less convenience.
Considering the portability and connectivity these gadgets allow, their huge success is no surprise. With such an extensive range of services and support available for tablet users, it is fairly simple to take advantage of all the functions these devices have to offer. Why not check out an iPad, Nexus or Playbook review to find out more?
Nice!! yes, Tablet computers proved to be an especially bright spot for Verizon Communications in the first quarter of 2012, as the technology helped lift the company’s revenue 4.6 percent year over year to $28.2 billion.
There is no doubt that Tablet PC’s are gaining more popularity and as a result laptops sale going down. There is hardly any drawback in Tablet PC and that’s why people are buying it in place of laptops.
The first and main reason I love to use tablet pc is the portability. It is easy to bring from place to place rather than taking a laptop
You’re right at some extent, but to me tablet is just for fun, we cant do comparison of both, Both have their functionality and use.
I have always been a desktop or laptop person but in the last couple of years I have been using my Ipad and smartphone more and more. I like the portability of the iPad as I need something I can take to a customers and the battery life on my iPad for example can be days compared to my laptops 2-3 hours. The only downside of tablets for me is the productivity suites. For example I could but it is a lot of hassle for me personally to do invoices and documents on tablets so I have to refer back to my laptop. Great post
Hi Laura,
I love tablet look and elegant style. What do you think which one is more suitable for a blogger to work on a laptop or a tablet? I reluctant about tablet battery life that when we purchased it, it’s battery life is good no doubt but how long it provide good chargeabilty after being purchased.
I still prefer laptop for working and i can still bring it anywhere i want to continue my work.
Ipad is for fun and socializing.
It’s odd! Tablets, in my view cannot replace laptops yet! Nobody carries around a tablet to read stuff, but to work on documents or some such stuff and tablets are yet to match strides with laptops in that regard. Tablets have their own charm and are a good way to kill time when you are traveling alone or socializing with friends. Me, I’ll have both thank you 🙂
I don’t know if tablets are sturdier than laptops, but I definitely see more people carrying them around, and letting their kids play with their tablets in public (in waiting rooms, during older child’s sports, etc.)
Really? I am still not convinced that I need a tablet and will not give up my macbook pro so easily… yeas tablets seem like nifty gadgets, but at this point in time I don’t think they are necessary 🙂
The massive issue with tablets that still puts me off buying one is that you simply can’t do complicated task on it without feeling frustrated. Tablets are good for the really basic tasks such as ‘writing an article’, but if you want to do anything else on a leadership website like mine, good luck!
Laptop sales are on a downward spiral of decline, following a rise in popularity of the tablet PC. This trend looks set to sharpen and continue throughout 2012 with the Apple iPad, BlackBerry PlayBook, and Samsung Galaxy Nexus dominating a market once ruled by laptops. And also, using this kind of gadgets it is very elegant and stylish.