What is A Tablet PC?

Top view of a woman using a tablet computer in her living room

Tablet PCs, personal computers that are of a small, "tablet" size (generally the size of a paper notebook) and featuring a touchscreen, are incredibly popular among college students and businesspeople alike, but there are a few things to know about tablet PCs before deciding to purchase one.

Benefits

A tablet PC is a smaller version of a PC with all of the features of a PC. The very small size of a PC is one major benefit; it does not take up a great deal of space when traveling and is not heavy or bulky. This makes a tablet PC great for students and people who frequently travel due to work.

Drawbacks

Because of the small size of a tablet PC, it is often less comfortable to work with. Keyboards for a tablet PC are often smaller than for a full-sized laptop or PC, and the small screen can create some discomfort on the eyes. In addition, the small size and lack of more complex visual and audio software means that using a Tablet PC for audio, video or gaming functions is not ideal.

Brands

Several brands specialize in tablet PCs. Dell, a popular brand of computers, offers its own tablet PC brand. Sony and Fujitsu are also strong brands in the field. While HP was one of the first to offer tablet PCs, they have now discontinued the tablet PC and stopped making new models.

Check out websites that compare tablet PC pricing for the best deals.

When buying any computer, it is important to take into account what you need the computer for and how much you can spend. While tablet PCs are portable and convenient when you travel and need constant computer access, they are not ideal if you are looking for high-level graphics or sound.

Tablet PCs are portable and convenient when you travel