A tablet is a laptop.
Tablet is a term in the English language that is not part of the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ). The concept can be translated as tablet , although the meanings of this notion mentioned by the RAE do not coincide with the current meaning.
A tablet, in short, is a portable computer (computer) larger than a smartphone but, generally, smaller than a netbook . It is characterized by having a touch screen : this means that to use the tablet you do not need a mouse or keyboard.
Tablet formats
There are various tablet formats. The most popular measure between 8 and 12 inches and have a virtual keyboard , although it is possible to add a physical keyboard through a USB or Bluetooth connection.
There are also tablets that have a rotating physical keyboard or one that is hidden behind the screen. Other similar devices, such as booklets and phablets , also feature different keyboard layouts.
The popularity of the tablet multiplied starting in 2010 , when Apple launched the iPad . Currently a large number of manufacturers, such as Samsung , Asus , Google , Microsoft , HP and Sony , have presented their own tablets.
The tablets have a touch screen.
Uses of these devices
The tablet is usually considered a device for browsing the Internet , accessing multimedia content and playing games. On the other hand, these equipment are not usually used for professional purposes.
With a tablet, it is possible to listen to music , watch movies, take photographs, make video conferences and read e-books, to name just a few possibilities. As points against, we must mention the discomfort in using the virtual keyboard and the lack of ergonomics.
What to analyze when buying a tablet
There are many models that currently exist on the market for this type of technological devices since their demand has experienced a notable increase in recent times. Hence, sector experts have established a series of recommendations or advice so that citizens can buy the tablet that best suits their needs:
-The price . Unquestionably, one of the first aspects to look at is its value, so that you can acquire one that fits the economy you have. Thus, the low-end ones will be more affordable for any budget, while the medium or high-end ones will no longer be within reach of everyone.
-The size of the screen . Likewise, you must also pay attention to this factor, on which its final price will of course depend: models that have a larger screen size, between 8.4 and 10, will be more expensive. To choose the appropriate dimensions, you have to think about what you want the tablet for, since if it is only for reading or to take with you when traveling, one between 7 and 8 inches is more than enough.
-The operating system . Depending on what you are used to using on computers or mobile phones, as well as thinking about the services each one offers, you will have to choose between an Android tablet, with iOS, with Fire OS or with Windows, for example.
-The storage capacity and Internet connection you have are also aspects to take into account.
Hybrid products
As mentioned in a previous paragraph, there are keyboards designed specifically for tablets, as well as tablets that have their own keyboards, such as the acclaimed Asus Transformer line or the expensive Microsoft Surface , two clear examples of how far technology has come. Both product families offer the complete experience of a laptop, plus the comforts of a tablet, such as a touch screen, lower weight and the ability to use them in any orientation.
The arrival on the market of these hybrid products and their derivatives changed the perception that people had of the tablet, and led many to adopt it as a work tool, especially in positions that do not require great processing power. Although Microsoft's Surface is offered in models with components of capacity and power that challenge the limits of desktop computers, the same is not true of the competition, which is why normal tablets are more suitable for writing tasks . , among others not very demanding.
Although there are laptop computers with a touch screen and features similar to those of a tablet, the latter represents a tempting alternative given its lower cost and greater versatility when it comes to transporting it. Additionally, advances in processor technology allow more powerful models to run video games with acceptable performance.
The tablet and the laptop differ enough to coexist without endangering each other, since they do not target the same audience, or satisfy different needs of the same person. For example, there are several thousand dollar laptops that are specially assembled for the most demanding gamers, with several tens of gigabytes of RAM and latest generation graphics processors, and no tablet reaches this level of specifications.
The concept of tablet in our language
With respect to the term itself, it is important to note that it is an Anglicism, which is why the Fundación del Español Urgent recommends the use of the Spanish word tablet to refer to these portable devices .
On the other hand, this is not reflected in the media or in everyday speech, since the tablet continues to be the preferred option; As a curious fact, in Latin America it is used as a feminine noun, while in Spain , as a masculine noun.