Tablets - or in the long form also tablet computers - are now widespread. These are very flat computers that have a display with a touchscreen function. Tablets are practically smartphones, only in significantly larger sizes and often without a telephone function. In the following tipps + tricks article, we will tell you more about this topic.
What is a tablet
A tablet is a small, mobile computer. The regular scope of delivery does not include a mouse and keyboard, because a tablet has a touchscreen. All input is done with the touch of a finger or a swipe of the finger. But if you are longing for a keyboard, most devices can be equipped with a detachable keyboard. This is connected to the tablet, but can also be removed again.
Common operating systems for tablets are Android, iOS and Windows. Which operating system is used depends on the manufacturer. Apple's iPad naturally runs on iOS, while Samsung devices use Android, for example. The Surface developed by Microsoft is operated accordingly with Windows.
A tablet can be seen as a "computer light". Many normal apps and programs run on it without any problems. This includes an Internet browser, office, and mailing programs. Tablets are also perfect for reading. To do this, you can download an eBook software and then access your books on the go. It doesn't matter whether it's the novel on the train or the cookbook in the kitchen. In addition, images and videos can be viewed and edited using a tablet PC. Would you like to watch your favorite streaming provider in bed? No problem, this works too. A tablet can therefore be used in many ways.
By the way: You can also access the Internet with a tablet when you are out and about. Most tablets have a slot for a SIM card. Similar to a smartphone, you can place a SIM from a cellular provider there. Most tablet PCs do not allow you to make calls with them, but they can still access mobile Internet data. For example, you can comfortably surf the web with your tablet on long train journeys - even if the train does not have WiFi at all..
What are the differences to other types of devices?
Now that we have clarified what a tablet PC is and what it can do, we now come to what it is not: A tablet PC is not the same as a notebook, home computer or smartphone.
In contrast to a home computer, a tablet is significantly less powerful. While the desktop computer can have high-performance processes such as games running at the same time as Office, communication tools and the Internet browser, this is not so easy with the tablet. Not only is the hard disk space smaller, but there is usually also less memory available. Compared to notebooks, modern tablets are better off: some of the latest generation devices are even more powerful than one or the other notebook. So if you need a computer mainly for office and e-mail, a tablet with an additional keyboard is sufficient. If you are looking forward to larger gaming sessions,you should consider purchasing a desktop computer or a home console.
In comparison to the smartphone, the first thing you notice is the size. Most tablets are about the size of an A5 or A4 page. Smartphones, on the other hand, should generally still be small enough to fit in your pocket. There is hardly any difference between the two device types in terms of app usage. The biggest difference lies in telecommunications: while both devices can be equipped with a SIM card, not all tablets have telephony and SMS transmission. You can use your smartphone to make phone calls using a SIM card, as well as send SMS and MMS messages. This is also the case with some tablets, but not with all. A SIM card in the tablet usually only provides a connection to the mobile Internet.