When Steve Jobs ended years of speculation in 2010 by announcing the introduction and features of Apple’s iPad tablet, he assisted in beginning a new era in computer technology. While tablet PCs have been around for years, the iPad was the first device to use the form factor successfully in the consumer oriented market. And Apple’s success benefited other companies as well as tech enthusiasts who looked forward to advanced devices from the firm.
So what exactly is a tablet? If you were to split open a tablet computer to take a look inside, you’d notice three things very quickly. First, you've just voided your warranty! Second, the manufacturer has packed all the tablet’s components together to create a convenient, compact and efficient fit. And third, most of the components you’ll see are similar to what you’d find in a standard computer. At its most basic level, a tablet PC is a portable, light weight and compact sized computing device that’s 3 to 4 times larger than a smart phone or personal digital assistant. There’s no strictly specified size for tablets. For example, the iPad line supports a screen size of just under 10 inches but other tablets can be a little larger or smaller. However, Apple introduced the mini iPad recently and the physical differences between the iPad Mini and its compete products may seem small because it weighs about 3 ounces, less than the Kindle Fire HD, and 1 ounce less than the Nexus 7.
In 2010, Lenovo introduced a prototype device called the IdeaPad U1 at the Consumer Electronics Show in U.S. At the first glance, it looked like a normal laptop. But if you remove the screen from the base, the laptop converted into a tablet computer with its own SELF-DETERMINING operating system. Lenovo re branded the device, naming it the Lenovo LePad and launched it in China in 2011.
Although tablets come in a variety of shapes, sizes and features, they share many similar characteristics. Nearly all have a touch-screen interface and an operating system capable of running several applications programs. They do not necessarily replace the need for a more robust computer, but they create a new and unique space for computing devices.
There are many uses of tablets. For example, if you are a frequent traveler, by using a tablet as your travel planner, you can check out photographs and reviews of your destination, as well as the availability and costs of flights, car rental, hotels, restaurants, insurance, and any number of activities required by you or your family anytime with its mobile facility! When you get there, things seem more convenient as you can use your tablet to navigate your tour in an organized way. With a tablet you will also become a shopping guru. If there’s a bargain within a hundred miles, you’ll sniff it out using the latest shopping apps. Armed with a 3G Internet connection, you can scan barcodes and check prices in a store and then compare prices with other suppliers nearby.
These easy to carry and user friendly portable computing devices give you full control over the maneuvering, its features and applications. By using your finger tip or a stylus, you can directly touch the screen to make steering the tab, browsing or gaming more interactive. And the hands-on approach provides a more tactile experience than a mouse for drawing and illustrations. Compared to laptops, these products are much smaller. Most tablets offer anywhere from a 7-inch to a 10-inch display screen and weigh less than 1 pound. You can store all your favorite music, capture photos or videos, use video chat and even read books on their built-in eReaders.
Tablet PCs have given a whole new dimension to computing and technology, and the companies manufacturing these tablets are coming up with new technologies and add-ons that are to be incorporated in these devices. At the same time, a laptop refuses to fade away and there has also been a lot of advancement in its features as well.