Why to consider getting a tablet computer to supplement your desktop PC
After seeing the popularity of Apple’s iPad tablet computer which was released earlier this year, manufacturers have been scurrying to release many new tablets to compete with the iPad and Amazon’s Kindle e-reader. By this holiday season there should be many tablet computers to choose from, at minimum most featuring the ability to read books and go to internet web pages on-the-go. More advanced devices will stream video, let you write documents, and just about everything that a regular computer can do – all on a 7-10″ portable touch-screen device. Tablet computers have come a long way since the days of the Palm Pilot.
Some advantages of getting a tablet computer to supplement your desktop computer include:
• Instant-on: You rarely need to turn-off a tablet computer since they don’t make noise or use the energy of a desktop computer. When you want to start using a tablet you simply press a button to bring it out of a stand-by power state, and it’s ready to use.
• Portable: With most tablets running from 7-10″ screen sizes, they are very portable and light-weight – some lighter than the popular netbook computers of last holiday season which feature a physical keyboard and no touch-screen. Most tablets have built-in wi-fi radios which let them connect to the internet via wi-fi hotspots which are common in the home, coffee shops, restaurants and airports. Some tablets also include a 3G cellular radio which let them connect to the internet via cell sites with monthly service plans provided by AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc.
• A back-up computer: Tablet computers have become very powerful and cost effective to use as a back-up computer should your main desktop computer fail. With a tablet computer you can still use e-mail and the internet, and do on-line banking while you wait for your Computer Technician to arrive.
• Apps and fun: Because of the smaller screen size than desktop computers, developers have designed apps (aka applications) that utilize the smaller screen size to show web content, games and utilities. Many newspapers are moving towards delivery of their media via tablet apps, as are books. There are tens-of-thousands useful apps for just about anything you could think of doing on a portable computer.
Tablet computers also let you send and receive e-mail, store contact information, play music and video and view photo albums. Some devices even let you take pictures and video, and use it as a large screen GPS device.
For reviews of tablet computers, click to visit the following web sites:
PC World – Tablet Computer Reviews
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