Screen size(01 of09)
Open Image ModalMost of the largest tablets available have screen sizes of around 10 inches, because anything larger than that makes them too unwieldily to be a tablet. That’s fine if you’re just watching Netflix or browsing the web, while the smaller 7-inch form factor of smaller models like the iPad Mini are a more portable alternative. However, if you need to need a lot of screen real estate, say for viewing a large spreadsheet, working from several windows at once or simply to lessen the tiring effect on your eyes after a day’s work in front of your display, then a big screen - laptop, or desktop, is simply the only way to go. (credit:Getty)
You don’t want the kids playing on your main device(02 of09)
Open Image ModalWhile many devices offer numerous user profiles so that you can protect children from seeing any ‘sensitive’ content or deleting any important files, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you want them playing with the sole device that gives you access to all your important files, internet banking and photos.While you might be only too happy to hand over your tablet to keep the kids and their pals quietly entertained, we’re betting that you wouldn’t be quite so willing to hand it over if you didn’t have a reassuring laptop sitting in the background to handle the essentials.
Tablet software isn’t up to scratch just yet(03 of09)
Open Image ModalTablets generally run on different software to laptops - think of Apple’s OS X vs iOS - so the apps are different and can’t be run across both. With a tablet you’re reliant on apps for your software needs and while big brands like Photoshop have started to produce apps for mobile devices, they’re often pared down versions of the desktop versions with fewer functions. Microsoft tried to tackle this with the introduction of the touchscreen-optimised Windows 8, supposedly suited to both laptop and tablet. It’s fair to say that it slightly missed the mark though it was a step in the right direction. Another problem is websites that haven’t yet been optimised for mobile devices (and there a lot of them), which look absolutely terrible on tablet, making them very hard to use. Until these problems are resolved, the need for a laptop remains. (credit:iPads (iPad Air and iPad Mini))
Accessories are limited(04 of09)
Open Image ModalWe’re not saying that there are no accessories available for tablets - actually, there are a hell of a lot, but they are somewhat limited in range. Most of them come in the form of cases and add-on keyboards with a surprisingly varied spectrum of pricing and quality. There are plenty of excellent tablet keyboards around that can more or less replicate the feel of typing on a laptop. However, it gets more difficult when you’re looking for other add-ons. For example, most tablets don’t support the use of a mouse, mainly because you’re supposed to be using the touchscreen instead. But if you’re working on something complex like a spreadsheet, mouse control is far preferable. (credit:Microsoft Surface keyboards)
Hybrid devices are a mess(05 of09)
Open Image ModalMany manufacturers seem to be obsessed with the idea of combining the laptop and the tablet into one device that isn’t as good as either. There’s a good reason that the form factor of the laptop has stayed pretty much the same as long as it has. It just works. There are some decent hybrids around like Asus’ keyboard-toting tablets, but we still wouldn’t rely on them as a complete laptop replacement. While Microsoft’s latest Surface is promising in terms of power, the design still doesn’t offer as much flexibility as a laptop. Compared to earlier Surface models, it offers more options for setting the screen at different angles, but the three settings simply can’t compare to a traditional clamshell laptop, especially when working in a awkward spot in which there’s no suitable surface available to plonk your device. (credit:Microsoft Surface side view)
Tablet power is limited(06 of09)
Open Image ModalIf you’re into 3D gaming, then you’ll know that a serious gaming laptop (or desktop) is still the only option. While tablets are perfect for a simple game of Minecraft or Angry Birds, current models simply don’t possess a sufficient amount of graphics processing muscle to take care of high-end visuals. And it’s not just gaming - the same rule applies to any other power-hungry tasks like video editing and design, which in most cases are still reliant on the processing power that a laptop provides. While tablets are becoming increasingly powerful with each new generation of products, they still lag way behind laptops in the power stakes. (credit:Alienware 17 laptop)
Tablets can’t rival laptops for multitasking(07 of09)
Open Image ModalWhile tablet software has gradually evolved to enable more multitasking, generally speaking it’s still only possible to have a couple of apps open and actually visible and usable on screen at the same time, whereas it’s possible to have numerous programmes on the go on a laptop and easier to switch between them. This has a lot to do with the fact that laptop screens are generally bigger and the software doesn’t require touchscreen control, so your hands aren’t blocking the view. When it comes to ‘productivity’, or to put in in terms that people actually speak in - ‘actual work’, as opposed to messing about on the web, laptops still have a considerable edge over their tablet siblings. (credit:Getty)
Tablet connections are limited(08 of09)
Open Image ModalLaptops generally sport quite a few ports and while some of them may seem outdated, it’s important to remember that the whole world may not be as technically advanced as you are. Numerous hotels still require you to have an Ethernet port for a free internet connection and even on laptops that don’t have one, such as the MacBook Air, there’s a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor you can buy. But even that relies on having a full size USB port, which many tablets simply don’t have. Yes, manufacturers are moving towards wireless connections to other devices, and yes, cloud storage is on the rise, but until the entire world is wireless, sometimes you still need hard connections. (credit:Getty)
Money(09 of09)
Open Image ModalAs with most things in life, the tablet vs laptop debate boils down to money. Yes, you can probably get a tablet for less cash, but laptops give you more pound-for-pound value. Spending £500 on a laptop will get you far more ‘bang for your buck’ than spending the same amount on a tablet. If you’re going to put all your eggs in one basket and go for a pricey tablet (which could cost anything up to £1,200) with the aim of it replacing your laptop then you need to be very sure that it can cope with everything you can throw at it. (credit:Getty)