Desktops are slowly going the way of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Sorry, T-Rex.
You would have been a good ride for cowboys and thrill seekers.
Mobility with a flavor of capability - this the new evolution of smart devices and computing powerhouses.
Processing power is being pushed off to the cloud, power is focused on fewer simultaneous tasks, consumers often want mobility over computability.
However - how do you decide which one is better for you? This may help you make the decision based on your needs.
Serious processing power: get a desktop or laptop. The tablets aren't currently built with enough power for serious gamers, video rendering, or server-based needs. Some laptops are powerhouses - but they come with a higher cost and increased weight. PC Magazine has a review of the top ten gaming laptops. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2020688,00.asp
On-The-Go Connectivity: Tablets often excel in this area. They can be purchased with home-network only capabilities and/or cellular wireless networks. Common cellular providers such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, Clear, etc. are supported by many tablets - but not all - so be sure to check before you buy. Data plans are typically month-to-month, but some are contract-related. Go for 4G over 3G since it is up to 10 times faster.
- iPad 3, iPad 4. $350+
- Kindle, Kindle Fire HD. $200-$300
- Microsoft Surface with Windows 8.1: $500-$1100
Laptop-Tablet Convertible: These are laptops that convert by flipping the screen over the keyboard and using it like a tablet. Full features of a laptop including a built-in tactile keyboard. Screens can be a little bigger. Generally heavier than a tablet since they have a keyboard and screen pivoting hardware.
- Dell XPS 12
- Asus UltraBook
- Lenovo IdeaPad 13
Hybrid Desktop/Tablet: These are essentially tablets that are designed to dock and work with multiple monitors. Great for basic tableting and doing some concentrated and efficient word processing and work. These are usually more like laptops in that they provide larger hard drives, more processing power, USB support, MicroSD, Micro HDMI. They differ from laptops since they don't have a built-in physical keyboard.
- Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Surface Pro
Reading / Surfing: iPads, Kindles, lower-priced tablets - these are great for reading and surfing the web. Doing light work such as email, writing documents, and presentations. Not typically designed for serious development or gaming.
- iPad 3, iPad 4
- Kindle, Kindle Fire HD
- Microsoft Surface RT
4G LTE Support
- Microsoft Surface (only editions with Windows 8.1)
- iPad 3, iPad 4
- Kindle Fire HD
3G Support
- iPad 2, iPad 3
- Various tablets
WiFi Only
- Microsoft Surface (pre-Windows 8.1)
- Kindle
- some iPad editions
- Various Android tablets
Note: This post is not all inclusive or promotional or to be construed as such.
Picture Credit: © Gibsonff | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images
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