Are Android Tablet PC's Good Enough To Replace Laptop Computers?

Tech developers are hoping that ultimately tablet PC's will become a household item and that they will eventually completely replace laptop computers, as we use them today. The strongest candidates for this eventual phase-out in technology are, obviously, Google's Android operating system and Apple's iOS. However, recent research also shows that users are starting to get "fed up" of Apple's iPhone and iPad devices and are put off by Android's lack of security and quality and therefore more users are now starting to move towards Windows smartphones and tablet PC's.

If this technology really is going to replace laptops entirely then there's still a long way to go yet.

Although smartphones and tablet PC's are rapidly becoming more popular, laptops most certainly show no signs of dying out just yet. In fact, most people who own a tablet PC also use a desktop PC or laptop or both. Many of them agree that although tablet PC's provide convenience and mobility they are not quite functional enough to carry out certain tasks which they often use their desktop PC's or laptops for.

Such issues include converting, creating or opening certain file types, lack of web and software development tools, audio latency and lack of efficient music production software. Ultimately, most issues (except audio latency) seem to come down to compatibility issues, many of which will probably be resolved over time, as the technology continues to evolve. However, this is going to take time and it also means developers need to work on creating new software apps and porting already existing software over to tablet device operating systems, so that such tasks can be carried out.

In addition to tablet PC's now being distributed on a mass scale, rather than replacing laptops, the two devices are, instead, being merged together into one convertible unit which therefore combines the functionality and compatibility of a conventional laptop with the convenience of a tablet device.

One major problem for computer users is that standard touch-screen tablet devices are based on the concept of texting due to it's growing popularity on mobile phones. This means that any serious computer user who does a lot of typing, such as those who write lengthy articles or essays, is sure to run into trouble.

It can be done but you're much more likely to make mistakes and you won't be able to type anywhere near as fast. It's easier to type on a 10-inch tablet PC than it is on a 7-inch device but that doesn't necessarily mean that the larger the better. You still wouldn't be able to type as efficiently on Sony's 20-inch tablet PC which they have recently announced. However, it does allow two people to use it at the same time which could prove to be rather convenient if you need to keep your kids entertained.

Currently, tablet devices are based on the app markets and although they are useful, fun, novel and convenient both the devices and the software don't quite match the functionality of that available from conventional computers. The 20-inch device may prove to be useful for graphic design artists but a musician may find a 10-inch device easier to use. Additionally, a writer would probably prefer to have a standard keyboard rather than touchscreen and therefore integration really is the way forward in the tablet PC market.

By Sparkster