Tablet PCs vs Netbooks: Difference and Comparison

Laptops and notebook computers pioneered the shift away from desktops and laptops to provide users with more mobility.

Although laptop computers are quite common in today’s society, there is always the potential for development in terms of portability and usefulness.

Tablet PCs and netbooks are ultra-mobile, compact, light, and easy to use.

Key Takeaways

  1. Tablet PCs are portable computers with a touchscreen interface that can be used for both input and output.
  2. Netbooks with tablets have a detachable keyboard and a touchscreen that can be used as a tablet.
  3. Tablet PCs are more suited for multimedia consumption and creative tasks, while Netbooks with Tablet are more suited for productivity tasks.

Tablet PCs vs Netbooks

Tablet PCs are touchscreen devices that operate similarly to smartphones but with larger screens, optimized for media consumption, and light productivity tasks. Netbooks are small, lightweight, low-power laptops optimized for internet-based activities and basic word processing, offering a physical keyboard.

Tablet PCs vs Netbooks

A Tablet PC is an electronic device that combines a mobile running software, a touchpad that displays specialized tools, and a battery pack in a single, small, and flat design.

With 7-inch displays, tablets are bigger than cell phones. Tablets have less storage capacity than laptops and netbooks.

 A netbook is an electronic gadget resembling tiny, low-cost laptop computers. They are low-performing. They come with a real keyboard.

Netbooks were among the first computers that used sturdy storage systems rather than hard drives. When compared to Tablet PCs, they have larger storage space.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonTablet PCsNetbooks
Screen SizeSmaller screen sizeLarger screen size
Type of keyboardTouch-screen keyboardPhysical keyboard
Making Phone CallsYesNo
Storage SpaceLesser storage spaceMore storage space
Operating SystemAndroid, iOS, Blackberry, etc.Windows and Linux
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What are Tablet PCs?

A tablet pc is a portable device that combines mobile running software, touchpad display processing circuits, and a battery pack into a single, small, and compact device.

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Like any other computer, Tablet computers perform the same functions as conventional technologies, lacking certain input/output (I/O) capabilities.

Contemporary tablets are similar to current mobile phones, with the primary distinction being that tablets are slightly bigger than smartphones, having diagonally evaluated displays of 7 inches (18 cm) or greater.

Instead of the mouse, touchpad, or keyboard that is seen on bigger computers, the touchscreen display on a tablet pc is controlled by movements made with a finger or a digital pen (stylus).

The slate and booklet are two types of tablets that lack hardware keyboards and instead accept text and other input via a virtual keyboard shown on their touchscreen displays.

To accommodate the loss of a traditional keyboard, several tablets can interconnect with separate physical keyboards via Bluetooth or USB: feature-packed PCs, unlike tablets, feature keyboards.

Tablets are classified into numerous types based on their architectural size, software platform, and input and output technologies. Their intended use is classified into tiny, entertainment, corporate, and so on.

tablet pcs

What are Netbooks?

Netbook refers to compact and low-cost laptop computers sold at the beginning of 2007. These were predominately progressing slowly.

Netbooks initially appeared as smaller-than-typical notebooks geared for their low weight and low cost, although they lacked certain functions, such as an optical drive.

Once contrasted to a comprehensive laptop, they have smaller displays, a keyboard, and less computer capacity. Netbooks’ screen diagonals have fluctuated from less than 5″ to 12″ during their growth. 

Netbooks are equipped with low-quality modern hardware than traditional laptop computers, and they also lack an external disc drive, which is common in contemporary laptops.

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Netbooks were among the first devices to use solid-state storage systems rather than hard drives since they were smaller, consumed less power, and were much more shock resistant.

Unlike modern, powerful drives, these early varieties did not necessarily deliver enhanced performance. Almost all the netbooks were equipped with Wi-Fi, including broadband internet.

Special “children’s” variants of netbooks with the Disney logo have been launched; their lack of a Tape player and relatively small keyboards are considered important benefits for that customer base.

The biggest criticism about netbooks in this area is a lack of adequate motion image processing for streaming online video and a limitation on pace with even basic videogames in current netbooks.

netbook

Main Differences Between Tablet PCs and Netbooks

  1. Tablet PCs have a smaller screen size, whereas Netbooks have a larger screen size.
  2. Tablet PCs come with a touch-screen keyboard. Meanwhile, Netbooks come with a physical keyboard.
  3. Tablet PCs can make phone calls, whereas Netbooks cannot.
  4. Tablet PCs are equipped with lesser storage space, while Netbooks are equipped with more storage space.
  5. Tablet PCs work on Android, iOS and Blackberry operating systems, while Netbooks work on Windows and Linux operating systems.
Difference Between Tablet PCs and Netbooks
References
  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563210003511
  2. http://hmart.cl/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Tablets-en-educacion.pdf
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Sandeep Bhandari
Sandeep Bhandari

Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.

6 Comments

  1. The post is very informative and well written, but I think it would be useful to see some data about the current market share of laptops, notebooks, tablet PCs and netbooks in order to understand the relevance of this information in current times.

  2. The detailed comparison between Tablet PCs and Netbooks is quite enlightening. However, considering the current trend towards hybrid devices and 2-in-1 laptops, it might be beneficial to include information about these devices in the comparison as well.

  3. The article effectively delineates the differences between tablet PCs and netbooks, highlighting their specific features and functionalities. However, in the evolving landscape of technology, it would be worthwhile to consider the current market dynamics and the emergence of new device categories.

  4. While I understand the article’s focus on the comparison between tablet PCs and netbooks, I think it would’ve been helpful to address the role of laptops and notebook computers in the context of this discussion as well.

  5. The article provides a comprehensive comparison between tablet PCs and netbooks, which is certainly helpful for individuals looking to understand the distinction between the two. However, given the rapid technological advancements in the industry, the content appears to be somewhat outdated.

  6. This comparison between tablet PCs and netbooks seems to overlook the significance of processing power and performance, which are crucial factors for many users. Emphasizing these aspects in the comparison would offer a more holistic view of the devices.

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