9 Reasons Why Tablets Will Overtake PCs in the UK

Tablets are beginning to take over the global computing market. Of the people that buy tablets, nearly half of UK consumers will outright replace their laptop or desktop computer. Here's a look at how the impact of tablets has affected the UK marketplace and why they will topple the PC in just a few short years.

1. Interfacing Options

A tablet is great for games, educational programs, and for viewing multimedia programs such as videos and pictures. It is also convenient for interacting with social media websites. But a tablet still utilizes a touchscreen keyboard and has few options for adding external keyboards and external storage. If you plan on doing website development, document creation, or any kind of intense computing, then a tablet may not be for you. However, Lenovo tablets are ideal for people who are on the go and want a light but powerful Internet interface.

2. Portability Needs

Computer users love to be able to stream television on their computers, which is one of the reasons why it is estimated that one out of every six adults will own a tablet by the end of 2013. A tablet is more portable and can be connected to a cellular account to expand its useable area. Laptops, while getting thinner and lighter, still require a WiFi connection and tend to not be nearly as portable as tablets.

3. App Development

While the UK and the U.S. utilize smartphones in an equal manner, the UK far outpaces the U.S. when it comes to tablet usage. The Guardian estimates that 12.2 per cent of all mobile computing traffic in the UK is from tablets. This means that app development for UK users is starting to pick up the pace, and that opens up more options that UK users want. For example, app development for online video streaming in the UK has helped to put more streaming programs on tablets than it has on desktops or laptops.

4. Storage Concerns

As convenient as a tablet may be, it has severe limitations on its local storage. Tablets are not designed to store large files on a local hard drive, where PCs and laptops can have hard drives which hold terabytes of information. Tablets also do not have a way to burn information onto a piece of removable media such as a CD or DVD. Users who want to be able to create music mixes and then burn them to a CD will find the tablet limiting and extremely difficult to work with.

5. Screen Size

Laptop screens have reached a size of 20 inches of viewable area, while tablets have just hit the 8-inch mark. When it comes to the screen size, the preference is completely up to the customer. Many customers find the 8" tablet screen to be extremely easy to watch and have no issues with it. Other users, such as gamers who enjoy online 3D games, find the tablet screen size to be limiting. You will have to decide if the smaller screen is something you can live with, but it could be a limitation that makes a tablet a bad choice for you.

6. Processing Power

Microsoft and Intel are both scrambling to expand the capabilities of tablet computing with more powerful processors and better operating systems. The issue for tablets is keeping power consumption low to extend battery life. A tablet processor that runs a 2.0GHz is not nearly as powerful as a PC processor that runs at the same frequency. The PC has a distinct advantage with being plugged into a continuous power source. The tablet will always have limitations on its processing power due to the limited battery life.

7. Versatility

Many universities and academic book publishers are creating apps for mobile computing devices that are companions to the regular class material. You can bring your tablet to class and have access to a broad range of additional data that could help you to improve your grades. Restaurants are releasing tablet apps that allow a person to see the menu and even order before they get to the building. It is the kind of versatility that laptops are not capable of because of their reliance on a WiFi connection.

8. Security

Tablet security has been improving over the years, but it still presents a challenge for users and manufacturers. Securing a cellular connection is a little more difficult than putting a layer of protection on an open WiFi port, which is something that tablet owners will have to keep in mind. There is a wide variety of security apps available for tablets, but the technology is still developing. If security is a concern for you, then it may be best to stick with a PC for now and get your tablet in 12 to 24 months, when the technology has developed.

9. Cost

By most accounts, a tablet can cost half as much as a decent laptop or desktop PC. Anyone who is trying to get the best value for their money and does not need a powerful computer will want to take a serious look at a tablet. Another advantage that the tablet has is in homes where multiple people want their own computer. With the savings that a tablet offers over a PC, it is easy to get everyone their own computer that will allow them to do the things they want to do. 

It is estimated that over 15 percent of the adult UK population will own a tablet by the end of 2013. Tablets are cost-effective computing devices that allow people to watch television, stream movies and interact on social networking websites. Before you make the move from a PC to a tablet, you should take the time to determine whether or not a tablet satisfies all of your computing needs. You may find that a PC suits you better, or you may realize that you can take part in the tablet revolution.