Are you a tablet or laptop person?
<p>If you’re in the market for an easy-to-use device, you can’t go past either a compact laptop or a lightweight tablet. But which one?</p><p>First it was the clunky desktop computer, next it was the compact and portable laptop and now as the new kid on the block (sort of) iPads, iPad Minis and Android tablets have grown so popular that in 2012, a UK study found Aussies snapped up tablets faster than people in most other countries around the world!</p><p>Has this meant the humble laptop is losing popularity? Perhaps not. It seems Australians like a bit of diversity with their electronic devices, with 2012 research by Optus indicating that over-60s boast an average of 3.4 devices each! The most common devices being a desktop computer or laptop, tablet and smartphone. But, for many of us, we just won’t use that many electronic devices, so, out of the portable electronics arena, would you purchase a tablet or iPad, or a laptop? Here’s the case for each device.</p><p><strong>Android tablets and iPads</strong></p><p>Lightweight, sleek and easy to use, over-60s love their tablet or iPad! It’s no surprise why. Much more affordable than laptops or computers, simple to navigate, big, interactive screens and not too many confusing buttons, who wouldn’t love one of these sleek devices? Plus, they’re easy to take with you anywhere and are light enough that you can pop them in your handbag or library bag.</p><p><em><strong>Related link: <a href="/technology/technology/2014/06/a-guide-to-ipads-and-android-tablets.aspx" target="_blank">Learn more about Android tablets and iPads.</a> </strong></em></p><p>Developers have also been very thoughtful in the capabilities of these tablets, with users able to expand the type on the page to make words on the screen easier to read. In the case of an iPad or iPad Mini, there’s also Siri. She’ll help you find whatever you need or provide illuminating answers to random questions you ask her.</p><p>Unlike laptops, you can also take beautiful photographs of wherever you happen to be. Spending the day in a national park with your grandchildren? Get a great photo of everyone and then save it as your desktop image! Easy-peasy.</p><p>The only downside of tablets or iPads is that if you want to create professional-looking word documents, it’s going to be difficult. It’s better to use laptops if you’re planning on doing anything work-related, since the larger keyboard, screen and functionality to add software, such as Microsoft Office or Mac Office, will make it much easier to get work done.</p><p><strong>Laptops</strong></p><p>Laptops have come a long way since their ancestors – the desktop computer – first arrived on the scene. Smaller, lighter, easier to use and with whizz-bang features (at least with some of the new laptops) of touch screens and a nice big keyboard to type lengthy emails, they are practically unrecognisable compared to older versions of the device.</p><p>If you’re looking for more functionality with your device in terms of watching movies, typing chapters of your years-in-the-making debut novel, and professionally editing family photographs or home movies, a laptop could be the best way forward. The other advantage of laptops over tablets is their built-in power.</p><p>Generally, laptops have more powerful processing hardware, which allows for a wider variety of uses, perfect for those multitasking over-60s who like to browse several websites at the same time! Unlike tablets or iPads, which generally all sit within the same price range, laptops can range from $298 for a compact Windows-operated notebook to around $1349 for an Apple MacBook.</p><p>Basically, if you want to get some serious work done or want to do multiple tasks at the one time, you can’t pass up the trusty laptop.</p><p><strong>What if there was a combination of both? There is!</strong></p><p>If you’ve ever dreamed of having the best of both worlds, say hello the hybrid. The most recognisable of this new line of combining a laptop and a tablet is the Microsoft Surface series, which does feature some nifty design elements. Not only is it meant to be lighter than a laptop, but it comes with a thin screen cover which doubles as a full keyboard. Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is the newest model available and will be released later this month. It will retail at about $979. It’s on the higher end of the scale and will be too expensive for many people, but may come down in price in the future as another new gadget or device arrives.</p><p>Whether you’re a tablet or laptop person (or even a hybrid), it’ll come down to how you use or want to use your device. If you’re simply looking to browse the world wide web or keep in touch with your family via Facebook and email, go with a tablet. If you’d like more functionality and the option of saving much more to your device, choose a laptop.</p>
