Laptop, Tablet or 2-in-1: Which one should you get?

The constant innovation in technology has led us to a point of grave indecision – there are too many options to choose from!

The tablet industry went from incorporating smartphone technology to a larger screen to creating something more powerful. Several tablets these days can get a lot of work done. To add to that, we also have 2-in-1 devices that can serve as both laptops and tablets. However, it does not mean that just any device can do the job. They have their specialties, and we are here to help you figure out which device best suits your needs.

What features do you need?

Whether you are looking for a new device for work, study, or entertainment, it is important to know what you want. You will not need a very advanced graphics card if all you do is read or write on your device. So here are some features you must consider:

• Screen size – Do you need a very large screen or will a small one suffice? Both laptops and tablets with larger screens are more expensive.
• RAM and processor – What is the nature of your work? Do you need advanced applications? Do you need to multi-task a lot? A laptop will have a much better configuration in this category than a tablet or convertible. 
• Storage – How much offline storage do you need? Laptops will generally provide more storage than other devices.
• Keyboard – How essential is a physical keyboard for you? Do you constantly need to write large documents? Some 2-in-1 convertibles have great keyboards but a laptop keyboard is the most comfortable for long-term usage.
• Ports – Do you need to attach extra accessories or multiple at the same time? Very few tablets come with multiple ports.
• Portability – Do you often travel or need to work on the go? There are a lot of slim, light devices in the market but most laptops are not portable. 
• Price – Can you exceed your budget? Laptops will cost more. Although you can find both expensive and affordable devices, be it laptops, tablets or convertibles. But if you have a flexible budget, you can get more features.

What are your options?

What you should choose depends on what you want to do with it. Decide which of the above features are more important for you. Here is what you get from each category.

Tablets 

Tablets are best for entertainment and reading. 

• They are light and portable, so you can carry them around; great for travel.
• You get the option of iOS, Android, or Windows OS to choose from. You can find a huge selection for Android. 
• Because they are portable, they are comfortable to hold and great for reading.
• You get a full touch screen.
• If you are into digital art, some of the new iPad 11 and iPad Pro are great choices.
• Samsung Galaxy tabs and iPads are great for watching movies.
• Because they are often less powerful than laptops, they have longer battery lives.
• Many regular tablets now come with the option of a detachable keyboard, so they can be turned into a 2-in-1.

Samsung and Apple have been ruling this industry for a while now. Lenovo is also doing well. These three brands should be at the top of your list. You can get some pretty packed tablets at an affordable rate from Lenovo.

Laptops 

If you need a device for work, get a laptop – no alternative works as well. This also applies to hardcore gamers.

• Laptops will give you the most powerful performance. They are designed for work and increasing productivity.
• They still have the most comfortable keyboard to use. The keyboards are broad and have larger trackpads compared to the detachable keyboards on 2-in-1 devices.
• They have a solid build and the most stable stance. You cannot make convertibles stand upright on your lap or an uneven surface.
• The Windows OS built for computers is their best version. You get multiple built-in security features.
• They have several ports if you need to attach accessories.
• They have more internal storage than other devices. 

Laptops have been around for much longer, so you have plenty of options to choose from. Lenovo and ASUS have some powerful affordable options, whereas HP and Apple are still producing the most high-end devices.

2-in-1 convertibles

If you need a secondary device for work, or just to catch on some updates, you can look at these convertibles. These are also a good choice for studies.

• These are light and portable devices that you can carry while traveling. 
• You get a full touch screen as well as a physical keyboard.
• You can attach or detach the keyboard as you please. You also get the liberty to try a third-party keyboard if you want.
• Many of these convertibles come with Windows OS, so you get the convenience of a computer on a tab.

The most popular in this category is the Surface range. Surface Pro 6 is one of the best Windows tablets you will find in the market. Lenovo has also done well in this category. 

Convertibles cost more than many tablets, but a lot of tablets support keyboards as well. For example, Apple iPads. If you rarely need a keyboard but would like to keep one (just in case), you may want to consider a tab after all.

Tips for buying a new device

Whichever device you choose, you should know buying a gadget is different from buying anything else. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Decide why you need a device – for work, study, or just for fun? Also, if this is going to be your primary or secondary device.
• Do your research. There are a lot of reviews available online so you can make an informed decision.
• Don’t listen to the salesman (if you go to a store). They don’t often know what is best for you – they are probably just trying to meet their targets.
• Set a budget – it helps when narrow things down.

Final Thoughts

Laptop, Tablet or 2-in-1? Tablets have a whole range of uses but laptops are the best for work. You can get also get work done on your phone in case of emergencies but it helps to have a secondary device. This is where 2-in-1 devices come in handy. We have too many options these days – but that is not a bad thing. Whatever you may need to do, there is a device for it.