What is a Tablet Computer?

You see them everywhere now at coffee shops , in the park . Everywhere there are people holding what sort of look like giant cell phones and tapping away on them with a serene look of joy on their faces . They're tablet computers – or tablets for short . But while we see them more and more everyday , you often hear people who don't have one ask a very simple question ; what are they ?

Tablets are hand-held computers that are either flat or wedge-shaped , and function by having the user touch the screen to initiate whatever action they wish to perform . They have no physical keyboard and are completely portable , using rechargeable batteries for power . They can use wireless and/or mobile technology (  3G ) to connect to the internet . They are smaller than most laptops , and are capable of running a wide range of applications , from video games to email clients .

The majority of tablets have screen sizes around 10” in diameter – but there are some with 7” screens as well . And as tablet technology advances , they are increasingly utilizing operating software designed specifically for mobile devices rather than the traditional desktop computer . Because of this , tablets are quickly becoming the equal of even the most sophisticated desktop machines in-terms of accessing media .

One of the more interesting aspects of tablet technology is that it qualitatively advances the movement toward acquiring software solely via the internet instead of through a boxed cd or disk . The other key component is the shift to touch screen technology . While this technology has been around for a while , it was never really practical for desktop computers . Imagine having to reach across your desk to tap your computer screen as your only means of navigation . That would get tiring pretty fast . But with a hand-held device like the tablet , touch-screen technology has finally found a home .

The three leading types of tablets currently on the market are the iPad by Apple , several versions utilizing the Android Honeycomb OS , and the Blackberry Playbook with its own operating system designed specifically for a tablet . While each has its own unique features , together they provide computer users with an exciting new way to access internet and

Tablet PC

Guys ,when purchasing a tablet PC , you should factor in the cost of the various accessories you will also need . You can't simply buy a tablet PC , carry it with you everywhere , and expect it not to get scratched or damaged , for example . Additionally , you'll probably want it to be a bit more functional than the default "out of the box" status . That's where the following accessories for your tablet computer will come in handy .
External Keyboard
Unfortunately , one of the drawbacks of tablet pcs is not being able to type very easily . Yes , there's a keyboard that comes up on the screen with all the keys , but you don't want to be doing an extended amount of typing with it . The portability of a tablet is fantastic , but if you're going to be typing a lot , it might be worth investing in a portable external keyboard .
HDMI Cable
If you need or want to display your photos , movies , presentations , etc . on a large screen ( at work , for example ) , you will definitely need to check the specifications of the tablet you're considering . What ports does it have ? Will you be able to connect an HDMI cable directly or will you need some kind of adaptor ?
Most home-users of tablet PCs probably won't have any great need for this , but if you will be using your tablet in a professional environment , having the ability to connect via HDMI is a must-have feature . Adaptors and cables are cheap , but you need to ensure your device is able to handle HDMI .
Camera Connector
This varies quite a lot across the different models of tablet PCs . Some make it very easy to transfer your photos using USB or some other standard technology whereas others require the purchase of additional accessories . As with the external keyboard , make sure you are clear on whether you need to buy any extras if you plan to take a lot of pictures with your tablet ( or need to add pictures to your tablet ) .
Also , is it simple to transfer directly from your digital camera ? Is there direct connectivity between devices or do you have to download from your camera to your computer and then transfer to your tablet ? Apple , for example , has a special "kit" making it easy for iPad users to transfer directly between camera and tablet . If you need to transfer files from your camera often , make sure you find out the exact process otherwise it might end up being quite frustrating . If you think you'll only need to do that once in a while , it's probably not a big issue .
Digital Stylus ( pen )
There are three reasons a stylus is useful . Firstly , anyone doing design work or needing to sketch concepts at meetings , etc . will find a stylus an invaluable accessory . Secondly , if you prefer to take notes with a pen ( and/or don't have an external keyboard ) , this will be a comfortable way to take notes directly to your tablet device . And lastly , some people prefer using a "pen" to navigate around the screen and control what they're doing .
Fortunately , a stylus isn't an expensive accessory so if you think you'd prefer controlling things with a pen , this "digital compromise" might be for you . And if you have a need to add handwritten