I've been introduced to the prospect of mobile computing in several different forms over my life: notebook PCs, tablets, phones, hybrid devices, even the dreaded Chromebook. While I may not be able to make a single selection, I can at least narrow it down to two: Traditional Notebook PCs and Hybrid Tablets. In this blogpost, I'll be exploring the somewhat-to-very competent Hybrid Tablet (Also called a 2-in-1).
The Hybrid Tablet was a concept I was introduced to upon receiving my first (and, to date, only) Surface product. It was a Microsoft Surface RT running Windows RT 8.1. I was in eleventh grade when I received it, so it was already about five years old, if memory serves. Now, with any Hybrid Tablet, I make the distinction based on software capability: If it can run true desktop software and has the form factor of a Tablet PC with a detachable keyboard and trackpad, it's a 2-in-1. If it can't run true desktop software, then it's a Hybrid Tablet. I'll be exploring the latter in this blogpost.
First thing's first: what are the major things to adapt to? For one, they're small (the Surface RT and Onn Android Tablet, pictured above) and generally don't exceed a screensize of 10.6 inches (about 27 cm), so they have a rather cramped keyboard, trackpad, and workspace. Also, they generally can't run full desktop software, so for all of you Firefox fans out there on a Surface RT or Surface 2, good luck! Granted, in some cases, such as the Windows RT-based tablets, this is usually taken into account by providing some tools that would otherwise be installed by you, the end user. Microsoft bundled all Windows RT devices with Microsoft Office 2013 RT. Another downside is the general lack of ports (The surface had a single USB port and some form of Micro HDMI out, whereas the Onn only has a single USB-C port), though in the average use case scenario now, this can generally be forgiven, as we store everything in the cloud. Multitasking, even on Windows RT, on these devices is often times an excercise in frustration, with Android users even having to install a small program from the Play Store (I guess you iPad folk are out of luck), and even then, while you technically have a traditional desktop metaphor, it's still abundantly clear that the only thing that's actually alive in the desktop is you and the clock basically, though this isn't without its upsides.
For starters, their small size allows them to be stored in more areas, as well as having a smaller footprint on a workspace that would, otherwise, be rather cramped. Add to the fact that, being a tablet, it's equipped with a touchscreen, WiFi, and Bluetooth, so you can forego the trackpad and keyboard altogether for a Bluetooth combo, or just touch the screen for mouse input. A microfiber screenwipe would be helpful in some cases here. The lack of ports is a problem for some, yes, but when you're on a tablet, it's more likely you'll be doing any productivity work on a remote server (Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, etc) than saving it to a USB key, which brings me to my next point: their extremely competent wireless capabilities! With a tablet, the chances of it having all of the following (NFC, WiFi, Bluetooth, Cellular, GPS, and even more sometimes) is much better than with a Notebook PC, so you're more likely to always be one button press away from an internet connection! No fiddling with NetworkManager to get your laptop connected to your phone's bluetooth signal when you resume from suspend mode... As long as it has an active SIM card with an active Data Plan, you have access to whatever cell towers it can connect to! Earlier, I mentioned that you can't download true desktop software. While that may be the case, think about this: How many times have you downloaded something, only to have your computer become Malware Central a short time following? Well, since third-party code can't generally be ran with ease, the only thing that could slow down your device is usage over time. The device is, inherently, protected by the layer of incompatibility that stands between your device and malware from the web, so there's generally little-to-no need to go out and buy an extravagant antimalware suite. Even Windows Defender worked wonderfully on my Surface RT, even if there was virtually zero reason to use it or have it installed (apart from the "Your PC isn't protected" notification that would otherwise show up). In fact, it was so secure that, had it not decided to kick the bucket from my usage, I'd likely still be using it today for my writing when I'm not at my house.
Hybrid Tablets (unlike Notebook PCs and 2-in-1s), generally use an architecture that is either shared with or more compatible with existing smartphones. That means the Qualcom in your tablet and the processor in your smartphone may even be the exact same thing, so the only difference would be that one has a bigger screen and detachable keyboard.
At the end of the day, Hybrid Tablets are still a relatively-new concept to me, even in 2021, and there's a bit of an adjustment that I have to make after using a Notebook PC since Elementary School. Where does my analysis stand on these nifty little devices? From a computing standpoint, they're the anti-Notebook PC. They don't have a particularly high amount of power and software compatibility, but they're well suited for doing light tasks for days at a time without ever having to worry about charging the device. To sum up this two-post-series, if you're looking for more power for more intensive tasks, a Notebook PC would easily suit your needs, so long as you can keep it charged (less of an issue now, as I'm aware the battery in my Lenovo is certainly not the original one). If you're looking for something to write documents on in a coffee shop, as a tool to help you through school before college (and even in college, if you're confident enough), and a device that can go from quick on-the-go reports to bingewatching that new Netflix series in a matter of seconds, then the Hybrid Tablet is for you.
As a part of the post focusing on Hybrid Tablets, I feel it somewhat necessary to add a statement on why I chose not to do a 2-in-1 tablet, and that's simply because I have never really owned one, as well as feeling that having such a device would be redundant and a compromise between a Hybrid Tablet and a full Notebook PC.
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