Tablet pc computers

After PC boom in early 80's and laptop revolution two decades later, it seems that 2010 is breaking point for new electronic gadget - a tablet pc computer. Its success is due to Apple's tablet iPad that changed the perception of this new sort of electronic piece of hardware. Soon after, also other manufacturers started to launch their tablets.

History

The idea of tablet pc is not as new as it may seem. In reality its roots can be found, once more yet, in the Apple laboratory of new electronic devices. Namely Apple's Newton is what could be said a modern tablet pc predecessor. It was well ahead it's time and thus poorly accepted and finally abandoned. Years after various models of tablet computers appeared. A rugged type tablets had quite a success, as they were practical to use in difficult climate conditions and out in the field. Microsoft was also close to idea of mobile tablet computing, but a crown and all merits took Apple with its iPad, launched on market early in 2010. Than followed a wave of tablets and the most popular ones these days are tablets based on Android operating system.

Present

At the moment there is a lot of buzz around tablet pcs. Right now, it is very difficult to decide which tablet pc to buy. Apple's competitors, especially Android based tablets, are trying to grab their peace of market. But iPad second generation is to be launched very soon, so things are changing almost daily. With all this competition, tablet pc prices are expected to fall. At least the first generation models are expected to be cheaper, as second generation of tablets is on its way. Once the market will be more mature, price ranges will be more defined. Right now, tablet computers can be bought in price range from as low as 200 US$ and up to 1000 US$. As tablet pc is not a replacement for laptops, one must ask itself if he is willing to pay so much, just for one gadget more in his arsenal.

Future

It is predicted that a tablet computers future is very bright. Some analytics says that in 2016 there will be sold more tablet computers than netbooks. And this is quite astonishing since netbooks are on the market only few years and apparently they will be beaten by these mighty opponents. But future is yet to come, and history will tell who was right.