What’s a Convertible Tablet PC?

Print anything with Printful



A convertible tablet PC combines laptop and tablet features with a hinged screen and keyboard that can be rotated 180 degrees. It has a hardware keyboard and touchscreen input, making it suitable for typing and graphic design applications. However, it is less portable than dedicated tablets and often more expensive.

A convertible tablet personal computer (PC) is a device that combines the features of a traditional laptop with the touchscreen input and form factor of a tablet. These computers usually consist of a hinged screen and keyboard, just like any laptop. Unlike most laptops, a convertible tablet PC typically has a screen that can be rotated 180 degrees and closed with the visible side facing out. This duality allows you to use your computer as a laptop or a tablet depending on the situation. Convertible devices are often more expensive than laptops or tablets due to the additional mechanism needed to implement the rotating screen.

Tablets and laptops are each suited to particular uses due to different input systems. Laptops include a keyboard and some type of mouse input device, and tablets usually have a touchscreen that is operated by hand or pen. It can be difficult to type for long periods of time using a tablet PC’s virtual keyboard, so these devices are not suitable for people who type a lot. Some tablet PCs have peripheral keyboard accessories to address this shortcoming, although it’s not always an ideal solution. A convertible tablet PC includes a hardware keyboard, so the screen can simply be rotated to make typing easier.

The main advantages of tablet PCs are portability and touchscreen input method. Most of the time, the portability of a convertible tablet PC will be poor compared to a dedicated device. Tablets that don’t include keyboards are typically thinner and lighter, which can make them easier to carry around. Some dedicated tablets also run on specialized portable operating systems (OS) and hardware that can improve battery life. In contrast, a convertible tablet PC will typically use a regular desktop operating system and have battery life comparable to a similarly sized laptop.

Convertible tablet PCs usually offer the benefit of a touchscreen. These devices are often just as convenient for taking quick notes or using a variety of touchscreen applications as a dedicated tablet. The touchscreen functionality of a convertible tablet PC can also often be used for graphic design applications. Some convertible tablets include pen functionality that can be used to create digital artwork or manipulate images. Laptops are often more powerful than dedicated tablets, especially when compared to small form factor portable devices, which can make them more suitable for this type of application.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content