Convertible vs detachable laptop
DelCorians Debate So You Can Decide.Desktops and conventional laptops no longer rule the business world. In the last few years, weve seen three alternatives make headway in the traditional laptop market. Show
If youre in the market for a new laptop or laptop replacement, listen in on a conversation I had with three DelCorians about the pros and cons of these devices.
The DelCorian Debate on Windows Touchscreen DevicesWhy do people switch from traditional laptops to touchscreen devices?Leigh: Well, if everyone else has one Seriously, people want the latest and greatest tools, but there are more practical reaso Diane: Usabilityits quicker to click by just touching the screen versus taking your hand off the keyboard, grabbing the mouse, positioning the cursor, and clicking. And, consistencyits how were interfacing already on our mobile devices, and a sign of the progression toward a more universal approach across devices. Why did you make the switch to a Surface?David: Im always a risk taker with tech, and jump in before things fully mature, out of the pure belief that something will work. Surface was one of those moments.I had the first Surface and have had every model since. But it wasnt until Windows 10 and the Surface Pro 4 that I fully switched over. I like the Surfaces flexibility, size, and weight, plus the pen is a game changer. Now for the pros and cons of touchscreen devices.The DelCorians agreed that touchscreens in general offer these advantages:
Leigh: And portability. Convertibles and tablets are great for travel and client site meetings. The 12 convertible in our office weighs 3 pounds (the same as a 14 regular laptop), and its detachable tablet weighs only 2 pounds. Diane likes these other aspects of the 2-in-1 convertible (hybrid) laptop:
David has this to say about the advantages of the Surface hes been using.
All those pros aside, touchscreens in general have some cons to consider.Leigh: Typing on a screen keyboard is not at all ergonomic. Many people find typing on the screen at full keystroke speed awkward, even if the device is flat on a surface. Another issue is screen size. To keep the weight down on all these devices, screen sizes are limited. There is not currently a 15 tablet available on the market, which is a standard laptop size. Other negatives to consider:
What about the cons of 2-in-1 convertible (hybrid) laptops?Diane:
Leigh: Id add that with all the moving parts, particularly the retractable keyboard, there are a number of failure points and wear issues. Also, super users may not like the decreased compute power. Convertibles and tablets are made with a different chip model than current laptops and desktops. Some models are limited to 8GB memory totaland it cant be upgraded. Recently on ASAEs Collaborate, a few people pointed out issues with the Surfaceincluding our fellow DelCorian, Dan Lautman. He said hes seen a higher volume of calls for hardware repair on the Surface, compared to laptops. David: Ive had no issues with three different Surface devices. Your mileage may vary. Some people have said the keyboard connection is unreliable, but I havent seen that. But, heres one thing Ive noticed. The Surface (Windows 10) has scaling problems when I have to add monitors in the offices Im visiting, so I often have to reboot in a connected state.
So heres what everyone wants to know: could one of these touchscreen options replace your desktop, laptop, and tablet?Leigh: I believe a keyboard is essential if your work involves heavy data entry or writing. A tablet should have a detachable/foldable keyboard or it loses all credibility for me as a desktop replacement. Diane: In theory, a 2-in-1 convertible (hybrid) laptop could replace your laptop and tablet. However, based on my experience, I wouldnt recommend it as your main device. It may be a good option for lighter use for people traveling or in the field. The performance on the unit Im testing has been inconsistent. One day the Caps Lock light was malfunctioning. The next day, it wouldnt boot up at all and I had to take notes by hand. Im not impressed with this one, but I still like the availability of a touchscreen. Leigh: Like I said, get a warranty. David: The Surface has replaced my laptop and tablet. What would you say is the lifespan of each touchscreen device?Leigh: A touchscreen laptop should last for at least three years, especially with the better manufacturer warranty. Because of all the moving parts, Id give a hybrid a maximum useful life of two years. A Surface? Were getting a lot of failures in the field from people who are now going back to touch-enabled laptops. But David will have more input here as hes been a longtime user. David:I fully expect my Surface to last as long as a laptop. I take good care of my equipment. Now to the bottom line: is a touchscreen device worth the extra price? Leigh: No, touchscreens arent worth the extra money. Diane: For mobility and usabilityhence efficiencyyes, hybrids are worth the extra money. David: Yes, the Microsoft Surface is definitely worth the extra expense. Are there any other points to consider before making a purchase?Leigh: If youre looking at a touchscreen, think about these issues:
Diane: Also decide if youre willing to sacrifice screen size. David: If you dont want to use the Surface like a tablet and dont want to commit to using its pen, then it might not be your best choice.I find that people buy the Surface, treat it like a laptop by never using the touchscreen or pen, and then complain. Know what you are buying and why. Where to you see the laptop and tablet market going next?Leigh: Thats a tough call. Until there is truly a laptop killer tablet, the continued use of a laptop and supplemental tablet with touch will be the norm. Or better yet, until all applications are optimized for touchHave you ever tried using Windows 2010 apps on an Apple device? Painful!non-touch will still be standard. Diane: I see a convergence to touchscreens with a continued need for a keyboard as an input option. The reliance on the mouse as an input device is fading. Voice recognition and stylus will become stronger input options. David: I think the Surface brand is getting legs. Theres increased adoption of Surface Pro 4s in business environments. And, the Surface Studio is the first game-changing desktop in a long time.As people get used to touchscreens and the peripheral market rises up with them, the product line is well positioned to be a dominant player in business computing needs. And there you have it: a DelCorian take on the move toward touchscreens.As usual, what you choose for yourself personally or for your staff and business operations, requirements are key. For a deep dive into requirements analysis (particularly for large-scale software projects), download our free whitepaper, Requirements Analysis: The Secret to Sanity. touchscreen image hybrid image Surface image |