Efficiency between Tablet and Laptop - Research Proposal Example

Efficiency between Tablet and Laptop al affiliation The world has experienced the technological revolution that has taken communication to the next level. Magnificent electronic gadgets suited with sensors have proved a success around the globe. The education sector has been one of the beneficiaries of the technological advancement with special attention paid on the gadget that enhances communication among students and their lecturers. In this article, the advantages and disadvantages of both will be considered with special attention paid on the importance of the gadgets to people in university setting. Such information will enable one draw a meaningful conclusion about which one is more useful. Introduction Technological advancement has given a great boost in the educational sector. A greater change in the system is visible in colleges and universities where students are highly encouraged to own a computer. The essence of being computer literate, in this case, is seen whereby the majority of the employees nowadays require for one to have prior knowledge on how to use a computer and the relevant software. The touch screen technology has led to the creation of more portable gadgets that is gaining popularity (Rodrique, 2014) The laptop was created first in the year 1982 after a research about the combination of the keyboard and the desktop from the old computer (Bacon, 2013).The need to run more sophisticated software and tasks has fueled the evolution of the laptop considering nowadays we have the super computer. Learning has turned out to electronic and lecturers in colleges find it easier to convey messages on a particular course electronically (Bacon, 2013).Lecture halls are installed with a projector that allow for the projection of content in the laptop on the white and thus visible to the whole class (Bacon, 2013). The current technology has given rise to the tablet technology. It is the device that uses a different operating system from the ones used in computers and does not contain a key and the screen that closes. Most people not only students tend to use the tablet more evident from how they walk around with the tablets (Zaltsman, 2014). The most common operating systems in the tablets include the android and the IOS (Zaltsman, 2014). The urge to own a tablet is further enhanced by the introduction of awesome games that chase away the boredom in case one is traveling for long distances (Zaltsman, 2014). The research is intended to develop a comparison between the tablets and the laptops in relation to their efficiency and how they meet the needs of the consumers. A greater part of the research will be based on the internet with the crucial information got from dependable sites regard. Furthermore, the use of the internet is convenient in the sense that statistics and peoples opinion regarding the same can be got directly thus saving time, energy, and resources. A close look at the two can drive one to make a prior conclusion. A tablet is likely to become more widely used than the laptop. Research questions 1-What are the advantages and disadvantages of laptops in university use? 2-What are the advantages and disadvantages of tablets in university use? 3-Which one can be seen to be more effective than the other in university use? Literature review Advantages and disadvantages of laptops in university The first article of analysis is by Barton (2013). The author in the article creates the urge to learn more by introducing the laptop and how popular it has become since its invention. The first advantage given in the article is portability. Technological improvement has led to the reduction in size of the computer while it can actually do much compared to the bigger computers of the past (Barton, 2013). Nanotechnology among others has led to the reduction in size considering nowadays some companies make computers that are 800grams in weight. One can easily fix it in a small bag and conveniently move around with it(Barton, 2013). The other advantage displayed in the article is about the battery life and charging system (Barton, 2013). The current laptops have high capacity batteries that can keep a charge for long and thus allow usage in places with no electricity or rather places that there are no sockets to charge the laptop (Barton, 2013). Flexibility and variability are the other advantages tackled in the article. The current laptops are designed such that he lid which holds the screen can be closed to lay on the keyboard thus ensuring safety and size reduction. The reduced size f the laptop can be easily fitted into the bag and move around while carrying the laptop (Charles, 2014). The author of the article also considers some of the demerits of the laptops. Easy breakage and affected by water is the first disadvantage (Barton, 2013). The gadgets contain minute circuit board that ensure coordinates the system and ensures the desired output is got from the fed input. Exposure of these circuits to moisture proves catastrophic as the whole system may end up failing. Repair and purchase is expensive (Charles, 2014). After breakage, the spare parts can be hard to find especially in the developing countries (Rodrique, 2014). Furthermore, the manpower required to repair the gadgets is hardly available due to the technicality of the education system and complexity of the machines (Rodrique, 2014). The other article of analysis is this research is by an electrical technician Mark (2013). The first strength mentioned by the author in the article is multitasking that is made possible by the use of laptops. One can be able to install multiple programs in a single computer and thus can import files completing the works in a singles computer (Mark, 2013). The other advantage mentioned in the article is about power but from a different angle from the previous article (Mark, 2013). The removable batteries if the laptop act as an advantage to the user as one can easily remove the batteries while not using it and use the power directly thus saving on the battery life (Mark, 2013). The ability to remove the battery is another advantage as it allows for buying and replacing the batteries after they are spoilt (Mark, 2013). Silence is another advantage that comes along with the use of the laptops. The desktop large computers produce some kind of noise that make it undesirable and unfit for use in places where a high level of silence is needed (Baron, 2015). Hardware usage is the other advantage in this case (Baron, 2015). A laptop comes with a touchpad that is attached to the keyboard and thus reduce cases where one can forget and face difficulties in operating the computer (Baron, 2015). However, the author of the article also recognizes some of the disadvantages of using a laptop. Durability is an issue when it comes to the use of laptops. Several companies have come up such HP, Toshiba, and Compaq that compete for the available market when it comes to the making of the laptops (Baron, 2015). Too much focus on the scale of production and making of cheap products has led to companies making substandard products that often break down (Baron, 2015). Advantages and disadvantages of the tablet Although a few, several articles have been written regarding the advantages and disadvantages of the tablet use in universities. Westover (2011) in the article Brilliant Technology writes about the tablet beginning with a brief introduction of the tablet history with special attention paid on the touch screen technology that is being employed. The first advantage clear in the article is portability. Some tablets weigh less than 800grams which makes it convenient for use in different in different places (Westover, 2011). The fact that the tablet has only the screen and even the keyboard is projected on the screen where the touch effect does it all makes it lighter and more convenient in this case (Westover, 2011). The other advantages that the tablet can keep a charge for quite a long time (Westover, 2011). It is crucial, especially in developing countries where electricity is not available in all parts of the country (Westover, 2011). Data collection and note taking abilities is an advantage when it comes to the use of tablets (Chris, 2014). The gadgets depending on the cost have onboard high-quality cameras that can record videos and take photos while collecting data in the field. Researchers find this feature appealing and essential while carrying out a survey in various topics and issues (Chris, 2014). Furthermore, some tablets are fitted with pen-like features that allow one to take notes while in the field and thus avoid a lot of unnecessary paperwork (Chris, 2014). However, the gadget has a disadvantage as discussed in the article (Chris, 2014). The tablet has a limitation on the number of operation and application that can be used at a time. Software limitation is the first disadvantage. In comparison to the computer, there is some critical software of educational fields such as engineering that the tablet cannot be able to run (Shawn, 2014). The other weakness of the same is lifespan and durability (Shawn, 2014). Exposure of the electronic gadget to moisture can lead to failure. Individuals in developing countries and in some parts of developed countries experience a challenge in acquiring spare parts and the required manpower to fix the spoilt gadgets (Shawn, 2014). The other major advantage is a connection to other important devices such as the project. The most effective in a university University level of education is characterized with more research. Such tasks involve the collection of data using the cheapest and readily available means. The use of tablets, in this case, proves crucial as it allows for the taking of short notes photographs which can later be transferred to the computer for analysis (Shawn, 2014). Furthermore, the portability aspect that comes along with the tablet in comparison to the laptop makes it more efficient for use in universities (Chris, 2014). Also, during class time, it is always time to listen to the lecturer and grasp what is being taught. If it requires the use of complicated software it can be done later at home (Westover, 2011). However, despite the tablet proving to be more efficient in universities it still has some shortcomings that require the use of laptops (Westover, 2011). Discussion The use of technology in university cannot be compromised and the question is which one is more efficient. The preceded discussion clearly indicates that tablets seem to provide more flexibility than the laptop. However, the course requirement comes into play at this juncture. Some course does not require the use of heavy software and a lot of theories is involved. Such courses are best suited for the use of tablets for the display of just the notes for easy reference even when moving around. On the other hand, some courses require heavy use of software and, therefore, the use of a laptop cannot be compromised. Conclusion It is justified to conclude that the use of tablets is more likely to become more popular than the laptops. The number of courses that do not need the running of heavy software outnumbers those that require the use of the heavy software. Furthermore, the number of students in tough courses like engineering is low compared to other courses that may only need the use of the heavy software. Despite the use of tablet being popular, it all comes down to what one wants to achieve by the use of the gadget. Both the gadgets are useful but as we know with the rate at which technology is evolving, they cannot be written off in terms of running software and compatibility with other gadgets. Recommendations There is room for further research which would ensure that the tablet can be further improved and make it better for use in people with different needs. The touch technology makes the use of tablets more user-friendly and thus efficiency can be further improved through minimization of the shortcomings. The extinction towards a projector is a very crucial aspect in a university. It would be more appealing and resourceful of the tablets can be fitted with ports for connections with other devices like the projector. Also, the storage capacity proves to a bit of a challenge when it comes to storing data and installation of software. Limitations The collection of information was based majorly on the internet among other sources. The information has a limitation in that an individual providing information on a particular site may be biased based on the need to promote sales. It does not provide a platform that allows for obtaining of real information achieved through visiting university students and staffs and asking them about the current opinion regarding the use of the two gadgets. Also, obtaining information about the tablets was a bit tricky as most sites were advertising the gadgets and only gave the specs and special features about the gadget. References Bacon, B. (2013, February 11). Top 3 problems with tablets in the classroom | Digital Book World. Retrieved from http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2013/top-3-problems-with-tablets-in-the-classroom/ Baron, N. S. (2015). Words onscreen: The fate of reading in a digital world. Barton, P. (2013, November 27). Digital tablets improve classroom learning. Retrieved from http://phys.org/news/2013-06-digital-tablets-classroom.html Charles, C. (2014, September 3). Latest electronics, Mobile, Computer, Laptop etc: Laptop Computer Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved from http://com8com.blogspot.com/2008/11/laptop-computer-advantages-and.html Chris, D. (2014, July 3). Laptop VS Desktop Computer | England.edu. Retrieved from http://www.england.edu/book-store/laptop-vs-desktop-computer/ Madan, V. (2014, April 2). 6 Reasons Tablets Are Ready for the Classroom. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/05/16/tablets-education/ Mark, S. (2014, April 2). Tablets vs. Laptops | Pros and Cons of Notebooks and Tablets. Retrieved from http://blog.laptopmag.com/tablets-vs-laptops-whats-best-for-you May, J. (2012, April 5). Laptop vs. tablets: how they compare for true productivity | PCWorld. Retrieved from http://www.pcworld.com/article/2602917/laptop-vs-tablets-how-they-compare-for-true-productivity.html Peterson, J. (2015, February 12). For Seniors: Difference between Laptops and Tablets - For Dummies. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/for-seniors-difference-between-laptops-and-tablets.html Rodrique, D. (2014, February 13). The Benefits Of Laptops And Wireless Cards :: Technology Computers Papers. Retrieved from http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=25381 Shawn, H. (2014, November 13). How to Know When to Choose a Tablet Versus a Laptop. Retrieved from http://smallbiztrends.com/2014/11/tablet-versus-a-laptop.html Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education, Carlsen, R., Willis, D. A., & Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. (2007). Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference annual: March 26-30, San Antonio, Texas, USA. Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education. Westover, B. (2011, April 15). Laptops vs. Tablets: The Ultimate Showdown | PCMag.com. Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2423063,00.asp Zaltsman, M. (2014, September 6). Laptop or tablet? The back-to-school dilemma | Toronto Star. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com/business/personal_finance/2014/08/17/ontario_back_to_school_technology_dilemma_laptop_or_tablet.html Zuker, J. (2013, September 22). Touch tablets in the classroom: what are the advantages? | E-media, the Econocom blog. Retrieved from http://blog.econocom.com/en/blog/touch-tablets-in-the-classroom-what-are-the-advantages Read More