A tablet is a portable touchscreen computer. It is larger than a smartphone and smaller than a laptop. It has no physical keyboard, though you can attach one. The iPad launched in 2010 and defined the category. Android tablets followed. Tablets are used for reading, browsing, drawing, watching video, and light productivity.

Tablets fill a gap. They are more portable than laptops and more comfortable than phones for reading and media. They are less capable for heavy work. But with a keyboard and stylus, some tablets replace laptops for writers, artists, and students.

Types of tablets

• Slate: touchscreen only
• Convertible: detachable keyboard
• 2-in-1: foldable or rotating hinge
• Graphics tablet: for digital art, no screen
• E-reader: e-ink display, reading only

Tablet sales surged during the pandemic as remote learning and streaming took off. They declined afterward. But the form factor persists. The tablet is a compromise device. For some tasks, it is the best tool. For others, a phone or laptop is better. It depends on what you need to do.