Published on September 9th, 2012 | by Sunit Nandi

Tablet device evolution: a visual round up

A tablet device or more specifically a tablet computer, is larger than a personal digital assistant (PDA) and smaller than a desktop or laptop, and is intended to be operated by means of a touch screen or a pen input. Tablet devices have proved to be a very important turning point in the mobile device category.

In this post, we’ll be seeing in visuals the evolution of such devices into the wonderful little tabs of today.

Phase 1: Science fiction

The Dynabook portable computer was formulated by Alan Kay as early as 1968, whereas the NewsPAD was featured in the 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Phase 2: Traditional tablet PC

The first ever tablet PC was conceptualized by Microsoft in the year 2000. These devices were portable personal computers/laptops which had touchscreen and pen as additional inputs. They had physical keyboards and all the hardware that comes alongwith a standard laptop and usually ran a modified desktop OS with support for the additional inputs.

HP TC4400

Phase 3: The iPad

The Apple iPad was the first non-PC tablet to become popular in the market. It featured a large sized capacitive touchscreen and was equipped with a WiFi or WiFi+3G connectivity. It was powered by ARM-Cortex based processor and a PowerVR processor. Being light and easy to carry, it gained immense popularity despite being locked down by Apple and other limitations.

iPad

Phase 4: Android tablets

After the success of the iPad, OEMs like Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Huawei, Archos, etc. were inspired and manufactured tablets running the Android operating system. Also this includes the phablet (phone + tablet)

Samsung Galaxy Tab

HTC Flyer

Motorola Xoom

Samsung Galaxy Note

Phase 5: Return of the tablet PC

With Windows 8 getting popular, the trend of PC-based tablets is again gaining strength. The Microsoft Surface and Samsung ATIV smart PC are the best examples.

Microsoft Surface

Samsung ATIV smart PC

Phase 6: The future

The future is limitless, imagination can reach wild proportions.

Hope you all liked this article. 🙂

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Tags: 8, Apple, computer, flyer, Galaxy, htc, iPad, microsoft, motorola, note, pc, pen, Samsung, stylus, tab, tablet, wacom, windows

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.