In the world of electronics nothing is more valuable than a mobile gadget. They are everywhere these days and all with different uses and functions, though some of the functions and uses may overlap from product to product. Mobile, handheld and portable is the way to go, we live in a fast paced world where mobile and wireless means everything. Some of the top mobile devices today are mp3 players, like the Apple iPod, digital book readers have recently become a huge newcomer to the mobile world as illustrated by the immense popularity of the Kindle book reader, smartphones that go way beyond providing the functions of communication and of course mobile computers, like laptops and tablet computers.

With the introduction of the Google Android operating system tablet devices that compete for customers with Apple and their iPad, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet model have hit the market in droves. Tablets are now the hot item in mobile computing and everyone either has one or wants one. What is the attraction of these handheld personal computers, read on to learn more.

1. What Are Tablet Computers?

The tablet is a personal computer that is tablet sized and has all the primary functionality of a full sized PC. Tablets are also called tablet PCs or tablet personal computers. They are a smaller version of a laptop computer system that uses a touchscreen as an input device. The touchscreen is rotatable and generally works with a pen tool or removable keyboard. Tablets are very thin and lightweight so they can be used while held in one hand, unlike the Netbooks or the laptops which do not provide such functionality. Most tablets today run the Google Android operating system, some run Windows and of course the Apple iPad, one of the top tablets that runs the Apple iOS. Tablets can be used to surf the web, for word processing, entertainment such as movies and music and other general computer functions. Most tablets run on a standard WiFi connection and some now have the 3G and 4G ultra fast connectivity, like the Dell Streak 7 and the Apple iPad 2.

2. Uses For Tablet Computers

Modern tablet devices can be used for any type of function that a personal computer or a mobile device is capable of. They can be used to type documents, take photos, play multimedia, control media presentations and they have all the functionality of a smartphone today. They can be used as a webcam or a desktop for applications. As technologies have advanced, tablets are also becoming the most versatile devices for multi-platform computer networking between various devices. The tablet is the next evolution in computers.

3. Top Brands Of Tablet Computers

Microsoft is considered the company that brought the tablet to the world first with the Tablet PC. Apple has become a major player with the iPad and the iPad2. Some would say that Android OS smartphones and the iPhone are just smaller tablets, but still these devices are not technically in the same category. The market leaders in Android tablets are Samsung with the Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Motorola with the Xoom as well as Toshiba with the Thrive. Other companies in the tablet market are Linux, Nokia, Blackberry, Acer and until recently HP who has stopped production of all tablet computers. As the market expands for the tablet, it may soon outshine the traditional PC and become the dominant networking device on the planet.