Do You Need a Smart Phone and a Tablet?

Smartphones have replaced regular old cell phones as the new standard for mobiles. Tablets are beginning to replace laptops as the new standard for portable personal computing. Both are extremely useful, versatile devices that serve many purposes including communication, entertainment, information-finding, and office work. They both allow you to connect to the Internet and complete a very wide variety of tasks while on-the-go and away from home. Everyone from businesspeople to teenagers loves the functionality and tech appeal of smartphones and tablets. And many people have both, in addition to their laptops at home. But do you really need a smartphone AND a tablet?

Function
Smartphones and tablets do perform many of the same functions. Depending on which model you own, of course, most smartphones and tablets run the same applications and programs. They also both usually have cameras and video cameras and the ability to work with different hardware including printers. Both have internal storage, but they also work with cloud storage. When it comes to making traditional phone calls, your tablet won’t cut it unless you rely on a service like Google Voice. Both allow you to surf the Internet and edit documents, but your tablet is generally easier to type on compared to the much smaller smartphone keyboard. Both work with a wide range of accessories and have Bluetooth capabilities. In general, the functions of smartphones and tablets tend to be very similar.

Portability
The majority of the functions that your smartphone and tablet can perform are designed to be used on-the-go. It makes accessing the Internet and important work files possible wherever you are. You can use these devices easily in public areas and work spaces. They’re extremely easy to carry around and lightweight. The portable nature of smartphones and tablets is what makes them so appealing to people who want to be connected all the time. They are especially convenient for travelers and businesspeople. But when you’re already carrying your smartphone, do you need to bring a tablet, too? That depends on the nature of your work. If you need to do detailed document editing, you probably need a tablet. If you’re only using the Internet for quick fact-checking or Facebook status updates, your smartphone will probably suffice. Even though a tablet is very portable, it is only serving as extra weight if you don’t truly need it.

Cost
Cost is also a factor that needs to be considered. Smartphones and tablets can be expensive. Can you afford to have both? Should you really put out the extra money for a tablet, when you already have a smartphone and a laptop at home? You may also need to pay for apps, accessories, data usage, and Internet connectivity. For those on a tight budget, it may not be wise to pay for both. But if you can afford it, why not? You may not need a smartphone and a tablet, but you might want both. In the end, you’ll have to evaluate your own needs to determine whether or not both a smartphone and a tablet would be useful for you. But consider that perhaps you can get by with just one.

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