Advantages
* More natural form of input — sketching and handwriting are a much more familiar form of input than a keyboard and mouse, especially for people who are new to computers.
* Gesture recognition — gestures (moving the stylus in special patterns over the screen) are powerful ways to increase efficiency. Many applications, or the operating system itself, can be programmed to respond in different ways to certain gestures created by the pen.
* Note-taking — taking handwritten notes and drawing diagrams at a class or conference increases productivity and retention of information. The notes can also be searched automatically if handwriting recognition is implemented.
* Accessibility — those who are physically unable to type can utilize the additional features of a tablet PC to be able to interact with the electronic world.
* Digital art — tablets are often necessary for professional digital artist work. For many, mouse movement is too jerky to be used as a precision tool.
* Portability — slate tablets and hybrids without keyboards are very slim and light compared to typical laptops and can easily be tucked under the arm like a book.
* Horizontal orientation — most tablet PCs do not interrupt line of sight since they lie flat on the table or in one's arms. This allows for better interaction in business meetings and conferences and also makes it easy for digital artists who wish to draw on a horizontal medium.
Disadvantages
* Higher cost — convertible tablet PCs cost roughly $300 more than their non-tablet counterparts as of 2005. This premium is expected to fall to as low as $75 by 2007.[9] However, some models are intentionally priced at the same point or lower than equivalent notebooks without tablet functionality.
* Screen size — the size of tablet PC screens currently peaks at 14.1 inches. However, some models make up for this with very high resolution (a higher pixel density per unit area).
* Input speed — maximum handwriting speed can be significantly slower than maximum typing speed, which can be as high as 50-150 WPM.
* Screen damage risk - Because Tablet PC's are handled more than conventional laptops yet built on the frames of conventional notebooks, and because their screens also serve as input devices, many Tablet PC's run a higher risk of screen damage. PDAs carry some of the same risk.
* No built in optical drive (some Tablet PCs) — due to need for low mass
Designing around disadvantages
Manufacturers can design additional durability into the displays of tablets to effectively reduce screen damage risk, hinge failure, and screen size limitations. As an example, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company designed the Toughbook 19 specifically to overcome the screen damage issue potential. The use of scissor shock absorbers mounted to the screen, flexible connectors for data cables, molded magnesium alloy screen casing, durable and replaceable screen overlayments, and purpose built convertible hinges impact reliability. However, handheld models of computer such as the OQO Model 2 have a retractable keyboard that slides out sideways as a measure against having weak hinges and that the clamps for the sideway retracting keyboard are stronger if you put it into proportion to the robustness of the shell.
