Tablets are great for watching a video or reading an e-book in the classroom but a tablet has a terrible on-screen keyboard for writing notes and papers. What is needed primarily is a laptop and then the functions of a tablet?
2-in-1 (hybrid ) is a crossover device that combines certain features of both laptops and tablets. The distinguishing feature of 2-in-1 in a digital classroom is its data input type which includes both a touchscreen interface like a tablet and a virtual keyboard like laptop or desktop. Asus Transformed Pad-series and Microsoft’s Surface slates are some of the popular 2-in-1 s in the market today. With the rise of 2-in-1 s, tablets’ future is going to be affected as well.
2-in-1s Main Features
2-in-1 in digital classroom combine the best of both tablets (mobile) and desktop (fixed). Although the terms convertible and 2-in-1 is generally used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. While in convertible the keyboard can be concealed by folding it behind the chassis, in a 2-in-1 it can be completely removed which makes the device versatile for both in the digital classroom and elsewhere by making it lighter in detaching the keyboard.
Following are some of the main features of 2-in-1s that differentiate them from laptops and tablets:
- Interface: 2-in-1 combines the touch functionality of a tablet with the keyboard functionality of a laptop. The keyboards on most 2-in-1s are compact, but many 2-in-1s also come with an additional stylus which adds to the ease of typing and working on the device.
- Performance: Budget 2-in-1s come with 1GB or 2GB RAM, which means they are good only for single and simpler tasks. However, more expensive 2-in-1s that come with stronger processors are quite good at intensive tasks as well.
- Price: 2-in-1s are the cheapest among the three, and many decent ones come under the £100 price. However, there are many expensive models as well that have better build, quality, performance, and processing power.
- Battery Life: Again, the battery life of a 2-in-1 is linked to its price—cheaper 2-in-1s generally have only 2-3 hours of battery life. However, even for the higher end 2-in-1s, the battery life is not in the same ballpark as a full-blown laptop.
- Security: Most new 2-in-1s have decent in-built security features such as locking a stolen device, as well remotely erasing the 2-in-1 data if required.
No wonder with above features 2-in-1 s, tablet’s future, is giving PCs a run for their money.
2-in-1 in digital classroom, a better solution while phasing Out of PCs
The sales trends of the last few years clearly show a big decline in the PC market while 2-in-1s have taken the lead. Premier researchers and market watchdogs such as IDC and Gartner have predicted that the future of PCs isn’t looking very bright due to the paradigm shift in user consumption.
And these changes are not just affected by laptops and tablets, but by newer crossover devices like 2-in-1 s, making the future in particular for academic work and now 2-in-1 in a digital classroom has emerged more than ever as a solution.
