What happened to tablet computers and UMPCs that run a full desktop operating system instead of Android or another mobile OS? Modern hardware is much faster and more efficient than it was in the 2000s and early 2010s, so why didn't thin, touch-friendly tablets running Windows or Linux become more mainstream?
4 Answers
They never really disappeared; they just became a niche product category. Microsoft Surface devices, Dell Latitude tablets, Lenovo convertibles, HP Elite models, and gaming handheld PCs all run full Windows, while smaller manufacturers also sell Linux-compatible tablet hardware. The difference is that they are usually marketed as convertibles or 2-in-1 computers rather than as UMPCs.
Some current gaming handhelds are surprisingly powerful for their size and run Windows, with Linux available as well.
Windows tablet computers are still useful in workplaces and for specialized tasks. Inspectors, field technicians, artists, and people who take handwritten notes can use tablet mode while working, then attach a keyboard and continue with ordinary desktop software. Pen support and handwriting tools were especially good on some older business tablets, but the category became a practical niche instead of the next big consumer platform.
The software experience has improved over time, especially with newer versions of Windows and better pen support, but it still depends heavily on whether the applications are designed for touch.
The main tradeoff is still heat and battery life. A full desktop OS and desktop-class processor can do much more, but that usually means higher power consumption and more heat. A smaller case has less room for cooling hardware and a large battery, so the result is often heavier, noisier, or shorter-lived than a mobile tablet.
Mobile operating systems won because most people preferred a simple, fixed device with tightly integrated hardware, touch-friendly apps, and an app store. Desktop systems are much more customizable, but they were designed around a keyboard, mouse, and lots of software that does not work especially well with touch. That makes a full Windows or Linux tablet useful for particular jobs, but less appealing as a mass-market product.
There are more options than the major brands suggest, including compact devices from smaller manufacturers with support for several different operating systems.