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What I don't understand about tablets

Tags:
  • Gaming
  • Computers
  • Tablets
  • Build
  • Customization
  • Mobile Computing
Last response: in Mobile Computing
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May 17, 2013 7:00:41 PM

So we can customize computers specified to our needs, we can pick out Graphic Cards, CPU's, Motherboards specified to our individual needs and wants.

What is keeping us from being able to do the same process with tablets? Aren't they basically made with essentially the same hardware/parts?

I reason I ask this question is because I plan on going to college and Major in Computer Engineering and hope to someday create my own customized tablet with all the Gaming Desktop PC accessories (USB, Internet Ports, Audio/Mic, Graphic Card, Keyboard, Power Cord/power supply/battery)

More about : understand tablets

a b 4 Gaming
May 17, 2013 11:09:06 PM

My best guess is that the parts needed to be used such as graphics cards ext are so small or specialized that only the manufactures have access to them. Also this way they can essentially control what goes on with tablets. As for the college part I would personally love to see that happen, custom building my own tablet would be amazing but with the current technology in them, i dont think there is room for deviation.
May 22, 2013 2:48:18 PM

With tablets, every component is essentially put together into one piece - the main board. One piece, one part number, only one version that has to be manufactured. With the exception of tablets that come in multiple storage capacities, the manufacturer only has to manufacture and provide one essential piece of hardware. Everything already soldered on and ready to go to be put together with the screen, casing, ect. This makes it easier (and cheaper) for the OEMs, thus keeping the MSRP (relatively) low.

I don't think we will ever be able to open up a tablet and freely upgrade its parts. Unlike a PC, where you can easily open up a tower and swap in-and-out parts, a tablet has everything soldered on. With them getting thinner and thinner every generation, I doubt future board designs will be any different. However, we might see a day where a company would let you "build your own" tablet, where you can pick your specs before purchase. I can see this happening with non-ARM Windows tablets.
a b 4 Gaming
May 22, 2013 4:22:47 PM

The processor in a tablet and smartphone is known as a SoC (System on Chip). SoCs integrates many different components into a single chip. The obvious are the CPU and GPU cores and the DAC (Digital Analog Converter; for sound). nVidia's Tegra 3 SoC have those 3 integrated components. I believe Qualcom's Snapdrgaon has up to 6 different components integrated into the SoC. That includes the 3 I mentioned found in the Tegra 3 and I believe it also integrates the WiFi circuity as well as the memory controller.

Why integrate many component's into the SoC? It reduces costs. It also guarantees that all the components (or at least many of them) are manufactured using the same die process which can help lower power consumption.

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