The Tablet Computer

A tablet computer is a thin, flat device with a big touchscreen. It is bigger than a phone but smaller than a laptop. You can use it to read, draw, watch videos, and play games.

The Rise of Tablets

People tried making tablet computers for many years. But they did not become really popular until Apple released the iPad in 2010. It was light, easy to use, and had a bright screen.

Soon, many other companies made their own tablets. Today, tablets are used in schools, homes, and workplaces around the world.

How People Use Tablets

Tablets are great for many things. Kids use them to read e-books and do schoolwork. Artists draw beautiful pictures on them with a special pen called a stylus.

Tablets are also popular for watching shows and playing games. They are easy to carry in a backpack. Some tablets can even be used as a laptop by adding a keyboard.

Fun Facts

• Over 1 billion tablets have been sold since the iPad came out in 2010.
• Some schools give every student a tablet instead of textbooks.
• Tablets are used by airplane pilots to view maps and flight plans.

Did You Know?

The idea for a tablet computer was first shown in a science fiction movie in 1968 called 2001: A Space Odyssey.