Hybrid devices are the devices that associate the productivity and functionalities of the laptop with similar functionality of tablet in a single device. Hybrid devices combine the productivity, flexibility, and portability of a keyboard, and touch interface in a single device. These devices are the combination of tablets and laptop computers, in which a laptop has a removable screen that transforms into a tablet when detached. Laptop is equipped with a detachable keyboard, and once keyboard is detached, the device can be used as tablet. Hybrid computers are mainly used for specialized applications where both analog and digital data processing is done. Hybrid devices can collect energy from multiple sources.
The digital components take care of logical and numerical operations in addition to serving as the controller for the system. Hybrid computers have tremendous computing speed enabled by all-parallel configuration provided by the analog subsystem. These devices are differentiated into convertible and detachable hybrid dices.Hybrid devices are a combination of a tablet and a laptop. These devices are available in detachable or convertible form. A convertible device can be transformed into a tablet when the keyboard is removed, while a detachable tablet can be used as a lightweight notebook. The detachable variety can have additional accessories, such as sensors and processors. Hybrid devices are also useful in disaster recovery.
The global hybrid devices market is estimated to be valued at US$ 30,685.00 million in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 17.7 % over the forecast period (2021-2028).
The Surface features a cover that doubles as a keyboard. The Surface can be used as a tablet or as a laptop, and its commercials have made the keyboard a key differentiation feature. Although the Surface is the first hybrid device, there are other Windows 8 hybrid devices on the market. In addition to smart phones, hybrid devices are also useful for medical applications. In the ICU of a hospital, for instance, hybrid computers monitor patients’ vital signs and can display their values. For example, when a patient’s temperature is below the recommended level, the device automatically adjusts the temperature to make the room temperature at a safe level. Moreover, the speedometer in a car is a hybrid device.
However, the price of hybrid devices is likely to remain relatively higher than those of other computing devices. Consumers will be more inclined to purchase hybrid devices if they have the ability to purchase multiple types of devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Microsoft is also interested in hybrid devices, and recently launched a Surface tablet, a prototype of a hybrid device. Surface is a line of tablet computers developed by Microsoft and sold under their brand. The Surface Pro is a detachable laptop and is actually more of a tablet than a laptop. For the Surface Pro to actually work like a traditional laptop user will need to purchase the Type Cover keyboard that is sold separately.
Hybrid devices are the combination of two or more technologies, or those that run on electricity and those that run on batteries. Forexample, hybrid vehicles are vehicles that run on gasoline as well as electricity. Moreover, a 2-in-1 tablet, also known as a hybrid or convertible tablet, is a tablet PC that also functions as a notebook. A 2-in-1 tablets are designed to bridge the gap between ultra-portables and near-desktop functionality of notebooks. In short, hybrid devices are combination of two devices with similar features, allowing functionalities and productivity of both devices.
