Are Tablets the Future of Personal Computers? With Microsoft's unveiling of the most expensive tablet ever priced at just under $900, the tablet is sitting among mid-priced laptops and desktops as a major competitor. Apple's iPad has captivated audiences with user favorite applications on a larger screen with sharper image quality. Tablets from companies like Lenovo and Asus are quickly becoming an alternative to laptops and PCs as netbooks were a year or two ago. Therefore, many consumers wonder if the tablet is the future for personal computers.