Are quad-core tablets worth the wait?

The tablet market has seen monumental growth in recent years, and during that time, the mobile devices have undergone significant changes. As the tablet seems to be on the verge of becoming mainstream, one development may push it over the edge -- quad-core processors.

The quad-core tablet could prove to be a game-changer. In the early stages of the tablet market, single- and, more recently, dual-core processors have been able to meet most users' daily needs, such as playing games, watching movies and performing work-related tasks.

But, going forward, tablet owners will likely use the devices for more advanced applications, such as web design and other authoring purposes. As tablets continue to grow, the processing power behind the devices will need to increase.

The trade-off is that quad-core tablets will be more power-hungry than single- and dual-core tablets. This means users won't be able to go as long without charging their devices. But it might be a sacrifice some are willing to make for a more powerful machine.

Nvidia® CEO Jen-Hsun Huang predicts that the first quad-core tablet will be available by the 2011 holiday season. While today's tablets can already meet a variety of demands, those who require a little more from their computing devices may be inclined to hold out.