Can tablets appeal to serious gamers?

For all the entertainment capabilities of tablet computers, the devices so far have not established a significant base of serious gamers. This may soon change, as developments in the technology suggest that more attractive features for gamers are on the horizon.

Tablet computers have great potential for gameplay. Their light weight and WiFi capabilities mean gamers can take the devices anywhere and still remain connected to online gaming portals. The tablet's long battery life should also be an attractive feature for gamers, as they can continue to interact with the devices for hours on end.

There are still some restrictions to gaming on tablets, though, such as a lack of processing power. This is quickly changing with the emergence of dual- and quad-core tablets, but until such features are widespread, tablet gaming may be limited.

The touchscreen also currently poses a challenge to gaming, as most gamers are used to interacting with programs with a mouse rather than their fingers. This too may prove to be a temporary setback as people become more comfortable with the technology.

Gaming on tablets today tends to be rather simple, catering to an audience of casual gamers. But the tablet fanbase is growing rapidly, meaning serious gaming options may soon be in high demand.