The difference between a tablet and a traditional laptop lies primarily in their form factors and functionalities. Tablets are typically slim, lightweight, and operated via a touchscreen, emphasizing portability and ease of use for media consumption and casual tasks. They often run mobile operating systems, which may limit compatibility with desktop applications. In contrast, laptops are designed for more intensive computing tasks and usually include a physical keyboard and larger screen, running full desktop operating systems and supporting a broader range of software.