They last much, much longer. They're harder to use than a cartomizer by itself. They can be harder to refill (some require syringes, most don't). People describe them as tasting like you're always getting the first moist, flavorful drag every time. I'd imagine that they're generally cooler or the same as a carto, but that's more determined by the resistance.
IMHO, a beginner should check out clearomizers like a Vivi Nova once straight cartomizers aren't doing it for them. Carto-
tanks strike me as a halfway-there idea between cartomizers and clearomizers. A clearo will give you the same sort of capacity, an easier refilling experience, an easier way to replace worn-out parts (they come with replaceable heads), and generally less hassle. Others may disagree with this.
Clearomizer heads can often be rebuilt, so many of them have the potential to be effectively everlasting, too.
EDIT: Carto-
tanks have advantages, too. The largest
tanks I've seen are carto-tanks, not clearos. You can use a variety of cartomizers, especially if you have a punch. They come in fancy varieties like dual-coiled (two heating elements shoved together). With a clearo you're pretty much tied to the company that makes the replacement heads (unless you learn to rebuild them).
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