iPad or netbook on a bicycling vacation?

[DoNoHarm]

I'm going on a two month bicycling vacation this summer while I wait to hear from medical schools that I just applied to. I'm going to need to check the internet every day and correspond with medical schools as they send me secondary requests for information. I'm debating between a 3G netbook and a 3g ipad.

Has anyone tried to go for an extended period without a laptop? What were the disadvantages?

 

[Full of Win]

As much as I like my 3G iPad... go with the netbook w/ 3G connection. You may be smart if you are applying to med school, but that does not make your clairvoyant. You may be fine with a iPad, but why risk your future on such a thing? For all the progress made in the past few years, we still don't live in a fully mobile browser compatible world.

 

[afireintonto]

I'm actually on a two month vacation right now. I have my iPad, MacBook, and iphone with me. I have only used the MacBook to iChat. I think you would be able to get by just fine with he ipad unless you have files to send around and need to download files from your schools and what not.
It really depends on your needs, if your unsure - go with the netbook. Better safe than sorry I suppose. When you get back sell the netbook, get iPad.

 

[phoobo]

No limits

I live on my bicycle 3-4 months a year (my work comes over the Net), and I'm carrying both now, with a portable 3G wireless router. Works fine. Not a weight weenie. Rivendell Bombadil forever. Steel is real.

If all you're doing is emailing, the iPad is fine unless your fingers don't work that way.

 

[TheMadBrewer]

I've got a short (2 week) bicycling trip coming up this summer and I'm planning on iPad + bluetooth keyboard. A couple years ago on a similar trip I took my MacBook Air but worried the whole trip about it getting wet, dropped, stolen, etc. etc.

I actually bought an Acer Aspire 1 netbook for such things but I just found it so frustrating to use that it sits on the shelf.

This will be a dry run for a longer trip next year -- 4-6 weeks.

 

[steviem]

As much as I like my 3G iPad... go with the netbook w/ 3G connection. You may be smart if you are applying to med school, but that does not make your clairvoyant. You may be fine with a iPad, but why risk your future on such a thing? For all the progress made in the past few years, we still don't live in a fully mobile browser compatible world.

I don't quite understand how you would need to be clairvoyant if you have an iPad but that's besides the point.

The only reason to go with a netbook would be the ability to store photos (and thats even only if it uses a physical hard drive - which can be seen as a negative in itself). So I say go with an iPad 3G. Same connectivity and if you're in 3G area with Push email, you'll get email notifications and if you hear them, be able to respond quicker than if you were firing up your netbook in the evening...

 

[barkomatic]

I've found that an iPad fits nicely in a one-gallon sized Ziploc freezer bag. Now I can cycle all I want without worrying about rain.

If you are simply going to be corresponding with these schools then an iPad should be fine. However, if you're going to need to fill out forms, download attachments and collect other materials I think you may be frustrated with it.

 

[DoNoHarm]

yeah, there's also all the added functionality for bike maps and whatnot that the ipad brings.... I think i'll go with an ipad and if for some reason I need some more horsepower, I will just drop in to an internet cafe. And worst case scenario, I could just sell the ipad in europe if i'm not liking it.

 

[DaveOZ]

If it's mainly web access and email you need then I would go with the iPad. Just check the web sites you need before you leave to make sure they don't use flash.

The iPad will give you fast ready access to other useful things like maps, navigation, weather etc.

 

[AJsAWiz]

I'm going on a two month bicycling vacation this summer while I wait to hear from medical schools that I just applied to. I'm going to need to check the internet every day and correspond with medical schools as they send me secondary requests for information. I'm debating between a 3G netbook and a 3g ipad.

Has anyone tried to go for an extended period without a laptop? What were the disadvantages?

I have and found that my iPad suited my needs. The only hindrance was sites that required flash. But, generally I did just fine without it (flash).