iPad Versus Netbook

[Sketh]

It's pretty clear that the iPad will provide an intimate way to surf the web, and check email. Combine that with the App Store and Apple may very well have a hit.

Also, Netbooks are very popular right now, they're small, they pack complete Operating Systems, and they are user configurable.

Let's weigh the pros and cons of each device. I am interested to see what people think would better suit their needs.

**NOTE**

I am NOT asking if you would have preferred an Apple Netbook. I am asking you to judge actual products. I am very much aware you can install Snow Leopard and Leopard on most Netbooks to some degree of success, and you can take that into account. But do not formulate your dream gadget.


Anyway, as for me, as soon as the iPad was announced I put my HP Mini 1030nr on Craigslist and had a buyer the next day.

The iPad just has what I want, I want to be able to surf the web without stuttering, without having to wait for my virus scanner to finish bogging me down.

I have a laptop, I won the netbook from Engadget, it was great while I had it, but I had no reservations about dropping it for the iPad.

 

[*LTD*]

A netbook?? Are you kidding?

LOL

 

[Sketh]

A netbook?? Are you kidding?

LOL

My sentiments exactly! But with all of the complaining about "THERE IS NO CAMERA." "THERE IS NO FLASH." "I HATE IT." I thought it'd be interesting to see how many people opted for a (presumably) windows based machine.

 

[miles01110]

Rehashing this stupid discussion again?? Good grief...

 

[Sketh]

Rehashing this stupid discussion again?? Good grief...

As far as search showed me, and as far as I've noticed over the past week or so, the matter wasn't discussed as much as you seem to think. It's not a stupid question, either. The iPad has the potential to take the wind out of the long up tick in netbook sales.

Fact is that if someone told me two years ago that I could have my choice between a netbook "then" and an iPad (exactly how it is now) I would have waited for the iPad.

 

[bossxii]

Rehashing this stupid discussion again?? Good grief...

Still trolling and making useless comments to every iPad thread? Good grief...

As to the topic at hand. Netbooks to me are like swiss army knives, every possible port and option to do everything, but fail to do anything well enough to use it full time.

 

[Hankster]

Still trolling and making useless comments to every iPad thread? Good grief...

As to the topic at hand. Netbooks to me are like swiss army knives, every possible port and option to do everything, but fail to do anything well enough to use it full time.

Netbooks are lightweight computers for light CPU computing such as web surfing, etc. Show me where netbooks have "every possible port and option to do everything".

The iPad can't even display 50% of web sites, why in the world would it be better for browsing? You can't even view streaming video on ESPN/Hulu/CNET/any news site/etc.

As for as users "trolling". Nice try but aren't you posting your opinion all over the boards also? What's the difference? People have a right to post their opinion, especially if they disagree with you. Stop being a stuck up online a$$.

 

[miles01110]

As far as search showed me, and as far as I've noticed over the past week or so, the matter wasn't discussed as much as you seem to think. It's not a stupid question, either. The iPad has the potential to take the wind out of the long up tick in netbook sales.

That's because we've already beaten the sound out of this particular drum. This came up before the iPad was even introduced. Any of these threads turned into some sort of repetetive, juvenile "netbook vs iPad" debate.

iPad to replace netbooks?

Whip out iPad at bus stop? Why Not? Whip out Netbook at bus stop? Probably not.

Netbook Market Leader Acer Not Planning to Compete With iPad

hackintosh netbook > iPad

Does the iPad...

People look down on the iPad because they think it's a computer

I will get iPad over MacBook Air

And that's just a small sample. If you want a really good time, start digging through the threads that were posted just after/during the keynote. Nice try to bring something original to the table, though.

Fact is that if someone told me two years ago that I could have my choice between a netbook "then" and an iPad (exactly how it is now) I would have waited for the iPad.

Congratulations?

 

[lucifiel]

Why isn't there an option for "both"?

The way i see it, if i had more money, netbook will be used for typing up notes and what not whilst I'm in a lecture whereas the iPad would be useful for multimedia consumption.

I must say though, if I get a chance to try out the spiffy keyboard doc thing, it might push me over to thinking that the Netbook is not as useful, that said, I don't hold high hopes for it.

 

[Sketh]

Netbooks are lightweight computers for light CPU computing such as web surfing, etc. Show me where netbooks have "every possible port and option to do everything".

The iPad can't even display 50% of web sites, why in the world would it be better for browsing? You can't even view streaming video on ESPN/Hulu/CNET/any news site/etc.

As for as users "trolling". Nice try but aren't you posting your opinion all over the boards also? What's the difference? People have a right to post their opinion, especially if they disagree with you. Stop being a stuck up online a$$.

50% of the web? Really?

And I'm not quite sure why you're attacking Boss from both sides. So apparently you agree that netbooks aren't good at much, but condemning him for mentioning the vast amount of ports they have?

Maybe I'm just confused. But I don't get the need to call out other people for calling out other people. It seems condescending.

Why isn't there an option for "both"?

The way i see it, if i had more money, netbook will be used for typing up notes and what not whilst I'm in a lecture whereas the iPad would be useful for multimedia consumption.

I must say though, if I get a chance to try out the spiffy keyboard doc thing, it might push me over to thinking that the Netbook is not as useful, that said, I don't hold high hopes for it.

I considered putting a "Both" option, but I thought too many people instead of taking a side would just rather have both. I mean, who wouldn't want more gadgets?

 

[StingerT125]

The iPad can't even display 50% of web sites, why in the world would it be better for browsing?

?

Where are you getting that 50% number from. Just saying it doesn't make it true.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

I'd go for a netbook with osx or OpenSuse here. I dont care for the iPhone OS a whole lot.

 

[NT1440]

I have no need for a netbook, I can see myself using an iPad, especially once I start developing for it.

 

[Sketh]

That's because we've already beaten the sound out of this particular drum. This came up before the iPad was even introduced. Any of these threads turned into some sort of repetetive, juvenile "netbook vs iPad" debate.

iPad to replace netbooks?

Whip out iPad at bus stop? Why Not? Whip out Netbook at bus stop? Probably not.

Netbook Market Leader Acer Not Planning to Compete With iPad

hackintosh netbook > iPad

Does the iPad...

People look down on the iPad because they think it's a computer

I will get iPad over MacBook Air

And that's just a small sample. If you want a really good time, start digging through the threads that were posted just after/during the keynote. Nice try to bring something original to the table, though.



Congratulations?

Also, even with all of those topics I said I wanted a dedicated poll for it. Really? The subject has been discussed before? I had no idea! Wow! Thank you for showing me that. I clearly did state that I searched.

 

[sushi]

I think there is room for both depending on your needs.

Both have their pros and cons.

 

[bossxii]

Netbooks are lightweight computers for light CPU computing such as web surfing, etc. Show me where netbooks have "every possible port and option to do everything".

The iPad can't even display 50% of web sites, why in the world would it be better for browsing? You can't even view streaming video on ESPN/Hulu/CNET/any news site/etc.

As for as users "trolling". Nice try but aren't you posting your opinion all over the boards also? What's the difference? People have a right to post their opinion, especially if they disagree with you. Stop being a stuck up online a$$.

WTH!! Where did the other 25% go? You have been ranting for weeks, 75% of the web is gone, now it's only 50%. Your slipping. See how that happens when you make up stuff vs fact? Focus!

As to the ESPN, Hulu, Cnet, any news site. Do you even own an iPod Touch or iPhone? ESPN, CNET, and many other news and entertainment sites have apps that stream the video from their sites. Hulu is the only major one that has yet to create an app.

Let's see, I am willing to bet you have copy/pasted your response "can't see xx% of the web" at least 20 times over the past few weeks and nothing more. No matter the thread topic. I see miles0001010 whatever trying to make one line remarks in nearly every single iPad thread. Not everyone lives on MR to check every single topic before they post a new thread, if he didn't know it was a repeat, big deal if it has been posted so may times I'm sure the mods will lock it. We don't need the the wanna be mods in every thread.

 

[mrgreen4242]

The iPad can't even display 50% of web sites, why in the world would it be better for browsing? You can't even view streaming video on ESPN/Hulu/CNET/any news site/etc.

People have been spitting all kinds of crap about Flash and it needs to stop. A very terse search indicates that, overall, about 1/3 of sites have Flash content. The data is two years old - it seems to me that more advanced sites have been moving AWAY from Flash the last couple of year, but if you can find more recent, reliable number, please do share.

http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/mama-key-findings/#flash

From that you have to subtract sites where Flash is used only for ads. Then you have the part of the web which "requires" Flash; maybe in the 25% range, both globally, and in the US (Apple's home country, so it's fair to approach the discussion from that angle, imo).

Now, from that pool, you can split into 3 sections: video, apps, and content. The video portion is the part that people seem to get all up in arms about - the Hulus and CNNs, etc.

Many sites are already starting to move to HTML for video, and this will continue. I think we will see a large amount of non-copy protected video content become available without Flash during 2010. For example, the leading site for online Falsh video, YouTube (which is, incidentally the second most popular search engine, behind its parent, Google - more YouTube searches are made than Yahoo! searches, for example) is available on the iDevices via a custom app AND now HTML5 version of the site. Other popular sites are changing as well (Vimeo is another one; personally once The Escapist moves to HTML and I can watch Zero Punctuation without Flash I'll probably uninstall it).

For copy protected content, it is unfortunate that the iDevices won't play them, BUT most sites delivering restricted video WOULDN'T WORK ON THEM ANYWAYS due to licensing restrictions. Go try to visit Hulu on a mobile browser that supports Flash and let me know how that goes (hint: unless it's changed from last summer, you'll get a message telling you you can't watch anything). When they do get that licensing worked out, expect to see a specialized app for them anyways - they NEED to support Apple's PMPs as they are without any question #1 in market share right now.

The second group, apps, is a bit of a problem. At first, it seems like Apple is simply protecting the App store (which to a degree, they certainly are), until you look at how you interact most Flash apps - a combination of clicks, mouse overs, and keyboard controls. Two of these three won't work (elegantly) on the iPad/iPhone. Adobe's plan of building an iPhone "compiler" for Flash into CS5 is probably a better way to approach this problem. It's not ideal, but trying to use a Flash app on a touchscreen, keyboardless device wouldn't be either.

Finally is content, things like photo slideshows, information banners, document readers, etc. These will/could be missed. It's my opinion that they are typically the product of lazy web development, but they are out there and are useful some of the time. This is the one place where I feel a "trade off" is happening - speed, reliability, battery life, not seeing PUNCH THE MONKEY ads, etc. are being exchanged for some additional access to content. Musch of this has the same problems as Flash apps (difficult/impossible to use without keyboard and mouse) and much of it has "fallbacks" in place for people without Flash.

In short, Flash isn't as big a deal as you want it to be. Get over it.

 

[marksman]

I have two netbooks. One Asus 1000HE with 2 gigs of ram, and the other an older Asus model. I will trade them and $50 to anyone who wants to get me an iPad.

Netbooks suck.

 

[Michael CM1]

From what I've seen, an iPad is a lot easier to carry around than the smaller netbooks. The one netbook I've used was a bit clunky and had an unusable keyboard/trackpad setup for someone who has adult-size hands.

But the iPad doesn't do everything that a netbook does, mainly with a "full" OS. But aside from entering the Flash debate, what else do you need in something so compact? From descriptions I have seen, the netbook class is made to be ultra-portable and do e-mail and Web tasks, perhaps with an Office suite.

The iPad is also an e-reader, and if it works as well as I'm guessing a very large iPhone would, that's a key bonus in my book -- no pun intended.

 

[lordhamster]

I have two netbooks. One Asus 1000HE with 2 gigs of ram, and the other an older Asus model. I will trade them and $50 to anyone who wants to get me an iPad.

Netbooks suck.

Same here. Except I only have one Asus 1000HE.

As for the flash? My browsing experience on the iPhone is fine, except the screen being so tiny means I need to zoom more than I care for.

 

[laserfox]

I dont think netbooks are terrible at all. I have the ASUS 1000HE and it runs windows 7 like a dream. I also dual boot Snow Leopard and (lack of clear fonts aside) it runs like a dream. I connect this up to my 19inch HDTV in my dorms with a wireless keyboard and mouse and rarely miss my desktop. I have had it almost a year now and no problems what so ever. Chiclet style keyboard for easy typing, 7hours real life battery, real applications to fit my need(MS OneNote, Word, Eclipse), lightweight and I can sync my ipod Touch with music , web cam with friends at home, multi task, transfer data easily etc.

While I am about to purchase a new computer/tablet for use in my labs, I doubt the iPad would work for me. Maybe my mother might like it, she has been asking me about the kindle.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I have a Lenovo S10 netbook w/ Win 7 and 10.6 on it. I bought it to putz around with, but really, it's pretty craptacular. Forget about the speed, I can deal w/ that. What's annoying is the teeny tiny trackpad and scrunched keyboard. Sure it's a fully functional computer technically. Technically.

I'll be buying an iPad. It's going to be a much more sane way to do low level computer tasks.

 

[richpjr]

Some of the newer netbooks with the Ion chipset and the 11.6" screens are actually pretty usable. You can type on them and their multimedia performance is actually quite nice. I haven't checked, but if you could hack one with Snow Leopard, they would be even better.

But netbooks and iPads are not the same thing, so I'm not sure why they are always compared.

 

[fobfob]

I have no interest in a netbook. Hell, I hardly ever use my MBP now and will sell it as soon as I finish my postgrad course. These days I use the MBP for:

web surfing
email
tinkering with simple word/excel documents (are you seeing a trend?)
actually, that's it.

Netbooks can do those things but the problem for me is that netbooks suck you into a power game. Because you are using desktop class applications, you will always be playing catchup to desktops/laptops in terms of CPU/storage etc. If it seems slow, you go looking for a faster one. I'm sick of playing that game.

I want something that can do those things and more (games) with apps that are built for it, not for a thumping i7 and hopefully they kinda work on an Atom.

 

[BrokenE]

A lot of people here remind me of the Windows 7 ad where 7 was their idea, but in reverse. People here are pissed because Jobs didn't listen to "MY idea" and because he didn't listen to me, iPad is a useless piece of crap? Not referring to anyone on this thread...yet. But I have been reading a few of these threads too, so just had to say that.

IPad is not a POS, I appreciate it for what it is. I think a lot of people will be happy with it, but before I buy one, I would like to be able to install a slim version of OSX, MS Office and removable storage (SD card reader would be nice). For now, I will not buy one, voting with my wallet.

I think later down the road there will be an iPad Pro which will have more features and more storage.

Never been interested in netbook. The cheap PCs are bad enough. (I know cuz I have one of those too that no one in my family likes to use) I can't imagine what a $200-$300 net book would be like. No thanks.