iPad Versus Netbook

[NT1440]

Most netbooks these days have very close to full size keyboards. (It's hard to tell the difference until you compare them side by side.)

Saying most I think is a stretch, many yes, but most?

I just really can't understand (or stand for that matter) netbooks from an ergonomics standpoint. In fact, I can't even go back to a regular trackpad after being spoiled by the enormous one on my MBP.

I do agree, however, that netbooks definitely have their uses for those who buy them, but that can be said about any device

 

[dave1812dave]

Most netbooks these days have very close to full size keyboards. (It's hard to tell the difference until you compare them side by side.)

Personally, I enjoy my netbook. My computing time is probably spent 45% eMac, 45% HP Mini, 5% Desktop PC and 5% iPhone. I'm extremely pleased with this setup, and there's no room for an iPad in there anywhere. And I don't see any reason to replace my netbook with one. The netbook runs a full featured OS, is more powerful, can multitask and run a much larger variety of software.

I can see why some people would prefer an iPad; but it's just not a feasible option for a lot of people compared to a netbook.

Speaking of OS's, I've got an Acer A150 with Win 7 on it and it runs just FINE. Even has the aero interface, despite MS's claim it wouldn't work on it. I can do a lot more with my netbook than the Ipad will be capable of. I'd prefer to have one of the newer models though, that has a larger keyboard. I finally bought a $15 logitech USB full-size keyboard for when I hook up the Acer to a 23" screen at one of my desks. Flip the screen to portrait and the internet looks AWESOME! Away from my PC's, my Touch (with MiFi) is my main "go-to" device for hitting the 'net.

 

[SkyBell]

Saying most I think is a stretch, many yes, but most?

Hrm, really? I know when they first hit the market, they all had pretty small keyboards...then the better one's started coming out a little over a year ago. I guess I just assumed the others would have caught up by now.

I just really can't understand (or stand for that matter) netbooks from an ergonomics standpoint. In fact, I can't even go back to a regular trackpad after being spoiled by the enormous one on my MBP.

I'll admit the trackpads are a bit of a pain in the beginning; there's definitely a lot of quirks about them one needs to get used to. But when you do, you hardly notice those things about them. And after, when you use a normal sized trackpad, they seem like a waste of space.

I do agree, however, that netbooks definitely have their uses for those who buy them, but that can be said about any device

Which is just one of many reasons this thread has no real purpose.

 

[NT1440]

Which is just one of many reasons this thread has no real purpose.

Someone finally gets it!

This isn't a get one over the other scenario its a GET WHAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS and stop bitching that others don't have those same needs scenario.

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

Imo, a netbook + Jolicloud is as good as highly-mobile computer gets.

 

[Rapmastac1]

I've been waiting for the announcement of the rumored Apple Tablet before I bought any newer mobile devices. I really like the iPad but I honestly would rather have a full OS, having a touch screen isn't a major thing for me as long as whatever keyboard it may have (physical or software) is nice to use.

Needless to say I purchased a Netbook at Costco last week and I love it! It came with Windows 7 Starter which I quickly upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium due to a LOT of limitations. It also has 1GB of ram, a 160GB HD, and runs on an Intel Atom 1.66ghz processor. It runs quite well and I'm very happy with the tweaks and personalization I can do to it.

I'll still be thinking about the iPad, but until you can tether with a non-iPhone I will use my Acer AspireOne with my Blackberry to connect anywhere I get service.

 

[GermanSuplex]

If I wanted a netbook, I'd just pay a few more dollars and get a laptop.

I want an iPad not because of what it can't do, but because of what it can. And there are many things it can do that a netbook can't.

My home desktop is the root of all of my devices. Its where my iTunes library is, its where I do my video encoding, etc., so having a device that syncs to it and transfers information back and forth isn't a downfall in my opinion, it's actually ideal for me. For this reason, a full-blown OS isn't something I am bothered about.

 

[dave1812dave]

I've been waiting for the announcement of the rumored Apple Tablet before I bought any newer mobile devices. I really like the iPad but I honestly would rather have a full OS, having a touch screen isn't a major thing for me as long as whatever keyboard it may have (physical or software) is nice to use.

Needless to say I purchased a Netbook at Costco last week and I love it! It came with Windows 7 Starter which I quickly upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium due to a LOT of limitations. It also has 1GB of ram, a 160GB HD, and runs on an Intel Atom 1.66ghz processor. It runs quite well and I'm very happy with the tweaks and personalization I can do to it.

I'll still be thinking about the iPad, but until you can tether with a non-iPhone I will use my Acer AspireOne with my Blackberry to connect anywhere I get service.

what did it cost you to upgrade to premium? I bought 3 copies of premium from Amazon before release date so they were CHEAP! $49 each!

 

[4DThinker]

I have both an Asus netbook and the Archos 9 tablet.
I'm aware the 9 is not an iPad.
The tablet/touchscreen form is easier to use once optimized with larger icons and screen controls. It is more readily portable. I prefer sofa browsing with my 9 over my Asus.

What keeps the 9 ahead is that it also does everything that Asus can do. I don't have to give up anything to use the 9.

The iPad has that tablet/touchscreen advantage, but loses ground comparing everything else against the Asus.

So I would take my netbook over an iPad, but I prefer my Windows OS tablet over both.

 

[1appleAday]

Unless you're talking about listening to music from an app like Pandora, you can.

Really? I missed that. I was under the impression that it can't run iPod in the background while running Safari - which doesn't make sense to me since iPhone can do that and they both run the same OS. If iPod can run in the background like iPhone then it meets my need

 

[Sketh]

To the guys arguing that this thread didn't need to exist: Neither do your comments, but I'll allow it.

That said, I posted this thread in order to see how many people that complained about the iPad for the things it lacked (Flash, Camera, multi tasking) would rather a netbook. And even then the answer seems like a no. That was all. No need to get philosophical about it.

 

[GermanSuplex]

Really? I missed that. I was under the impression that it can't run iPod in the background while running Safari - which doesn't make sense to me since iPhone can do that and they both run the same OS. If iPod can run in the background like iPhone then it meets my need

I can't possibly see you not being able to listen to iPad's iPod feature while reading an e-book. I'm pretty sure it'll work the same as an iPhone in that regard.

 

[sushi]

albeit limited, rather than the way that Jobs described it.

Of course SJ is a salesman and he is going to push their products.

At the same time, Safari works fine as a web browser as there are many sites that don't need or use Flash.

 

[bossxii]

I have both an Asus netbook and the Archos 9 tablet.
I'm aware the 9 is not an iPad.
The tablet/touchscreen form is easier to use once optimized with larger icons and screen controls. It is more readily portable. I prefer sofa browsing with my 9 over my Asus.

What keeps the 9 ahead is that it also does everything that Asus can do. I don't have to give up anything to use the 9.

The iPad has that tablet/touchscreen advantage, but loses ground comparing everything else against the Asus.

So I would take my netbook over an iPad, but I prefer my Windows OS tablet over both.

First, the obvious, it's all speculation until we get the iPad in our hands to use. Stating the iPad will preform when comparing "everything else" as it's not out yet seems rather silly.

Just based on hardware alone your statement is false.

Asus has a Atom CPU vs what is believed to be a modified Arm Cortex 9 which will out perform a 1.6Ghz Atom by a wide margin.

IPS display vs cheapest LCD they can buy.

Taking speculation of performance even further...

Gaming on the IPT is already better than an nebook. Can't imagine it getting worse on the iPad. User experience for many things will be better on the iPad than a netbook due to faster hardware, better displays and software bulit to make it all very simple to use.

 

[dave1812dave]

First, the obvious, it's all speculation until we get the iPad in our hands to use. Stating the iPad will preform when comparing "everything else" as it's not out yet seems rather silly.

Just based on hardware alone your statement is false.

Asus has a Atom CPU vs what is believed to be a modified Arm Cortex 9 which will out perform a 1.6Ghz Atom by a wide margin.

IPS display vs cheapest LCD they can buy.

Taking speculation of performance even further...

Gaming on the IPT is already better than an nebook. Can't imagine it getting worse on the iPad. User experience for many things will be better on the iPad than a netbook due to faster hardware, better displays and software bulit to make it all very simple to use.

Gaming is even better on a PS3... I just don't see the allure of gaming on a touchscreen. tried it. numerous times. numerous games. I don't think I have even ONE game left on my touch. it was more of a novelty--in the first year of ownership, I had quite a few games on mine. Now I use my touch for information, music, movies, and a lot for the Kindle app.

 

[Bytor65]

False comparisons.

I see people endlessly attack the iPad because it isn't a laptop. But really this is a false and pointless comparison.

I have no need for any kind of computer that leaves my home, thus I have no desire for a laptop/netbook when a desktop has better interface and better price/performance, more storage. So my netbook vs discussion is netbook vs Desktop. Desktop wins. I was never going to get a netbook/laptop.

iPad isn't a replacement for anything. It is a companion device.

I am interested in an iPad because it makes for a interesting Bed/Couch reading/surfing appliance. I wouldn't buy a laptop for those activities because it is too heavy/awkward to serve as a reader.

It doesn't matter at all what "more" a laptop will do because it will be inferior as a casual reading appliance, when I need to do more, I can use my desktop, it doesn't have to do everything, it just has to deliver on activities that fit with the intended mission.

So yes it won't do everything a laptop will, and it isn't intended to. That isn't the story here. The story is a new kind of experience reading/browsing with a very light form factor.

 

[greygray]

I was one of the earliest adopters of a Netbook, Acer Aspire One and given the chance, I'll go for the iPad without doubt. Of course, I'll be preordering an iPad now too besides my MBP.

 

[bossxii]

Gaming is even better on a PS3... I just don't see the allure of gaming on a touchscreen. tried it. numerous times. numerous games. I don't think I have even ONE game left on my touch. it was more of a novelty--in the first year of ownership, I had quite a few games on mine. Now I use my touch for information, music, movies, and a lot for the Kindle app.

I actually have a PS3 and yes I agree, at least for sports games. The IPT clearly has a following of handheld gamers though. I think the games I do have are things like Tiger Woods Golf, HR Battle and stuff like Fieldrunners. Strategy games and board games work well and should be even better on a larger screen.

Then again we are comparing netbook to iPad, not iPad to a console which clearly outclasses it in hardware, GPU and gaming experiences.

On a side note:

I am old enough I missed the handheld gaming when I was a kid, but my nephew (8 yrs old) is convinced the Nintendo DSi is the best thing going. He has been saving money to buy one ever since he heard it was coming out. He already has a DS but is so excited, I asked why.."because it's bigger.. duh" exact quote.

That just made me laugh thinking about all the iPod XL comments. Kids dig it. So I guess that's a good thing. I trust Nintendo when it comes to knowing gaming handhelds and consoles, so I guess "super sizing" a device isn't always a bad thing.

 

[s1m]

I must be very unusual in the internet world as only one site I have tried to use on the iPhone has unviewable flash stuff.

Personally the netbook fills a need I don't actually have. I have a Lenovo X301 which I carry for work and is my main work computer. A netbook couldnt replace that as I would need a bigger screen/keyboard in the office for day to day usage.

However it is somewhat of a hassle to cart around all the time and is a little large to use on short domestic flights.

The iPad will fill a need I didnt know I had - the need to review documents on the go without having to boot up the laptop.

I would like a camera for video conferencing back home I am travelling s I live in home for that. I also wold like a form of stylus input and handwriting recognition so that I could use the iPad for note taking in meeting - something a netbook doesnt have either.

I will be getting one just around my birthday and I will be experiencing an enhanced internet, gaming and media experience on a neat form factor that will also be great to read books on when travelling/on the train.

 

[NetShroud]

I would personally rather a netbook, but I'm way out of Apple's target market for the iPad.

 

[NT1440]

To the guys arguing that this thread didn't need to exist: Neither do your comments, but I'll allow it.

I laughed. This is a public forum, you have no control over where the conversation naturally flows.

 

[Offspring992]

I've got a Dell Mini 10v right now that's running Snow Leopard, and the experience isn't really what I thought it would be mostly because the trackpad is so awful it's barely usable. Secondly, the screen isn't anything special either and the battery life is horrendous. However, my original intention was either buying a MacBook Pro, or buying an iMac and a netbook. I've got the 21.5" iMac, which is awesome, but the netbook doesn't really do what I need it to. Where the iPad comes into play is that it seems like it will be a great couch/bed/friend's house/anywhere web surfer, music player, etc. I would love to be able to type papers using the iWork apps and the fact that I can use my iMac keyboard with it is a plus too. However I think I might wait until the 4.0 OS is released to see what, if any kind of multitasking gets added. When it comes to typing papers on an iPad, I would like to be able to do this: Keep the iWork app open for typing and be able to flip between Safari, a textbook, another book, and maybe even YouTube for citation/referencing. In the end, I would rather have an iPad over a netbook regardless of multitasking.

 

[Rapmastac1]

what did it cost you to upgrade to premium? I bought 3 copies of premium from Amazon before release date so they were CHEAP! $49 each!

Ugh, the one thing I hate about any Windows product, the cost to upgrade, because that ONE feature you want is in the next step up of the OS. I paid 82.00 for my upgrade, using Windows Anytime Upgrade. I still can't make a network between my Netbook and iMac until I choose to upgrade again to Home Professional... ticks me off!

 

[applesupergeek]

Imo, a netbook + Jolicloud is as good as highly-mobile computer gets.

I see people endlessly attack the iPad because it isn't a laptop. But really this is a false and pointless comparison.

I have no need for any kind of computer that leaves my home, thus I have no desire for a laptop/netbook when a desktop has better interface and better price/performance, more storage. So my netbook vs discussion is netbook vs Desktop. Desktop wins. I was never going to get a netbook/laptop.

iPad isn't a replacement for anything. It is a companion device.

I am interested in an iPad because it makes for a interesting Bed/Couch reading/surfing appliance. I wouldn't buy a laptop for those activities because it is too heavy/awkward to serve as a reader.

It doesn't matter at all what "more" a laptop will do because it will be inferior as a casual reading appliance, when I need to do more, I can use my desktop, it doesn't have to do everything, it just has to deliver on activities that fit with the intended mission.

So yes it won't do everything a laptop will, and it isn't intended to. That isn't the story here. The story is a new kind of experience reading/browsing with a very light form factor.

Some excellent points.

 

[4DThinker]

Just based on hardware alone your statement is false.

I'm sorry. I should have stated the Netbook has features that matter to me, which the iPad (from existing specs) is missing. I'll reserve my final judgement when the iPad is available. I suspect it's UI will be much like that on my iPod Touch. I know what hardware features it doesn't include. Anything else in this entire thread is all conjecture anyway.