Was iPad designed to replace the Netbook? I thought they were 2 separate products for 2 different markets, but I keep seeing people compare them.
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iPad vs. Netbook
- Thread starter LadyHoneyBabe
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This is a fair point:
Basically, and it seems to be the norm for Apple's consumer products - they have chosen to make a product that does a few things - well.
Netbooks do lots of things - badly (I say this as an eeepc owner).
I am not sure an iPad will replace my netbook - not 100% I keep my iPhone synced to my netbook - I am actually thinking of replacing my eeepc with a 12" G4 powerbook ---- because they are about the same price range on ebay.... and about the same size --- and not far off the same spec.
Basically, and it seems to be the norm for Apple's consumer products - they have chosen to make a product that does a few things - well.
Netbooks do lots of things - badly (I say this as an eeepc owner).
I am not sure an iPad will replace my netbook - not 100% I keep my iPhone synced to my netbook - I am actually thinking of replacing my eeepc with a 12" G4 powerbook ---- because they are about the same price range on ebay.... and about the same size --- and not far off the same spec.
I really dont see the iPad replacing a computer laptop. I see it as more of an accessory to one.
However, when I compare what I plan on doing with an iPad I do see it as better than a netbook.
I think Jobs was on point when he said "netbooks are just cheap laptops that are slow"
I also think that these tasks will honestly be more enjoyable on the iPad over a netbook:
Browsing the Web
Looking at Photos
Maps
Games
Watching Video
Although it doesnt play flash, I honestly have to say 90% of the videos I watch (if not more) are on youtube so it doesn't matter to me much. I would like to see some type of multi-tasking, and I think that's coming in a software update.
Overall, between this and a netbook, for MY needs and uses, the iPad is better.
However, when I compare what I plan on doing with an iPad I do see it as better than a netbook.
I think Jobs was on point when he said "netbooks are just cheap laptops that are slow"
I also think that these tasks will honestly be more enjoyable on the iPad over a netbook:
Browsing the Web
Looking at Photos
Maps
Games
Watching Video
Although it doesnt play flash, I honestly have to say 90% of the videos I watch (if not more) are on youtube so it doesn't matter to me much. I would like to see some type of multi-tasking, and I think that's coming in a software update.
Overall, between this and a netbook, for MY needs and uses, the iPad is better.
It depends on the person, each they are so different. I would say no its not designed to replace it. I think of the iPad as a in between device. If your a Star Trek person, it would be similar to the device carried around the ship, that lets one do basic tasks.
Yes.
For the things most people need to do, an iPad will be a better experience. Most people really don't need to run a full OS.
The iPad will be replacing my MacBook Air that I use for email/web/media.
There are people who want you to believe the iPad is meant to replace a netbook; that netbooks are a better value; have more utility, blah, blah, blah. But Apple has not marketed the iPad as netbook, but rather a media content device that can also do computer-like things such as word processing, Web surfing, games, etc. Bottom line though is the iPad is an iPad and a netbook is a netbook.
My EeePC 900 runs great. Although I use Jolicloud...
Everything is snappy and it's got a great UI. I can multitask. Not too much. I can have a window open with Pandora and browse around another page or type as well. I also always have Pidgin in the background. I bring it with me when I travel and don't want to waste my time trying to mess around with my iPhone sending longer emails.
Everything is snappy and it's got a great UI. I can multitask. Not too much. I can have a window open with Pandora and browse around another page or type as well. I also always have Pidgin in the background. I bring it with me when I travel and don't want to waste my time trying to mess around with my iPhone sending longer emails.
Funny thing is, I am considering the iPad to be my netbook replacement.
I bought the netbook to:
1. surf
2. watch movies
3. Get email and do social networking
4. View media
It does NONE of those things well, and I had a 1000HE EEE PC. So I sold it and am counting on the ipad to do all those things better.
The kicker is that the netbook claims to be able to do lots of stuff since it's a full OS, but the current gen netbooks are incapable of doing those things well at all.
I understand that the OS is closed so to speak however I am fery interested to see where the iPad goes with regards to iWorks (which they have heavily promoted with it).
There is already mention I believe of being able to save / store documents on the iPad however it would really be cool if they inched one step further and allowed network browsing to docs
i.e. the iPad would be great for me at work if I could access shared files on my little home / office network.
I hope they go the extra little bit further and allow this at some stage so that we could open / save / copy docs to other machines.
Is this reasonable or am I dreaming?? Keeping the OS closed but allowing this would really make the need for a netbook / laptop even less
There is already mention I believe of being able to save / store documents on the iPad however it would really be cool if they inched one step further and allowed network browsing to docs
i.e. the iPad would be great for me at work if I could access shared files on my little home / office network.
I hope they go the extra little bit further and allow this at some stage so that we could open / save / copy docs to other machines.
Is this reasonable or am I dreaming?? Keeping the OS closed but allowing this would really make the need for a netbook / laptop even less
I just don't get it. I've got an Iphone and a MacBook. I was sitting on the couch last night, catching up on some missed TV on my laptop, Skyping someone and sending email. An Ipad must be for someone that doesn't have a laptop. I can't see why you would need both....
That, or someone who has a laptop, but for whom a laptop is overkill. But I also have a hard time imagining someone will keep both a laptop and an iPad. I think even if they start out with both, they'll eventually gravitate toward one or other, and one would end up gathering dust. Well, unless the laptop is being used more like a desktop replacement, and spends most of the time parked in a fixed spot, and the iPad is the mobile computing device.
I see your point and I was doing the same with my Macbook Air last night, however for lazy people it would be nice to have a cheaper device with no lid, smaller and fits in your hand, is always on (like the iphone) and sits on the sofa arm or coffee table waiting to be played with instantly.
Basically it is a cool device for spoilt people AND I WANT ONE!!
A laptop is overkill for me at home, I have a Macbook Air and an iPhone however find myself surfing the web in bed or on the sofa with my iPhone!!! Macbook Air seems to be a waste as I cant be arsed booting it up when I have my phone on the table or in my pocket!!
I agree it is overkill for people with a laptop however I would prefer an iPad at home. When I go on business the iPad wont cut it as no file system, cant download random things etc etc.
Just wish they would open up the ipad to have a file system - aint gonna happen though!
I think the iPad is Apple's answer to the netbook but not necessarily a replacement for it. The iPad will cover some uses that folks have for netbooks, but not all. Apple's strategy is probably to implement most of the features that an everyday netbook owner would use while making it more user-friendly.
If your laptop doesn't have 3G, it makes sense to have the 3G iPad. This is especially the case if, like me, you also do not have an iPhone.
I will be selling my AAO netbook when I get an iPad. I started with XP on the netbook and went to Ubuntu. I use it to take on the road and to meetings. It's lighter than my Macbook but a lot heavier than an iPad would be. While there are some things I won't be able to do on the iPad, it will do enough things well enough to allow me to sell off the Netbook to help pay for the iPad.
If your needs are fairly basic, like reading email and surfing the web, I could see somebody making the argument they could dump their primary computer for the iPad. I'm not one of those people but there are some out there, ie ipadalone.com. I will continue to have a desktop Linux box, a Mac Mini HTPC and a Macbook so for me an iPad will do just fine for my "on the road" needs.
If your needs are fairly basic, like reading email and surfing the web, I could see somebody making the argument they could dump their primary computer for the iPad. I'm not one of those people but there are some out there, ie ipadalone.com. I will continue to have a desktop Linux box, a Mac Mini HTPC and a Macbook so for me an iPad will do just fine for my "on the road" needs.
I am replying to this on a netbook I plan to sell after I get my ipad. I am some what concerned about typing on the ipad, however I don't do well cone the netbook.
We shall see...
We shall see...
3G iPads come without contracts. I would never consider buying one of those subsidized netbooks that come with an expensive contract. So if you were choosing between a netbook with a contract and a 3G iPad, the iPad would make a lot more sense.
I have a reservation for a 16 gig wifi iPad but I may decide to let it go and wait for a 3G version. I don't mind calling up At&t and activating it for a month if I'm about to go on a trip where I'd need it. I'd simply let it run out and activate again the next time I needed it. I bet I could get away for $15 to 30 a year and have 3G internet with me when I go on vacations. Even with free wifi at hotels, I'm stuck waiting till I get to my room to do anything with it. I could use the 3G at a rest stop on the highway if I wanted to.
I remember one time my daughter was late turning in a paper and she didn't tell us until we were on the road to go pick up her brother on the other side of the state. I grabbed my netbook and we piled in the car. Once she had the paper typed, we had to get off the highway and look for a coffee shop with free wifi so she could turn in her paper. I would have gladly paid a one time $15 to get it turned on so she could upload her paper without getting off the highway and burning up gas looking for free wifi. But I would never consider $40-60 a month worthwhile just in case we ever needed 3G on the road again.
You can get one without a contract. You can get one without 3G and use a USB 3G card, not an option if you initially bought the wifi iPad. You can also tether it ot your phone if you have a phone that supports that. I can with my iPhone using PDAnet and you can with a lot of newer phones.
I don't think the iPad can totally replace the market for netbooks.
