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iPad vs Netbook

dmk1974

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,475
533
I really want an iPad...really do. But there are a few things that it's can't do that I really want it to do. I have a Dell Mini 10v netbook which may suit me fine, but obviously it has a few shortcomings as well compared to the iPad.

iPad Pros/Cons

+ Awesome touch screen
+ iPhone/iTouch type interface that I like
+ 1/2 the weight of my netbook
+ 1/2 the size of my netbook
+ 4x-5x the battery life compared to my netbook
- No flash in Safari
- Can't network print from Safari, e-mail, or iWork tools
- Twice the cost of my netbook
- No webcam

Netbook Pros/Cons

+ Can dual boot actual Win7 and SL operating systems
+ I already have it (but still want an iPad!)
+ Has actual keyboard and not touch screen keyboard
+ Has USB jacks and SD card reader
* Opposite pros/cons of iPad listed above


A few things I am not certain about:
1.) Can the iPad version of iTunes also do the home network sharing? I'd like this so I don't have to load ALL of my songs I want onto the iPad
2.) Are the build in speakers at least as loud as my 3GS iPhone?
3.) Am I missing any other key comparison points?

Thanks!
 
The iPad's itunes does not support network share. Probably because of small memory ?
The speaker on this thing rocks. Feels like it has a subwoofer inside behind the snapple emblem
 
I have the 10v and i duel boot windows 7 and snowleo on it and honestly i just like this ipad better all around. I thought i would miss my usb ports and all the ability of a regualr pc but this thing just works great. There is an app for remote printing of some type i downloaded but havnt tried. The soft keyboard on this ipad is absolutly incredible and its as big as the 10v keyboard and sooo easy to use. You get aquainted with the lack of flash and really its no big deal after a while (plus who wants to run to much flash content on a 10v because it heats up so bad like mine does). Hope ive answered some of your questions :cool:
 
aaron580 said:
I have the 10v and i duel boot windows 7 and snowleo on it and honestly i just like this ipad better all around. I thought i would miss my usb ports and all the ability of a regualr pc but this thing just works great. There is an app for remote printing of some type i downloaded but havnt tried. The soft keyboard on this ipad is absolutly incredible and its as big as the 10v keyboard and sooo easy to use. You get aquainted with the lack of flash and really its no big deal after a while (plus who wants to run to much flash content on a 10v because it heats up so bad like mine does). Hope ive answered some of your questions :cool:
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have the same exact netbook as me then! Flash is more of an annoyance for most of my kids game sites (at least most of the ones they tested when we were playing with iPads at Best Buy).

So there IS a way to print? Please let me know because that could be the deal-maker.

That sucks if you can't home network play music through iTunes. I have tons of music on my home "server" computer and would save a ton of space on the iPad for other stuff.
 
jeremyblevins said:
The speakers on this thing are awesome.
Click to expand...

- No standard browser besides safari.
- no true multitasking ( I know beat a dead horse)
- no USB
- no tethering
+ extremely fast at task switching
+ no waiting from sleep
+ because no multitasking most apps remember your place.
+ quick zoom (been doing a lot of reading)

As for the keyboard I have a hard time with my daughters netbook but the iPad keyboard works very well for me. I am at the point where I am no longer looking at the keys in landscape mode.
 
dmk1974 said:
Sounds like you have the same exact netbook as me then! Flash is more of an annoyance for most of my kids game sites (at least most of the ones they tested when we were playing with iPads at Best Buy).

So there IS a way to print? Please let me know because that could be the deal-maker.

That sucks if you can't home network play music through iTunes. I have tons of music on my home "server" computer and would save a ton of space on the iPad for other stuff.
Click to expand...

Yea ive had the mini 9 and currently have the 10v only usin it for flashing my htc touch pro 2 roms and such since i got the ipad. I got the 10v with the 6 cell batt and all but i just doesnt stand up to this ipad. i will test out the app i got and see what the deal is with it and all as far as printing goes. Why dont you just get the 64gb if you want storage for music haha thats one reason i got it.
 
The speakers are amazing on iPad. it nothing like the iPhone 3GS. The quality of iPad's sound is more like that of a MacBook Pro 13 inch. When you crank up the volume, the unit does vibrate though.
 
Other positives:

1. iPad is more portable.

2. Can play HD, which most netbooks struggle with unless they have hardware acceleration/updated graphics (which is pricey & defeats the purpose of a cheap netbook)

3. eBooks (cant really do that on a netbook. you could I guess, but it would be awkward & look kinda silly).
 
coming from a dell mini 9 with leopard i can tell you the ipad runs circles around it performance wise. enough to make me forget all the shortcomings. and i got tired of trying to work around os x updates which would, at times, disable features.
 
you're absolutely right. A netbook with some windows based computer brings more value to the computing space. You can easily got a Asus that runs 7 hours and be just and productive.

Everything Apple sells is a luxury item.

But this Ipad does 80% majority of the reasons why people buy netbook.

1) internet
2) facebook
3) workprocessing/excel
4) email

The fact that it has built in Youtube. Abc Player and Hulu Player (coming soon) are compatible.

Ipad is looking more and more like a netbook. hence the word NET as in INTERNET.

Flash is overrated.
 
AR15MBP said:
coming from a dell mini 9 with leopard i can tell you the ipad runs circles around it performance wise. enough to make me forget all the shortcomings. and i got tired of trying to work around os x updates which would, at times, disable features.
Click to expand...

Definatly does. The updating and such wasnt a big deal for me coming from over 4 years (since tiger) of installing os x on pc but ya the ipad just does the work of the mini 9 plus more faster. Plus the battery life is sooo much better to. I get more than 10 hours strait of use at a time easy more like 12.
 
In addition to the other observations the iPad, unlike net books/ laptops/ desktops, is an instant on device with rapidly loading apps.

Also, depending of course on the OS it is being compared to, the iPad doesn't require antivirus or disk optimization utilities.

Finally, other operating systems generally require disk drives for application installation of commercial software (although this is less the case today then it was just a few years ago). All iPad apps, in contrast, are easily installed wirelessly. If you're on the go and need an app you can get it in the app store and install it in moments, no need for disks.
 
search App Store for printing apps

dmk1974 said:
So there IS a way to print? Please let me know because that could be the deal-maker.
Click to expand...

I just did a quick search in the iTunes App Store for iPad Printing and several popped up as specifically for the iPad, some free, most paid. There are a bunch for the iPhone that may work with it as well. I have a couple for my iphone (ePrint free, HP iPrint) that work over wifi to my wifi enabled printer. I think if you have a printer plugged into either an Airport Extreme or Express that should work as well.
 
Another option for me to get an iPad in the house is to "give" it to my wife to replace her laptop. She has definitely been intrigued by the commercials on TV, but usually isn't the biggest fan of change. Her laptop is a Dell 1525 (which is 2X the size and weight of my Dell 10v). It is a C2D processor, but for what she does, it doesn't need it.

Like Dammit Cubs said, she does use her laptop well over 80% of the time to browse, e-mail, facebook, and some word and excel. If the iPad can print, I'm sure she'd go for it.

BTW Dammit Cubs...1-3 now...what the heck??? :)
 
<insert apple product> vs <insert less thoughtful, less elegant, less user friendly product with more features here>

ipod vs zune, iphone vs blackberry, macbook air vs adamo, and so it goes.

same battle, different year, different hardware. apple wins every time, for me anyhow, and for an ever increasing number of other folks.

more features does not guarantee a better product.

TheHomerCar_Top.jpg
 
Well, I got the 16 GB iPad for the wife. She loves it! It's pretty cool I must say. She's just concerned, as I was, about the lack of printing at the moment. But otherwise, so far so good!

Now, I need to find a good case. I went to two stores looking for the official Apple case, but they were all out. Picked up an incase silicone case for $40 (what a rip!) but may not keep it.
 
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