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what can a netbook do better then a ipad

EssentialParado said:
Oh how people cried at Apple removing the floppy disk drive in the iMac, and how they asserted it made it "completely useless" as a computer. Looking back on those comments, you might want to reconsider your statement, and really think how often you use your CD drive. ;)
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I'd leave the whole CD thing out of it. Because it's all dependent on someone's personal usage.

For example - personally - I don't use a cd drive that much. But for work - I use it a LOT. P.s. no CD drive also means no DVD or blu-ray drive either. More specifically no DVD drive. And I'm talking about on my laptop or desktop system. I'm not arguing for or against the iPad having one.

But to say that CD drives and/or DVD drives aren't really needed is naive and wrong as a generalization.
 
Pretty much everything, actually. Netbooks have webcams, peripheral ports, full operating systems, and they can browse the ENTIRE web and it's content. And they cost several hundred dollars less.
 
RazHyena said:
Pretty much everything, actually. Netbooks have webcams, peripheral ports, full operating systems, and they can browse the ENTIRE web and it's content. And they cost several hundred dollars less.
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come with something better because a full os does not mean it is going to be done better. I Have a netbook and i can't even play the games i want and they are simple little games. watching a movie on it sucks and playing music does too.
 
flyguy206 said:
come with something better because a full os does not mean it is going to be done better. I Have a netbook and i can't even play the games i want and they are simple little games. watching a movie on it sucks and playing music does too.
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guess you haven't been paying attention to the new netbooks just coming out--their video playback is greatly improved. don't judge new netbooks by one from 2008.
 
dave1812dave said:
guess you haven't been paying attention to the new netbooks just coming out--their video playback is greatly improved. don't judge new netbooks by one from 2008.
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Can you give an example? A specific brand and model that does a good job playing videos including Hulu and iTunes videos. I had a 2009 Asus and it was terrible playing videos. Everything I played was very jerky. I took it back after two weeks.
 
flyguy206 said:
come with something better because a full os does not mean it is going to be done better. I Have a netbook and i can't even play the games i want and they are simple little games. watching a movie on it sucks and playing music does too.
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This is based solely on your choice of netbook. Netbooks cover a wide range and you are on the low end.:cool:
 
wolfpackfan said:
Can you give an example? A specific brand and model that does a good job playing videos including Hulu and iTunes videos. I had a 2009 Asus and it was terrible playing videos. Everything I played was very jerky. I took it back after two weeks.
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the floodgates are just being opened on the new models which will play back video smoothly. check engadget or other popular review sites. The models with improved chipsets are what make it possible. The 2009 models aren't really any better than the 2008, but NOW there are going to be some tantalizing great netbooks from numerous mfgrs. Do some research and you'll see what I mean about improved playback!

check out this site: http://www.netbooknews.com/

http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/notion-ink-adam-hands-on-with-video-at-mwc-2010/

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/28/gpu-accelerated-720p-flash-video-gets-demoed-on-a-netbook-smoot/
 
yyy said:
It depends what's your definition of a netbook is but I guess the price is what matters to most people. If it's cheap enough - it's a netbook.

Regarding the screen size, there's a $480 netbook with a 12.1" 16:9 screen so you actually get more screen space for less money in compare to the iPad (even though the quality of the screen is probably inferior to the iPad's).
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Many Laptop screen sizes start at 13", so this is less than an inch smaller, I would consider this a laptop more than a netbook.

Again I see no benefit of a netbook over the iPad.
 
ScottNWDW said:
Many Laptop screen sizes start at 13", so this is less than an inch smaller, I would consider this a laptop more than a netbook.

Again I see no benefit of a netbook over the iPad.
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If you visit sites with flash - the netbook wins over the iPad.

If you want to install specific programs not available in the appstore (which can be many) the netbook wins over the iPad

If you want to burn a cd of photos to give to someone or copy them to a USB, the netbook wins over the iPad.

If you want to do a video voice call with skype - the netbook wins over the iPad

I'm not saying one device is better. But to say that you see "no" benefit of a netbook over the iPad... well - you're being just as shortsighted as anyone who says they don't see any benefit of an iPad over a netbook.
 
samcraig said:
If you visit sites with flash - the netbook wins over the iPad.

If you want to install specific programs not available in the appstore (which can be many) the netbook wins over the iPad

If you want to burn a cd of photos to give to someone or copy them to a USB, the netbook wins over the iPad.

If you want to do a video voice call with skype - the netbook wins over the iPad

I'm not saying one device is better. But to say that you see "no" benefit of a netbook over the iPad... well - you're being just as shortsighted as anyone who says they don't see any benefit of an iPad over a netbook.
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Most sites I've visit seem to use You Tube video, those that do have flash, the video is so sparadic it's not worth the time or effort to watch it. It keeps stopping and going so much it takes 3 or 4 times as long to watch it, so it's useless.

In regards to programs, I've found better programs on my iPhone than on my Windows based laptop. The only program I could think of would be MS Office, but the iWorks programs seem to have that taken care of. And I did hear rumours that Microsoft might consider iPad versions of Office as well. Quicken might be another one, but I'm using Pocket Money on the iPhone and like that a little better than Quicken. After I transition everything to Apple, other applications on the Mac desktop I am interetsed in already have iPhone counterparts (Bento, Things, OmniFocus, etc) and therefore they will also work on the iPad or they will have iPad specific versions.

If I wanted to carry a CD or DVD drive around for that possibility, I would carry my laptop. With the iPad I could send them in an email or make a note to make the CD when I get home and snail mail it to them. Better yet, I could just upload them to Walgreens.com and stop at the local Walgreens and pick up the CD.

I don't use Skype, nor care to. If people need to see me talking to them they can meet up with me.
 
ScottNWDW said:
Most sites I've visit seem to use You Tube video, those that do have flash, the video is so sparadic it's not worth the time or effort to watch it. It keeps stopping and going so much it takes 3 or 4 times as long to watch it, so it's useless.

In regards to programs, I've found better programs on my iPhone than on my Windows based laptop. The only program I could think of would be MS Office, but the iWorks programs seem to have that taken care of. And I did hear rumours that Microsoft might consider iPad versions of Office as well. Quicken might be another one, but I'm using Pocket Money on the iPhone and like that a little better than Quicken.

If I wanted to carry a CD or DVD drive around for that possibility, I would carry my laptop. With the iPad I could send them in an email or make a note to make the CD when I get home and snail mail it to them. Better yet, I could just upload them to algreens.com and stop at the local Walgreens and pick up the CD.

I don't use Skype, nor care to. If people need to see me talking to them they can meet up with me.
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But now you're just splitting hairs, no? You said there's no benefit to a netbook. Not that for YOUR usage there's no benefit. Maybe I'm splitting hairs or testing your semantics here. But when someone posts that there are no benefits to a netbook over an iPad - that's just false. There are actually plenty of benefits - whether or not you use them could be argued just as much on the iPad.

IE - Watching videos on the iPad are much better because of the screen size. Well my videos are ripped at 320x240 - so my smaller screen is better.

Reading on the iPad is so much better. Well my eyes prefer eInk

Games on the iPad are so much better. Well I love some of my flash based games.


I'm just throwing it out there. It's really all irrelevant anyway. People like choices and thank goodness, they have them. There's really no reason to try and negate the benefits of either device.

Like in life - you shouldn't need to put something/someone else down to make something/yourself look better. Just enjoy what you have and don't worry about the other stuff.
 
samcraig said:
If you visit sites with flash - the netbook wins over the iPad.

If you want to install specific programs not available in the appstore (which can be many) the netbook wins over the iPad

If you want to burn a cd of photos to give to someone or copy them to a USB, the netbook wins over the iPad.

If you want to do a video voice call with skype - the netbook wins over the iPad

I'm not saying one device is better. But to say that you see "no" benefit of a netbook over the iPad... well - you're being just as shortsighted as anyone who says they don't see any benefit of an iPad over a netbook.
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if you visit sites with flash - the macbook/pc laptop wins over the netbook.

If you want to install specific programs the macbook/pc laptop wins over the netbook.


If you want to burn a cd of photos to give to someone or copy them to a USB, the macbook/pc laptop wins over the netbook.

If you want to do a video voice call with skype the macbook/pc laptop wins over the netbook.




if I want to do all those things, I'd do it in a macbook/pc laptop. not on some slow and crappy netbook that can barely run Notepad.
 
samcraig said:
LOL.. But that wasn't the argument. The argument was netbook vs iPad, right? ;)

I won't argue that full-fledged computers PC OR MAC and/or Laptops are better than a netbook.
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The point is, If I want to do everything you mentioned, I'd use a pc laptop/macbook.


Some people have these:

Laptop/Desktop + Netbook + iPod Touch/Kindle.


Soon we're going to have something like this:

Laptop/Desktop + iPad


If I want a true portable device I can carry anywhere that does music/video/ebooks/casual web browsing/games/etc. that i don't have to start/shutdown I'd bring an iPad.


If i want more than that, I'd bring my laptop with me. NOT an underpowered netbook.
 
DaveSW said:
The point is, If I want to do everything you mentioned, I'd use a pc laptop/macbook.

.
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Same argument I made here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/9285479/

People keep pretending it is netbook vs iPad.

When for most people It is really:

Combo A) Laptop (already own) + netbook (aka crappy laptop)
or
Combo B) Laptop (already own) + iPad.

Adding a netbook to a laptop gives you nothing new, it is just an inferior spare version of what you already have. Adding an iPad give you a new form factor interface, that is better for reading. If you want to do computer things, you use your laptop.
 
Bytor65 said:
When for most people It is really:

Combo A) Laptop + netbook (aka crappy laptop)
or
Combo B) Laptop + iPad.
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Don't forget Combo C) A more expensive laptop - which is the best solution for those who don't need the new form-factor.
 
I guess there are lots of things that iPad is good at. It is a new category of device and should find its space. I agree with people that netbook is a kind of laptop. It doens't provide you anything that laptop cannot do. but iPad is much better in many aspects. It is super easy to use and it will be one of its main goals. It will target the people that don't use computers much because they are hard to use. You don't need computer skills to use the iPad.

I guess I will gonna have one. I wish it had a stylus or something for writing notes though. Read more about my opinion here:iPad : is it worth buying?
 
Bytor65 said:
Same argument I made here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/9285479/

People keep pretending it is netbook vs iPad.

When for most people It is really:

Combo A) Laptop (already own) + netbook (aka crappy laptop)
or
Combo B) Laptop (already own) + iPad.

Adding a netbook to a laptop gives you nothing new, it is just an inferior spare version of what you already have. Adding an iPad give you a new form factor interface, that is better for reading. If you want to do computer things, you use your laptop.
Click to expand...

But if you are someone who uses a desktop as your primary computer instead of a laptop, the choice is much harder.
 
flyguy206 said:
come with something better because a full os does not mean it is going to be done better. I Have a netbook and i can't even play the games i want and they are simple little games. watching a movie on it sucks and playing music does too.
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Well on the iPad, you'll either not be able to install those games, or be forced to re-buy them from the App store (or some knockoff equivalent). How is that any better? Also, watching movies on the iPad is probably very similar to the netbook. Same goes for music. The speakers in both are going to suck, and the headphone experience is probably going to be similar.

richpjr said:
But if you are someone who uses a desktop as your primary computer instead of a laptop, the choice is much harder.
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I dunno I would think that the choice would be easier? If you require more power/productivity, then a netbook or a full-on laptop would be what you need. All you'd have to do is compare the power/functionality you needed on the go and see how the various devices (iPad, laptop, netbook) stack up. I would think that it would become pretty clear after that which one is right for you. If all you really wanted was a portable email checker to take on vacation, then the iPad would be a superior choice.

Ruahrc
 
Well on the iPad, you'll either not be able to install those games, or be forced to re-buy them from the App store (or some knockoff equivalent). How is that any better? Also, watching movies on the iPad is probably very similar to the netbook. Same goes for music. The speakers in both are going to suck, and the headphone experience is probably going to be similar.
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How is that better, for one you have near 140,000 iPhone apps you know will work with it, I'm sure at least 10,000 are games if not more.

The possibilities are more vast with the iPad, you can have better apps, better graphics, because it's so much better.
And watching movies on a net-book is not the same, because the iPad has a glossy LED-backlit IPS display, and you can hold it in your hands and watch it which you can't do with a net-book.
 
MythicFrost said:
How is that better, for one you have near 140,000 iPhone apps you know will work with it, I'm sure at least 10,000 are games if not more.

The possibilities are more vast with the iPad, you can have better apps, better graphics, because it's so much better.
And watching movies on a net-book is not the same, because the iPad has a glossy LED-backlit IPS display, and you can hold it in your hands and watch it which you can't do with a net-book.
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How long are you going to hold a 1.5 lb object before you tire? I doubt you will "hold" an iPad for a feature length movie...
 
Well, a lot longer than a net-book but, when I say hold, I don't mean you're standing and holding it, you'd likely be laying and holding it resting against the bed/couch, my point is it's a difference experience compared to a net-book.

I don't think it's actually that heavy, 720g (1.6 pounds) spread over 9.7 inches, I've picked up a 1.3kg (about 2.9 pounds) dumbbell (weight) and I could hold that in one hand for several hours, it might get a bit tiring, but imagine half that with two hands? the iPad's pretty light.
 
MythicFrost said:
Well, a lot longer than a net-book but, when I say hold, I don't mean you're standing and holding it, you'd likely be laying and holding it resting against the bed/couch, my point is it's a difference experience compared to a net-book.

I don't think it's actually that heavy, 720g (1.6 pounds) spread over 9.7 inches, I've picked up a 1.3kg (about 2.9 pounds) dumbbell (weight) and I could hold that in one hand for several hours, it might get a bit tiring, but imagine half that with two hands? the iPad's pretty light.
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I can hold my touch for over an hour. No way I would, or would even want to, hold a 1.5 iPad for an hour. It doesn't matter how much it is "spread over". weight is weight. A Touch weighs far less than a typical paperback. I know--because I've weighed both. Robin Cook's Crisis weighs 329 grams. The touch, with silicone case, weighs 129 grams. Guess which one I prefer holding...
 
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