An iPad vs. a Netbook

So now that the iPad has been out in some parts of the States for a little while, people are already starting to pick it apart and try and find things to fault Apple with. And if we’re being honest, people were doing this even before the iPad was ever released to the public. One of the biggest criticisms that the iPad has already received is that while you could be using a netbook that has almost unlimited capacity in abilities such as word processing and printer functionality, using an iPad with limited capabilities just makes no sense. But, before you make a snap decision based on that alone, take a look at some of these ideas that experts argue, make the iPad just a little bit better than a netbook.

  • Apple is known for hands-down, being better in virus protection than computers that use Windows operating systems. So when you’re using something regularly to send and receive emails and browse the web, doesn’t it just make sense to use an Apple-based product?
  • While battery life in netbooks certainly are improving and becoming much longer-lasting than they used to be, they still can’t beat the 10-hour battery life that the iPad boasts. Most netbooks have a battery life of about two hours.
  • The iPad is just easier to use! Imagine sitting on a bus, on a plane, or wherever you may happen to be when you want to use your netbook and have to pull out all the hardware, including the mouse – and a solid surface you can balance it on. But with the iPad – just whip it out and start using the touch interface. You’ll be browsing, doing your banking, updating  your Twitter status, and whatever else you need to do within seconds. It really does make these tasks as easy as flicking your finger.
  • The e-Reader. Another no-brainer. No netbook can give you the e-Reader function that the iPad will give you. And this feature isn’t just another little “bonus” either. People have said that one of the downfalls of the iPad may be that the e-Reader function is too good and that users might not venture away from it to find out what other fabulous things the iPad has to offer!
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6 comments

  1. The errors in my post above is not related to the iPad’s on screen keyboard but rather my poor typing skills.

    However I will say that I find typing on the iPhone faster and easier!
    Maybe it’s due to the graphics or whatever I’m not sure.

    I like the way the keys would rise above to indicate to you what key you stuck!
    I would also like to see apple make the key cap letters darker!
    The keyboard has a few drawbacks:
    It’s slow to pickup and it has some latency issues when used in landscape mode!
    When I launch a native iPhone app the shell comes up and I’m able to use the app as If I was on
    The iPhone,the keyboard is the same one found in the iPhone app and it’s so much faster and easier for me! Maybe I’m just not used to the iPad all the way but there is some latency issues with the onscreen keyboard but…. Not in so much that it makes it of no use!

    APPLE CAN WE GET A KEYBOARD UPDATE?

  2. Steve Jobs said over and over that the iPad is not a net book!

    He said it’s something in-between a smartphone and a netbook!

    So why does everyone compare the iPad to something it’s not!

    I have a laptop/net book/desktop and now the iPad

    The iPad is does not do what my net book and laptops do however those devices do not
    Do what the iPad does!

    I have used windows so called touch or multitouch and you know what it’s based on you chasing the mouse so your not touching the applications but rather directing the mouse do access the application. The there is the calibration process that continually needed to be ran due to the finger and mouse not lining up!

    This very reply I’m making is being fleshed out on the iPad using the on screen keyboard!

    I love my devices but i am able to see the strong and weak functions of all of them.

    The iPad out lasts all of them in terms of battery life!
    Adobe flash is awesome but after 3 hours it don’t matter how awesome because the battery is dead!

    I make music for film and television and I mix records, so the iPad offers me a means of creating music on the fly with amazing apps with out having to think if it’s going to crash or have some issue.

    I have drum machines in fact I know own some turntables and now I can do the function of a DJ
    without having to spend 400 or more for a device that does only one function.

    THE IPAD IS NOT A NETBOOK AND IT WILL NEVER BE A NETBOOK HOWEVER IT MAY BE SOMETHING BETTER THAN A NETBOOK FOR SOME USERS. IT’S ALL BASED ON HOW YOU CHOOSE TO USE IT!

    I WILL SAY THIS… I FLY ALOT NOW AND ITS SO MUCH EASIER TO BREAK OUT THIS AND SOME HEADPHONES ( even blue tooth ones ) AND MAKE A SONG,WATCH A MOVIE,CHECK EMAIL,
    WORK ON A DOCUMENT AND YES EVEN MAKE A PHONE, ALL FROM THIS SINGLE DEVICE AS APPOSED TON BREAKING OUT THE THE NET BOOK THEN MAKING SPACE ON THE SMALL TRAY IN FRONT OF ME, MAKING ROOM FOR MY EXT HARD DRIVE ETC!

    I Own all the devices that folks compare the iPad to the other devices are left at home while the iPad goes with me!

  3. Steve Jobs said over and over that the iPad is not a net book!

    He said it’s something in-between a smartphone and a netbook!

    So why does everyone compare the iPad to something it’s not!

    I have a laptop/net book/desktop and now the iPad

    The iPad is does not do what my net book and laptops do however those devices do not
    Do what the iPad does!

    I have used windows so called touch or multitouch and you know what it’s based on you chasing the mouse so your not touching the applications but rather directing the mouse do access the application. The there is the calibration process that continually needed to be ran due to the finger and mouse nit

  4. I wasn’t argueing against other tablets and given the choice myself, I’d do without either and buy a laptop. And if you’ve done your research, you would know that there is actually a LOT of comparison, because LOTS of people are comparing the two. And while I’m happy that your Lenovo hasn’t had any viruses, it can’t be argued that Apple products are just generally less prone to viruses than Windows products are. Ask anyone, there’s really no question about that fact when it comes to the technology of each in general, no matter what has happened with your Lenovo. And as for an overglorified e-book reader? What about the 200,000+ apps that the iPad has available to it that will turn it into just about anything you want? That’s much more than just overglorifying.

    All of that being said, I don’t mind nitpicking and I don’t mind people having their own opinion. I encourage it actually, and I’m happy you left yours!

  5. i am not normally one to nitpick when it comes to someone giving their opinion, but this article happens to be one of the most opinionated and lack of substance articles that i have read in a while.
    i currently own and use a tablet pc which blows an iPad away in terms of specs. the iPad is an over glorified e-book reader (which many still secretly want.). why would you want to spend $500 on an e-book reader? the iPad is quick lacking for people who actually want to use their hardware for more than playing games, watching movies on select sites and reading books.
    the reason the iPad has sold so well is due to the NEW APPLE product factor. people were looking for something new and Apple gave it to them. they get mega innovation points for that. i researched the iPad vs netbooks before they came out and found there is no actual comparison. i am not saying the iPad is not an AWESOME and MAGICAL product. if i had less self control, i would have bought one, but there is no comparing an iPad to a netbook. they are in 2 totally different classes and should be viewed as such.

    btw, my Lenovo tablet which was $100 cheaper than the iPad, hasn’t had any viruses and i can use it flat on my lap or in the seat next to me while i am driving down the highway. 🙂

  6. I recently just bought the ipad and I can’t get adobe flash player. I find this very upsetting and I’m thinking about returning it. For a
    laptop / netbook that works much better! Also it’s sad to say but when people ask me about my ipad I say I love it. But @ the sametime I don’t suggest they get one until this problem is fixed.

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