So, the Apple iPad! Sporting a minimum price tag of $499.99 with the top of the line model going for $829.99, the iPad is a pricey plaything. So the question is, Is the iPad useful as a work device? Personally, I think that anyone considering an iPad should consider what functionality the iPad will offer that is not already covered by another device that you probably already own. For example; anyone who owns an iPod touch or an iPhone will basically just get a larger screen. (iPhone users will actually lose functionality). Anyone who owns a netbook will just be getting a shiny new toy that is designed for a more general audience. My biggest complaint with the iPad itself (ignoring the ridiculous price tag) is the lack of a physical keyboard. Yes, I have used the on-screen keyboard before and yes, Apple has done a pretty good job of handling the predictive text... HOWEVER! The lack of physical feedback from striking a key is, to me at least, a major drawback. I cannot type without looking at the keyboard if I cannot feel the actual key press down. Perhaps I am just lazy or inept but there you go.
Full disclosure; I am not an Apple fan. Apple has a bit of a superiority complex that annoys the dickens out of me but I am trying to be unbiased here (keyword: trying). I do own a couple of apple products but both of them were gifts so please don't hold that against me.
Bottom line: The iPad is an awesome toy and most likely has many uses for work and school but I don't think it will ever replace the netbook. As the article says; the iPad had created its own category and won't really infringe on the overall netbook market.
Well, the iPad seems to be in a category of its own for the moment (the only reason for this is probably because everyone else was too late with their own tablet computers).
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that the basic and only advantage that the netbook has over a tablet computer seems to be the physical keyboard. Otherwise...they have all the goodies plus a touchscreen that make navigation through basic applications rather fun. The difference in the performance is so small that it's not worth talking about at all. So it seems that the iPad has made much more than a big appearance - it has laid the foundation of a completely new category in mobile computing – the one of tablet computers.
As a person who bought a netbook in the last week, and my sister buying the iPad a few days ago, I think I should state my opinion on the matter. I agree that the keyboard is a main issue that makes the netbook easier to use, but there are also a few other factors. For example, I got a 250 GB hard drive on my netbook, and the $500 iPad that my sister bought has a 16 GB one. I also noticed that I paid about $120 less for the netbook so there is a price difference there.
ReplyDeleteAs for the apps that you can get with the iPad, I feel as though some are overpriced and others should be free (mainly because they are free on Windows). Also, with the iPad lacking Adobe Flash, I feel that it is a big setback...especially for users who would like to watch videos on pages with Flash. Overall, I'm not trying to bash the iPad, but I feel as though it is more for play rather than work with a bit higher price tag.
I agree that the iPad is more of a toy than a replacement for a laptop or netbook. I'm sure it's great for sitting on the couch and surfing the web, but would you really want to work on it? As was mentioned above, the absence of a physical keyboard (or even a Swype-like keyboard) is a problem. Also, there's no USB port which means no printing or transferring files. Also, there's no HDMI or other video output so you can't connect it to your TV. Finally, it doesn't offer an SD slot so there's no way to expand on minimal amount of storage space offered by the OEM hard drives. So like I said, I'm sure it's a fun toy, but it's very expensive for the limited functionality it offers.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has a netbook, It's hard to imagine replacing it with an iPad right now. The biggest issue is the keyboard - I agree. There are so many other things to consider. I haven't actually typed on one, but it seems it would be uncomfortable to type and have the screen parallel. I mean, note/netbooks have their screens facing you while the keyboard faces up. Another thing is that I'm starting to get aggravated with Apple's mobile OS. My iPhone 3G sucks since they released the new mobile OS. I don't feel this is as much of an issue with their desktops and laptops. But my phone is not that old and it's been made obsolete by the company that sold it to me. Not Cool.
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