Many of you seem to love your Netbooks, judging by the comments in this article, but Lazyboy has a completely different view. Read on-
As you correctly identify in your article, Shaun, I don’t think the iPad is intended to compete directly with netbooks. Netbooks are basically cheap laptops, slightly more portable than their larger siblings, but laptops all the same. To use them you have to be sitting as a desk, or have them perched somewhat precariously on your knees. (Personally, if I’m in the market for a laptop – I’d rather get a decent one.)
The iPad is first and foremost a handheld device. It is intended to be used casually, in much in the same way as you would use a notepad, magazine or paperback book; something that you can easily pick up and put down anywhere in the house or office, and that will always be ready to use the instant you pick it up, without having to worry about a power brick or cable being close to hand. It’s small and light enough to hold in your hand, or to support lightly in your lap, or even to lie next to you on the armrest of your sofa.
My iPhone is currently computer of choice for many tasks, despite the limitations of its small screen. It’s way quicker and more convient to pull out of my pocket for quick reference, web surfing and checking email etc. than it is to break out my laptop. But it is still just a smartphone. Now, imagine that I have an iPad sitting beside me on the sofa; which device do you think I am going to use then? (Even more tellingly, which do you think I would pick up first if a laptop/netbook and iPad were sitting side by side?)
Put simply: the slim, light form factor, combined with the long battery life, big screen, blistering speed and dedicated multi-touch interface will make the iPad far more pleasurable to use than my iPhone. Don’t get me wrong: I love using my iPhone, but the experience will be so much better on that big screen.
Moreover, the bigger form factor opens up a whole world of possibilities for application developers. Mac developer Omnigroup has already announced that it will port its entire suite of productivity applications to the iPad (most of which would have been impractical on the iPhone), and I’m sure it is just the first of many. Developers have done wonders with some of the applications for the iPhone, but imagine what they are going to do with the big canvas available to them on the iPad.
I will use my iPad for reading ebooks, newspapers, magazines; to check and respond to emails, check and update my calendar, jot down quick notes, create and update spreadsheets; create, edit and proof-read documents; plan projects, surf the web and play games – all of which will be be far more pleasurable, immediate and immersive than on a bulkier laptop/netbook, which I would have to prop-open on my knees, or on a smartphone, which is too small for extended use and more intensive computing tasks. (Aside: I spend a lot of time flying, and have always found it awkward to use a laptop on those tiny tables attached to the back of the seat – the smaller footprint of the iPad and not having to have the screen open vertically will be a boon.)
I have little doubt that I will soon get used to tapping out notes and emails with the onscreen keyboard, and when I really need to crank out some words, I’ll just drop it into the keyboard dock or use a BlueTooth keyboard. Crucially, though, the keyboard will not get in the way when I’m reading, flipping through a book, watching a movie, playing a game, or passing the iPad between family members and friends to share photos, movies, magzine articles or to play games. The form factor, weight and drop-dead simple interface of the iPad will be critical in those situations.
For the purposes and situations I have described above, a netbook would be a poor subsitute 90% of the time, so I’d choose the iPad in a heartbeat. Laptops and netbooks have their place, for sure, but I think the iPad occupies a space that they can’t compete in.
I just want to make it clear that I wasn’t criticizing netbooks, per se, or anyone’s decision to buy and use one. To me, a netbook is just a laptop, albeit somewhat smaller, lighter, cheaper and less fully specified.
In the examples I gave above, with my iPhone, MacBook and an iPad all sitting in front of me on the coffee table, I know which one I’d pick up ninety-nine times out of one hundred. It’s not really about the iPad vs. netbooks, it’s about whcih type of device is best suited for the situation and task at hand.
I think that my problem with the iPad idea is that you are limited to running a mobile operating system at home. Now this may not matter a lot of the time but in some situations it might.
For example, the iPad is supposed to bring us the web as it was meant to be. In an interview with Steve Jobs we learnt that he hates Flash, blames it for 90% of the crashes on Macs and wants web developers to move to HTML5. This may eventually happen but the problem is that a lot of the web is currently based around Flash. I can live without it on a mobile device if I am out but when home I want to be able to view the full thing. Therefore if I was surfing I would pick up my Netbook every time if I had it with me.
This is just one example. I do think it is a really cool device though and I can see that for some things it would be brilliant.
For me the iPad is large iPod Touch. I like the iPod touch due to its slim profile. If the iPad is a small cost more, I might consider selling my iPod to get the iPad. The apps make some tasks a breeze for checking things eg ebay. But the iPad in no way is a replacement for a netbook or laptop, it is a replacement for an iPod.
I was going to comment on lazyboy yesterday, but I ran out of time. I think he has a very good point. The instant on, pick it up, and way ya go, is an excellent selling point. My personal pet peeve might be that I would love to be able to get a few DivX films, stick em on there and watch them on the go somewhere. That I can’t do. Plus that in Spain we can’t buy/rent films yet on iTunes (let alone ebooks), which again limits its potential… But I do love the idea that I can just grab it and play with it is great. I tend to reach for my E71 to do most things because I’m lazy about sitting down with my laptop. It’s just easier to check a few sites or Facebook for a moment using my phone. I can also see the iPad being further developed and encroaching on the netbook’s advantages in due time. What’s coming is only first generation. Remember that most first generation products lack a lot of the obvious, where a lot of people will probably make a comment such as “That’s what the iPad should have had in the first place” for its update second and third generation product. For me the point might be that I’d prefer an iPad, but for half the price I could get a wee netbook, which’ll do the job good enough, since my finances are quite limited… it’s the same reason I carry an E71 and not something more up to date – Ha ha!!
I think netbooks and iPads are just different things. Two different functions for different needs, just like a desktop computer is different from a netbook.
Did it occur to anyone that there are already Tablets out there? Same build quality but cheaper and someeven more capable than the iPad? Or do you all think that only the iPad can deliver all the promises and fulfill all of youre wishes?
Why take the elevator when there’s stairs..
“Did it occur to anyone that there are already Tablets out there?”
No it never occurred to me.
“Same build quality but cheaper and someeven more capable than the iPad?”
Show me. I hope they’re better than this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100210/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_digital_life_tech_test_archos_tablet
“Or do you all think that only the iPad can deliver all the promises and fulfill all of youre wishes?”
At the moment, it’s the only game in town.
“Why take the elevator when there’s stairs..”
Because the elevator takes less effort.
The archos 9 was a big disapointment, hopefully they fix things with the 7″ version coming (runs android), and/or other companies like asus and msi do a better job with their android tablets due mid year. My guess is the later, I have little confidence in Archos at the moment..