Monthly Archives: February 2010

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.