Comments on: Apple iPad – No Netbook Killer

By: Whither Microsoft? No Snappy Retort To The iPad? « Techniculture

Whither Microsoft? No Snappy Retort To The iPad? « Techniculture — Sat, 01 May 2010 13:59:07 +0000

[...] When then, some would ask, is Microsoft going to come up with an answer to the device some are debating to be the Netbook killer? [...]

By: Jewell Mcsweeney

Jewell Mcsweeney — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:02:51 +0000

Can you believe that the iPad was basically a glorified iTouch netbook thingie?

By: Leif Pihl

Leif Pihl — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:33:55 +0000

What do you think about the iPad and “best web experience ever” (with no flash support)??

By: Thomas Killean

Thomas Killean — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:33:19 +0000

Steve Jobs announces the iPad, except you can access half the (flash) internet – WTF?

By: John

John — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:16:07 +0000

The quote was actually “netbooks aren’t BETTER AT anything” when compared to the iPods and macBooks. But they’re obviously better than the iPad at many things, including: multi-tasking, holding more data/media, running an OS that lets you do everything the iPad can do and more…

Sure, for some people the iPad may fit their lifestyle, but if you’ve already got an iPhone/iPod Touch or netBook, it doesn’t really bring anything new.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:32:44 +0000

Yikes, this looks no good at all. Count me *out*.

An HD netbook has higher resolution (1366 x 768) *and* a larger screen size (10.1 minimum for a device of similar size to the iPad).

Yes, at one inch thick, a netbook is 2x thicker, but in return you get the utility of a real keyboard and touchpad.

I love my iPhone, but I cannot *ever* see myself using an iPad when I can get a full PC with better resolution, bigger display, better battery life, better performance, real hard-drive-based storage, a web cam, and a whole world of apps for less money!!!

With some of the fast-boot / instant-on options now available for web browsing, IM, etc, the iPad can’t even claim this as an advantage over netbooks, either.

If the iPad is anything like my iPhone 3G, it will be painfully slow with stupid fancy screen wipes I wish would go away since they cost battery power, if not also performance.

Not for me. I think only card-carrying members of the iChurch are going to be buying this. Anyone who does a cost/benefit analysis will run screaming. Sorry Mr. Jobs.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:18:33 +0000

Thanks for your input guys.

The whole angle of this post was in direct response to Steve Job’s comments where he is comparing it to a netbook, with many major news publications calling it a netbook killer.

“The problem is netbooks aren’t ready for anything, they’re slow, they have low quality displays”.

The iPad would be better compared to a large iPod touch or even an advanced reading device such as the Kindle, rather than to a netbook or laptop.

Also, Anonymous, i think you will find that all the new netbooks have a larger screen than the iPad, not smaller, making the viewing of web pages easier, not harder. The standard is now 10.1-inch and many are 11.6-inch, with higher “HD” resolutions, and touch screen convertibles if you prefer.

I’m sure the iPad will find it’s place in the market (it is an Apple product after all), but if I would personaly much rather bring a netbook with me on vacation or business trip.

I can’t imagine holding the iPad for many hours on a train or plane, while using my other arm to point at the screen, maybe okay for 20 mins, but not for any long duration of time. A netbook sits on the table or your lap perfectly, while offering more flexibility.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:31:47 +0000

Get a computer if you want to focus on major tasks like are suggested here.
Like the user above said, the iPad is meant to do smaller tasks BETTER and faster, not meant to do 3,000 tasks at once. I’ve yet to see any netbook do many tasks well anyhow, but that’s beside the point. Yes, it is similar to an iTouch, but the fact that you can view a webpage full screen is very encouraging (with a bulky netbook, the screen isn’t as big and it’s more difficult to view the pages.) The only thing that the netbook might have on the iPad for some people is the keyboard which to me only adds more bulk when it’s very easy just to use the built in touch screen keyboard the iPad has. All this said, the iPad is in a completely different league from the netbook anyway. Two different products entirely. But if we’re comparing, iPad all the way.

By: Sam Wise

Sam Wise — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:50:24 +0000

You are missing the point.

The iPad doesn’t compete with netbooks. It’s a device which focuses on a few tasks, and by all accounts, it does them well. Something that cannot be said about any netbook I have seen.

If you want a slim, well-designed device to read a book on, to watch a movie on, to play a quick game on, or browse the web on, the iPad would be a good choice.

If you want a capable computer for other tasks, then a good laptop would be better.

By: Judity

Judity — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:25:38 +0000

It’s no competition for the Netbooks. It is, however, competition for the IPhone. Steve Jobs is just spreading the same users around. And no Verizon access. Disappointing.