Is the iPad a netbook

I've avoided the hype about the iPad since it was not for sale anywhere in the world. Now a sale date has been set, April 3 in the USA, late April is a few other countries.

Is it your idea of a netbook?

For me? Sort of. Depends on battery life, weight with its protective case. Most of all its dependence on iTunes.

Do I want a large iPod Touch such as the iPad? If it were the only device I carried while traveling or overnighting at a friend's house where there is wi-fi, maybe. If my casual electronic entertainment life were heavy on visuals like music videos instead of just listening to instrumental music, yes depending on battery life.

If I just moved to a new job and wanted to make a statement about my techie life, definitely. If it outshines the boss or detracts from the meeting, no.

If I were a highschooler trying to hold it below the desk so the teacher wouldn't see, no. It is way too big.

In my lap on the train, well, maybe. Standing on the train, no. In first class seating, sure.

Do I want more of Apple, maybe. The 64-bit hardware is good right now but I'm waiting for 64-bit Apple software to buy an iMac. The iPad might be a good netbooking option with it.

[ThisIsNot]

Well, it is and it isn't. The iPad falls between a line drawn for netbooks, MIDs, and e-books. It fits somewhere in the middle as it performs many tasks that a netbook can do while being (what looks like) a good e-reader. However, the iPad's dependency on iTunes means that it isn't a stand-alone product. Going even further, netbooks are also companion devices that depend on other computers such as notebooks and desktops. Their hardware limits (ie no optical drive) and software (7 Starter is limited to 2GB of RAM) mean that, in order to get the full experience of computing (including Flash internet browsing), one would have to use a netbook in conjunction with a more capable notebook or desktop.

I definitely won't be purchasing an iPad on the launch day. I won't get my paycheck until the 7th of April. That and the Apple store will be requiring either cash or a credit card to pay for the iPad before it comes out. I would put $50 down in order to hold an iPad for a week for me. I would only do that after using an iPad though. So I will likely have to wait until the second full week of April in order to even see an iPad. Then I will make my decision. I refuse to buy technology blindly. I must have at least 20-30 minutes of on-hands experience with something along with reading many professional reviews (this means that I won't read the comments sections on purchasing websites such as Apple.com or Amazon.com).

I like what the iPad is offering. It is more than just a large iPod touch. It runs more powerful hardware (which initially looked like a Tegra 2 but some are speculating that it is an overclocked iPhone/iPod touch chip), different apps, etc. It can output video up to 1024X768 through a VGA connection along with running iPad versions of Apple's iWork programs. I could definitely see myself using Keynote to display a PowerPoint presentation without having my face hidden behind a netbook, notebook, or desktop monitor. I could even see myself purchasing some TV shows at 720p and playing them natively on the iPad's screen or on my HDTV (which accepts 1024X768, 1366X768, and 1280X720 through VGA). I am also anxious to see what game developers can do with the hardware. Apps can output video via the iPad through composite video (limited to 480i), component video (limited to 480p), and VGA (the last being the only method of outputting HD content). I wasn't impressed with the FPS game shown off and I don't like the idea of running 480X320 games at a stretched resolution (the photos and videos I have observed don't make the stretched content look good).

I think that Chris should add an iPad section to the forums for multiple reasons; (1) it would bring in more people since the iPad is the "it" gadget right now and (2) the iPad can do most things that a netbook can. The only thing really hindering it is it's dependence on iTunes. The OS doesn't really matter that much except for the iTunes factor. Then again, someone can transfer images, documents, spreadsheets, and presentation files all through e-mail, an online server, or an online file hosting system.

Edit: I forgot to mention that Apple is saying the iPad can get 10 hours of wi-fi usage, video playback, and audio playback on a single charge. So it is looking like 10 hours of usage is a real world number with wi-fi turned on and screen brightness likely set to 50% (or with the auto-brightness setting turned on). We will see if the 10 hour number turns out to be true real-world usage or if it is along the same lines of what netbook and other notebook manufacturers do when making their battery life numbers: turn the screen brightness all the way down, turn wi-fi off, turn bluetooth off, and play a low resolution (and low bitrate) video or run a battery mark test. A true 10 hours of real world usage would make the iPad more enticing.

Good post TIN man.

My iPod Touch and video iPod, managed by iTunes, connects nicely to our multiple TV system so no need for an iPad.

I'm still involved with Apple using third party apps like Camtasia. Most of my software use is on Windows now. I've added Windows 7 on both my MacBook and netbook just to use PC software. The iPad software has no appeal for me.

Be sure and post an update of your hands on experience. I won't get to see one as soon as you USA types. I agree on the iPad section too.

[safetyobc]

I am going to wait until they drop the price of the device. It WILL happen. And will likely happen by the end of the year. I figure between $299 and $399 will be the price for the base WiFi version.

Apple did it with the iPhone and nearly all iPods as well as their Mac line. It will go down after it is on the market for a few months. If you can wait, you'll likely save a little money. But if you can't, then jump on it.

I LOVE my iPhone and Macbook Pro as well as my iPod. The iTunes and iPhone/iPod are awesome and I love it. But I'll wait on the iPadm

[ThisIsNot]

Originally Posted by netbooking

The iPad software has no appeal for me.

I wouldn't say that. After all, you are using an iPod touch and that runs the same software as the iPad. The only difference is that there are some iPad specific apps but they have yet to be released.

I will definitely keep people informed regarding my hands on experience with the iPad. I will first read the numerous reviews that come flooding in between now and when the iPad is released and then, after getting paid (they switched me to getting paid once a month and that is something that I am not used to), I will schedule a personal buying experience online with the local Apple store so that I am guaranteed on-hands experience with the iPad. I did this oh so long ago back when I purchased my AppleTV. They were the only store that had an AppleTV hooked up to an HDTV and were showing off upscaled SD and 720p HD content on a 45" 1080p Sony LCD HDTV (this was back in 2007 so Apple had to spend a bunch of money to set this up as 1080p LCD HDTVs weren't common back then). Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. Nobody had it setup. My 30 minutes of hands on was the deciding factor for purchasing the AppleTV.

I have already called the Apple store and they will setup a personalized buying experience with at least a 16GB iPad so that I can make my decision. The store might not have any in stock though I don't see the 64GB one (which is the capacity I would purchase) going anywhere due to its high price. If anything, I can use one and then buy a 64GB iPad directly from Apple.com or even from Amazon.com (where I would get free two day shipping instead of Apple's free 5 day shipping).

Originally Posted by ThisIsNot

I wouldn't say that. After all, you are using an iPod touch and that runs the same software as the iPad. The only difference is that there are some iPad specific apps but they have yet to be released.

Here is a link to an iPad FAQ.

I listen to music at times on the Touch. Music + Train = sleep. LOL I play back movies and video clips from the Touch and video iPod after I enter them into iTunes. Before they go into iTunes I put them in my netbook for playback.

Unfortunately, the Touch mail app will not connect to some overseas accounts like Yahoo in Japan for instance. Wi-fi hotspots are few and far between outside the USA (at least in my circles). I seldom to never use any other Touch apps. For me, it's a video transporter and, when traveling, a small wi-fi email connector. The iPhone peddlers overseas won't sell to me on my various visas because they want a two year contract for connection. Those apps are unavailable to me.

I'm headed to Australia after the middle of the month and I will take my Asus 1000HE w/SSD instead of the Touch because I have some school assignments to do. Lots better typing and carry size over the Touch which is the best carry but suffers with typing. The MacBook is a little too heavy since there is such a light carry on restriction on Australian domestic air. It's 7kg in case you don't know. That's one briefcase for clothes and computer. I don't do checked bags.

Your short sell of announced non-Touch apps are the ones of no interest to me. I prefer my netbook for Office and a host of other third party apps.

The iPad hardware is limiting for me and SJ's sell as Magic does nothing for me. I'm looking over my devices now to see how I might replace something or multiple somethings with an iPad. I'm also looking for a niche that the iPad might fill for me. Nothing stands out IMO. Make a suggestion. The iPad by itself would be lighter for travel carry than the Asus 1KHE but don't forget the protective case for the iPad. The 1KHE is tough enough to just use a sleeve.

When Apple gets their 64-bit software act together I will probably replace my MacBook with a Pro and replace my Mac mini with an iMac. The current Apple software is of no interest to me but I will jump on full 64-bit upgrade replacement when it comes.

Of course this is all about me. When the iPad actually becomes available I'll look at it for netbooking. Thanks for your interest in my computing usage habits though.