Netbook vs iPad

Chris · #1 (**permalink**) 04-13-2010, 05:17 PM

CNET recently ran some interesting tests comparing an iPad and an ASUS Eee PC 1001P. They ran a series of tests several times and averaged them together to get a boot up time, web page rendering and browser based JavaScript tests. The results of these tests are below:Boot-up timeNetbook: 50.5 seconds iPad: 23.1 secondsWeb page renderingNetbook: [...]

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ThisIsNot · #2 (**permalink**) 04-13-2010, 07:37 PM

iPads have access to just as much, if not more, free software/apps as netbooks do. Want Microsoft Office on a netbook? You have to pay for that and it is at least $70 or higher. Want it on an iPad? The whole suite costs $30. Sure, netbooks have access to OpenOffice but there is nothing stopping that development team from releasing iPad specific versions of their apps.

Either way, there is an extensive library of free and inexpensive apps for the iPad. Additionally, CNET's test just ran general Java. It is inefficient on both netbooks and iPads. Netbook specific and iPad specific Java websites run a lot smoother than just compiling code.

The "test" is interesting but it shouldn't be used to come to any conclusion. As I have always said: one cannot judge an iPad or a netbook simply by looking at tech specs sheets and reviews. They have to actually experience both products in order to make an informed decision. Blindly pushing a product away is just as bad as blindly following a company (such as Apple, Dell, Microsoft, someone from the open source community, etc.) and not thinking when it comes to purchasing their products.

#3 (**permalink**) 04-13-2010, 08:28 PM

I think CNET had some idle time and space to fill so they ran a few meaningless comparisons. I'm more interested in a usage evaluation by ThisIsNot, the TIN man, since he's a netbook user, an iPad owner and previously announced plans to use the iPad for presentations.

I've had to choose whether to take a netbook or an iPod Touch when I travel. If I *don't* have actual work to do, the Touch wins. It will fill in for the random email check, browse, game, music, video. If I have typing, editing, creating to do, the netbook wins.

Now I have netbook, Touch and, if or when I buy one, iPad to consider. I'm waiting to find out about 3G service actual use. I don't believe the iPad uses the same size SIM card so I couldn't just use any data plan.

If I travel with just a briefcase, the Touch wins on size. If I travel with a rollon, the iPad would work. If I know I have to do work, the netbook gets the nod. I have to pick the right tool for the right job.

Sounds like CNET is interested in what the iPad *can't* do. I'm interested in what it *can* do.

safetyobc · #4 (**permalink**) 04-14-2010, 12:47 AM

I bought a netbook recently and had no use or time to even look at the iPad (and I am an Apple fan). I love my netbook, but now I am looking at the iPad in a different light. I have the netbook and love it. I have my Desktop laptop (it never leaves the desk).

Now I look at the iPad as not a netbook replacement, but more of a media consumption device. Gaming, music, video, web and email. For those purposes, it looks great. It's like a TV in a way. You buy a TV to "consume" media. So the iPad can consume more types of media in a different way. I am very interested in getting one in the future. I will wait for the price drops that will happen in the next few months (as they normally do with Apple). Then I would like to get a 64 GB or bigger wifi model. 16 is just too small for the uses I would want it for. I have the 16GB iPhone and am pressed for space and rarely use it for media. So the iPad would need to be at least 32GB for me to use it without stressing my space requirements.

ThisIsNot · #5 (**permalink**) 04-14-2010, 10:51 AM

Actually, with devices like this, Apple does not decrease the price after a few months. Really, the only time Apple has done this is when the first generation (ie EDGE only) iPhone was released. It wasn't selling as many units as Apple was hoping for so they drastically reduced the price. iPods, iPhones, the AppleTV, and now the iPad just don't decrease in price.

Some stores might sell them at a lower price but they are not the MSRP and Apple will still sell them for the higher amount. In fact, you will have to wait a full year before a price drop is observed and that isn't for the older generation models. Apple will release an iPod (or iPhone) at $399. It will then officially stay at that $399 until the next generation comes out. That next generation will run newer software, provide more features, come in a higher capacity, and be offered at a lower introductory price. The 64GB iPod touch has reduced in price over the years but it was from a generation-to-generation model. Apple didn't release the 64GB iPod touch, drop the price after 3 months, drop the price again, and then release a new generation.

So don't hold your breath for an iPad price drop as it won't be typical of Apple. The sales of the iPad also aren't warranting a price drop. As of April 8, April has sold (not shipped but actually sold) 450,000 iPads. This does not count units shipped out to stores or ones sold by 3rd parties such as Best Buy. 150,000 of those were over a period of 4 days after the initial launch day where Apple sold a little over 300,000 iPads. That isn't something is negative. The sales numbers aren't pushing Apple to decrease the price of the iPad. They could decrease the iPad's price but it just isn't going to happen.

You can either buy now or wait a year and pay about $100 less for the same capacity iPad with some added features and software. That has been Apple's game when it comes to iPods for the past 9 years and iPhones ever since the price of the first generation model was decreased (and that has been the only time Apple officially decreased the price of the iPhone prior to a new generation being released) in February of 2007.

Again, that just covers official MSRP prices. Amazon.com and Best Buy are selling the 64GB iPod touch for about $350 despite the MSRP (and Apple's price) being at $399.

SmidgenPC · #6 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisIsNot

iPads have access to just as much, if not more, free software/apps as netbooks do. Want Microsoft Office on a netbook? You have to pay for that and it is at least $70 or higher. Want it on an iPad? The whole suite costs $30.

That's not really a good comparison. The productivity applications - Pages in particular - are vastly inferior to Microsoft Office. The spellcheck isn't even worth a damn, and how hard is that to execute?

ThisIsNot · #7 (**permalink**) 04-16-2010, 04:59 PM

Why is that not a good comparison? What do most people do in Word? They make simple documents. I am not talking about power using where people have to write long, technical documents. The Pages App is more than suitable for filling the need for Word in most cases. I also haven't come across an issue with the spell check feature either.

Pages does what it was designed to do: act as a document viewing, editing, and light creating application. Anyone who wants to type out something large will not be using an iPad nor will they rely on a 10" netbook keyboard. They will either have a full sized desktop keyboard or use a notebook with a larger screen.

SmidgenPC · #8 (**permalink**) 04-18-2010, 02:44 AM

This isn't about "what most people do" it's about how it compares to other applications, such as Microsoft Word. You directly compared Pages to Microsoft Word - now you say it isn't really comparable because it is for a different audience - which is it?

Point is, Pages for $30 dollars is not a bargain. You shouldn't have to even pay for such an inept program.

ThisIsNot · #9 (**permalink**) 04-18-2010, 05:02 PM

Of course it is about what most people do. Otherwise we wouldn't have netbooks and everyone would be using quad-core notebooks with 22" screens, 30 hours of battery life, and all in a 15 lb package the size of a 1980's Laser Disc player. People use netbooks because they are "good enough" for general activity. That is exactly where the iWork iPad apps come in.

Additionally, Pages was not $30. All three iWork apps come out to $30 total meaning that each one is $10. How is that not a bargain when compared to the free word document programs, from Microsoft, that manufacturers plug their computers with? Those programs are the real "inept" applications. Trying to type up a document in WordPad, Notepad, or that crappy one that come with Microsoft Works. I would gladly pay $10 to upgrade to a more advanced program such as the Pages app.