iPad vs Netbook

[Chris]

One of the questions I receive from our readers on a frequent basis is whether or not they should buy an iPad or a Netbook. I've been able to use both extensively and have put together a comparison table here along with some additional information to help you determine which one might be right for [...]

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[ericinboston]

I would also add a column for "storage"...and that the iPad comes in 16, 32, and 64GB flavors while Netbooks start at 160GB for a traditional drive and 64GB for a solid state drive.

I would also add in the review that other than Photos and Videos and Music, you cannot store other files such as MS Office docs (.DOC, .XLS, etc). Also, no place to save attachments from email (such as a PDF).

-Eric

[ThisIsNot]

Actually, you can store other files on an iPad. You can actually sync Word, Excel, PowerPoiint, PDF, Divx/Xvid AVI, and many other files types all through iTunes (it is still a bit backwards) so that various apps can access them (file compatibility depends on the app).

You can also save PDF files, images, and documents that have been attached to e-mails. You just have to select "Open in iBooks" and the PDF file will be downloaded to the iPad. You can then access the files through iTunes the next time the iPad is synced with a computer.

[ericinboston]

Originally Posted by ThisIsNot

Actually, you can store other files on an iPad. You can actually sync Word, Excel, PowerPoiint, PDF, Divx/Xvid AVI, and many other files types all through iTunes (it is still a bit backwards) so that various apps can access them (file compatibility depends on the app).

You can also save PDF files, images, and documents that have been attached to e-mails. You just have to select "Open in iBooks" and the PDF file will be downloaded to the iPad. You can then access the files through iTunes the next time the iPad is synced with a computer.

Interesting...but all that syncing and hoop-jumping totally negates the "magical" theory of the iPad. I never, ever want to connect my iPad to my computer unless it's for new music.

Even though it's "possible" as you describe, I would actually give the iPad WORSE feedback now due to all the work you have to do to save the darn files. Apple should have just left the feature(s) out. Yuck. Simply yuck.

[ThisIsNot]

Marketing terms aside (come on, you can't really hold them to terms thought up by a teams of people who try to sell products, otherwise you would never buy anything), Apple's implementation is better when working with just the iPad. Saving an image attached in an e-mail is the same as in Windows, downloading a PDF is also essentially the same (though you are opening it with iBooks instead of Acrobat Reader), and the same thing goes for documents. You essentially hold down on the link/image/document and select a save option. That is comparable to right-clicking in Windows, selecting a save destination, and then opening the file. So downloading files from the iPad's Mail client is the same as using Gmail in FireFox under Windows XP+.

Things become backwards when you start trying to copy files over from a PC to the iPad. I guess crappy implementation is better than nothing but they could have improved this aspect. One thing they should have done is let the user decide how much storage space to set aside for storing files that will be used with various apps. Then make that appear under Windows Explorer as a new drive allowing you to drag-and-drop content into it.

Right now, if I want to play a movie under CineX Player or VLC, I have to copy it to my iPad twice. Having one "folder" on the iPad for universal access would have solved this issue and made copying content over a lot easier. Turning that folder into a generic plug-and-play USB storage device would have made the iPad more universal. Instead, it is still tied to iTunes.

Apple never tried to hide that fact though and even Android is the same way. You still need a central hub for hosting your content. These slate devices are not meant to replace a full on notebook or desktop but rather be companion devices so that you can carry something much lighter out your door that performs simple tasks while you leave the notebook at home and only break it out if you need that type of power on-the-go.

I sync my iPad with my desktop about 2-3 times a month just as I would copy files from my desktop to my netbook at the same time interval. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Still, Apple is heading into the right direction and they are already above and beyond the competition. Is is funny that the iPad came out almost a year in advance of other slate tablets yet it still remains ahead of the curve.

Next year should be more competitive in the slate tablet realm as RIM's PlayBook will come out, Google will finally start supporting tablets, and the iPad 2 will likely hit store shelves around April. I still don't think these devices are ever going to replace that central notebook/desktop hub though.