MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Struggling making a decision

junkyardwillie · 07-09-2010, 05:15 PM

Just get an iPad. Plain and simple, it works.

Coming from computers people feel like they need to have a device that can do everything in the world because software on computers is so specialized that you need a lot of options to get what is perfect for you. If you're looking to do some serious computing and excel modeling and presentation building the iPad will suck for that. Basically the iPad is a very fun device that allows you do consume media in a very easy fashion: Ebooks, PDFs, Movies (in ipod format), Comics, blogs and the web.

Battery Life: iPad wins
Netbooks don't have the same battery life as an iPad so you will need to be around a power plug a lot more often with them.

Applications: iPad wins
Sure netbooks have all the applications for Windows to choose from but those applications are mostly built for more powerful machines and are not finger friendly which is why you are trying to use a tablet. Most PDF applications for PCs don't remember what page you were on of a document that you last viewed let alone multiple docs so PDF eBook reading is much better on an iPad. iPad applications are made specifically for the device so you don't have to worry about crashes or menus being to small to navigate with your finger.

Design: iPad Wins
Ergonomically the iPad would be better to hold than a Netbook which is larger/heavier so it gives you a better reading experience.

Real Work (ie, using Microsoft Office and extended typing): Tablets Win
The only real benefit of a Tablet netbook would be if you do not have a laptop and you need to do real work on it. The iPad is not a real computer no matter how much people wish it was, but its a very good device and runs circles around the eInk devices out there.

07-09-2010, 05:15 PM	#4
junkyardwillie Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 570 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: Onyx Note Pro, Kobo H20 and iPad	Just get an iPad. Plain and simple, it works. Coming from computers people feel like they need to have a device that can do everything in the world because software on computers is so specialized that you need a lot of options to get what is perfect for you. If you're looking to do some serious computing and excel modeling and presentation building the iPad will suck for that. Basically the iPad is a very fun device that allows you do consume media in a very easy fashion: Ebooks, PDFs, Movies (in ipod format), Comics, blogs and the web. Battery Life: iPad wins Netbooks don't have the same battery life as an iPad so you will need to be around a power plug a lot more often with them. Applications: iPad wins Sure netbooks have all the applications for Windows to choose from but those applications are mostly built for more powerful machines and are not finger friendly which is why you are trying to use a tablet. Most PDF applications for PCs don't remember what page you were on of a document that you last viewed let alone multiple docs so PDF eBook reading is much better on an iPad. iPad applications are made specifically for the device so you don't have to worry about crashes or menus being to small to navigate with your finger. Design: iPad Wins Ergonomically the iPad would be better to hold than a Netbook which is larger/heavier so it gives you a better reading experience. Real Work (ie, using Microsoft Office and extended typing): Tablets Win The only real benefit of a Tablet netbook would be if you do not have a laptop and you need to do real work on it. The iPad is not a real computer no matter how much people wish it was, but its a very good device and runs circles around the eInk devices out there. Last edited by junkyardwillie; 07-09-2010 at 05:17 PM.