Netbook or iPad

I actually have both through work. So here's my opinion: Save your money and get a real laptop.

Netbooks and iPads both some great functionality and can be very helpful for specific tasks, most of which you can find explained on countless websites.

HOWEVER, The major con of each:

Netbook - even if you're just using if for internet purposes, the screen is just too damn small. The two axis worth of scrolling you must do on most modern websites gets very tedious very fast.

iPad - not enough control (for me at least). Apple confines what you can do to what they think you need to do. You must have an itunes account with a valid credit card number and you can only purchase the applications they "approve" for you to use. Which includes the apple ban on Flash. This means that a chunk of websites become unavailable to you by default.


SO, a full sized laptop will give you regular viewing capabilities and an excess of customization opportunities. Even if you're set on a touch screen, they make tablet laptops that you can use the "standard" way, while enabling you to swivel the screen around and use it as a touch screen tablet.

I'm not a fan of netbooks unless you have small hands. I rather type on my iPhone than my wife's netbook.

I'd get a iPad for sure if it meets all your needs. I love my iPhone and having an iPad on my coffee table for casual needs would be great.

I'd get a decent laptop (at least 14 inches) if you need it for more than just casual stuff. The extra couple hundred would be worth it if its possible. If money is an issue... iPad.

You can do so much more with a netbook, with no interference from Apple. Plus a lot of netbooks are really small and lightweight, and it's quite annoying to type with iPad. You always have to rest it on something, and in many cases, especially in class, it ends up being your thighs, the desk or handheld. Not my preferred method of data input. In terms of coolness factor and graphics, I'd go for the iPad. If you really care about functionality and practicality, go for the netbook.

Persephone said:

You can do so much more with a netbook, with no interference from Apple. Plus a lot of netbooks are really small and lightweight, and it's quite annoying to type with iPad. You always have to rest it on something, and in many cases, especially in class, it ends up being your thighs, the desk or handheld. Not my preferred method of data input. In terms of coolness factor and graphics, I'd go for the iPad. If you really care about functionality and practicality, go for the netbook.

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I don't know... I find netbooks extremely annoying to deal with (screen size, keyboard size/typing on, etc)... even more than an iPad. I find them impractical and less functional because of their size and the fact it uses an OS not catered to the device. Unless you have small hands, I'd recommend a real laptop or an iPad. Netbooks have more potential, but the device is crippled by how un-ergonomic and underpowered it is. At least the iPad compensates for its size by having a somewhat more fluid interface, potential for a keyboard, and an OS specifically designed for the device.

Personally, I would never use a laptop keyboard less than 14"... but if I was shopping for a netbook or iPad, I would choose the iPad. Its a device that realized its role and is designed specifically for that. The netbook is a device that is a bastard to its purpose.

Netbook. Just one with a good keyboard and memory capacity.

None of these options beat a laptop though. Bigger screen = better resolution, better keyboard for functionality purposes, more power and memory = better performance, with a typical netbook the best operating system is windows xp. With a laptop you can have snow leopard or windows 7, your computer runs smoother and faster.

Mind you there are great and powerful netbooks out there, but I wouldn't give up a better keyboard and screen for it.

Ipads are retarded. Couldn't possibly compete with a laptop, the only thing they're good for is style, telling people you have one and showing off. I already have an iphone and even that's useless why would I buy a larger, chunkier version that doesn't have a phone or camera? Tablets are fucking useless just get a laptop.

I'm just gonna say it, Apple products are for ****. They have a prestigious glow about them that just radiates douchebaggery.

Netbooks are poorfags and children IMO.

I would say, save some money for a decently priced small laptop that will inevitably go on sale on newegg. Remember, a computer is a tool, and having a limited, shitty tool doesn't get you far.

It depends on what you want it for.

If its going to be your main "computer", and you have enough for an ipad, then just get yourself a regular laptop. Netbooks are too small, they're hard to type on, and a regular mouse that plugs into the USB is basically a must. HP has some really nice ones that are thin and portable, and have amazing battery life.

If you're just looking for something portable that you can get on the internet with and play with, then get the iPad. I have a friend at school who has one and he brings it every day and takes notes with it, goes online for reference, has his schedule and homework due dates programmed in it. It works great for him for that purpose.

I have 3 Apple products and have not been disappointed. If that makes me a showoff-y douchebag, so be it :tongue:

Steve said:

I'm just gonna say it, Apple products are for ****. They have a prestigious glow about them that just radiates douchebaggery.

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Mr Jobs, we know its you. Classic over-compensation.

I just wanna ask (for those who actually own one), how well does an iPad travel? For net access. Banking, accomodation/tour/train bookings...facebook...necessary things like that. Its small, light, and a little bit more web friendly than the phone, it sounds like a better alternative to lugging around a laptop.

KaylRyck said:

I just wanna ask (for those who actually own one), how well does an iPad travel? For net access. Banking, accomodation/tour/train bookings...facebook...necessary things like that. Its small, light, and a little bit more web friendly than the phone, it sounds like a better alternative to lugging around a laptop.

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It is. I don't own one, but I've used one and own an iPhone. They are great devices. I wouldn't buy an overpriced Mac laptop, but I would buy an iPad. Its a niche device that serves its purpose well. For internet browsing, casual gaming, email, facebook, and banking (nearly every bank has an app - and there is also mint.com which I'd recommend), I'd take the iPad over a laptop any day. For typing, development, design, gaming, etc - I'd choose a laptop. The netbook? Terrible for everything. Its too small to be useful and a one way ticket to carpal tunnel.

I think anyone who hates on Apple products without good reason other than its stylish or popular is no better than the Apple fanboys who like it because its stylish and popular. I like them because they are well designed devices for their purpose.

I have an Asus eee. It's perfect for both portability & functionality.

I take it to class to take notes, and it's so light that it even weighs less than my textbooks.

Only thing to caution- since it is small/light- make sure you get a really strong case, because all my books smashed my netbook, and now, half of my screen is broken.. so- make sure to take care of it as it is delicate (just like any other laptop or ipad- I'm just really careless about stuff like that).

Anyway, make sure to buy one where the keypads are comfortable enough to type with. I love my Asus. I'd buy another, but the Sony netbook is even smaller, however, battery life on that one is about 4.5 hours? Which is sucky considering that meanie is about $850.

What's amazing is I can even load photoshop and painter xpress on there without causing the netbook to slow down.. pretty nice.

I think I want something like an ipad, though I can't honestly say I really need one. It would serve no purpose other than being an expensive toy.

I already have an awesome ultra portable notebook (13inch Toughbook) and a powerful desktop and a powerful gaming notebook computer (half of one anyway, its technically my GF's)..

I'm not a student and I don't schedule anything.. my phone, not even a smart phone, can google up random information if i just NEED to know something and I'm not near a computer. I have a DS for portable gaming.. What would I do with a tablet? I just want a tablet computer because it looks cool.. but I think I want something a bit more like a real computer, but from what I've read online a full computer in tablet form makes little sense. I don't know what I'd do with it except maybe use it as a fancy remote for my htpc..

I love my netbook. Maybe it's my small hands, but I don't find it hard to type on at all, the keyboard was easy to get used to. The small screen doesn't bother me either, I have no trouble viewing webpages. I don't consider it an alternative to a real computer, which seems to be where most of the complaints about netbooks come from -- that they're slower, smaller, whatever. My laptop stays at home for downloading torrents, image editing, watching movies, etc. I carry my netbook with me everywhere else. It's a must-have for travel for me, you can throw it into a messenger bag or backpack and hardly notice the extra weight. There was a point at which I was walking 2 miles each way for wifi, lugging a laptop around would have killed me. It lets me get online whenever I have the opportunity, which is so convenient when traveling (you can carry it all day and open it up whenever you see a "free wifi" sign without having to go out of your way).

The people I know who love their ipads use them mostly for apps, like reading ebooks (I have kindle on my netbook), games, etc. It just depends what your needs are. I knew I'd be away from home and without my laptop (at least without an internet connection for it) for weeks at a time and wanted to use this for writing, blogging, emails, etc, so I wanted a real keyboard and a PC. For just day to day use an ipad might be handier if you like apps.

Jaciede said:

macbook air.
i would love to have a laptop that coverts into a tablet but until then my laptop will do.

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One problem with that: $$$. It's too darn expensive for what it does, unless you want to get into the mac universe (and if you do, I can't blame you).

I'd go for an iPad, netbooks just have an overall bulkier experience, and honestly, they're on the way out.