Difference between iPad and Netbook
For most people who are looking for a portable computing device, the Netbook presents itself as the most viable alternative to a laptop. With the introduction of the iPad however, the now-venerable Netbook has some serious competition. Does the iPad have what it makes to take over the Netbook for most mobile computing needs? Let's take a look!
Purpose
Initial test runs show that the iPad has the edge over Netbooks when it comes to viewing videos, reading e-books and playing games. Of course it provides these benefits at a higher price tag as well. The Netbook isn't actually an entertainment device per se, but it does offer a lot more hard drive space as well as a full keyboard that makes it better suited to task such as typing out long documents.
Best Features
The iPad features a 9.7” touch-screen display that comes with an on-screen keyboard for typing purposes. The device can also be used for Web browsing, e-mail, and reading e-books, watching movies and playing games, as mentioned previously.
Some of the biggest attractions of the iPad are its longer battery life when compared to even the longest running Netbooks, and its enhanced multimedia functionality that it provides by way of its 720p high-definition video capability. Apple claims that the iPad allows up to 10 hours of battery life with regular use, which stands a distinct improvement over the typical four to eight hours that you would get on a similarly spec’d Netbook.
Where the Netbook takes the lead is in its ability to run several Windows or Linux programs at the same time. That being said, the iPad works very well as an e-book reader, a task that Netbooks are ill-equipped to handle. In addition, the iPad offers a familiar interface derived from the iPhone, making it even easier to operate than the Windows driven Netbook. Netbooks take the lead with the inclusion of a webcam however, a feature that may or may not be included in future versions of the iPad.
In Use
We found that the iPad performs remarkably well playing movies in both original and full screen modes, although the latter did give a somewhat grainy picture. Most Netbooks struggle to deliver 720p video, and the few that are able to manage this suffered from a much reduced battery life. The iPad for its part can run up to 10 hours while playing videos.
One thing that gave us cause for concern was the iPad's on-screen keyboard, which proved to be too cumbersome for anything more than minor use. Nevertheless, the iPad doers score points with its reduced weight, which makes it a more portable option than the bulkier Netbook.
Summary
iPad
- Offers more functionality than a smartphone
- More flexible than a laptop
- Large touch-screen display
- Utilizes an on-screen keyboard
- Can be used for Web browsing, e-mail, e-books, and movies and games
- Superior battery life to Netbooks
- Is a lot more expensive than a Netbook
Netbook
- Are basically just cheaper laptops
- Shorter battery life
- Is not intended primarily as an entertainment device
- Offers more hard drive space
- Comes with a full keyboard
