Apple iPad vs. Laptop vs. iPhone vs. Netbook (Review)
Apple has just released the Apple iPad, a tablet device that Steve Jobs says will fill the void between a iPhone and a laptop.
So what is it?
Others have had a hard time describing the specific niche this device fills. Here’s what the device isn’t. It is not a laptop replacement because it doesn’t have a dedicated keyboard. It isn’t a netbook because it costs about $200 more. The iPad does not have a built in camera, nor does it run your typical desktop software. It is not an iPhone because it isn’t as portable and you can’t make calls with it.
So the question still remains, what is it?
Unlike the laptop or netbook, this is not meant to be a content creation device. The iPad was designed to be a content consumption device. It it makes browsing the Internet more tactile because you can scroll and zoom in and out of a webpage by touching the screen.
You can just touch the link you want to go to. It makes the browsing experience more intuitive. Browsing through pictures or reading a book gives the user a similar experience. You can turn a page by flicking your fingers across the screen. If you know how to turn a page, you can read on the iPad and browse through your photo albums. You can also watch Netflix, YouTube and ABC on it. You can play all of your iTunes music on this too.
There are also games that work specifically for the iPad. Words with Friends is Scrabble-like game that allows you to play with others who have iPads or iPhones. Dragging the letters to the board just makes sense.
Driving games on the iPad just require you to tilt the screen the direction you want your car to go. You can’t do that on a netbook.
Many of the things you can do on the iPad can be done on an iPhone. The difference is that the screen on the iPad is 10 inches versus 3.7 for the iPhone. That makes a difference when it comes down to everyday usability.
The Good:
Still not convinced? Here are some other things to consider. The battery lasts 10 hours during normal use. You can use the iPad all day and charge it at night. Most laptops average about 2 to 3 hours max. It weighs about a pound and half and easily portable. It is made of brushed aluminum and feels like a quality product. The same can’t be said for most plastic laptops. The iPad also has a Wifi so you can connect wirelessly in your home or local coffee shop. A built-in bluetooth will allow you to connect a keyboard if you feel the need to write something up. It has a built-in mic for audio recording. The built-in speaker sounds surprisingly good. The number one reason why this device will likely be successful is the App store. There are over 100,000 apps available only for the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad. Did I mention that you use it by touching the screen?
The Bad:
It’s $500 plus tax. It’s still hard to justify the cost of the iPad when a full-fledged laptop is similar in cost. Although the iPad has an on-screen keyboard, it isn’t meant to be used for word processing or data entry. If you want to do that, you have to buy a stand and a bluetooth keyboard. It doesn’t have a front facing camera so you won’t be video conferencing with Skype. There will likely be a camera add-on in the future. There aren’t any usb ports on the iPad to connect your flash drive or external hard drive. The storage capacity is much lower than most laptops or netbooks.
Who it’s Not for:
The iPad is not for someone looking to do work on a portable device. If you want to edit excel sheets, edit photos and write a paper, a laptop is what you’re looking for. The iPad is not for someone looking to get the best deal on a portable device because that’s the niche that the netbook fills. It is not for someone looking to buy a smartphone because it doesn’t make calls.
Who is it for:
The iPad is for someone who wants a device for consuming content. It is not for work, it is for play. It is for reading, it is for playing games, it is for browsing the Internet. It is for someone who wants to show their pictures to others. It is for someone who wants a device that is easy to use. It’s limitations are it’s strengths. Sometimes less is more. You may not be able to write a report on the iPad but you might actually enjoy using this piece of technology.
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