I love gadgets as much - possibly a lot more - as the next person. I was one of the very first early adopters of Amazon's Kindle. I don't feel completely at peace unless I can have the very latest version of my BlackBerry. I'm never as happy as when I surround myself with 2 computers, a Kindle, a BlackBerry, an IPod, and their numerous accessories. Still, I'm very puzzled by people who buy IPads.
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| My netbook cost me less than $200 at one of Amazon's sales. It has traveled with me everywhere. |
For a fraction of the cost of even the cheapest IPad, one can buy a perfectly good netbook. Unlike an IPad, a netbook is a real computer. For one, it has an actual keyboard, not the clumsy on-screen keyboard that IPad has. Anybody who ever tried using an on-screen keyboard knows that there is no way one could write 30-page-long articles or long daily blog posts (just to give a couple of examples) on it. Of course, some people have started to buy separate keyboards to attach to the IPad (as you can see in the picture on the right), which turns it into the clumsiest device ever.
My netbook fits into most of my handbags. I can take it with me wherever I go. If I'm going to Starbucks to meet a friend, I can drop the netbook in my handbag and bring it with me to blog or do research or prepare my classes while I'm waiting for my friend.
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| Why anybody would want to go to all this trouble instead of getting a convenient and inexpensive netbook is baffling. |
Another hidden expense of an IPad is a stand. The device is quite big. Unlike a Kindle, for example, nobody can hold it in one hand for any amount of time. So you need to buy a stand to prop it up if you want to avoid overstraining your wrist. This, of course, means that you'll need to sit behind a desk to work on the IPad for any amount of time. While you can place a netbook on your lap and work away, this cannot be done with an IPad. And what's the use of a portable device that can't be used for any significant length of time away from a desk?
An IPad is more of a gigantic IPhone that can't make phone calls than anything else. It has all of the cute apps that will entertain you for a while. In fact, having an iPad will tie you to the iStore forever. If you are between the ages of 12 and 15, I'm sure you'll totally love it. If you are a bit more mature, though, you will soon realize that you can only use an IPad to read books if you find a way to prop it up, you will not be able to read anything on it outside because the problem of the sun glare is not resolved in this device in any way, you will not be able to write anything longer than a couple of sentences (or paragraphs, if you are very stubborn), you will need to wipe finger smudges off the touch screen every fifteen minutes (that's another expense and one more thing to trudge along with you on top of the covers, the attachable keyboard, and the prop-up stand - a box of screen wipes.) And this quite useless thing costs between $500 and $900. You could buy a netbook and 2 Kindles
for the price of the cheapest IPad.Whenever I see a person buying an IPad in a store, I stop and contemplate them with a sense of profound amazement. There must be a reason why they are buying it instead of a much cheaper netbook computer but I haven't been able to figure out what that might be. Any guesses?
27 comments:
To each his own. For me it is a matter of physical posture; I stooped forward, arched over, drew myself into the netbook. I lean back with the iPad as with a magazine; it's a relaxing usage scenario.
The weight has never been an issue. I hold it aloft in one hand reading screen/teleplays (I work in cinema) with no problem.
I would say "no problem" is the basic operational principle of the iPad. It is the most transparent available portal through which one can experience digital media. Windows or linux on netbooks was a distracting experience for me. It is on instantly, off instantly, to my email instantly, to a full-color linked image or website, and so on.
The aesthetic experience of navigation and manipulation by touch and gesture is not to be underestimated as well. To scroll down a page with a finger has a satisfying and intuitive inertia.
I am wary of your "real"/fake computer dichotomy. The iPad receives input, manipulates data, and provides useful output. If you were a bit older you might remember command line devotees saying the same for the GUI.
An aesthetic experience of leaving fingerprints and sweaty smudges on the touch screen? Seriously? I have a touch screen on my Blackberry Torch, and let me tell you, the experience is frustrating, silly, and profoundly anti-aesthetic.
But, of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I've heard there are people who think flip-flops are not disgusting.
The iPad is, indeed, not a computer, not even its manufacturers claim it is for fear of lawsuits. It's a gigantic, limitedcapability iPhone, that's all.
I've never been tempted by an iPad. I was tempted to buy a netbook (mainly because it had Windows XP as opposed to Windows 7 as a replacement for a stolen laptop. My wife talked me out of it so I bought a full-sized laptop, which is bulkier, heavier to lug around, and has Windows 7, so doesn't network easily with my desktop computer. After 10 months I'm still not using it fully.
But an i-Pad has never tempted me at all. Can't see what the use would be.
It seems like you take this issue somewhat personally. I won't bother you further.
But keep up the great blogging. Really interesting, no matter what you're reading it on.
-same as above
I have a netbook, not an ipad and I agree with you...except on flipflops. They are the best things ever for showers at the gym, as I learned after contracting a horrible case of foot fungus years ago.
Jodie
This comment is a tad off topic, but related nonetheless.
I agree with your assertions with respect to the lack of productivity of the iPad when compared to the netbook. I am however, quite pleased with my iPod 4G. It does nearly everything an iPad or iPhone can, but it fits in my pocket and comes without the exorbitant monthly data plan required by the iPhone.
I do have a couple of issues with it. One, it won't support flash - this considerably limits the amount of free content I have access to via the web. Two, it makes sharing music with friends more cumbersome (not impossible, just less convenient). Three, the digital camera is inadequate (I assume this will be resolved by 5G).
That being said, it makes my life much more pleasant during travel. No matter where in the world I go, I do so with a backpack and nothing more. I don't like carrying a laptop (too heavy) and for me it would be an imposition to pull out a netbook if I'm walking around and need directions. I have music, books, movies, directions, everything at my fingertips and don't have to carry around heavy and awkward paper copies of anything or wrestle with 15 e-devices and their charging equipment. I concede that I can't be incredibly productive with only it and no keyboard-equipped device though.
I eagerly await the imminent day in which a device that addresses the aforementioned issues while still doing all that the iPod does for me today is released.
I don't have an iPad OR a netbook but several people in my office have an iPad and have the cover for it (so it opens like a book) and I've held one and messed around with it a bit.
I don't see how something appx 10"high, 8"wide and 1/2" thick can be considered "bulky".
In fact I'm pretty sure most of the netbooks I've seen in the store are roughly the same dimensions (except the iPad is thinner).
I don't care a huge purse but I could easily carry either an iPad or a netbook.
Wow, I'm impressed with how fast Apple send its paid agents to argue against any critical review of their useless product. It's a shame, though, that the company hires people who are not extremely bright. They can't expect one to believe that a person who doesn't even possess an iPad would know its exact dimensions by heart, can they?
I use my Kindle and my netbook for hours every single day but I have no idea what their dimesnions are.
Come on, Apple! You can do better than this!
You know there's this amazing feature you can use called a "search engine" and it helps you find out information.
Like say, someone has a vague idea of what the dimensions are of an iPad but wants to more exact she can go to the search engine and type in "iPad dimensions" and up pops the answer. Actually on the Apple page
The exact dimensions are, by the way -- 9.56 inches by 7.47 inches by .5 inch weighing 1.5 pounds for the wi fi model (3G is 1.6).
The netbook I looked up was a Asus (first one that came up) it's dimensions are 1.4" high, 10.3" wide 7" deep and weighs 2.8 lbs.
Oh and btw the kindle dimensions for WiFi 7.5 X 4.8 x .335, the kindle 3G plus wifi is the same. But the Kindle DX is 10.4 x 7.2 x.38 making it about the same size as the iPad only slimmer.
@Clarissa,
I love the iPad. I've held it in my hands many times and I love how it feels and how it operates. I like colour, and I like apps. I would take an iPad over any other device if I'm offered it.
But I won't pay that much for it. So here's where we agree. Except for the insanely priced nature of the product, I find it a very good product, even with the smudges on the screen. That's what cloth napkins are for. :)
But I understand why you like your Kindle, and that's fine. Maybe you shouldn't fight we who like the iPad too though we can't pay for it. :)
"The exact dimensions are, by the way -- 9.56 inches by 7.47 inches by .5 inch weighing 1.5 pounds for the wi fi model (3G is 1.6). The netbook I looked up was a Asus (first one that came up) it's dimensions are 1.4" high, 10.3" wide 7" deep and weighs 2.8 lbs."
-I have a group of people here dying to know how much you get paid by Apple for doing this. Could you share? We'd be very grateful!
Please don't tell me that you don't get paid for this 'cause that would make the whole situation too unhealthy for words.
Kola: I'm not comparing it to the Kindle, actually. I'm comparing it to a netbook. A netbook does absolutely anything you want because it's a real, full-scale computer. And iPad sounds like it doesn't to almost anything. Of course, it would be great if any actual iPad users (and not Apple's paid PR campaigners) came here and said: "My iPad has this and that amazing capacity that other devices don't." I'd be the first person to change my opinion then because I really want to like this gadget.
I love my netbook which I've had for two years with absolutely zero issues - it just works, which is supposed to be the core apple value. It's a linux based dual boot Asus, although I rarely use the Windows partion. My main beefs with the iPad are the lack of flash, the smeary touch screen, the crummy typing capacity, the weight and handle of it, and the fact that I like to read outdoors. I may upgrade when the new tablet asus comes out though. I got to play with a demo model recently and I rather liked it.
The thing that gets me about all the weight/dimensions rehashing is that you use a netbook differently to a slate, which is what the ipad is. The net book you rest and the screen holds itself up; the slate I have to hold up. So yes, my asus is heavier, but it's still more functional for me than the ipad. Plus, I can read any, and I do mean any, format of ebook on it. If I wanted a slate just for reading, at this point I'd go for the kindle.
Nice to see a fellow ASUS owner here. :-) I agree with everything you say. Which is unusual for me. :-)
I am an iPad user and here is why I like it:
- it looks different and is a cool gadget to bring to client meetings (in my case to show resumes, but it could be to showcase a portfolio or anything else).
- it has lots of different applications that a netbook does not have. not to say that they are overwhelmingly useful but they are cool nonetheless. for example, there is an application that allows you to draw directly on the iPad with your finger. or an application that allows you to 'play a piano'. or an application that picks up the music that is playing around you and gives you the name of the song and the artist.
- also, a netbook usually does not have a very powerful video card. An iPad, on the other hand, allows you to watch videos of amazing quality.
I have more examples but will stop here. :)
Marina
(an actual user!!!!)
Gosh, you should have totally held out for a bribe from Apple. :-) Seems like other people are doing it all over the place.
Besides, be careful with defending an iPad, or I will feel sorry I gave you a Kindle. :-) :-) :-)
no, I love my Kindle; it's completely different from iPad! I could only read on iPad for 10-15 minutes but Kindle is like a book - you can read all day.
by the way, I am part of the Facebook group of Kindle fans and here is what one of the proud Kindle owners wrote: "I got the Kindle wifi for xmas, and if I ever lose it, I will sell a kidney to get it back. And I only have one. I love it that much..."
I'm not paid. I was actually just trying to make a point that it's not that much bigger than a netbook so I didn't see how it could be "bulky".
I wanted to make sure I had the dimensions right before I made a comment.
It took me less time to find all the dimensions for my second comment than it took for me to actually read your post.
I posted on a whim, I found your blog via feministing blog feed.
But I'll make sure that I skip reading it in the future.
I can only repeat what I said before: an iPad doesn't fit into anything but a briefcase or a backpack. Or an equivalent. I tried and it absolutely does not fit into any of the handbags in which I carry my netbook on a regular basis. It's just a fact.
You cannot hold it in your lap. You cannot put it vertically on any surface without a prop-up. You have to hold it in your hands at all times.
These characteristics make it bulky.
This is a two-part comment, as apparently I am too-long-winded for the comment form.
Part 1:
I do not currently own an iPad, but after playing with my father's during the summer and over the holidays, I have decided to get one for myself when the next version comes out. I'm listing my reasons below. Since you feel strongly about this issue, please keep in mind that these are the reasons I want an iPad, not the reasons why you or anyone else should want one.
My computer use can basically be summed up as the following (for work and play)
1) Media consumption (ebooks, pdfs, movies)
2) Internet activities (email, blogging, reading online things)
3) Data processing
4) Writing papers
For me, the Ipad will be a portable substitute for 1 and 2. 3 and 4 require some specific programs that will not work well on either an iPad or a netbook, and thus I need my actual computer. The reason I can't use them on the netbook is one of the following: they are only able to be installed on one computer/the netbook doesn't have enough processing power/they are Mac specific.
So basically, the iPad would be a consumption and moderate production (email, blogging) device for me on the go. For you, a netbook is easier to handle, for me, a table it easier to handle (in this sense, I'm not committed to the iPad, but we'll see what comes out). If I am reading something on the go, I tend to sit cross-legged or with my legs tucked underneath me, balancing whatever I'm reading (usually a book or my Kindle) on one knee. A tablet shaped device is (again, for me) much easier to balance than a netbook or laptop. Incidentally, I also prefer looking down at a tablet than hunching over to look at a netbook if I am using either in my lap or on a table. I think these preferences are based on how a person sits, their height, etc, and thus will vary by person. I also do a fair amount of reading while standing on public transportation. I can cradle a tablet in my arm, this seems much more difficult with a netbook. But to each their own.
The major appeal of the Ipad for me is the applications it has to read PDFs. When I read a PDF, I want to take notes, highlight, and otherwise mark it up and then have these mark-ups available as text on my computer for when I'm writing literature reviews etc. The Kindle allows this via the My Clippings function. Unfortunately, my Kindle can only mark up PDFs when they are converted to Kindle format, and over 50% of the ones I read have problems in the conversion process (mainly with tables, again, for you this may not be a problem). The Kindle also does not support one of the languages I use most. On the iPad, there is an application called iAnnotate, that does exactly what I want--mark-ups and then makes the mark-ups available on my computer as text. I also do not have problems with reading graphs, non-Latin scripts, etc. I am sure you can do this on a netbook as well, but as I mentioned above, a tablet device is easier for me to read on the go. I also like marking things up by touch rather than cursor. Again, this is again a personal preference. So, for reading PDFs on the go, which is something that I would really like to do digitally, the iPad is very appealing.
This is a two-part comment, as apparently I am too long-winded for Google's comment box.
Part 1:
I do not currently own an iPad, but after playing with my father's during the summer and over the holidays, I have decided to get one for myself when the next version comes out. I'm listing my reasons below. Since you feel strongly about this issue, please keep in mind that these are the reasons I want an iPad, not the reasons why you or anyone else should want one.
My computer use can basically be summed up as the following (for work and play)
1) Media consumption (ebooks, pdfs, movies)
2) Internet activities (email, blogging, reading online things)
3) Data processing
4) Writing papers
For me, the Ipad will be a portable substitute for 1 and 2. 3 and 4 require some specific programs that will not work well on either an iPad or a netbook, and thus I need my actual computer. The reason I can't use them on the netbook is one of the following: they are only able to be installed on one computer/the netbook doesn't have enough processing power/they are Mac specific.
So basically, the iPad would be a consumption and moderate production (email, blogging) device for me on the go. For you, a netbook is easier to handle, for me, a table it easier to handle (in this sense, I'm not committed to the iPad, but we'll see what comes out). If I am reading something on the go, I tend to sit cross-legged or with my legs tucked underneath me, balancing whatever I'm reading (usually a book or my Kindle) on one knee. A tablet shaped device is (again, for me) much easier to balance than a netbook or laptop. Incidentally, I also prefer looking down at a tablet than hunching over to look at a netbook if I am using either in my lap or on a table. I think these preferences are based on how a person sits, their height, etc, and thus will vary by person. I also do a fair amount of reading while standing on public transportation. I can cradle a tablet in my arm, this seems much more difficult with a netbook. But to each their own.
Part 2:
The major appeal of the Ipad for me is the applications it has to read PDFs. When I read a PDF, I want to take notes, highlight, and otherwise mark it up and then have these mark-ups available as text on my computer for when I'm writing literature reviews etc. The Kindle allows this via the My Clippings function. Unfortunately, my Kindle can only mark up PDFs when they are converted to Kindle format, and over 50% of the ones I read have problems in the conversion process (mainly with tables, again, for you this may not be a problem). The Kindle also does not support one of the languages I use most. On the iPad, there is an application called iAnnotate, that does exactly what I want--mark-ups and then makes the mark-ups available on my computer as text. I also do not have problems with reading graphs, non-Latin scripts, etc. I am sure you can do this on a netbook as well, but as I mentioned above, a tablet device is easier for me to read on the go. I also like marking things up by touch rather than cursor. Again, this is again a personal preference. So, for reading PDFs on the go, which is something that I would really like to do digitally, the iPad is very appealing.
Finally, several of the concerns you mention are not concerns for me personally. I always carry a handbag that is 11 inches wide or larger, and that is big enough for an iPad. I live in a place where every surface is covered by a thin film of dust even with daily cleaning. When your screen is always covered with dust, smudge marks are not a big deal (or not to me, anyway). When I read outside, which is not that often, I sit in a shady place and can read on a screen easily. When the Ipad is horizontally oriented, I find it just as easy to type on the touchscreen as on my laptop, so this is not an issue for me either.
So, these are the reasons why for me, an iPad (or some sort of tablet) is preferable to a netbook. Again, I want to reiterate that these are my preferences, based on my computer use and the way I read. Clearly they are not your preferences and the netbook is a much better choice for you. However, I hope they can serve as an example of why some people might prefer an iPad to a netbook.
Forgot Part 3, the cost:
Yes, it's way more expensive than a netbook. For me, the touch tablet advantages justify this (although I would consider a non iPad tablet for sure). Also, I tend to use devices until they die, rather than upgrading when new ones come out, and I would use it all the time, so I'd get my money's worth out of it. I don't need another Kindle, or another computer, so buying more of these for the same price isn't a good comparison for me personally.
We have a different definition of bulky and I can fit a hardcover book in my purse easily (one of my requirements for a purse) so I don't see how I would have an issue with an ipad.
But whatever.
Wow, Clarissa. Fox News called. They want their shrill, partisan strawman-baiting facetiousness back. Way to have an open mind.
Marina and Shedding Khawatir: it's great to see intelligent, informative comments from actual users of the iPad who share their experiences. You comments are highly appreciated. I learned a lot of new stuff from them. The iAnnotate thing does, indeed, sound great. I keep hoping that a new version of the Kindle would let me read Russian scrip, but no luck so far.
Anonymous: please quote me on when I promised to "have an open mind" on this issue or any other. A hint: you won't because I don't use such tired meaningless cliches when I speak. I also never promised to "be tolerant." Or "check my privilege." Just in case.
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