With Steve jobs releasing his fourth ground breaking product, the IPad. Many analysts have shared their thoughts about Apples, “next big thing”. Not being an Apple fan, nor has owned any form of Apple product, I have come to an understanding being an outside observer of Apple products. I came to a conclusion that, they are nothing but overpriced underperformed works of art. The notion of having a single device, with only one function for everything seems very limiting for a power user such as I. But the sheer tenacity of its users and the strong cult behind the Apple line is surprisingly strong and loyal, something that its rival, Microsoft lacks.
I’m going to say this, I’m a Microsoft guy. I use M$ products every day and has develop a sort of harmony of being with Microsoft product. I may sound like a fan boy. but I still keep an open mind on other products. On this article, I’m going to dissect my thoughts on that Apple IPad and how a PC guy like me, thinks about it in a PC perspective.
Let’s take a look on the Apples IPad, will this device worthy to become your next netbook computer? lets find out after the break.
IPad: the missing link between a Mobile Device and a Notebook
Steve noted on his keynote, that the IPad is Apples answer to the missing link between a mobile device, and a notebook. It’s a simple device that you can carry around with you, it does your email, watch video, and do some photos organizing. Something that a Notebook can do. but without having that extra head room, like a keyboard, and messy wires that you have to carry around with you, even moving from room to room. It’s also a mobile device. You can carry it around, not just your home, but also anywhere you want it to. This is also Apples take, on the eBook boom that amazon started with its kindle. But Apple takes its magic by using a traditional color display, instead of a traditional eInk that most eBook readers put in their device; this has given the magazine publishing a shed of hope in their dead tree industry. Giving them the competitive edge over blogs, by having a fast delivering mechanism, without that huge cost of a traditional printing press. Newspapers will also benefit from the platform. The intuitive navigation will give the readers the power to browse content faster and more fluid, just like skimming a newspaper. Surely, Apple has indeed made a product which is aimed for an industry that is in dire need of a change. Mobility and functionality is a nice addition. And certainly a great selling point for Apple.
What about the Netbook?
Netbooks are low cost device, that is first aimed for giving under privilege kids in depress regions of the world a glimpse of technology, by giving them the power to wield the information to their lives (i.e. Internet). But today, it becomes a hot pot for big manufacturers to cram in with the public demand for low cost devices, with users thinking they are saved a ton from their purchase of a netbook.
Usually, netbooks are sized for portability and simple tasking in mind. Such as power point presentations and cloud management. But today, it has obscured the market for portable computing. The PC manufacturers are blurring the line between a full size notebook and a netbook; which can confuse your average consumer. Don’t really blame dell, HP, Lenovo for doing these. They do this for a living and in order to survive this economic climate, you need to go where the users are. This has lead them to create this low end portable device, that bites users the moment they started exerting more than its capable of.
As a computer enthusiast, I would never recommend them to get a netbook. If i were asked which portable computer should I buy? And she thinking of buying a netbook. Netbooks are cheap, portable, they cost less, and exert more battery life than a traditional notebook. The value is there, but its overall life expectancy is quite short. So my answer is No.
To put things into perspective, netbooks are usually powered by an Intel atom processor. A somewhat low voltage and has a slightly step-up equivalent of an Intel Celeron processor. It is a 32bit system, built on a mother board with a limited capacity of 2GB DDR2 memory. They are pegged on a 1.6GHz clock speed, and has a FSB of 400-550MHz. Their screen real state is barely, to almost 720p with almost no power of handling flash oriented website (Current version of flash and most non ion equipped netbook). These thing range from 20K to 35K, depending on the brand and its portability standpoint (how slim, or light you want it to be). I would also mention that they are running an outdated operating system which is windows Xp, or a lesser degree of windows 7.
These netbooks only have an expendable lifespan of almost none. Within a year, your programs will slow down, website will get choppy, and you will find out that newer programs are slower to almost un bearable response. In the end of the day, you’ll be spending another 20-35K buying another netbook to do the work necessary for the coming months ahead; thus defeating the purpose of having to save a ton of cash for buying a low cost portable pc. These devices are nothing but disposable PC. It’s like those disposable film cameras you see; it’s a short term solution.
Is IPad better than a netbook?
From the demo gathered and the functionality given by Steve jobs. Yes, If you want a device that has a sole purpose of dealing with simple task such as email, surfing the web, and handle presentation. The IPad is a best choice.
Its starting price of 500$, which is slightly higher than common netbooks in the market. Despite the 16GB memory capacity, which is not really a big issue for people who have secondary storage (This Is not a substitute for a desktop/laptop computer) it’s only a matter of prioritizing what files you should be carrying with you. Heck, you can just use the cloud to store your data, and use the IPad to access it.
I find the single tasking feature of the IPad as a positive, especially for inexperience users, who simply want to do the task I mentioned above. This will also provide a seamless experience, which is Apple strong point all along. It does not exclude them for browsing porn in their IPad while on the bathroom. But having Apple decide what’s best for them seems to be a better choice than letting them do it themselves. It also leaves us family tech support more time for ourselves.
Will the IPad end the Netbook?
The answer to this question remains to be seen. But if we put the analysis behind, the answer will be a general NO. The ipad maybe a simplified netbook for users who want to just do their work; but the general consensus doesn’t abide with what’s best fit for them. Of course, we will have to account Apple haters, who simply have a deep hatred for a company that gave a PC market back in the 80s. There are also power users such as I, who simply wants to have full control of the device. Then there are the practical users, who just want to get a best bang for the buck deal; willing to suffer with their decision.
Besides, the tablet market is not restricted to the IPad. PC manufacturers are already going for their own version of the IPad, with windows, or the open source linux based operating system, there are plenty of options for the average juan. It’s just a matter of necessity, luxury, or money to bring a person to purchasing a product. I just laid out the points that may help decide the fate of your wallet.
Will I buy an IPad?
My initial reaction would be no. But then again, this device is quite enticing for specific uses. Uses that is either dirty or simply luxurious. I usually read manga before I sleep. I have my laptop standing vertically as I press left or right button. I also have my charger beside me, which is needed since, I can go for a four hour marathon of reading manga, and end up with an eye bag. So, the IPad is more of a want for me than a need. My 2 year old laptops can still do the required things I need. I’ll just prepare myself for getting a much better notebook, probably next year.
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