∞ The iPad can't be compared to netbooks or notebooks, here's why

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Since the iPad was released on April 3, tech pundits lined up to compare the device to existing netbooks and notebooks. Even though it’s an impossible comparison, I continue to see it happen.

People seem convinced that the iPad can fit into one of the existing categories of computing devices, but the fact is it can’t. It’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Instead of taking a step back and realizing that it doesn’t fit, some have decided to pretend it fits and continue on with the comparisons.

The iPad does have a competitor — the next iPad. Currently, that’s all there is. Apple has successfully created a new category of computing products and much to the chagrin of its competitors, they are the only one with a product in it.

The iPad is not meant to replace a notebook, although for some people, it certainly could. I look at the iPad as a lifestyle device that complements the devices I already have.

In fact, the iPad has changed my daily routine quite a bit. I can write on it, post stories, check email, surf the Web — in other words, I can get things done. I don’t need the processing power of my MacBook Pro all the time, especially if I have something as compact as the iPad that I can use.

I still use my MacBook Pro too. I can’t edit images, create music or do other processor intensive tasks with the iPad, but I knew that when I got it.

There are some that knock the iPad because it doesn’t compare favorably to a netbook. I like my iPad better than any netbook I’ve ever seen.

Typically netbooks are underpowered and do not provide users with the features they expect. In fact, according to a study by NPD in 2009, 60 percent of people that purchased a netbook thought they were getting a smaller notebook.

When 60 percent of your customers don’t understand your product, you have a problem.

The netbook comparison just doesn’t stand up. And to compare the iPad to a notebook is just too much of a reach.

This isn’t the first time Apple has successfully created a new product category. They did it with the iPod and again with the iPhone. Apple integrated technologies from both of those projects to make the iPad.

I have no doubt that Apple’s competitors will make tablet devices to compete with the iPad in no time at all. They will have to make sure they get by Apple’s legal team, who will no doubt scrutinize all new entries into the market, but they will come.


  • http://twitter.com/vamsmack @vamsmack

    I guess the real question here is 'Why can't I install CS5 on an iPad?' Then it would of course replace every Mac Pro everywhere.

    I think these comparisons between an iPad and Netbooks/Laptops are inane. I ahven't even touched one and I know they're two completely different animals. I just want one so instead of watching my pre-recorded tv shows on my iphone while I work on my MacBook Pro I can watch my TV shows on a bigger screen(we got rid of all our TV's when we realised none of our TV's had been turned on in 6 months as we watch everything on our laptops).

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/jdalrymple Jim Dalrymple

      Watching movies and videos on the iPad is pretty nice.

      • http://twitter.com/vamsmack @vamsmack

        To be honest Jim that's all it could do and I would buy it because thats what I want. Mind you I don't think Australia will EVER see it thanks to the greedy Americans… ;)

  • Eric H.

    Not trying to be a d*#& but I don't agree with

    "I can’t edit images, create music or do other processor intensive tasks with the iPad, but I knew that when I got it."

    With apps like Layers, Brushes, LiveSketch, and hell even Adobe's Idea's you really can do some photo and graphics work. YES its not CS5 but just trying to be fair, and say you can do some pretty cool stuff. . Music same way, maybe I read to much into it, or im just ignorant on what it takes to make music, but I know there are some apps. Maybe they just arnt a one stop shop. Anyway, iPad does rock, dont knock one till you try it longer than 5 mins at a store for all those apple hating people.

    • http://twitter.com/vamsmack @vamsmack

      The music side of things is alright(there are some awesome apps out there) but if you want to make music like Jim does with a massive guitar rig it won't work. Mind you I actually use a few synth apps on my iphone hooked into my mixing desk at home which kicks ass. There is some very compelling iPhone/iPad apps for making music but it could never replace Logic/Abelton.

      I guess it's kind of like a Maserati and a Mini Cooper they will both get you there but the Maserati is going to get you there quicker.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/jdalrymple Jim Dalrymple

      LOL, not at all, those are good comments, Eric.

      What I meant was more processor intensive tasks like recording my guitar into Logic or Pro Tools.

    • Lucas

      fair enough. but I can't really do a 30 layer Photoshop composite, edit in Final cut or soundtrack in Logic on an ipad. and I do those things every day at work.

      but like Jim that's not why I have an ipad or why my boss is ordering a stack of 3gs for the company.

      • marr

        there's no technical reasons why you couldn't be able to do all that: this tablet has more horsepower than the computers used a decade ago, and they were used for professional tasks. Apple is purposely limiting your experience so that it can later call any addition a must-have feature even if it was possible from the beginning.

  • ewelch

    Well, heck, anything can be compared to anything. But in this case, it's kind of like comparing a Yugo (netbook) to a BMW motorcycle (iPad) to a BMW 7 Series (MacBook Pro) to a railroad locomotive (Mac Pro). One doesn't go anywhere fast or well, and the rest have their own set of benefits.

    It's not terribly informative comparison is the problem.^_^

  • Lucas

    "according to a study by NPD in 2009, 60 percent of people that purchased a netbook thought they were getting a smaller notebook."

    i think this is why Apple did the iPAD and not traditional netbook. They wanted to do a device that included the 'net' functions that a netbook is supposed to do along with the apps, music etc from the ipod line. They could have done it in the clamshell physical keyboard form. I think they didn't because they wanted to visually disassociate from notebooks to strength what is lacking. and the notion that this is a totally new device class.

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Adobephile Adobephile

    Part of what some of us value science fiction for is that it brings to the reader's awareness and brings into the realm of feasibility various technologies which don't exist yet in the real world.

    Though touch screens do indeed exist in the real world, they were "summoned" by science fiction. The iPad brings into reality a touch screen tablet that looks futuristic, thanks to Jonathan Ive and crew.

    It is indeed the first product in a new self-created category, and it remains to be seen what fictional features will appear on it and with it.

    It'll be very interesting to witness the ensuing "patent wars" with the competition.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000874060513 IPad Tablet Central

    The iPad is more of a read only classified device than anything else. It should never be tried to classified as a productivity tool.

    Looking For Properly Formatted iPad Wallpapers?
    Get Them Here:http://www.ipadtabletcentral.com/?page_id=229

  • Brett

    Apple didn't "create" the pocket music player, smart phone, or tablet categories. All of these existed in some form before Apple jumped in. But they Apple do something just as noteworthy: In each category, they designed devices that significantly expanded each market to mainstream customers. Apple has a knack for providing feature sets and form factors that appeal to a large number of people, and by "controlling the whole experience" (hardware, software, and media distribution, retailing and after-sales support), provide a level of excellence and seamless experience. As a result, Apple has taken the lead in defining these three categories. One could argue that the Mac has done so in the home computer category as well.

  • DaveF

    "The iPad can’t be compared to netbooks or notebooks, here’s why"

    I read the article, and I never found the "here's why". The assertion was repeated that the iPad is not comparable to a net/notebook. But the assertion was never justified, merely repeated in various guises.

    So, I look forward to the completion of this article :)

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • http://3gipadtablet.com/ 3g ipad order

    I still don't think that anyone has a good idea on how the ipad is going to revolutionize the way we communicate. Just think of all the clones that will hav to be created just for apple competitors to keep up.

    Get all the latest ipad news and apps at http://3gipadtablet.com/ all for free !!

  • RichardL

    I've been using my iPad for 3 weeks now I have to pretty emphatically disagree with the argument presented here. I find the iPad is exactly a netbook. Why? Because I find I use it the exact same way I've used a netbook, and it's good at the exact same things a netbook is useful for. It's that simple.

    Sure your typical netbook has slightly different strengths and weaknesses to those of the iPad. But, on the whole, the usage scenario for iPad = netbook.

    To argue that the iPad is not a netbook because people who buy netbooks don't understand what netbooks are good for doesn't change the reality of what the iPad is good for in any way. I think you will find that people who have or plan to buy iPads generally don't really have any idea what it will be good for either.

  • TFindlay

    Call it a netbook or not. I want one! Why? Because it's just cool. Of course I will have to make up some practical sounding justification before I can convince my wife that I absolutely need one.

  • Jocca

    The iPad and the netbooks are totally different computing devices. Netbooks are lightweight computers that tries to imitate the desktop operating system, the iPad computing pattern is more akin to the iPhone and iPad. The iPad 3G to me, after two weeks of usage looks like the perfect computer to travel with, and the 3G connection will come handily especially when traveling outside the country. I shall leave the heavier MBP home for the heavy lifting works.

  • RJ

    It’s interesting reading these past comments. After using the iPad for some time now I now know it to be different to all the other devices, not so much in what it does, but in how it does it. The interface, unlike others, does not require much learned knowledge to use it. It is easy to pick up and get the information you want ( or play a game etc). I use it when it would be too much trouble to use another computer. It has completely changed the way I do things.
    But wait, there’s more:
    The most telling thing is what it has done for my wife. She has had a laptop for some time but merely played cards on it as she couldn’t understand how to use other things. She has taken the iPad to heart, she can use it as well as me and does regularly. But not only that, she now has a desire to do things on the laptop, that she shied away from before. So now not only is she using the iPad but also the laptop.
    If that isn’t a lifestyle change, I don’t know what is.