Ipad vs Netbook vs Laptop

[cruisnfamily]

OK, lots of questions from a relatively uninformed mom/wife with a family that loves technology.

1)What could you do on a laptop that you couldn't do on a netbook or on an Ipad?

2)I was under the impression the ipad was just a really big Itouch so basically a toy with some practical applications but not as educationally or work friendly.

3)We planned to set DD up with a laptop when she leaves for college next year. Would a net book be as good? Better? Why? Would an Ipad be as good?

Thanks for any and all insight!

 

[bicker]

Generally, netbooks don't have the capability of having the top-notch video graphics capabilities that you could enjoy in laptops. Also, generally, netbooks are not as good as laptops at multitasking. Another major difference is the keyboard; generally folks can type a lot faster, and more comfortably, on laptops.

I would look to netbooks and iPad primarily as platforms for specifically low-load apps, including remote access (to a more full-featured desktop computer, accessible on the network).

 

[Melmac]

OK, lots of questions from a relatively uninformed mom/wife with a family that loves technology.

1)What could you do on a laptop that you couldn't do on a netbook or on an Ipad?

2)I was under the impression the ipad was just a really big Itouch so basically a toy with some practical applications but not as educationally or work friendly.

3)We planned to set DD up with a laptop when she leaves for college next year. Would a net book be as good? Better? Why? Would an Ipad be as good?

Thanks for any and all insight!

As bicker stated, a laptop usually had more power than a netbook and can handle running multiple programs easier. At home, I use a laptop but would never consider replacing it with a netbook - I can't stand using a netbook after half an hour. The keyboard is smaller so it is harder to type and the screen is just too danged small for work. However the netbook would be great for vacations to download photos onto or to surf the web but for actual work? The only advantage I would say a netbook has over a laptop is they are smaller and lighter. However, that usually translates into smaller hard disc space, no CD drive (if needed), etc.

The iPad (which I don't own but I do own an iPod Touch) I don't think would be useful for school at all. The one downfall to the iPad or Touch is the inability to run more than one app at a time. I believe, and someone will correct me if I am wrong, you cannot use programs such as Microsoft Office on an iPad. I believe the iPad has its niche for movies, surfing the web, playing apps and listening to music (although I have heard of architects and graphic designers using it as a portable portfolio) but it would be a terrible choice for a student (if that was her only computer). An iPad would be a great toy though!

Definitely go for the laptop! As a current student and someone who also works at a University, your daughter will thank you.

 

[arctic_bunny]

I love my iPad. LOVE it! But for school you need a laptop - for typing reports, doing research, etc. Depending on courses, your DD might need to be able to burn a CD or DVD, and she will definitely need a large screen and keyboard. My iPad (that I'm using right now) is great for so many things, but school work isn't one of them. If she gets a Mac, you can get education discounts as well.

 

[dcentity2000]

iPads are cool for lightweight work and laptops are brilliant for higher end work. Netbooks are rather lacking in both fields.

I'd recommend a laptop - specifically, if it's a first laptop, you can't go far wrong with a MacBook.



Rich::

 

[ChrisFL]

iPads are cool for lightweight work and laptops are brilliant for higher end work. Netbooks are rather lacking in both fields.

I'd recommend a laptop - specifically, if it's a first laptop, you can't go far wrong with a MacBook.



Rich::

if you don't mind spending a few thousand dollars, sure

 

[dcentity2000]

if you don't mind spending a few thousand dollars, sure

It's not that bad

$949 will bag you a MacBook running a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with an 8GB iPod Touch thrown in. When you add the sheer quality of a Mac into the mix, it's suddenly not such a bad idea.

If it's a low cost you're going for, get a NetBook which come cheap as dirt with mobile contracts. Problem is, they're rubbish.



Rich::

 

[browneyes106]

I agree with others laptops are very efficient for school work, photos, music etc. Netbooks and iPads are more surfing the net, playing games and social networking. I have an HP netbook which I recieved as a work gift last year and it works pretty good for the usual surfing and checking emails. My sister bought an iPad and she is just using it for surfing the net and stuff.

 

[dcentity2000]

I agree with others laptops are very efficient for school work, photos, music etc. Netbooks and iPads are more surfing the net, playing games and social networking. I have an HP netbook which I recieved as a work gift last year and it works pretty good for the usual surfing and checking emails. My sister bought an iPad and she is just using it for surfing the net and stuff.

I'll second this. I just got an iPad and whilst it's the bees knees for internet surfing, eMail and iPod functions (movies and music), it's not much use when it comes to serious work. You can't even print from it... yet.



Rich::

 

[browneyes106]

I'll second this. I just got an iPad and whilst it's the bees knees for internet surfing, eMail and iPod functions (movies and music), it's not much use when it comes to serious work. You can't even print from it... yet.



Rich::

My sister loves it for movies too. We watch Valentine Day's on it last weekend and it was pretty cool how it was displayed.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'll second this. I just got an iPad and whilst it's the bees knees for internet surfing, eMail and iPod functions (movies and music), it's not much use when it comes to serious work. You can't even print from it... yet.



Rich::

A USB port would have been nice

 

[ChrisFL]

It's not that bad

$949 will bag you a MacBook running a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with an 8GB iPod Touch thrown in. When you add the sheer quality of a Mac into the mix, it's suddenly not such a bad idea.

If it's a low cost you're going for, get a NetBook which come cheap as dirt with mobile contracts. Problem is, they're rubbish.



Rich::

But that's about double what the cost for a PC based Laptop costs.

 

[dcentity2000]

But that's about double what the cost for a PC based Laptop costs.

Oh, I'm not pretending that it's cheap - just that it's not thousands of dollars in cost.



Rich::

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I MUCH prefer my laptop over my netbook. I only use my netbook while on vacation. It's great for weight but that's about it.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

3)We planned to set DD up with a laptop when she leaves for college next year. Would a net book be as good? Better? Why? Would an Ipad be as good?

Thanks for any and all insight!

Absolutely she will need a laptop! For working, researching, printing, and often for CD's. DS just finished his freshman year and some of his textbooks WERE CD's. She has to have a laptop. You need to check with the college first and see if they have requirements for the laptop. Many do. If they offer any netbooks for free or cheap with the laptop, it would be nice to have just for "fun".

 

[cruisnfamily]

Thank you all so much!

This is pretty much what I thought. Glad to have it confirmed!