Poll: Netbook or Ipad

[Gustavo S. Buschle]

I soon going to start in the gymnasium (in Denmark, so I'm starting the year with 15 years) and I want a computer which I can take to my classes to write stuff down and make homework on. At first I thought of buying a netbook because the are light and usually have long lasting batteries, but my brother's girlfriend recently got an Ipad that I was very interested on and she said she doesn't need to take her computer to the university any more because all she needs is in the Ipad. So what should I get, an Ipad or a netbook? Please don't tell me to get one of the two just because you dislike the other, I'd like to hear the pros and cons of both.

 

[mad825]

unless you are going to add an attachment for the Ipad so that you can type properly, I'd stick to the netbook.

Touch screen tech is still very flimsy with the disadvantage of making it more unconformable to do alot of word processing.

 

[Antagonist86]

The iPad can be used to type with, blind, successfully. But it does take some getting used too. And if you can't you can always purchase a 70 euro keyfolio, that's a handy cover and has a bluetooth keyboard inside. The iPad 2 also features a microphone so you could record some lectures to listen later on.

The netbook however has more versatility. Sure an iPad can run Office with no problem, regaining most if not full functionality, but if there are any third party programs you need for your classes then you won't be able to install them on your ipad. And while the iPad can print, it can only do so via wifi on wifi enabled printers that are relatively new. A netbook can make use of your schools local wifi to find a network printer or you can just connect one via USB. So unless you have such a printer then you're going to need to e-mail your documents to a station that does have printer each time you want to print, and that can become a hassle.

The iPad 2 does have a cloud system coming soon, which will make transferring files a whole lot easier.

Personally I would go for the iPad, I've owned several already and I still use mine every day for at least 2 hours. If you do go for the iPad, I'd recommend a 32GB 3G. You might not use the 3G function right away, but you can never add it to a wifi version, and pre-paid internet is pretty cheap (in EU) and 10 euro's will let you e-mail for a few weeks. It is however a big investment.

Ipad's start at 480 euro's for the basic 16gb wifi model. 580 for wifi 32GB and 680 for 64GB. If you want 3G you can add another 120 euro's to the prices. A half decent netbook however will only set you back around 250-300 euro's. One could argue that a iPad would last longer then a netbook but all in all it's still a pricey purchase.

Note: Office for a netbook (in Netherlands atleast) costs 119,99 euro, for the iPad it's around 15 euro depending on which version you take.

Edit: additional Note: DO NOT BUY IT FROM THE STATES. My friend bought one on holiday, and yes it's way cheaper, but if something happens to it and you need it fixed, you can't send it back to Apple EU, it has to go back to Apple US.

 

[Gustavo S. Buschle]

Thanks for the replies, I haven't considered that the Ipad can't print. I'm going for a netbook then.