This time, it's electronic gear...
I'm in a quandary. I'm in the market for a new mobile computing device, and I'm torn between an update to the Eee and a tablet. I've got a sizable chunk of Best Buy gift certificates on the way thanks to our credit card "rewards" systems, and I'm really torn between the two. I've had the Eee for coming up on three years, and it was outdated when I bought it in early 2009. The screen is tiny, the keyboard even smaller, and the power and speed are not exactly what you'd call blinding...
So... Do I buy a new netbook, a new laptop, or a tablet?
I'm leaning towards an iPad, for a variety of reasons. I've got all of the apps needed for blogging from my iPhone and I'm quite familiar with the platform. I have all the support hardware (chargers and such) and software needed. I like the "instant-on" of the iPlatform - you push the button, the device is ready to work. No waiting to boot up, etc. to get to work. A different tablet might be a little cheaper, but would require a new learning curve and support network.
The other option would be an upgraded netbook. Since I've already got the Eee, and we have a laptop as well as a desktop PC, there's not quite as much interest in another netbook. The extra battery life would be an improvement, as would the full-sized keyboard, but there's not a lot a second netbook can offer. There's a blurry line between a large netbook and a small laptop, and something like a MacBook Air would be about the perfect size - except that it would cost more than both the laptop and the current desktop...
Any thoughts/suggestions/comments? I know that Apple's supposed to be releasing the iPad3 next month, but I'm really looking for something before SHOT Show. The netbook would be cheaper, but the iPad is lighter and has longer battery life. The other benefit of the iPad is that I can get a 3G version which has the same coverage as my iPhone - no Wi-Fi hotspot needed.
Which option would you suggest?
That is all.
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19 comments:
Well, I have all three (current-ish netbook, iPad, and laptop), and they fill different jobs. For writing, it's the laptop hands down thanks to the full-sized keyboard. For taking on the road and doing light blogging and email/web/reference stuff, you can't beat the iPad. The netbook has its uses, but the iPad (as you pointed out) is instant-on, and the battery life is so ludicrously long that it never becomes an issue. Our first-gen iPad is a year and a half old, and watching an entire two-hour movie on it will knock the battery down to 90%.
If I had to be on the road a lot and take a full suite of documents with me with the need to edit them, I'd take the netbook--but I'd take the iPad for just about everything else. If I had to get rid of either the iPad or the netbook, I'd ditch the netbook without a second thought. Make of that what you will, but it should be obvious that I like the iPad a lot. It's versatile, MUCH more useful than I thought it would be (albeit in ways I did not expect), and a piece of cake to carry around and use.
MrsZ has an eee. I hate the damn thing. The keyboard is JUST small enough to be horribly uncomfortable to use.
If you're serious about using it for mobile blogging, a tablet won't cut it. (My Android tablet is fine for reading and quick updates, but in-depth posts are not OK.)
My nickel, if you want function and portability? Buy a 11-12" notebook, that has a full-size keyboard.
FYI, if you want the best of both worlds Lenovo has a tablet that converts to a netbook with the famously great Lenovo/Thinkpad keyboard.
iPad + Bluetooth keyboard will cover almost anything you need. Take the Eee with you as a backup, but leave it in the hotel room.
Apple is not releasing a new iPad next month. That's a rumor that is off by a long ways.
I'd go with the iPad 2. It's amazing.
Marco and ZerCool both make a lot of sense. I haven't found any compelling reason to carry a netbook. Mine is too small, too slow, and no fun to write on. (Or maybe my eyes are just too old. YMMV)
I don't own an iPad but I can't see using it for serious writing. I'm not a fan of flat keyboards, whether they're membrane keys or touch pads, when I'm doing a lot of typing. Again, your results may differ.
Will you be able to hook your camera to an iPad to upload pictures? (You WILL be uploading pictures from the show, won't you?) It's a pretty safe bet a laptop (or a netbook, if you're inclined that way) can do that. I just don't know about the iPad.
Being a droid person I have a Xoom tablet and love it. Long battery life, camera and all the apps I need so I think you should really look at a tablet. and with a bluetooth keyboard it would be just like a laptop when needed for ease of blogging. . . .
I actually use a netbook as my primary home computer. It is a few years old, but has a 10.1" screen that has a keyboard that actually has space between the keys so I can type really easily.
The only issue I had with it was Toshiba's crap customer service and XP taking a crap on me. I upgraded to Linux and never looked back. If you get a copy of Linux that is designed for minimalistic computers, then you're set on your netbook.
I'd recommend Linux Mint (LXDE versions are good for minimals) and Easy Peasy (v1.6).
Both are good for netbooks, have great battery management, and when put into sleep mode, have a very fast wake up time.
Plus both have "live cd/usb" variants so you can demo them before installing.
My $0.02
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions and comments. As I mentioned, I'm leaning strongly towards the iPad for the portability and battery life reasons.
Marko,
Thanks; that's a valuable endorsement right there. I'm thinking very much the same thing - if I need to do a lot of editing, or anything like that, I'll drag along the netbook (or maybe even the laptop).
Zercool,
I "solved" the issue with the Eee keyboard with a $10 rubber plug-in keyboard I found at Staples. It folds in half and will sit atop the Eee in the little netbook bag I picked up, and is just better enough that I don't want to throw the damn thing out a window in frustration...
Mopar,
While that's certainly a possibility, IIRC the price point on those tablet/netbook combos puts it out of my budget...
Alan,
That's exactly the plan. Since the Mrs. will also be in Vegas with me, she'll have the Eee in the hotel to check on activities and such, and I'll have it in the evenings for photo uploads and anything I can't cover with the iPad.
It'll give me a safety net to test out the iPad before deciding whether it's enough on its own.
CalmGun,
I've read reports putting the launch of the iPad3 anywhere from "later this month" to "sometime in Q1". There's also talk that there might be a iPad3a and an iPad3b launched at different times in 2012, although no info on the difference.
Dave H.,
The iPad itself has a built-in camera, and I'm planning on uploading pictures (almost) in real-time (where allowed). :D
I'll also be bringing the DSLR Nikon for higher quality pictures to be uploaded later, either on the Eee in the evening or once I get home.
JD,
That's what I'm thinking. I had a chance to play with both the iPad and the Apple bluetooth keyboard (which is very light!). I think it's a good combination.
Stithjim,
Thanks for the recommendation!
I have a MacBook Air. Not much bigger than a iPad, but it has a real keyboard. Very light and easy to travel with.
Jay:
If you're taking the Eee anyway (and you have an acceptable keyboard for it), it sounds like an iPad is the tool for live-from-the-floor reporting. (Especially with the 3G network connection, assuming you can get a signal and the base stations aren't swamped by all the other attendees.)
I love my macbook air. It's not much bigger or heavier than an ipad, and it's a real computer. I just never understood the point of tablets. They fill a niche between smartphone and laptop that seems to be worst of both worlds to me. Too big to fit in my pocket, but very software limited and horrible to type on.
I can bring the air on saturday if youwant to check it out.
I'd love a MacBook Air; it's just more than double what I've got budgeted.
Zeeke, I thought the same thing about the iPad when it first came out - what can it do that my iPhone (iPod Touch) can't?
It's not until you actually use both items that you realize the difference...
I have used an ipad a decent amount; my girlfirend's employer gave her one. Sure it has a bigger and more useable screen than my phone, but what can it do that my laptop can't? It's not that much more portable.
Sure the air is more expensive, but it's the only thing you need. When you compare it to the cost of an ipad, plus the cost of a decent laptop, it doesn't look so bad.
I use an iPad Gen 1 and an Apple Bluetooth keyboard all the time for typing. I love it. It has basically replaced my MacBook Pro for most of my computer needs at home, and I use it for email, calendars and tasks at work. (No AutoCAD on iOS).
If you do decide to get an iPad, make sure you check the Apple Refurbished site on the Apple Store. You can save up to $100. I know you mentioned Best Buy (Worst Buy in my house hold). I believe they occasionally have refurbished items on their website as well.
I can tell you with confidence that the reports generated by digitimes are way off. I have a relative who works for the large fruit company that produces the iPad. There won't be two versions in the 1st quarter. :-)
iPad, definitely. If I had the Budget, the BLNN would be sending out the news on it rather than my Smartphone with it's teeny tiny little little keyboard. Just get an extra charger or 2. Also, you might want to look at your Smartphone, and see if you need to upgrade it.
Since I got my iPad a week before Easter I'be used my laptop only a handful of times.
Don't forget to get the $30 camera connection kit, a tap and you can dump your memory card to the iPad, another tap and you can upload them to blogger.
Then there's a bunch of cool photo editing apps...
Blogging from a iPad sucks. For me it seemed every task was a hack. Get yourself a Macbook Air, do things right and faster to start with and be happy.
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