If you in the market for a new mobile internet device chances are you’ve come across 3 big competitors – the iPhone, iPad (early May) or a Net book.
All 3 devices are available for a similar price point (varying on specification of course). But most importantly is there a market for all these devices?
Below I have outlined the pro’s and con’s I can see so for the 3 portable internet devices I can see available at the moment (iPad, iPhone, Netbooks) – then a short reflection on my findings is at the bottom.
| Device |
Pro‘s
|
Con’s |
Apple iPhone
|
More powerful than most devices on the market to date – running Mac OS X 10.4 under the hood.
Multi-touch screen is the best available on a smartphone. Integrates iPod, Phone and Internet Tablet into one small package. 140,000 applications available (April 2010) through the app store Uses SSD Flash Memory |
Unable to multi-task applications except selected Apple appsBattery life will be limited by screen brightness, tasks performed, etc
Unable to run generic software – such as Microsoft Office Unable to edit documents on the move (read only support for .doc, .xls, .ppt and .pdf) Very high price point for top end model with only 32gb of storage available. Adobe Flash not supported expect through Apple’s “YouTube” app. |
Apple iPad |
Thinner and lighter than most netbooks on the market
Up to 10 hours battery life on a single charge Up to 1 month standby time Built in GPS, Wireless N Network and Bluetooth 2.1 Multi-touch screen (9.7 inches) 140,000 applications available (April 2010) through the app store Uses SSD Flash Memory |
Unable to multi-task applications except selected Apple apps
Battery life will be limited by screen brightness, tasks performed, etc Unable to run generic software – such as Microsoft Office Unable to edit documents on the move (read only support for .doc, .xls, .ppt and .pdf) Base model has Wi-Fi only connection – no mobile data connection. Very high price point for top end model with only 64gb of storage available. Adobe Flash not supported expect through Apple’s “YouTube” app. |
Netbooks |
First things first, they are much cheaper to buy than a full laptop (for entry level)
They are capable of running a variety of software (Windows, Linux, Android) Easy to upgrade (hard drive, memory, etc) Most now come with at least 160Gb hard drives |
Hardware limitations mean that some net books strugle to run HD video correctly Keyboard can be difficult to use on some models Operating system may not be as up to date and secure as possible – lacks constant updates (for example Xandros on the ASUS eeePC) Early Net Books were based on Intel Celeron CPU’s which were power hungry and limited performance Hard drives are traditional disk drives and not SSD |
| So which is the best device for you?
Well this all depends on what it is you expect from a device. For me what I try and think about is what I would require day to day.
All of these questions are the sorts of things that should be going round in your own head when you make a decision. For me the answer is simple. In my opinion the iPad looks like a fantastic device, combining an iPod, Mobile Internet Tablet (even if it is only Wi-Fi), Photo viewer (great to hand round to family and friends) and a potential new gaming platform – however for me the price is a consideration. At this time I would only consider the iPad if it is only half as much again as the mid-range netbook (in other words £450) – any more and I feel the iPad has priced itself out the market. The decision is yours. Look past the fantastic PR that each company sells – is the product the right one for you? |
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