I agree. The MBP is overpriced to some extent but then it looks iconic in comparison to practically every other laptop.

Thought they might do a 11 or 12 inch book as an alternative to the larger netbooks. Let's face it, an iPad is no substitute for a laptop or even a netbook. But they didn't. Everything they make is profitable so to speak, so it wouldn't have done any harm.

Sez you.

I think that the netbook was a fad and the iPad makes it look even more out of date. Laptops have a definite use and purpose which does not overlap too much with the iPad.

It isn't... I can't run CS suite on it, I can't install the Navision client, I can't install MS Office, therefore, it can't act as a laptop replacement, for me.

It provides an easily movable platform for surfing and media consumption, with some limited media creation, but it has a different target audience to laptops, in general. As it is a "new" area, there is some overlap with existing laptop users, who don't need a full laptop, but the laptop covers a lot of areas that an iPad doesn't cover.

I see them as complimentary devices.

You run CS on a netbook? Really? I didn't take you for a masochist. In any case if you want to do image work, this is very good and considerably cheaper than CS.


I'm not too familiar with that one I have to admit.


There are already several quite decent office clones on the iPad - Apple's iWork, A very good version of Documents to Go, Office2 etc. If you want to edit word/excel/powerpoint files you can.


Well, buying one or not is your choice but I'd suggest you keep an eye on the situation, because it's improving all the time and it's already well beyond what it was at launch.


Possibly so in software terms. However it's a month old and already the list of 'things an iPad can't do' is shrinking rapidly.


"Take two devices into the shower?"

Laptop or netbook was the original wording... And PDF document creation, InDesign, DreamWeaver? Running a local webserver for testing websites or demoing concepts to a client, before publishing them onto a live server?


A manufacturing system, similar to SAP, but aimed a medium sized businesses.


And iWork can't even cope with iWork documents from a Mac, without losing fidelity! Round-trip a document from a Mac to an iPad and back, and it loses on formatting... As iWork for the Mac can't load MS Office documents without losing formatting information, and iWork on the iPad can't cope with Mac generated documents, without losing formatting, I can't see it being a good replacement for passing MS Office documents back and forth.


Well, buying one or not is your choice but I'd suggest you keep an eye on the situation, because it's improving all the time and it's already well beyond what it was at launch.[/quote]
I like the concept of the iPad, but it doesn't offer what I need... A full Windows environment and the flexibility, how many development environments and language compliers have been released so far?


I still seem them as complimentary. For traditional business use or heavy duty typing, the iPad isn't the right device. For sitting on the sofa or reading a book, the laptop isn't the right solution. I will use the device that best suits my needs. Same goes for a train journey, I'm more ready to pop out my iPhone and quickly check an email than I am to unpack my laptop and do it, it is also quicker... The same is true of the iPad, its instant on makes up for its lack of multi-tasking and multiple windows, but if I am at my desk and the machine is on all day, the instant on is a negligable benefit and the ability to do more than one thing at a time becomes a bigger criterium.

If I am at home and sitting in front of the couch and need to check a website or an email, the iPad makes a lot of sense. If I am sitting in a satellite office and need to check the latest stock figures and generate a new order, I'll use my laptop.


No, but as the iPad has a moisture sensor, I wouldn't take it anywhere near a shower!

Seriously, I can see the iPad and its decendents changing the way we use computers, in the long term, but in the short term, it isn't a replacement for a "real" computer, and it doesn't pretend to be that replacement - look at Apple's decision to ban any apps which appear to provide a desktop experience, widgets or allow you to view multiple sources of information on one screen.

When I need a quick bit of information, the iPad is fine. When I need to work on a document, whilst looking at a research paper loading in my browser and check figures in an e-mail, I'll stick with separate windows on my laptop. In that situation, a traditional tabelt computer would be of more use than an iPad, but in general "iPad orientated usage", the iPad is much better than a tablet or a laptop...

Yep, I said it.

As in, is an ipad a possible alternative to a Macbook Pro (that is a laptop is it not). The answer is yes, if much the same way an alternative to a Full Frame D-SLR camera is a point and shoot from Argos for 49 quid.

Not then as in 'no substitute for a laptop or even a netbook' rather 'no substitute for a top of the range laptop that costs three times as much'. Maybe be a bit more specific next time?

Not being funny, but you are a bit aggressive mate, I just got here, joining in the debate, etc etc.

You do seem a little over-defensive of the gadget, jonbwfc.

FWIW, I agree that an iPad can't replace a netbook/notebook.

Just Jon is fine . I'll admit I was curt to Moonshine and I apologise for that.


FWIW - I have an Samsung NC-10 netbook. I've had it for about 18 months, I've upgraded it in a couple of ways and I use it a lot. I now also have an iPad. In just a week it absolutely has replaced the netbook, to the point where I've just agreed to sell it to someone else. I'd agree it wouldn't be a valid replacement for a full spec laptop but, as I say, in that case we're not looking at something which costs the same price. It was never intended to replace full spec laptops.

However, I do have limited patience for people telling me what it can or can't do when (as far as I know) they haven't got one and haven't used one. I find it slightly irksome when people do that.

So I apologise to Moonshine and hope he hasn't been put off the forum. Even I'm not like this all the time, honest.

Jon, Curt... Is it okay if I just call you Mervyn? Saves on the confusion.

Jon I wasn't complaining, I was just explaining, that your manner was a bit too macho for an old guy like me to manage.

When i'm thinking of a netbook now, I tend not to think about the older 9 and 10 inch models and think more of the 11.6 inch ones with goodies on them like Dual core Atoms, or AMD Neo CPU's and Nvidia graphics, which still can be had for under £300. I have an MBP, a PC and a 'Netbook' although its an 11.6 inch it and instead of the wheezing Atom it has an Athlon X2 1.2GHZ (much quicker than the Atoms, despite lower clock speed), 2GB of ram, ATi graphics and I fitted an SSD of 128GB. Screen is 1366x768 res. Running latest build of Ubuntu on it.

I'm using a HP mini netbook with XP at work right now.

I need to run Avaya software which is Windows only. I need to run an RDP remote app, which I don't think the iStore clients can do. I also need to browse the web, which of course most browsers can do. I presume there's an iStore app for Logmein, and that Outlook web access works.

Personally I couldn't use an iPad or even a MacBook for work, but the netbook is perfect. I don't need processing power, but the quality keyboard and 1280x768 screen are pretty important.