Which Should You Buy - An Apple iPad Or a Laptop?

With the introduction of the Apple iPad, a new topic for debate has emerged in message boards, online forums, blogs, and even in the review pages of Amazon.com - which is a better purchase: an Apple iPad or a laptop?

Let's assume that the Apple iPad is up against a good laptop rig that's poised to be serviceable, if not efficient, for the next 2 to 4 years. We're talking about dual core processors, gigs of Ram, a nice video card, and the works

How well does the Apple iPad fare against such a machine? We're going to discuss 5 points of comparisons in our quest to find the answer.

The Power Point

There is no doubt that a laptop - at least the newer models being sold today - pack more processing power than the Apple iPad. The Apple iPad can only boast of a 1 GHz Apple A4 CPU which, judging by the numbers alone, is even less powerful than the usual netbook people have become accustomed to.

Of course, Apple has a reputation for optimizing every ounce of processing power that their machines can exert. Additionally, Apple isn't encumbered by a problematic OS that seems to get slowed down by baggage as time goes by.

Also, Apple is known for doing some amazing things with what little they have. Who could've guessed that the Apple iPhone and the iPod Touch can play a full 3D first person shooter?

But based on numbers alone, the laptop is a clear cut winner here. This is beyond doubt.

Begging For An Extension

Additionally, the laptop should likewise be declared as the winner when it comes to upgradable features. Basically, most laptops allow you to upgrade its specs, from the RAM to the video card to the storage space to the individual components that comprise the whole. Some laptops even allow you to upgrade the CPU, which is nothing short of amazing.

At this point in time, there is no indication that the Apple iPad is upgradable. And with a price difference of a hundred dollars per storage space increments of 16GB, all signs lead to the unfortunate fact that the Apple iPad won't ever be upgradable.

The Cool Factor

Wired Magazine published an interesting study a few years ago, one which claimed that more than 60% of laptop owners purchased their machines because it's the "in" thing to do. This merely shows that the cool factor is an important feature in choosing many of the gadgets available in the market today.

And when it comes to "cool factor," no one comes close to Steve Jobs and his inventions. The iPad wins this one, hands down!

The Verdict

So, which one should you choose: an Apple iPad or a laptop?

The answer? Well, we have to say that you should buy a laptop.

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Is the iPad Apple's Way of Attacking the Traditional Windows Laptop Market?

When the iPad was first launched, many of us including myself thought, well this is just a big iPhone. Well isn't it?

Well we have to look at what Laptops are used for these days, and I would suggest that this falls into two camps. The first is consumer consumption, what I mean by this is that consumers are using laptops for social media connectivity, email and media consumption through a web browser. Common applications such as Microsoft Office are rarely used in this camp, as teenagers and silver surfers alike just want to use their laptop basically to stay in touch with the world and possibly update their iTunes library.

With the launch of the iPad, Apple have essentially quenched the thirst for this major part of the laptop market and it now appears that netbooks will largely become irrelevant, as the iPad nicely serves many of the applications that the netbook also serves; however the iPad also has one eye on social media as a primary means of communication.

So, does the iPad serve all the needs of the laptop consumer consumption market? Well, the simple answer is no. The iPad still lacks an integrated webcam which is vital for certain applications such as Skype to work that is intended. It is no longer enough to hear people the modern consumer also wants to view the person that they are speaking with.

The second part of the laptop market, which can be coined as the professional user will be much more difficult for Apple to penetrate. First of all, many professionals are used to tapping away on a standard qwerty keyboard, this may seem like a simple thing and many people would say, well the iPad does have a qwerty keyboard, but what is vital for the professional is high levels of productivity and whilst the iPad may serve some applications, many professionals will not take the iPad seriously enough until a standard qwerty keyboard is applied.

In answer to some of these issues, as Apple continues to change and shape the laptop market with the iPad, the lack of the iPad's functionality enables accessory manufacturers to fill these gaps that the lack of functionality creates.

One issue is Apple's lack of data expansion ports, in that the iPad is essentially a closed system for data storage and transfer and the only means of data transfer is essentially by email. Until Apple addresses this issue (as many competing tablet PC manufacturers have), the Camera Connection Kit will become one of your essential iPad Accessories. What the iPad Camera Connection Kit does is essentially act as an interface for a standard camera SD card to hold and transfer data to and from the Apple iPad.

I know that this may seem like a simple product, but as the iPad is a great visual display tool the ability to transfer professional photographs (and other documents) from your camera to the iPad serves many applications that the standard iPad just does not serve well enough. The iPad Camera Connection Kit serves is a great solution and serves this problem well.

In terms of addressing the issue: "the iPad does not have a professional keyboard", the iPad Keyboard and Case addresses this issue extremely well. This essential iPad Accessory, in effect transforms the iPad from a Tablet PC to something that is more akin to a standard laptop; what the iPad Keyboard and Case does is address the issues raised of the professional laptop user and improve the productivity output for the professional laptop user.

To conclude, does the Apple iPad serve all the applications of a standard Microsoft OS based laptop? Well simply put, no, but what Apple are doing is shaping the market and keeping up with common trends in terms of building devices that is evolving the modern consumer communications market. Like the iPhone, the iPad will change the landscape of how media and information is communicated, transmitted and received and will become a mass market product to challenge and rival the traditional laptop market.

Is the Apple iPad the Perfect Student Laptop?

Unless you have been locked away in an underground bunker for the last six months, you will have probably heard about the Apple iPad. This new lightweight portable "slate computer" from Steven Jobs, is viewed by many critics as just an over-sized iPhone suffering from serious delusions of grandeur.

However, all kidding aside, is the iPad the ultimate or perfect student laptop? A close examination of the iPad's features could answer this question. What the iPad has or doesn't have, will tell you if the iPad is a suitable device for students or not?

First, lets look at some of the iPad's main selling points which will bring out the student in all of us. It is lightweight and extremely portable at around a half-inch thick and weighing in at about 1? pounds, so the iPad can be easily carried anywhere. You won't even notice you have it in your backpack or bookbag and with over 10 hours of battery life the iPad will probably outlast your longest school day.

Second, it has a 9.7 inch touch-screen color display which all iPhone and iPod users have been properly weaned on. This touch-screen will be very convenient especially in a quiet classroom or lecture hall. The color display will also make reading books and magazines much more enjoyable.

Third, the iPad is also handy for browsing the web, watching videos and even playing games. But it is the book-reading function which could possibly make the iPad a virtual "replacement" for all textbooks. Just imagine, instead of lugging 5 or 6 heavy textbooks to class every day, you have them stored in your iPad - ready for access. But what about highlighting all that important text with a big red marker - there's probably already an App for that.

Now lets examine some features the iPad doesn't have that could discourage some people from bringing this apple to school. Probably, one of the major drawbacks has to be the lack of multi-tasking. If there is anything a young student has learned, it's how to do multi-tasking. Some youngsters have even perfected it into an artform. They know how to watch a video, text a message, send an email, download a movie and browse the web... all the while doing their homework.

Second, the iPad does not have a keyboard which could make it difficult to type or take long notes. While this handicap will mostly depend on the dexterity of the user, keep in mind, young people are easy adapters of any new technology so using the touch-screen keyboard might not be a major problem for them.

Third, the iPad also doesn't have many common features that you would see on a laptop or even a netbook. There is no Flash which will make viewing webpages less enjoyable. There is no USB port which will not please many people, but you can use a dock connector. There is also no SD card slot, no HMDI out and no full GPS. There's no camera or webcam... which pretty much rules out sexting, parents will be relieved but seriously, a truly portable communication device should have included a webcam. Maybe future models will sport them or maybe Apple gave some serious consideration to privacy issues in the classroom and the school environment. A cameraless device may be more welcomed by school officials if the iPad does become the ultimate virtual textbook.

Furthermore, some techies have criticized the iPad for having a 4:3 ratio display which makes it relatively square; instead of a 16:9 ratio which would be more ideal for watching widescreen movies. Since you probably want students reading textbooks, rather than watching movies, this is not really a design flaw.

The last consideration for most students will be price. The iPad is more expensive than a netbook but a little cheaper than most laptops; of course that would depend on the size and brand of the laptop in question. The prices for the iPad range from $499 to $829. The more costly iPads will have more storage for all those music and video files - although the storage is in the low range, only offering 16, 32, or 64GB.

Overall, the iPad does have many good features which make it a very suitable student laptop: it is extremely portable, it has long battery life, it is small and lightweight and its touch-screen color display makes reading books, textbook and magazines a virtual pleasure. Plus, browsing the web, answering emails, watching videos and even playing a few games on this device makes it more of a "slate computer" than an ordinary e-reader like the Amazon Kindle. While the negatives: no flash, no multi-tasking, no camera, no USB, no full GPS and limited storage of only 16, 32 or 64GB, which will leave some buyers cold. Even so, the iPad will have many more takers, especially in the student laptop market.

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The author is a former teacher who now runs numerous websties, including several on laptop computers. If you're looking for a student laptop click here: Laptops for Students.
For more information on Buying Notebooks and Laptops at Bargain Prices Click Here: Cheap Laptops.
Copyright 2010 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Is the iPad an Acceptable Laptop Replacement? A Critical Review of the Apple iPad

You see people carrying around and using an Apple iPad. Maybe you've stopped at a display in a store and played with one. It's too small for a computer and it's too big for a smart phone.

? Where does it fit?

? Will it replace your laptop?

? Where does it shine?

? Where does it fail?

Read on, researcher or curious peruser, and you will discover the important things you ought to know about the iPad.

The 10 Things That You Ought to Know about the iPad

1. The iPad is Brilliant for Photographs and Movies: Show off your family photos (just don't invite me over for the 4 hour family photo session!) and your masterpieces on the iPad. Scroll through them with a flick or a flickr of your finger. How satisfying that is. Plus, when you get a iPad you need to get an inexpensive stand as well (a link is at the bottom of this site) so you can watch Netflix and downloaded movies. You next airplane ride won't be the same; HD movies on your lap. Zone-Out!

2. The Speed of Zero-Wait-State. This almost computer is surprising. Applications fly open in a blink of an eye and browsing the Web on Safari is refreshingly fast. Don't wait for the iPad...it's waiting on you. The first reviewers commented on how fast the iPad would be and it is Randy Johnson fast. The processor handles everything on the menu very quickly.

3. iPad and Apps. The Apple iPad can take the apps that iPhone users love and are familiar with and then download them and run them very nicely. This is what the iPad does straight out of the box. But it may be really exciting for you to know that there will be a large selection of new apps built specifically for the iPad. It may turn out to be a rich experience for you. There also can be live videos, scores, highlights and more all on the screen at once. The possibilities seem endless.

4 Hmm, Great Maps! This part of the iPad is very impressive. When you search for a location or a friends home it will show the person's location on the map. You can use your contacts page to drag and drop them into the map search, and the street view is most excellent. I can even see myself standing in front of my old home. Cool. The iPad has GPS and picks up your current location and shoots you in the right direction from there. There are satellite, terrain, road, and hybrid views. Since you will be taking your iPad with you wherever you go then that Maps feature will come in handy a lot, especially if you travel around a bunch.

5. Watch for high quality competitors. There are other internet capable pads that cost less and are quite nice. The HP Slate was announced in 2010 is expected to be hugely popular and a lower price than the iPad. Another example is the ICD Vega that will come out this year with a huge 15.6″ touch-screen and 32GB of internal storage. The last example of many is the Archos 9, it uses Windows 7 and has an 8.9″ touch screen capable of 1080p HD resolution and a 60GB hard drive. Yes, Techies, there will be some amazing competition!

6. The On-screen keyboard. This one is good and bad. I initial sampled the iPad in the store I struggled with the onscreen keyboard. But since my first encounter I have learned to that there is no kinetic feedback on my fingers, so I just let the other senses take over. Then the keyboard worked as you would expect it to as it is very responsive and I enter text quickly. It is still nothing like typing on a real keyboard, but iPad's virtual QWERTY keypad isn't as terrible as I, and others, had once feared. The automatic error correction handles the small mistakes pretty good. You can always invest in the Apple $79 iPad keyboard dock. That is more ordinary and more traditional.

7. Speakers Not for Audiophiles. In fact, they are no Bose or Harman/Kardon either. In my opinion they speakers sound tinny. Being a movie/media/MP3/music creation devise, the built-in speakers are disappointing. There are also docking speakers and transferring files, but we shouldn't have to. Hey, Bose, now that's a good idea!

8. It has a Glossy Front Oh, it looks so nice. gleaming and sparkly. Indoors it works great for nearly everything. Then, you step out into the sunlight. Then shine isn't cool. Fingerprints come to life and where did the movie, book, picture or internet go? A matte glass option would be nice, or even a plastic cover. Have you ever seen the Kindle commercial where the lady with the expensive sunglasses makes the dude with an iPad look silly? Well, it's true, but take that smart-alecky woman indoors, THEN that guy could school her on the features of his iPad.

9. For Kids, The Well Behaved Ones, Though. Is the iPad fragile as it seems? You could go to ToysRUs and find a thousand pads for kids, but this is the shiniest, coolest, and mom and dad play with it, and kids want it. Our teenagers seems to fly through it and catch on to the games and apps faster than I do. They love doing their homework on it (they are home-schooled and they want to use the iPad for all their work - except the typing their papers.

10. It's an Email, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Skype Computer when you don't have a computer computer. Go ahead, go out to a meeting, a vacation in another city or country and you can keep in touch with office and family and friends easily with the iPad. Can you imagine what color your friends on Facebook would turn if you posted from Florence, Italy, or from St. Thomas, or from the Grand Canyon? Take notes and more. Keep in touch wherever you go, as long as you pay the monthly fee for data usage. If you are in danger of going over your 250mg or 2GB limit they will contact you and give you the options. If you aren't online 24/7 then you should be okay with those limits.

Now you know the basics can you answer this question: Is the iPad right for you? You know that it is really not a functioning laptop. It really won't replace your notebook, but it seems it is the missing link between your Droid and your notebook.

There is a good YouTube video to help you with your decision. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbrDh5h54RE

See my blog for more information http://www.iPadreviewblog.info. Get a FREE eBook, The 10 really important things you ought to know about the iPad.

A reviewer of tech or gadgets and a user. I'm a people person, Fun Loving! Adventurer, Mountain Biker, Speaker, Sun Devil, Suns fan, Teacher. I love my family and friends! Master Internet Marketer. Keep in Touch! Thanks for reading my reviews. I have videos reviewing lots of things. I have them posted on YouTube, find them under my name besttraveladventures. I am working on the Sony Bloggie, HCg diet, and the DS 3ds right now. I enjoy it I hope you enjoy it too.