[RubberMallet]

Ah, but that's not what you said. You said music. I don't really use either. That's what my iPod is for. Now it makes more sense.

pandora and last.fm dont' play music? i'm not up on technology.

[El Scorcho]

"Apple won't do anything that makes the user feel like the thing is slow"
Never try loading a PDF on an iPod Touch or iPhone then.

PDFs load fine on my iPhone 3GS. I've never once had a problem with it.

"They have small screens."
So the iPad is better because it has a 9.7" screen that is "bigger" than the Dell Mini's 10.1" screen? You can't possibly base any of your argument on screen size when the iPad's is smaller and not even true widescreen at that.

Actually, I can base my argument on screen size because it's all about how you use what you've got. If you're running any standard OS on a netbook, a large portion of your screen is going to be dedicated to toolbars and user interfaces that were not designed for such small screens. You can't rotate a netbook to portrait for web browsing. This is far more usable than this if you're surfing the web. So the Dell Mini 10 is 0.4" bigger. It's FAR less suited for web browsing, and that was my point. And let's not even talk about the quality of those displays. Not even in the same ballpark. Quality matters.

I get 10 times as much storage space as the cheapest iPad...

You're comparing solid state storage to spinning disk storage. Apples and oranges. Yes you get more, but it's not the same. Especially in something that's designed to be constantly held and tossed around.

...and the apps will be optimized for it (something that really is not that big of a deal when you have 1GB of ram and a 1.66 GHz processor on an XP system).

Optimization is not just speed. It has to do with being designed for the entire platform, including the interface and display type. That's what I was getting at. Almost everything you'd run on a netbook was not designed to be run on a tiny screen and I stand by my statement that almost all of it is terrible. Everything that runs on the iPad will have been designed specifically for it (or the iPhone).

All that for just three dollars more than the cheapest iPad..

With nowhere near the quality. That display is gorgeous. The capacitive interface is the best in the industry. The battery life is killer (thanks in no small part to the A4 proc in there). And it's in a 0.5" thick enclosure. You may not care about those things, but you can't just write them off as worthless either. I'm not saying everyone should be after those things. Netbooks obviously have their place. I'm just saying that they're not the same thing.

the iPad has real potential, but it's a shell of a netbook, which I'm guessing is what apple has in mind as the major competitor for the iPad.

They may consider netbooks somewhat of a competitor, but they didn't just release a tablet for no good reason. As I said before (though it was ignored) EVERYONE has a tablet coming out soon. Most of them are nowhere near as nice as the iPad and they're all around the same price or more. Those are the iPad's competitors. Don't ignore the fact that I said I'm not even interested in this thing. I don't get tablets as anything more than a luxury/novelty item at this point. Yet everyone is coming out with one. Again I ask, what do you people think? Is the tablet market DOA?

I hate that I get treated like a fanboy for pointing out the positives of this thing or for saying that I don't think netbooks are superior in every way. I've been pretty critical of it, I don't really care for the thing and I don't even want one.

[El Scorcho]

pandora and last.fm dont' play music? i'm not up on technology.

You didn't mention either of them in your original post.

there is no way to listen to music and browse at the same time at all.

That's not the same thing as "You can't background Pandora or Last.fm."

[RubberMallet]

lol....

[flamesbball84]

i see the tablet market appealing to those who just want to be able to access the internet, email, and maybe some bare bones computing needs while out and about.

a lot of those people will already have a smartphone so they can send and receive emails and look up stuff on the internet with a device that fits easily in their pocket. it would only be logical to assume the vast majority of them already have a laptop, and based on the success of netbooks, a lot of them would already have a netbook to take with them when they are out and about and need more than just their smartphone.

i think the tablet will catch on eventually, but it really just can't compete with the netbooks in mobile computing ability right now. when they can do that is when I anticipate them beginning to take over netbooks for the IT product in the mobile computing market. as of now my opinion is that the iPad just simply doesn't offer the flexibility that a netbook or even a regular lightweight laptop does.

by the way, apple stock fell 4.13% today ($8.59). wish I would have had the money to short sell it like I said a week ago.

[rueful]

pdf's take tops 10 seconds to load on my iphone 3g with edge service. Granted 10 seconds is more than 1 second, but I also find myself to be a reasonable person that understands I cant have everything instantly.

Scorcho you think they announce OS 4.0 next week?

[El Scorcho]

Scorcho you think they announce OS 4.0 next week?

No. I doubt they announce it until they have another iPhone press event. Who knows, though?

[El Scorcho]

lol....

I really don't get it. Is something being lost in translation? You said there was no way to listen to music and browse the web on an iPhone. I pointed out that there's the iPod app, which is what most people would use. Had you said there's no way to use a streaming music app and surf the web at the same time, that'd be different. But you said there was no way "at all" to listen to music and surf the web.

I mean, I appreciate that you like taking the jerky angle most of the time, but I'm just not the guy for that. Sorry.

[El Scorcho]

i think the tablet will catch on eventually, but it really just can't compete with the netbooks in mobile computing ability right now. when they can do that is when I anticipate them beginning to take over netbooks for the IT product in the mobile computing market. as of now my opinion is that the iPad just simply doesn't offer the flexibility that a netbook or even a regular lightweight laptop does.

So, since we both agree that they're not "it" right now, do you think companies are going to take losses on them at first? Will they keep producing them if the demand isn't there early on? I've considered this and I wonder, if they don't catch on immediately, will they ever get the chance to overtake netbooks or other mobile devices?

[SuperJon]

I don't think this machine is really supposed to be a mobile work computer. It's supposed to be a cool gadget that's convenient. It lets you lay on the couch and read things on the internet much easier. It lets you store multiple movies on it so your kids can watch them while you're traveling. It is companion to the laptop or desktop that you already use for most of your stuff.

It's something that would be cool to have, but it's not something that anything has to have.

[RubberMallet]

lol....

I really don't get it. Is something being lost in translation? You said there was no way to listen to music and browse the web on an iPhone. I pointed out that there's the iPod app, which is what most people would use. Had you said there's no way to use a streaming music app and surf the web at the same time, that'd be different. But you said there was no way "at all" to listen to music and surf the web.

I mean, I appreciate that you like taking the jerky angle most of the time, but I'm just not the guy for that. Sorry.

its hilarious because we shouldnt' even be having the conversation. its completely retarded its not doable with supposedly the "best phone on the market"

oh wait let me guess....you are "99% sure its coming"

[Hold My Own]

I don't think this machine is really supposed to be a mobile work computer. It's supposed to be a cool gadget that's convenient. It lets you lay on the couch and read things on the internet much easier. It lets you store multiple movies on it so your kids can watch them while you're traveling. It is companion to the laptop or desktop that you already use for most of your stuff.

It's something that would be cool to have, but it's not something that anything has to have.

agree, I think they went the "media friendly" route more then the netbook route....but all the blogs and rumor mills were saying this is their answer to the netbook. Not much of an answer....if they are trying to challenge the Archo's or something then I guess they did well

[RubberMallet]

my only beef is the multitasking. otherwise, it would be cool to have. of course its not a necessity item. netbooks aren't. my asus is used only as a travel companion...my laptop stays in its case and i can slide the asus out of the pocket. its 160 gig hd holds more movies than i have and i've dropped it numerous times with no problems. i'd trade it for one of these at the drop of a hat though if i could do more with it at the same time.

[flamesbball84]

i think the tablet will catch on eventually, but it really just can't compete with the netbooks in mobile computing ability right now. when they can do that is when I anticipate them beginning to take over netbooks for the IT product in the mobile computing market. as of now my opinion is that the iPad just simply doesn't offer the flexibility that a netbook or even a regular lightweight laptop does.

So, since we both agree that they're not "it" right now, do you think companies are going to take losses on them at first? Will they keep producing them if the demand isn't there early on? I've considered this and I wonder, if they don't catch on immediately, will they ever get the chance to overtake netbooks or other mobile devices?

netbooks are just a temporary fix to satisfy a need - ultramobile computing (with mobile computing just being regular laptops) by taking a laptop and repackaging it into a smaller body with inferior specs. this version of the iPad could prove to be the trend setter to get the ball rolling for tablets - just good enough to create some demand for a tablet market that's just big enough to convince competitors to jump in, but not good enough or revolutionary enough (they repackaged the iPod touch into a bigger screen with a few more bells and whistles, not really revolutionary) to be the defining moment people point at to say that's when mobile computing became what it is today.

a later version iPad could be the seminal product people later point to as the product that changed the entire mobile computing landscape. it could be the product that people point to as being the foundation for getting the tablet market rolling and eventually turning out the "it" product of the tablet market, whatever that may be. or it could be a complete bust and the tablet market is setback many more years than expected when the original iPad was announced.

regardless, the current iPad isn't going to be that "it" product. it's a good stepping stone, but for a lot of people, they aren't going to get it to replace their netbook or travel laptop due to all the limitations and closed system. for me it's impossible for it to replace my old laptop (or a netbook if I had one) that I use just to carry to and from work or when I have business travel - i can't update a website with it, it can't and never will be able to support some necessary software, and it would be completely impractical and currently impossible (because there isn't an app for it) for another major software package I need to use. given apple's history with the iPod touch, iPhone, and now iPad, i doubt if the iPad will ever be able to be a viable mobile computing product for the business sector given their philosophy of only allowing consumers to do with the product what apple says you are allowed to do (as in not being able to install programs like you can on a computer).

[flamesbball84]

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/29/mich ... ka-offers/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/08/dell ... unning-an/
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/21/dell ... wifi-vide/

There's an early look at the dell mini 5 straight from the man himself michael dell. It looks pretty nice, of course the iPad does too. Looks like it will be a lot like an iphone/ipad/ipod touch as far as appearance goes. Might be small enough to be pocket sized but big enough to be better than my iPod touch - that would be a perfect size for me if that is the case, I already have a laptop, I would just like a bigger internet device then my iPod Touch. I'm either going to eventually get a smartphone (preferably one with a big screen like the iPhone, droid, storm, etc.) and make that my mobile internet device, or just get some other non-smart phone and get a "cheap" calling plan then get some pocket size internet device that I can get 3G data on - which right now the dell mini 5 is looking like the only option.

[LUconn]

The devices in the first and last link you have are too small. They're only slightly larger than a phone. You might as well just use your phone. The middle one is cool. I wonder if blackberry has anything planned in this realm. They could be left in the dust if they just stick to phones.

[Hold My Own]

I was thinking the same thing about BB...but BB will never be left in the dust....they have a lock in Corporate right now


Why does the Dell appeal to me more then the Ipad? maybe b/c it's running Android but I really want it

[flamesbball84]

The devices in the first and last link you have are too small. They're only slightly larger than a phone. You might as well just use your phone. The middle one is cool. I wonder if blackberry has anything planned in this realm. They could be left in the dust if they just stick to phones.

Except my current phone is a razr with no internet...

http://www.engadget.com/photos/dell-str ... i/#2381681
That's the same device displayed in all three links. Compare it to whatever that Sony Ericcson phone is, the screen is much bigger and the device seems to be around 5.88" x 3.14".

What I like about the dell mini is android, size, removable battery, camera, two memory card slots, multitouch screen, and I'm sure I could be browse the internet while listening to streaming music all at the same time.

the three biggies are product price, pocketability, and 3G data cost. the the product price and 3G data are competitive with the iPad and theres no problem fitting it in my pocket, i'm all over it. if the 3G data isnt as competitively priced as it is with the iPad, I might as well just get blackberry storm or something like that.

[LUconn]

yeah I noticed that after looking closer. In some pictures it looks like a slightly larger phone and then in other it looks a little bigger than a hand.

[Rocketfan]

The iPad in the world around you...

Apple speaks of the iPad as an in-between device—a digital media, communications, Internet, and communications tool—that fits somewhere between an iPhone and laptop. And that makes sense. But where does it fit in your life’s locations? For me, it works this way.

People who read this also read:The living room
Assuming that you have a coffee table, that’s a perfect place for an iPad. Pick it up for casual reading, display pictures of your daughter’s medical school graduation when you next have the ladies over for tea, or fire up Safari for some couch surfing.

If you have a taller block of furniture in the room (I prefer a grand piano but any waist-high table will do), place an iPad dock on it, place your iPad in it to charge, and play slideshows of your latest vacation. Attach a couple of small speakers to the dock and you’ve easily wired your living room for sound.

The kitchen
Do you watch TV while cooking? Me neither, but my mother does, and she might enjoy catching up on one of her favorite shows available from the iTunes Store. Again, a dock with external speakers is a must (I anticipate you’re going to see a lot of third-party iPad-compatible speaker-equipped docks in the coming months). And if she’s too distracted with the bernaise sauce to watch video, perhaps she can be convinced to download an Internet radio app.

While in the kitchen, the iPad will be a great resource for looking up recipes on the Web. I routinely use an old laptop or my iPhone for this chore. The laptop is slow and the iPhone’s screen too cramped. I like the idea of a device that’s fast, has a screen larger than an iPhone’s, and is highly portable.

http://www.macworld.com/article/145999/ ... c=rss_main

[LUconn]

That guy's really help drive back their snobby image. Your daughter's medical school graduation? Dock it on your grand piano?

[ALUmnus]

The iPad in the world around you...

Apple speaks of the iPad as an in-between device—a digital media, communications, Internet, and communications tool—that fits somewhere between an iPhone and laptop. And that makes sense. But where does it fit in your life’s locations? For me, it works this way.

People who read this also read:The living room
Assuming that you have a coffee table, that’s a perfect place for an iPad. Pick it up for casual reading, display pictures of your daughter’s medical school graduation when you next have the ladies over for tea, or fire up Safari for some couch surfing.

If you have a taller block of furniture in the room (I prefer a grand piano but any waist-high table will do), place an iPad dock on it, place your iPad in it to charge, and play slideshows of your latest vacation. Attach a couple of small speakers to the dock and you’ve easily wired your living room for sound.

The kitchen
Do you watch TV while cooking? Me neither, but my mother does, and she might enjoy catching up on one of her favorite shows available from the iTunes Store. Again, a dock with external speakers is a must (I anticipate you’re going to see a lot of third-party iPad-compatible speaker-equipped docks in the coming months). And if she’s too distracted with the bernaise sauce to watch video, perhaps she can be convinced to download an Internet radio app.

While in the kitchen, the iPad will be a great resource for looking up recipes on the Web. I routinely use an old laptop or my iPhone for this chore. The laptop is slow and the iPhone’s screen too cramped. I like the idea of a device that’s fast, has a screen larger than an iPhone’s, and is highly portable.

http://www.macworld.com/article/145999/ ... c=rss_main

Hey, a bunch of things we already have, for only $500!!

Now, if it could pull down live TV, or possibly work as a TV/multimedia remote, then we might have something...

[SuperJon]

Now, if it could pull down live TV, or possibly work as a TV/multimedia remote, then we might have something...

You didn't read the whole article did you?

[RubberMallet]

That guy's really help drive back their snobby image. Your daughter's medical school graduation? Dock it on your grand piano?

read the comments...they are hilarious.

"find out if your meal is gluten free without having to bother the waiter!"

[RubberMallet]

Now, if it could pull down live TV, or possibly work as a TV/multimedia remote, then we might have something...

You didn't read the whole article did you?

how could you without suddenly thrusting yourself out into oncoming traffic?