Compare and Contrast

First and foremost, for those of you who are anxiously awaiting the results of my use of the Netflix app, to say the least I was stunned. Not only was Julie and Julia a very cute movie, but also, the quality of the picture was enough to blow anyone away. They say the screen is high-definition, and they mean it! Do you remember those big travel VCR/TV’s that you and your siblings watched Disney movie after Disney movie on? The iPad would be an exellent replacement for that cumbersome TV or DVD combo.

I’m sure I will again mention the brilliance of the movie quality, but for now I want to move to comparing the iPad to the “Netbooks” that are on the market.

While a friend was going to class, I asked if I could test out their Netbook, just to see what it was all about. He willingly gave it to me and said, “You’ll love it!” So, here I am, typing this blog on this Netbook, just to try it out – all while my iPad is sitting right next to me, taunting me.

The Netbook – which, to be fair, is a top-of-the-line Netbook – does just what its name implies. You can surf the web, check your e-mail, and type notes in a program called “WordPad,” which seems to be a less in-depth version (and truly, much less in-depth) of Microsoft Word. This “mini-computer” is more mini then I expected it to be. The iPad, on the other hand, allows you to surf the web, check your e-mail, easily watch movies, listen to music, gives you access to hundreds of Apps, and, for a charge of $9.99, gives you Pages, which is Apple’s version of WordPad. I am getting Pages today, so I will get back to you on how that program compares to WordPad.

So what is the difference? Well, the iPad gives you the same features as the Netbook, plus many more, with the advantage of a bigger, clearer and brighter screen. The iPad, as a whole, is smaller than the Netbook and, all around, the iPad is a better organized machine.

Many people will argue that the Netbook has a full keyboard. Well, I’m typing on it now, and I would not consider it an advantage. The keys are not easily spaced and the keyboard seems to be rather small. I find it much easier to learn to type on the on-screen keyboard found on the iPad. I also find that my back is starting to hurt from leaning over to see this screen.

One advantage the Netbook does have – and the reason my friend actually purchased one – is the built-in camera. It makes it easy to use video-chat programs, which I see as a huge benefit.

All in all, I would say the iPad is the winner between the two.

Speaking of cameras, as I was doing homework for my online class, I stumbled upon an article that said there are Apps available that allow you to use your iPhone camera as an extention of your iPad by usingbluetooth technology. I will try to find the Apps, test it out, and get back to you all!