Some are comparing iPad to Netbooks, but it is not a fair comparison. I don’t like Netbooks myself, I used to have one 14 years ago made by Sony, it was a very powerful mini notebook with a built-in camera (a first at that time). It costs me $2,300 when I purchased that from a now bankrupted computer store chain in San Hose. It was a good one except keyboard was too small and battery life short. According to the guy at a local Best Buy store, 8 out of 10 Netbooks sold got returned. I am sure that’s not the case in Asia. I think many people have wrong expectations and not aware of the limitations of Netbooks.
There was one kid working at Best Buy asked me if I like the ITouch Jumbo, he was referring to iPad. I said I like the IPad mini (iTouch) that I have now, so I think I will like the iPad.
The only disappointment for me is the lack of a camera, because I think if I carry that all the time and being able to use Skype is great plus. It doesn’t add much to the cost. The camera needs to be in the front obviously. It is still a little heavy; adding 11.5 lbs to my Louis Vuitton briefcase is pushing it. No video output is a negative; the other Lenovo Ideapad I bought has a HDMI output. The Lenovo tablet will be out soon and Brother (pic below) has a robust design for business use, not sure about the Brother brand name. Should rebrand this tablet to "iBro". Even with many criticisms, iPad will be an instant success. It is not a Newton I can guaranteed you.
IPad preorders are pouring in. Investor Village’s AAPL Sanity board (subscription needed) noted that iPad pre-orders dropped from an estimated 25,000 per hour on Friday, the first day of availability, to around 1,000 per hour over the weekend. For the three-day period, the cumulative total was estimated at 152,000. That’s pretty good.
I think iPad will open up opportunities for print media and help shape portable media experiences. I can’t read magazines from my Blackberry of iPhone, with the iPad, it is a different story. The iPad platform has more than enough screen real estate and resolution to build interesting media sharing and communication experiences. Off course we have choices, Microsoft, Sony, Samsung, Lenovo and almost everyone is working on one in addition to those who have products out there such as Amazon.
Microsoft’s Courier is an interesting one, currently in "late prototype" stage of development. At least they are not making the tablet mistake, the dual 7-inch screens are multitouch, and designed for writing, flicking and drawing with a stylus, in addition to fingers. There is a camera at the back too (sorry Apple). Currently, Microsoft is working on the user experience and showing design concepts to outside agencies. Microsoft's tablet heritage is digital ink-oriented, and this interface, while unlike anything we've seen before, clearly draws from that, its work with the Surface touch computer and even the Zune HD.
And
Sony is doing some catch-up although they are stuck with their paradigm of competitive advanatage. The Wall Street Journal reports that Sony is working on a device that's described as being part Netbook, part e-reader and part PlayStation Portable. Sources within the electronic giant also report that Sony is working on a "PlayStation Phone," which would be capable of downloading and playing PlayStation games. Sony needs help.
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