Ipad alternatives - what are they?

[starbuck]

People at work keep banging on about the ipad. I generally don't like apple products(as I think they are normally style over substance). One of the guys brought one back from America, and it does look good, and I know one of the main selling points is the apps store.

Are there any alternatives out yet which do what the ipad do but better?
I like the look of it, but it just seems like a 9" iphone.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

People at work keep banging on about the ipad. I generally don't like apple products(as I think they are normally style over substance). One of the guys brought one back from America, and it does look good, and I know one of the main selling points is the apps store.

Are there any alternatives out yet which do what the ipad do but better?
I like the look of it, but it just seems like a 9" iphone.

Dell Streak:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-channe...ext-month.html

The iPad is basically an iPod Touch with a 6 bit IPS screen and a bigger battery!

http://www.chipworks.com/Apple-iPAD-Teardown.aspx

From the article:

"Apple has relied on tried and true technology for the first generation of this device. In some cases, technically speaking, Apple has even gone backwards from what we saw in the latest generation iPhone that we have torn down.

Case in point, Apple is not using the do-all touchscreen controller from Texas Instruments that it used in the iPhone 3G, but has instead gone back to the three chip solution seen in the iPhone 2G. Of course, the same space limitations aren't there in a large device, and so we would speculate that the three chip solution had a lower overall cost. You can see from the image that, relatively speaking, the iPad is basically a giant battery with a tiny board attached to it (outlined in red), with some space left over for a future 3G mobile communications board."

[kalniel]

iPod touch does the same thing, has the same apps but in a far more convenient form factor and much cheaper.
Netbooks do roughly the same thing, but with far more flexibility and toughness.
Laptops cost roughly the same amount, but are far faster and more flexible.

[scaryjim]

How much of an issue is money? Ebuyer have the HP TouchSmart TM2-101EA for £715 at the minute...

[Agent]

Are there any alternatives out yet which do what the ipad do but better?

Ask yourself one question: What would you use it for?

We have a guy at work with a shiny new iPad who insists on flashing it about at every opportunity. Thing is, he doesn't actually do anything on it apart from the odd bit of browsing (keyboard + mouse please! ). He bangs on about how cool X and Y apps are, but their real world use is minimal - with laptops / netbooks / desktops beating it in the situations he mentions.

Look at the app market - some cool stuff.....for 10 mins. At which point you'll quickly realise that the number of apps you'll use day in, day out is tiny and a laptop / netbook would probably be better suited for.

Of course, all IMO, but I'm yet to see the iPads killer app.

[mikerr]

Of course, all IMO, but I'm yet to see the iPads killer app.

pressdisplay.com (most worldwide newpapers)
and zinio.com (magazines)

both more impressive on the ipad than a netbook, but hobbled by the same issue as the ipad itself - incredibly high cost.

[jimbouk]

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Forget it.

[Jay]

I can't come up with a real use for this thing....

[Tomahawk]

I can't come up with a real use for this thing....

I also fail to see the 'gap' in the market they talk of. Seems like a gimic which will fade.

Don't get me wrong the technology is great and some of the new netbook/slate hybrids look incredible with their capacitive touch screens; but just the Ipad alone doesn't appeal. As said think about what you want from the device and it'll be easier to suggest alternatives.

As already mentioned the Dell looks like it would be worth checking out.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I just hope that non-techy users are aware of the limitations of the iPad. You can see the disappointment people had with netbooks.

[Tomahawk]

I just hope that non-techy users are aware of the limitations of the iPad. You can see the disappointment people had with netbooks.

They may have a purpose; I just hope those buying them know what that is!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Here are some lists of alternatives to the iPad being released this year:

http://www.technewsdaily.com/tablets...s-coming-0603/

http://blog.laptopmag.com/top-10-ipad-alternatives

The WeTab looks interesting but has been delayed until September:

http://wetab.mobi/en

There is the Dell Looking Glass:

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/3270...s-tablet-leaks

The Notion Ink Adam also looks promising too:

http://www.notionink.in/adamfeature.php

The display on the Notion Ink Adam looks very interesting indeed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxgRBC47SAo

It has a dual mode display which means it can run as an eBook.

Looks like the iPad is not going to be lonely for too long!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Here is an interview with the creators of the The Notion Ink Adam:

http://www.livemint.com/2010/05/2820...8217s-eye.html

[mikerr]

The iPad is just apple's netbook, i.e. used as your "extra" small laptop

- less powerful than your main PC/laptop
- but much more portable - take it anywhere
- not really suitable as your *only* device

In many ways it is much less versatile than a netbook and really tied to syncing(*), but instant on, and touch interface are win in a handheld device. Price isn't.

[SiM]