Computer manufacturers are working hard on their answer to the iPad with models in various sizes and designs expected in the coming months.
Microsoft is leading the charge by working with numerous partners to develop small tablet computers running Windows 7. CEO Steve Ballmer has named Asus, Dell, Sony, Hewlett-Packard, and Lenovo by name, among others. This isn’t Microsoft’s first try in the tablet computer ring, either. The company’s first models back in 2001 were primarily oriented toward business customers.
“It depends entirely on what you want to do with it,” says Florian Muessig from German computer magazine c’t when asked about the choice between a tablet computer and a netbook. The iPad is better for many computer games than a mini-laptop. Electronic books (eBooks) are also better suited for the tablet computer. The biggest advantage cited by the hardware expert is the fast bootup: “You press the button and it’s on.”
Netbooks have moved on in recent years beyond their original, limited intended purpose. At prices below $200 — and thus significantly cheaper than an iPad (starting at $500) — a netbook offers almost everything a modern PC can do, except with less processing power and lower resolution screens. The next generation will be coming with new double core Atom series processors from Intel. “But I’m not counting on seeing them this year,” Muessig says.
With a battery life of up to ten hours, the iPad is built for the long haul, or long plane ride. Netbook batteries have typically maxed out at seven hours. Some of the new models are promising up to ten hours or more, though, and “for netbooks in particular battery life is a crucial factor,” says Samsung manager Dirk Neuneier.
There are significant differences in the available storage memory. While netbooks usually have hard drives capable of holding 160…