Netbook or Ipad?

[druski85]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw2nkoGLhrE

Probably the funniest Apple joike to date.

   Well played sir.

Try a netbook before you buy.  We have a couple of the little Intel Atom-based units at work (one from Dell and one from Acer), and compared to a real computer they are very, very slow.  Our users don't like them at all.  YMMV

Generally a good idea, but our staff haven't complained.  I'd definitely check it out either way.   

[Tigger29]

I don't know.. mine whizzes along pretty quickly.  It's got the Atom 1.6Ghz and runs XP Home.  Only 512MB of ram even.  I've heard upgrading to 2GB of ram makes all the difference on these, but i simply don't need any more for what I use it for.

I also uninstalled all the 'bloatware' that came with it (first thing I did after taking it out of the package).

I don't think I'd use it for many games, but it does actually run AH (bare minimum settings get 10-15fps LOL).

[jigsaw]

The iPad is a joke.  Only an Apple zealot would actually waste the money on one.

There are a few practical uses for it. If you're in a creative field such as photography or graphic arts they're handy for taking to meetings to show your portfolio. Iphones/pod touches have been being used for that for a while but the bigger screen on the ipad makes it much easier for presentation. There is also the "wow" factor in those cases where you need to impress people that you're up to date with the newest gadgets.

Aside from those cases though or for doing any real work... yes they're a gimmick.

[zack1234]

Ipad is what it is a gadget for non computer people, for video, interenet etc.
Most people see it for what it is for entertainment and emailing.
For student use it's probly limited.
If it were £30 I might buy one.

Gadgets rule

[Wayout]

Save your pennies for one of these.

http://wimp.com/futurelaptop/

[Skuzzy]

There are a few practical uses for it. If you're in a creative field such as photography or graphic arts they're handy for taking to meetings to show your portfolio. Iphones/pod touches have been being used for that for a while but the bigger screen on the ipad makes it much easier for presentation. There is also the "wow" factor in those cases where you need to impress people that you're up to date with the newest gadgets.

Aside from those cases though or for doing any real work... yes they're a gimmick.

Someone tried to impress a friend I know at a meeting one day by brining one of these things to it.  The interview was over in less than 2 minutes.  The friend figured there was no way they would award a job to someone with more money than brains.

[RTHolmes]

... but if he'd got the job, it would have paid for itself with just that one interview ...

if you want to talk someone through your digital portfolio, what device out there would be more convenient than an iPad? (assuming you're not a flash developer that is )

[Skuzzy]

First of all, if you are not going to bring in a portfolio in print, you are not going to get the job anyway.  A copy of the portfolio has to be left so other managers who will be involved in the hiring decision can review it.

My Wife is a Director at a commercial interior design firm.  She has told her people if anyone walks in with thier portfolio or resume on one of those things (or any other like device) to not waste time interviewing them.

[BaldEagl]

First of all, if you are not going to bring in a portfolio in print, you are not going to get the job anyway.  A copy of the portfolio has to be left so other managers who will be involved in the hiring decision can review it.

My Wife is a Director at a commercial interior design firm.  She has told her people if anyone walks in with thier portfolio or resume on one of those things (or any other like device) to not waste time interviewing them.

I've been a corporate marketing VP for much of my career (several hundred million to multi-billion dollar companies) and, as such, have also managed internal and external ad agencies and creative personnel.  As long as a portfolio is accessable via the Internet a paper copy has never been a deal breaker.  Now when I need concepts delivered that's another story.

[RTHolmes]

I'd love to see a video editor walk someone through their work using paper copy

[zack1234]

my boss makes comedy films and sends out paper and online portfolios for his productions.

He was at the short comedy film shorts Margate 2010

his short comedy film is on Youtube "Lesley Adonis" notlob productions.

I don't know if the humor will appeal to Americans?

[Vulcan]

I've been a corporate marketing VP for much of my career (several hundred million to multi-billion dollar companies) and, as such, have also managed internal and external ad agencies and creative personnel.  As long as a portfolio is accessable via the Internet a paper copy has never been a deal breaker.  Now when I need concepts delivered that's another story.

but bringing it to a meeting on an ipad means you can neither print it, nor pass it on via USB media or a media card of some type (eg SD).

ipad initially looks ok, but if you want to do more than look like an apple fanboy seperated by the apple marketing machine from some more of your $$$$... ipad ain't it.

[RTHolmes]

only an idiot would go to a meeting and then print stuff out/burn a DVD/copy files to a flash drive while the client is sitting there drumming his fingers. Like everyone else with a clue I do that beforehand on a suitable machine so I can hand it to the client at an appropriate time during the meeting. If I want to run through something with them interactively, thats the point I bring out the laptop. an iPad would fill this role perfectly for me, its just I dont have to do it that often these days so doesnt work for me bang-for-buck. if I spent my days pitching it probably would.

[Skuzzy]

I've been a corporate marketing VP for much of my career (several hundred million to multi-billion dollar companies) and, as such, have also managed internal and external ad agencies and creative personnel.  As long as a portfolio is accessable via the Internet a paper copy has never been a deal breaker.  Now when I need concepts delivered that's another story.

Good for you.  Next time you have to deal with a city on building out a commercial property, see how far that will get you.  Commercial/Interior design firms are required to provide drawings and source code for the drawings, to a city for approval.  Or maybe when you sit in on a meeting discussing what materials to use for the flooring, walls, and so on, and see how far that electronic display will impress you.

Try making a display board for a commercial client on an electronic device.  And when they ask what the texture of the material is like, you can whip out a sample from your briefcase.  Then they will want to know what how reflective and durable the flooring is.  And so on and so forth.  Walk into that meeting with an eletronic device and you will lose that business.  People want to see it and feel it.  Interior designers make boards with all the samples on it.  This is the best way to win a client.

My Wife is incredbily successful at her job.  She knows how to win business.  She is one of the most sought after interior designers in the D/FW area.  She also loves technology and uses it where it makes sense.  Try to get a job with her without a physical portfolio is not ever going to happen.


I stand by my assessment of the iPad.  It is a worthless piece of technology that Apple zealots are desparately trying to find a use for.  It is a joke.

[Ack-Ack]

Another thing too...the iPad is just another tool to get people to buy more apps from the Apple Store.  Just like the iPod is to get people to buy music from iTunes.  That's all these Apple devices are far, they don't make the money on the hardware, Apple makes the money on the apps that are sold and the licensencing fees it charges developers to make and sell the apps.


ack-ack