Pad PC Reviews

Vacation More - Here's how...

Welcome to Pad PC Reviews.

Pad PC Reviews is all about the new class of computers – called a pad pc or slate pc or tablet pc or even screen pc. The industry is starting to consolidate its nomenclature because of the April 2010 introduction of the iPad by Apple.  iPad2 was introduced in March of 2011.

Thanks for visiting Pad PC Reviews.                     We’ll have more reviews and information as this new class of computers becomes the preferred gadget for magazine delivery and other functionality.  Also, please check out the two new sections to Pad PC Reviews – the first being “Ask the Experts” for answers to common questions about pad PCs, as well as the fast paced z “Blogette”.

Brief Interruption. Need a Vacation? Click here for Video…

On March 2, 2011, the iPad 2 was announced. The revised tablet introduced a new design that included a front and rear-facing camera designed for FaceTime video messaging—it can now message with iPhone 4. The iPad 2 added a dual core Apple A5 processor and Verizon Wireless in the United States. Apple also unveiled the Smart Cover, an accessory that attaches magnetically to the side of the device and protects the front of the device.

Vacation Video

Would Chrome Tablets Create A Threat To Ipad?

Apple has touched a new market with its iPad device, which is mid-sized tablet PC integrating features of smartphone, eBook reader and PC. Up till now, tablet sector has been under-performing due to high prices as well as limited functionality; they are outshined by normal laptops. Therefore, iPad may not face much competition from other PC vendors.

Google’s Initiative

In January, the search giant had released its own branded ‘superphone’, called Nexus One. After that, Google has also showcased its tablet based on the Chrome operating system. Now, it might worry Apple from the Google’s new initiative. It is predicted that the Chrome-based tablets will offer attractive features and various web based apps that may affect Apple iPad sales.

Earlier this month, a Chrome-based tablet has detailed that boasts a virtual keyboard, contextual control and multiple tabs for multitasking, or please users that requires simple functionality, like surfing the Web, checking e-mails or editing Office docs. The Chrome based tablets will be available later this year, which will use web-based operating system to produce more revolutionary product than Apple’s tablet.

Here, the feature discusses few advances in the Chrome-based tablet, which may pose a threat to Apple’s iPad.

1.    Google’s tablet is for multitasking

Apple has legacy to design products that are complete and the devices for the future. But, Google also knows how to remain on the top. Google will offer multi-tasking in its tablet, which is lacking in iPad. It is reported that you cannot switch over to Safari to read the news, if you are visiting pages.

2.    Web-based apps

Apple introduced its iPhone operating system in the iPad, but a Web-based operating system could deliver several features, which may include off-site storage of data that can be access wherever net connection is available. Further, users can also avail features of cloud computing on the Google devices.

3.    The Web Is the App Store

Apple’s App Store will offer over 140,000 applications available for download to its iPad. But, Chrome operating system will also have competitive advantage over others as the software does not require so many apps, because the Web is its app store.

4. Ubiquity is the key

Apple’s operating system is only available to iPad, while Chrome can run on various devices, which means users will have wide variety of PC vendors to choose from. Further, this means that there will be lot of competition between different Chrome based tablets, which give benefits to consumers with low prices. $499 for an iPad is a great price, but lack of 3G and small hard drive will transfer buyers to Chrome tablets.

5. Chrome OS for light weight systems

Chrome operating systems could not compete with Windows 7 or Mac OS X. But, it is suitable for netbooks and tablets, which comes with basic functionality like Web surfing and basic document editing. Just like Android platform, Chrome based devices can also offer multitouch options, which can match the outstanding multitouch experience of Apple’s iPhone.

Ipad Or Netbook; Which Should You Choose?

So you’re ready to add some mobility to your computing environment are you? And are you thinking that those Apple iPads look very sexy to you? Like many others, you may be confused about whether to purchase either an iPad or a netbook PC to give your computing environment some mobility. Here are my thoughts (opinions) on that decision.

I think the iPad is limited in its functionality compared to a netbook because, even though it was designed to be Apple’s answer to the netbook PC, it seems to be an overgrown iPhone with limitations on what you can do with it. Sure, it’s pretty sexy to be able to flip the slate from portrait to landscape mode and to move around in an application by swishing with your finger, but it seems to me that its limited compared to the full functionality of a netbook with Windows.

An advantage for the netbook is it’s price…around $300US and going down versus the iPad at around $500US for the basic version. It’ll cost you around $1,000US to get most of the features you’d want.

One advantage iPad has is an almost full page-size display for the built in ebook reader. Well, if you’re in the market for an ebook reader device; there are other options here as well. There are several free ebook reader software downloads available for the netbook, that have all the latest features you could ever want such as bookmarking, highlighting, one even allows you to draw graphic diagrams in your copy of the ebook. Okay…perhaps you’re saying you’d rather read a book on the larger screen of the iPad?

To that point, let me say that I am proof that your eyes and brain will adjust to whatever size screen and text is available if the content of the book is interesting and you’re motivated to read it. I once read Tolkien’s “Lord Of The Rings” trilogy (three large books) on a Compaq iPAQ pocketPC!! I’m talking about a very very small display on that bad boy; but I quickly became accustomed to how much text was on the screen and smoothly scrolling as I read the more than 1,000 pages. I loved the books and could hardly put my iPAQ down, so to speak. Okay…I drifted a little bit on you there, but wanted to make that point…the screen size really doesn’t matter that much.

I suppose you’ve surmised by now that I’m choosing the netbook over the iPad. But just in case you’re thinking I’m just another Windows PC bigot; a recent International Data Corp report states that sales of netbooks and notebooks will far surpass those of the iPad, and all the future “iPad look-alike” tablet devices, well into 2011, even after the iPad has been widely available. Evidently, I’m not alone in my opinion.