iPad? Netbook? Nook? Kindle? Sony Reader?

[HankCastello]

We drove into Tulsa today with the intention of buying an iPad.  An hour and a half's drive just to learn what most of you probably already knew - everyone is sold out of the 3G iPads.

My laptop is too big to use on today's airplanes, so I decided to buy a netbook, but to shop around on the Net before driving back to the "big city". 

I'm thinking I'd prefer Ubuntu Linux on a netbook rather than a scaled back version of Windows, but couldn't find any in the stores.

What are you all using for personal electronics?  Any preferences on eReaders, etc.?

[kwshaw1]

My 15" Dell dual-core laptop has served me well for over three years now: it functions as my main editing system at home (running on a/c power) and can go at least 2-3 hours unplugged with an optional second battery. I've been shopping for a netbook for vacation use but haven't bought one yet, partly because I'm not entirely sure how I'd use it or what features I'd want. The iPad seems like a bad joke to me for several reasons, including lack of full Internet suport (i.e. Flash), no SD memory card slot and no web cam for making video calls. I can see some potential uses for it as a media player or entry-level Internet device, but my iPod Touch serves both of those functions already and is more conveniently portable. 

Plus Apple's corporate arrogance has surpassed Microsoft's in terms of trying to control every aspect of platform use and development, including refusal to develop Blu-Ray authoring in Final Cut and now open attempts to crush Adobe because Steve Jobs doesn't like Flash. I'm not sure I'd want to give any more money to such a self-serving monolith, but I'll keep an eye on the iPad to see if future versions are more useful. (The iPhone got decent with it's third generation.)
   

[HankCastello]

Like you, I already have a laptop capable of editing.  Problem is that it is too large to use on today's airplanes (they seem to have redone seating in the past two years to better fit sardines than humans).

I found out that not living in a metropolitan area really limits our choices if not buying online.  This time we drove to Ft Smith, AR where Best Buy only had two netbooks with 250 gig harddrives (all the others were 150).  The Acer was some weird feminine color (and didn't come in any other!?) so I was forced to buy the Gateway.

None of the Netbooks in the stores seemed to vary in features other than harddrive. My Gateway LT2104u has 1G ram, web cam, wired & wireless network, 3usb 2.0, memory card capability, video out, mic & spkr inputs, 6-cel battery (8hrs) and a way to connect a security cable.

[HankCastello]

As for the eReader -

The Kindle was out of the question because you have to buy it from Amazon and, being the procrastinator that I am, I didn't have time.  Besides, I share Kevin's feelings for companies who try to lock their customers into being forced to deal with only them and the Kindle is like the iGadgets in that respect.

That left the Nook and Sony eReaders.  Nook has a big advantage in the ability to acquire books natively through either 3G or wi-fi.  With the Sony it seems, you're pretty much tied to a PC for media acquisition.  Since I've already confessed to being a procrastinator, and since an eReader is a gadget I am buying for use on trips, I could find myself on the road with no reading material if I bought the Sony.

After spending half a day researching, I came to the conclusion that they are all worthy devices - it just depends on what you want and need.  So now I have a Nook.

[ampsonic]

I also have a nook, and I love it. Combined with the Barnes and Noble e-reader app for my iPhone, and I'm reading much more than I did before.

[DavidPartington]

If something it worth buying, it's worth waiting for.  I'm sure the 3G iPad won't be too long before it's in stock and since this was your first preference you may regret not waiting.

[HankCastello]

If something it worth buying, it's worth waiting for.  I'm sure the 3G iPad won't be too long before it's in stock and since this was your first preference you may regret not waiting.

Excellent point!

But I'm actually thankful that it wasn't available and forced me to reconsider and research.  The netbook will be more useful to me since I am a web developer and run a hosting business.  The iPad is more for content "users", not content "creators".

Also, everyone seems to agree that the eReaders are easier on the eyes than iPad and easier to use in bright sunlight.  Since we'll be doing lots of sailing, I'll be at the tiller in the cockpit quite a bit, under bright (hopefully) skies.

So it all turned out well.

[HankCastello]

And a quick shout out to Kevin Shaw - we'll be in your neighborhood day after tomorrow!  Going to see Ian Tyson (of Ian & Sylvia fame, back in the sixties) in Berkley Wednesday night before driving on to Washington.

[kwshaw1]

Ah, say hello to my Alma Mater for me. If I wasn't out in Sacramento now I'd say let's meet up for dinner. Have a safe trip! 

[kwshaw1]

Adding to what David said, if the iPad is worth waiting for it's worth waiting for the second generation. The first batch is a joke for reasons I mentioned earlier, so wait for Apple to add some of the missing features like they did with the iPhone. Current iPad is overpriced for what it does compared to Netbooks.   

[Waldemar]

At this point I feel the iPad is a toy with a LOT of potential.   Everything else on the market that approximates the iPad has too much a narrow focus ... absolutely great if a narrow focus is all one needs or wants.

The big issue, I think, has to do with the operating system of these new devices.  In order to get the most productivity for the least amount of processing power, memory utilization, with no moving parts the iPad, like the Newton, Palm, and other devices that preceded it had to pack as much power punch on a whole lot less storage..  How will a "bridge" computing device like the iPad manage what we know as traditional computer functions?

Right now, I am intrigued, but not impressed.  Still looking forward to new developement.

[HankCastello]

Just back from our trip, I can say that both the new netbook and Nook got heavy use.

I was a bit disappointed that newspapers downloaded over the Nook do not come with classifieds nor comics.  Also, magazine selection is paltry, to say the least - I think 12 magazines in all.  Other than that - i.e.: for books and reading them, it is great.  I read two books during the week-long trip.  The Nook was much less bulky than carrying books, and thus very convenient.  Also, I downloaded both books with its always-on 3g, never needing a trip to the bookstore or even wi-fi.

The netbook was flat out super.  Quick booting and capable of doing everything I needed - running hosting services, a bit of web development and checking email.

[kwshaw1]

Everything else on the market that approximates the iPad has too much a narrow focus ... absolutely great if a narrow focus is all one needs or wants.

To me it's the iPad which has too narrow a focus compared to other alternatives like netbooks, but Apple doesn't seem to be having any trouble selling their new gizmo. Just don't expect the iPad to offer much in the way of "traditional computer functions" - that's what netbooks are for.

So Hank, how's your trip going?

[HankCastello]

So Hank, how's your trip going?

Well, like I said in the post right above yours, we returned a couple days ago.  Trip was great.  We closed on the property  - 3.5 acres in Port Townsend's Cape George Colony with private marina, gym and indoor pool.

Now we have to sell our Oklahoma home (http://www.Secluded-Lakefront-Property.com) to raise the funds to build a new house in Washington.  It'll be a busy year.

Washington is great - temps usually range from forties through seventies out there.  We'll have just a short sail to reach the San Juan Islands and just run out the Straight to reach the Pacific and any place in the world.  We'll probably bring our 25' MacGregor, and sail it until buying a 32' sailboat that is better suited for cruising.