A Netbook?

So, after a couple of months thinking about buying an iPad, and even writing a couple of tedious posts on the matter (here and here), I finally went out and bought a, errr, well I went out and bought a netbook.  No, I didn’t see it coming either.

Despite knowing that I would have absolutely loved the iPad, had I bought one, it just proved too expensive and too limited for me to take the plunge.  This was especially true when I realised that I wouldn’t want to give up having an iPhone (and I really want an iPhone4) and couldn’t justify buying both.  I still wanted a portable device, though, and so I plumped for a netbook, despite some misgivings.

The model I went for is the Asus 1005PE.  It’s difficult to choose between netbooks as they all offer pretty much the same specs.  The one I chose was on offer and had a 250Gb hard drive, as opposed to the usual 160Gb, so that just about swung it.  It’s running Windows 7 Starter and has a built in webcam and microphone.  My typing is also pretty accurate on the keyboard, so that’s definitely a good sign.  It’s a nice looking piece of kit, although it clearly doesn’t compare to the iPad.

One downside is the usual Windows boot time.  I have ordered some additional RAM (why they all only come with 1Gb is a mystery), so hopefully this will help.  There is also a second power button on the unit that takes you into the “Express Gate” OS.  This contains a web browser, Skype, an IM client and some online games.  You can be browsing the internet in under 30 seconds, so it’s very handy if you just want to check something quick.  It doesn’t have 3G built-in (the SIM-card slot is mysteriously a dummy), but it’s simple enough to use a USB dongle.  You also have to accept that the processor isn’t that fast and that things may take a tad longer than you’re used to. That said, it’s really not annoying once you’re used to it, and most things open pretty snappily.

There are also some real advantages over the iPad, such as vastly increased storage space and true multi-tasking of apps.  One example is when I recorded the latest episode of my podcast on Saturday.  I was able to record using the in-built mic straight into (free) Audacity editing software.  I then was able to add my tags and photo in iTunes, before FTPing the file up to Podbean, my hosting site.  I was then able to create posts for the podcast on both Podbean and WordPress simultaneously.  I was listening to Spotify as I did it all.

I won’t even mention that it is Flash enabled, but it is.  Actually, even the Express Gate OS is Flash enabled.

That’s not to say that part of me doesn’t wish I had an iPad, and I’m conveniently ignoring the advantages that the iPad has.  Overall, though, I’m currently pretty happy with my choice.  It will certainly keep me going until the iPad2 is launched.