and this is as ridiculous as iPad's inability to print - is an ethernet jack
Not totally true- The ipad can print but it is still awkward with present apps. Apple claims that with the new OS version due in November, printing will be a reality. Until then that is still vaporware. As an owner, I haven't felt any restriction because of lack of an ethernet jack. WIFI works better and is easily connected. When I travel to other places the connection is set to auto connect on non-secure wifi and with secure wifi, I just have to ask for the PW when the request window pops up , enter it and I'm connected. Once done, revisits to that location is automatic. It's so easy that once my internet connection went down and while in the backyard with my ipad, it auto switched to my neighbor's wifi that is not secured.
Comment about a virtual keyboard. It is a bit different but it is the best virtual KB I have ever used. I can type very fast on it. MY only complaint is with the auto spell checker that I have on ( can shut it off) as it sometimes finishes the word wrong. I just have to catch it and make the correction. While unnecessary, I do wish the KB had arrow keys. I still find it awkward to have to point to the word to position the cursor to backspace and correct.
When it comes to screen size- The Air has a smaller screen that I prefer for travel. I tried this on my Dell XPS M1210 and really prefer it to older laptops with 13-15" screens especially on airlines. The ipad is even better because it is so portable, yet big enough to prevent eyestrain. The main issue with the ipad is if you need to do content creation, like artwork, paint, presentations, complex documents, the laptop will be better, but if just consumption and simple e-mail responses, I'll pick the ipad any day of the week. Interesting advantage is that I can stack my ipad on top of the laptop and carry in the same case.
Mostly, however, I find the ipad better for just quick lookups around the house. I keep it handy on the coffee table when in the HT room watching a movie to iuse the IMDB app or Netflix app or my stock portfolio when watching Mad Money. I used to use my laptop but the ipad is so much easier and hundreds of times faster. From off to on and lookup I can achieve answer in under 30 seconds. The laptop needs to remain on all the time and web browser loaded to match that speed. Plus the battery would be dead in a few hours so the laptop requires a plugin for power.
Personally, I would buy a second ipad before an airbook but that is because my Dell does what it does so well. If I didn't have the Dell, I would consider the airbook. I like the idea of no hard drive but for now, would miss the lack of an optical drive. I think Netflix and mobile broadband everywhere will change that in the future.
Back to topic- I think as Apple has become bigger in recent years, it has become a trend setter in technology, making appliance and toys from the geekspeak tools we have had. They certainly didn't invent the technology but they sure did make it non-geek friendly. Techies will still prefer the open architecture of the PC. Nice there are choices for everyone.
