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[dkellis]

Since my netbook is getting obsolete (4GB of internal SSD memory does not help when the latest Ubuntu Netbook Remix requires 4.2GB or so), and the battery is dying horribly (from 6-8 hours of function to 30 minutes), I'm looking to replace it. It's been with me for about five years, so it's probably time. And I've had so much use out of it that I

Comments

[issyleus]

Sorry... random passerby. Chanced upon this post. Have you considered any of the new ultrabooks coming out/on the market? Or even a Macbook Air?

If you want Flash, the iPad is out. Also, I don't think Flash is very usable on any of the Android tablets on the market...

[dkellis]

I know nothing about ultrabooks (beyond what is in the Wikipedia article on them), so I'd have to start from scratch researching those as well. As for the Macbook Air, it runs into the same issue with PC connectivity that I was worried about with the iPad.

I don't actually know much about the intricacies of Flash integration with the various tablets. Giving up Youtube functionality (much less Nico) seems like a huge thing that would have been major news, but apart from a few vague grumblings I haven't heard of such, which is why I had to specify just in case.

[issyleus]

Engadget has quite a fair bit of reviews on the various ultrabooks out on the market. I have to admit though, I've used quite a few laptops, Apple still makes one of the nicest laptops around. Especially their trackpads. I love their trackpads. And oh, their battery life. You'll also notice that quite a few of the ultrabooks out there look a lot like the MBA. Heh.

MBA wise, PC connectivity isn't much of a problem. I used to run Windows/Macs in my home. Just shared a folder on my Windows machine to transfer files to and fro. I also have a couple of NAS that the Mac connected to with no problems at all.

For Youtube, Google's moving towards HTML5 so for most of the videos, you shouldn't have problems at all. Not too sure what Nico is, but you might want to check if they have HTML5 support. So Flash support might not be as crucial as you think it is...

[kitchenqueen]

I love my iPad2. As others have said, if you require flash, then it's a dealbreaker. I've never had a problem finding videos on YouTube on my iPad. I frequently go to bed with my iPad and get stuck in a YouTube Time Warp. I do have a few issues with Safari compatibility with my psychology class, but any extended schoolwork that I need to do is done on the PC anyway.

Here's how I find my iPad measuring up against your criteria:

Sturdiness: It's pretty durable, but a case is a definite must. I spent $$$ on this device, and I'll be darned if I'm not going to protect it. If you drop it while it's naked, you definitely risk breakage, but isn't that true of any computing device? Put it in a case and don't play tennis with it, and you'll be fine.

Weight: I'm not sure how it measures up with other tablets in this area, but it's an iPad. It doesn't weigh a ton. I have it in a case, so holding it while using it isn't much of an issue. I agree, lugging my laptop around is so CUMBERSOME! Case in point:

Battery life: You'll