Until you can get files onto an intermediary storage (flash drive) or provide non-iTunes based direct USB file transfer, the iPad can not be considered a “notebook replacement” not matter how you qualify it. Captive data make the iPad still an entertainment or very limited use (such as for single writers) in my book. Don’t even get me started on supporting multiple users and data security. These are the types of things that any $300 netbook and do which vault them over the iPad for qualification as a “computer”.
Hmm, so an iPad, a keyboard and a trackpad to haul around… Remind me again what, in this particular case, the iPad does better than a netbook? 
It’s like having to carry around a mini version of a desktop PC - your screen, keyboard and mouse all in your bag. Three things to carry around instead of a single laptop. Yes, I know the reason is portability - iPad users argue that it’s lighter and therefore easier to carry around an iPad, a keyboard and a trackpad than it is to haul around the lightest MacBook - but this is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist in the PC world, where you can get netbooks. Still, there are rumours of an 11" MacBook Air, the technology of which may get passed on to other MacBooks, so it’s possible that Apple’s protests about netbooks or smaller computers are just temporary, to ensure a strong iPad launch. We can hope!
P.S. You do realise that the magic trackpad doesn’t actually work with the iPad though, right? (It now says so in that ZDNet article - looks like the writer updated it after someone pointed out his error in the comments.) Hopefully you bought it for use with your desktop and are just speculating!
Jaysen:
I find Dropbox to be great for transferring files among my iPad, iPhone, and iMac, much preferable to hardware-based storage. However, if hardware intermediary storage is a requirement, then the iPad isn’t right for you.
KB:
I find it more comfortable to carry the iPad around most of the time, with the keyboard available some of the time when I need extra input power. I find the iPad form factor inherently more comfortable than the notebook form factor – I’m just not comfortable using a notebook anywhere but on a tabletop or desktop, and even then I prefer to use an external display, keyboard, and pointing device.
Also, the iPad is instant-on and instant-off.
And I don’t fly much anymore, but I have taken one trip using the iPad, and found it much more convenient than a notebook for use in transit.
However, those are all matters of personal preference, and an iPad might not be right for you.
Hi Mitch,
My point was that if the trackpad was something that worked with the iPad and was an extra thing to carry around, that would be three items instead of one, and I don’t see how that makes the iPad advantageous over a netbook. As I said in my post, I understand that the point iPad users make is that it is the form factor and portability, but what I was saying was that a proper Apple netbook could have provided this without the need for carrying around peripherals.
For writing, it’s definitely not. I hate writing on the thing, and for my uses an external keyboard defies the point. But I like it for the things it was intended - for instance last night I took it to bed to read a couple of articles on the net, and it’s certainly a nicer way of doing that. I just think that if Apple released a netbook with the iPad’s form factor and not much heavier (which would be tough to achieve, I know), then people wouldn’t have to haul around peripherals and bend the iPad to something it wasn’t really designed for. But hey, I just bought myself an AlphaSmart for my own portable writing needs, so I’m going pretty low-tech and old-school. 
All the best,
Keith
I would suggest that this actually makes my point. It share a file with a co-worker you have to provide them access to your DB folder or have a common folder. But you can’t really have separate folders on an iPad. And what if you have multiple coworkers who should not see the same set of files?
In my house there are 4 people. We share one desktop and have privacy for our mails. You can’t do this on an iPad. The same problem, no segregation of data from device.
For the record, computers are utility devices in my world. Multi-user, shared data. The iPad is a fancy photo frame, mp3 player and web browser. I am in the minority, but my reasons are stated above.
KB:
Form factor. A tablet is more comfortable to use than a netbook.
Whatever works. Joe Haldeman, one of my favorite writers, who is very tech-savvy, writes first draft in fountain pen by the light of a kerosene lantern, before dawn.
I saw someone started a topic about the AlphaSmart. I’ll have to check it out. Does this mean Scrivener for AlphaSmart is on its way? Heh.
That was me who started that topic. The AlphaSmart weighs less than a pound, the batteries last for an hour, and it is really the opposite of the iPad - all keyboard and no screen. It’s just about hammering out words. And then I can send the words straight into Scrivener via USB - any words I’ve typed in the AlphaSmart just get sent directly into a Scrivener document, as though typed out.
We’ll certainly have to agree to disagree there, at least for writing. I agree that a tablet is more comfortable for reading and browsing, but for writing? No way.
All the best,
Keith
P.S. I’m a Haldeman fan myself! I’ve only read Forever War and Old Twentieth, but I intend to read Forever Peace soon.
Really? I thought one of the main draws of the AlphaSmart was its otherworldly battery life. The AA model Neo, for instance, has people using the device for a year without changing batteries and is reportedly ranked at 500–700 hours. The rechargeable model is less, but still I thought it was in the 200 hour range.
“Forever Peace” is a good one – particularly timely in light of the Gulf War II and the use of robot drones there. I also recommend “The Hemingway Hoax,” “Tool of the Trade” and “Buying Time.” Also, everything else he’s written.
With a battery life of one hour it would be an opposite along the lines of crap ↔ at least usable for some things.
I think you mean months or even years 
I hear it has a fantastic keyboard, too. Too bad the current models are QWERTY only.
I really am a retard after a day of coding - every other word comes out wrong. Yes, I meant a year, not an hour. D’oh! They say 700 hours, which equates to about a year of regular use, and all the reviews I’ve read by writers who like it have said they haven’t had to change the batteries in over a year.
Mitch - thanks for the recommendations, I’ll check those out. Old Twentieth was among the best books I read last year, so I’m looking forward to reading more.
All the best,
Keith
Yes, since the iPad already has multi-touch. I’ll use the MT Pad and wireless keyboard with my desktop. If if works OK, I will free up two USB ports.
I’d love to own a netbook, if Apple would build one. Rather avoid any Windows or Linux machines. Think one running Chrome will ever appear?
Not if we are lucky. Look at the number of professional IT folks (meaning folks that are paid to use computers, not play with computers) that use chrome. I have yet to find ONE. Keep in mind that IT writers play with computers more than they use them.
wrITers, bah. I’ve never stripped a computer down to screws for fun and put it back together. Not when there is work to be done!
Me either. But it kept happening to get the right video or SATA card for the OSS driver update from last nights update. haven’t had to open the case of the mac except when I wanted too. Oh the sweet joy of USING a system instead of managing it.
True, though I have to admit there is a great deal of enjoyment to be had in cracking open a Mac Pro, just for the sheer pleasure of gawking at its BMW level of precision tooling. For something never meant to be looked at, they sure did put a lot of effort into turning it into functional artwork.
I did have to crack my MBP open. If there is “functional system art awards” I would nominate the 1.1 model MBP 17.
Why would anyone would prefer a trackpad over a multitouch screen? To avoid fingerprints?
Me too! I spend a lot of time reading in the sun on an iPod Touch, where visibility (and battery life) aren’t ideal. So I thought I’d test out the new Kindle. I’m thrilled that the prices of eReaders are coming down so rapidly, and I attribute it mainly to Amazon (and now Apple) that eBooks are truly becoming mainstream.
Synchronicity, and off-topic: I wrote Joe Haldeman an e-mail this morning pointing him to his conversation. I think he’s a Scrivener user, and figured he’d get a kick out of it.
Then I checked his LiveJournal this morning and found this post about typewriters:
joe-haldeman.livejournal.com/181996.html
If Joe does use Scrivener, it’s for revision after he’s already done a first draft. I know at least one other novelist who uses Scrivener that way (Charles Stross) and loves it.