iPad 3 or portable DVD and netbook.

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Stupid_Newbie

Gawd
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Well the wife had been wanting a small laptop to watch YouTube videos etc with my oldest (3), etc and Facebook etc. while my youngest (10m) is crawling around upstairs etc. currently she has to go down stairs to use desktop. So a laptop would work well. She also wants to get a portable DVD player for trips/camping etc.

Would it be worth an iPad etc, or getting a laptop and a nice portable DVD player? Seems most DVD players don't have good battery life. Or lack playback options. I have a lot of my sons DVD/blurays ripped to pc.

Just wondering on opinions on which way to go.
 
iPad. More apps and generally enough of a novelty in and of itself to keep people entertained.
 
Danny Bui said:
iPad. More apps and generally enough of a novelty in and of itself to keep people entertained.
Click to expand...

I agree completely.


Space is going to be your limiting factor unless you plan on streaming only (or you go for the 64GB model)
 
Why would you be getting a laptop AND a dvdplayer? You say you have lots of your media ripped already, and if you are considering using the iPad for playback then you would need to anyway, so why not only use a net book?

From a cost perspective, you can bet a net book for half the price and do everything you want. Also consider that ripping videos for your regular HTPC will not necessarily be what you need for iPad playback.

Just something to consider. I am typing this on a 64gb 4g ipad and I get a lot of use out of it, but it certainly costs a lot more than a net book.
 
My only concern with netbook only is battery life. Most players get 6hrs, a Panasonic I'm looking at claims 13. Where I think any netbook, or 13" laptop etc would only get 2-3. Not sure what an iPad would get, but some sites and reviews say close to 10. But apply only claims 10 hrs life. So a bit of mixed messages.

My concern with the iPad is versatility and space. Though we have a decent desktop and when at home streaming from my my book live should be doable, but on the road it will be tougher to have a selection of movies.
 
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eh, i'd get all 3. portable dvd player so you can mount it to the headrest of your car, unless your car already has one, then ditch the dvd player. my cousin has a twin set, connects together so both kids have their own screen, and plugs into the car for power (and audio, if desired). makes me wonder wth i used to do in the car as a kid, lol.

netbook is nice and compact, good for when you need to type. ipad is just fun for everyone, especially the little one(s).
 
Stupid_Newbie said:
My only concern with netbook only is battery life. Most players get 6hrs, a Panasonic I'm looking at claims 13. Where I think any netbook, or 13" laptop etc would only get 2-3. Not sure what an iPad would get, but some sites and reviews say close to 10. But apply only claims 10 hrs life. So a bit of mixed messages.

My concern with the iPad is versatility and space. Though we have a decent desktop and when at home streaming from my my book live should be doable, but on the road it will be tougher to have a selection of movies.
Click to expand...

I have a netbook I never use (and keep meaning to sell but have been lazy about it... want it? :p ) and with the 6-cell battery it gets ~9 hours of desktop use and ~5 hours watching HD movies. I picked up a second battery for it so that I would have ~10 hours of HD watching time (I bought it mainly for international travel a couple years ago). Even new it was just over half the iPad cost for that price and still the full versatility of a regular computer.

I haven't tried to sit and use my iPad watching movies but 10 hours is about what it gets on constant web browsing usage; movies might be close but that would likely be the absolute top end (but again, I can't say for sure).

I think you will be happy with either (they each have their own pros/cons). The DVD player just seems like a waste since it is of such limited use and you have to bring all your media with you, which is added bulk and potential for damage.
 
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