[LINK] Apple iPads for Victorian School Students

[Michael Skeggs mike@bystander.net]

On 2 June 2010 10:39, Ivan Trundle <ivan at itrundle.com> wrote:

> I've spent a few minutes with netbooks to tell me that they are inferior to a slab of butter.
>
> iT

My Benq 11.6" netbook is now my main computer. It runs XP with 2Gb RAM
and 250Gb HDD. 1.6Gz Atom.
The CPU is a little slow, truth be told, but it wins in every other
way for my uses.
I'm a MS Word power user, and it handles multi-hundred page complex docs fine.
It is fine for web browsing, and I can play the occasional older game.
It has a VGA port so connecting to a desktop monitor is straight
forward.
Where it shines, though, is the 6 hours plus battery life, built in 3G
and wifi and 1.2kg weight.
I've previously paid thousands of dollars for ultra light notebooks
from Toshiba, yet this one was $399.
The advantage of one computer whether I am at a desk or on the train
(or couch) is substantial, compared to the shuffling of files around
between different machines.

All that said, I think the sealed computing platform delivered by an
iPad is a great innovation for the bulk of people who can't adequately
maintain a windows box, let alone a linux desktop. In a couple of
versions I'll likely get one for my Dad and recommend them for my
sister and other extended family I currently now quasi-tech support,
especially if they develop an offshoot with a more traditional laptop
or desktop form factor.
I suspect the reduced support costs would trump everything else for
institutional use, where an office suite and web browser are the
computing tools required.
Regards,
Michael Skeggs