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Netbooks are all over campus these days because they're easier to carry around than laptops. I've seen 1 iPad on campus and it wasn't in a class. I really don't see them being practical for notetaking. I got a netbook specifically so I wouldn't have to write anymore. I don't see a tablet accomplishing this as well as the netbook does, even with its smaller keyboard. Without a USB port, you also can't plug in a jump/thumb drive, which is a pretty essential piece of college equipment these days. With access to a large network drive while on campus (and via VPN off-campus) a netbook is great for school. I can run multiple Office programs (Word, PowerPoint, and OneNote are typical) on the netbook without issue. One thing to consider when looking at the graph is when people are buying things like netbooks for school. That seasonal buying might be a contributing factor here.
I think what you buy depends more on what you need. There are a lot of people out there who aren't good with technology, and I imagine an iPad really appeals to them for its ease of use. Personally, I'll wait and see what happens in the tablet market. Right now I don't have any needs that a tablet would fill better than my netbook or laptop.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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