Comparing the big-screen devices: iPad, e-book reader, & netbook

The arrival of Apple's iPad adds a high-profile tablet computer to what was already a two-way battle (e-book reader vs. netbook) between wireless devices with screens bigger than a smartphone and smaller than a laptop.

So how does this three-way tussle shape up for price, utility, and portability? The chart below compares the iPad; the Kindle DX (the leading 10-inch—which is to say, jumbo—e-book reader); and the Samsung N120-12GBK, a recommended netbook from our Ratings, available to subscribers.

There's no single winner in all aspects of expense and use.

THREE 10-INCH-SCREEN DEVICES COMPARED

The Kindle DX is arguably the least expensive, if you factor in both its purchase price ($489) and the cost of its 3G connection (which is zero; access comes bundled into the price of the DX and all other 3G e-book readers, including the smaller Kindle). It's also by far the lightest device, and the thinnest. Battery life is also many times longer than the others, running to days rather than hours.

Yet it's also the least versatile of the trio; while it has some other "experimental" capabilities, it basically does only one thing well: Display monochromatic books.

The Samsung wins on purchase price (it's $325). It's also arguably the easiest to use for most computing tasks, given its very good scores on ergonomics and the limitations of the keyboards on the other devices. (The DX has a physical keyboard with tiny keys, while the iPad has a largish virtual one and an optional physical one, whose price is as yet undisclosed).

But its keyboard makes it the heaviest and thickest device by far. It's also the priciest for 3G access, which would also require a contract (unlike the iPad).

The iPad triumphs on versatility and, as with any Apple product, on elegant design. Yet, while prices start at $499 for Wi-fi-only iPads, you'll pay $629 and up for one with 3G access, which you then have to pay for (albeit for $30 a month, which is less than with a netbook or laptop).

The upshot? All three devices are worthy or at least promising in some ways. Yet none have the universal appeal of a phone or laptop and none, arguably, will become mainstream devices with their present price tags and range of functionality.

—Paul Reynolds.