The New iPad or iPad3 as some may refer is now available in most of the major markets around the world (though we are still waiting for its arrival here in Malaysia at the time of writing this post). Eventhough we notice many travelers are carrying a tablet on their travel nowadays, but others may argue that, “Do we really need a new iPad for our travel?”

Let’s first understand the prominent functions and features of the New iPad. It is a tablet PC with a size similar to that of a netbook. Its dimension of 7.31″ x 9.5″, is less than half of the netbook’s thickness and weight, measuring only 0.37″ and 652g.

It features a front VGA and a back 5MP camera which can be used as a travel photo snapper.

The best part of the new iPad is its Retina display that squeezes 2048 x 1536 pixels into a 9.7″ LED display. This is the highest resolution you can get in a tablet currently.

Other features include built-in WiFi connection, optional 4G ultra fast data network, Quad-core graphic processor, up to 10 hours of battery life when surfing net, HD 1080p 30FPS video recording, built-in GPS, internet ready and over 200,000 Apps available for download and usage.

What all these got to do with travel?

1. First, new iPad is light weight and compact sized. Travelers could easily slot it into day pack or hand luggage wherever they go and won’t feel much extra burden on their shoulder;
2. It is internet-ready touch navigating device for surfing net whenever there is WiFi service. Most hotels or Bed & Breakfasts have got free WiFi access;
3. Superbly sharp and high resolution retina screen with rich colours is perfect for travel photographers to review their shots of each day. Powerful photo editing apps are also available to post process photos and post them up to the net, easily;
4. 5MP iSight camera is useful for some snapshots on travel, even if you left your proper camera at home;
5. It is superbly handy for doing lots of reading on your travel, be it on the trains, flights or during coffee breaks, without lugging heavy books and magazines along your travel;
6. You can even check your location, searching for next destination and get some directions by utilising its built-in GPS feature which is extremely useful (WiFi service or Date Roaming is required), and
7. There are too many travel related iPad Apps available over the Apps Store. Some are extremely useful for travelers, travel tools such as Compass, Google Translate, Google Maps, travel guides, hotels and flights booking engines, trains departure time information, weather updates, currency exchange, and of course, Travel Feeder App.

How is it compared with my Acer Netbook?

1. Both are capable pieces of device useful on your travel for net surfing, updating blogs and travel photos;
2. Netbook is less handy if compared with iPad. Netbook is double its weight (1.2KG) and triple its thickness (1″) if compared to the new iPad;
3. Netbook battery life 4 hours less than the iPad when surfing net;
4. iPad is much faster in operation and start-up with its powerful Duo-Core A5x processor if compared with the AMD Duo-Core processor of Acer Netbook;
5. iPad has a much higher LED resolution Retina display (2048 x 1536px) if compared to what Acer HD netbook is offering (only 1280 x 720px);
6. Netbook is more powerful in terms of connectivity. On top of WiFi connection, netbook has also sockets for Ethernet cable connection which is more useful for Asian travel destinations especially China, Japan and Hong Kong where free internet cable connections are more widely available in hotels;
7. Netbook has much larger hard drive storage that can store up to 320GB of images and videos;
8. Acer Netbook has no GPS built-in and lack of other useful and handy features of iPad such as compass.
9. Netbook can work with the full version of Office applications, WordPress blogging platform and Hotmails. It can also view flash display with Adobe Flash Player while the new iPad cannot, and
10. Acer Netbook is 50% cheaper than the new iPad.

Ok. So now you know what the new iPad can do and what it can’t. If you are looking for a handy device to bring along on your travel for surfing net, reading books, store some of your travel photos, updating your social community networks such as Facebook or Twitter, updating your blog, take some reasonable snapshots, the new iPad is your perfect companion! However, if you need huge storage space for backing up all your daily images captured on your travel, especially mid to long term travel with 10′s of thousands images taken, and the hotels you are staying have only Ethernet cable connection, the Acer HD Netbook would be a better choice for you.

As an overall package, the New iPad offer a more reliable, higher quality piece of travel gadget. Having said that, picking either one of them will not disappoint you at all. Most importantly, I’m owning the Acer Netbook and I’m going to buy the new iPad! – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel blog