@Php23,990, is the Apple iPad a threat the the netbook

It was really hard to appreciate the talk about Apple's iPad threatening netbook sales with the entry level iPad's having been sold at a the grey market price of Php30K. The entry of the Samsung Galaxy Tab at Php34,000 did not make tablets look like much of a netbook competitor. At this price point, these tablets have to compete with Intel Core i3 powered laptops than netbooks.

The price started dropping an by October the entry level iPad was going for Php26K in the grey market. Better price, but the warranty status of there units is still in question. With last weeks official Apple iPad Philippine release bringing the entry level iPad at a price of Php23,990, with a official Apple warranty, the appeal of the iPad increases substantially.

What can you buy for Php23,990? For this price, you can buy a Intel Atom N550 powered dual core notebook. The Asus Eee PC 1005PEM is a good bet if you are looking at value for money. With a suggested retail price of Php21,995 with Windows 7 Starter installed it is priced almost Php2K less than the entry Apple iPad. If you forgo the dual core Intel Atom and are satisfied with the slower single core Atom you can get the Asus Eee PC 1001PX for Php17,990. That is a good Php6K below entry level iPad. These prices are typical of netbook prices.

Over the next few days we will take a look at this tablet versus netbook battle comparing them in the following categories:

Portability. 10-inch Tablet v. 10-inch Netbook: Portability 

Word processing. 10-inch Tablet v. 10-inch Netbook: Word Processing 
Web browsing, Multimedia, Storage and Connectivity. 10-inch Tablet v. 10-inch Netbook: Web Browsing, Multimedia, Storage & Connectivity