Big is the new small: Apple iPad vs. DSi XL

by JC Fletcher on Jan 27th 2010 7:00PM

Today, a major hardware company with wide appeal outside the usual hardcore gaming space announced a new device, which is basically exactly like a popular existing device but bigger. Sound familiar? It reminded us of the day in late October when Nintendo announced a new version of the DSi, called the DSi LL (DSi XL outside of Japan). Like the iPad, it's a version of a current device (in this case, the Nintendo DSi) that is distinguished by its size.

So how does Apple's inflated iPod Touch stack up against Nintendo's luxury sedan of a DSi? We've compared the two in several totally crucial vectors, based mostly on the changes from the previous model.
Change in size: Since this is the major component of both devices, it seems right to look at this measurement first. The DSi XL is 160% larger in total volume than its predecessor, with 93% more screen space. The iPad's 9.7 inch, 4:3 screen is 799.8% larger in area than the iPhone or iPod Touch's 3.5 inch, 1.5:1 screen, and its body, at 35.7 cubic inches, is 598.2% the size of an iPhone 3GS.

Colors: The Japanese DSi LL is available in Wine Red, Dark Brown, and Natural White. The iPad is available in black, with a brushed aluminum back.

Compatibility: The iPad is compatible with all iPhone apps that don't use the camera. The DSi XL is compatible with exactly the same programs as the DSi, and all DS games that don't use the Game Boy Advance slot.

New software: iLife productivity apps will be available for the iPad. No software is made especially for DSi XL.

New accessories: The DSi XL comes with a big, pen-sized stylus. The iPad is compatible with a (separate) dock that adds a full keyboard.

Announcement spin: Here's where it gets a bit eerie. Following the announcement of the DSi XL, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said that the XL offered "an improved view angle on the screens to make it the first portable system that can be enjoyed with people surrounding the gamer," enabling a "new play style where those who are surrounding the game player can also join in one way or the other to the game play." In a promotional video on Apple's site, Bob Mansfield, Senior VIce President of Hardware, says that the IPS display offers "not only a great experience looking directly at the device, but also off-angle when you're sharing the device with someone else."

What do we learn from comparing the iPad to the DSi XL? Not much, really. But it's really weird that the latest hardware iterations from Nintendo and Apple are both oversized versions of things that we already have, isn't it?

Tags: Apple, apple-ipad, comparison, DS, dsi, dsi-xl, ipad, iPod, Nintendo

Reader Comments (87)

besides being bigger and more expenisve than it's predesecors, they are very different.

Ridiculously large? Check

More expensive? Check

Removes most of the point of the original device due to increased size, while having no obvious purpose for existence in its own right? Check

Helps manufacturer to continue printing money? ...

...Probably

I'm not so sure about that last one.

Exhibit A: MacBook Air.

Exhibit B: Apple TV.

Apple doesn't hit a home run every time. That's just the way things are.

DS line and iPad/iPhone line are different from each other, yes.

The point of the post is that both products are very similar to their predecessors, so no to you comment.

Here....let me explain further.

The DS XL is very similar to the DS/DSi

The iPad is very similar to the iPhone.

The ONLY difference (that I can see) so far for the iPad versus the iPhone is that there will now be books on it.....or that they can make games more graphically impressive due to a faster processor. There will still be the same limits on game interfaces between the iPad and iPhone due to the necessary control limitations (touch screen).

Similar in the sense that they're both pointless.

Apple TV is an absolute homerun. We don't know if this device will fail or not but even the Macbook Air isn't a failure by commercial success standards. Apple is the best of the best when it comes to making hardware imo. I'd also say they have (by a wide margin) the best computer operating system.

The GBA micro wasnt a home run either. The thing is with the Kindle burned into people's minds as the next big thing with a black and white LCD screen, the moment they see the ipad they'll want one of those too. Then you add in the Apple elitists that refuse to let ANY apple device go by without throwing money at it and it will likely do very well. The DS XXXL will once again make millions because Nintendo spent no money on building it and there are 5 million slathering Nintendo lovers that will sign over their first born for it on day one just because it has nintendo's name on it.

Aside from that they're completely different things, one is a utility and the other is a game system, and dont give me that shit about the ipod playing games when their games are 99 cent cellphone blips, They're about as much a game system as an electronic sudoku toy by tiger electronics.

Unless the iPad proves to be a superior product than the nook for ebooks and drops about $100-200 to make the price competitive I think I can safely leave this off my "to buy" list.

No freakin way this iPad will beat the DSI XL (at this model) ... s we've heard about this blasphemies over and over again.. hopefully they'll stop now... The funniest thing is the one blurted out the the CEO of mahalo.. saying, the iPad will be insane like "wii" gee.. what a predicament! Details: http://is.gd/7dl71

@Johnnynumber5

...moron.

@johnny 5

Somebody needs to ween johnny 5 off the apple teet.

I think the iPad is a ridiculous platform for gaming. I simply don't get it.

If it had better graphical capabilities and didn't stretch the games to fit the screen, I could see it being a very interesting way to play games.

well it can't even multitask so umm ......... it has to do one thing right ...... guess thats games ?

I'm just a simple cave-man your ipad confuses and scares me.

reuben, the stretching thing only applies to iphone games. games meant for the ipad won't be stretched at all. but yeah, can't really see how this is a good gaming console. better than the iphone for playing games? yeah. better than a PSP or DS? no.

It wouldn't be ridiculous if there was Flash support. There are a load of tower defense and flash games that would be amazing to play on this.

From what I've been reading on the internet, most people don't (and won't) get the iPad, Cap'n.

That won't stop EA from whoring out Sims, Spore, and their myriad of other games. By and large, however, it probably won't be a huge gaming device, and I doubt it will be very popular in general. It just doesn't fit into a comfortable spot among the other stable of gadgets we already have.

why didn't apple just make this a netbook/tablet with the mac os???

Cause making a netbook with Mac OSX wouldn't be trendy enough. I mean just read to the negative things he had to say about them. It seems like he was citing netbooks being able to run PC software as a bad thing.

@Sonyboy

It's not even about being trendy, it's about the ridiculous margins they make with the App store. All they have to do is review games and then make them available for download, and they get an instant 30% off the top. That's why they can't allow Flash--it cuts into all the things they could charge you for. That's why there's no forward facing camera (well, any camera)--you'd use it for Skype and then you wouldn't buy your iPhone or something, I don't know.

Seriously.

I thought the iPad was where Steve Jobs lives.

It is not a gaming platform.

Yes you can play games on it, but it is primarily a media device.

Listen to music, read books, watch movies, and play simple games.

The Kindle is $299 for a black and white screen with a very limited OS. The iPad is a full color, multi-touch input screen that outputs sound, surfs the web, allows users to access iWorks for documents, spreadsheets, etc.

If you don't get it.....you need to be in the work force for a couple more years. Turning on your laptop on a plane and trying to work SUCKS! There is not enough room for a drink on the tray, you can't really put it on your lap and be comfortable, and the battery life sucks. The iPad bridges a gap b/n the two (your phone and your laptop).

I would buy this without the 3G network for use on plane trips. I can work on documents, read a book, watch a movie, play a casual game all without ruining my comfort level while on a plane.

I will give it a year or so and hopefully buy a version with a larger flash drive than 64GB. I make good money, so $699 is not a deal breaker for me.

@ Mal F4cti0n

Why the HELL are you comparing the Kindle to the iPad? Both are two VERY different devices. One is strictly an e-book reader and the other is a device with an obvious identity crisis.

"Need to be in the work force for a couple more years..."

I want to reach over the Internet and slap the taste out of your stupid mouth for that comment. I think you need to upgrade yourself to business class if you're complaining about "drink space". Also, your comment alone says so much more about you than you're admitting. Everything that you stated gives off the impression of the stereotypical Apple user so please refrain from saying douche bag things like, "I make good money, so $699 is not a deal breaker for me."

Little advice sweetie, with comments like that, we know you're lying. But thank you for your "insight" on the iPad. You really did a good job of telling us what it can do instead of explaining what it CAN'T but SHOULD do. Apple's got another sheep by the balls here people.

Little bed time reading for all of you. Anandtech wrote up a great article on the iPad, I highly recommend everyone give it a read.

http://anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3729

It seems like a ridiculous platform for anything. I fell off the apple bandwagon a long time ago, but this is the strangest product they've made in quite some time.

@Mal F4cti0n

If your job requires no applications, yeah, go for it. I need a windows based operating system, like I imagine many others do.

@Mal F4cti0n

"surf the web" ...once again this leads back to the Flash thing. I'd love to surf the web with the iPad but I would be missing out on 70% of what CNN has to offer, a host of the videos on Joystiq and of the programing brought to my computer by the fine people at Hulu. For the time being, without Flash, I'm just viewing a watered down version of the internet. Why have a full size browser and be forced to use mobile versions.

I really wish some big companies would get behind articles about how ridiculous it is that there isn't Flash support on the iPad. I fully understand why they wouldn't want to do it but I can't stand that people would actually let them get way with not.

I'm going to pull a Michael Pachter here so let my words be marked today (wherever words are officially marked at) - within three years Apple will release a full desktop or laptop where you have no control over where your applications come from. All installed programs will need to go through app store. This will be touted as a feature offering "the easiest installation process yet" and "unparalleled safety from viruses and spy-ware." Crowds will clap. Money will flow like waters of the Nile and Bob Dylan will create a commemorative album for it's release.

Captain Planet, anandtech really has good expectations for the iPad, is that really what you meant to post? You seem pretty negative about it all and your link takes us to one of the optimistic write-ups of the iPad, by someone who seems to understand what the device is for.

And Wonderflex, are you really so lost without Flash? I too wouldn't mind seeing it on the iPhone/iPad/Touch but the shift towards HTML5 is starting, and it's starting big. YouTube and Vimeo have started their HTML5 availability and it's great, far smoother and better CPU usage than Flash offers.

Also, when you say "within three years Apple will release a full desktop or laptop where you have no control over where your applications come from," I wonder if you realize you're talking about Google's Chrome OS.

I hardly think Anandtech has "good expectations" for the iPad. I would say the article is cautiously optimistic if anything (and pretty much negative about the video capabilities of the device which I completely agree with).

Am I that lost without flash? Yeah, I am actually. Flash is a very large portion of the web for many reasons not related to games.

Flash video
Flash advertisments
Flash ad rotation
Flash navigation
Flash advertisments and magazines
StrongBad

I agree that HTML5 is catching on, but it isn't used widely enough to just reject the use of flash on a modern browsing device. Think about, even if HTML5 was the standard why would they remove the ability to view Flash. Modern browsers can read older sites. HTML5 isn't goint to move in and force all websites, reguardless of age and functionality, to suddenly switch over.

Google OS will be like this, but I have a feeling that with GOS there will be a lot of quality free applications provided by Google directly. I'm talking Apple here and they will nickle and dime you for every fuction, just look at the new iWork.

*flash weekly ads and magazines

Whatever the case: DO NOT BUY the first few installments of the iPad.

I don't own iProducts (har har) mostly because I found other devices cheaper and with much more functionality, but I know tons of people who buy Apple products ALL THE TIME. .....
....they friggin' have to upgrade to the "new and improved device" within a month! And by then they're already regretting they did, because another new one will come out in the next month!

It's amazing how much money Apple-humpers can be milked for!