My friends, like me, have desktops everywhere they go and often carry with
them either a full-featured laptop, a tablet PC, or a netbook. They are either
working as consultants in various different fields or are working fulltime in
their respective industries. They attend tons of meetings, conduct endless
powerpoint presentation, and are prepared to work every chance that they get –
your quintessential road warriors.
1. In terms of content creation, I am writing this blog, actually dictating
on it using the very powerful and accurate dragon dictation app for the iPad.
Except for heavy image editing, I had so far been able to handle just about
anything I throw at it. The following are what I have so far been using the iPad
for (refer to the attached mindmap):
Based on my mileage, the above already represents 85% of what I use a
computer for. And for the remaining 15%, the iPad has that covered using the
powerful LogMeIn Ignition software. The latter allows remote control of your
desktop and all its computing power provided that it is connected to the
internet and LogMeIn is installed. In fact, the minor image editing for this
blog was done remotely on my SOHO desktop while the iPad was connected via
LogMeIn Ignition.
The only thing I have not tried so far is an actual powerpoint presentation.
I will definitely try that out just as soon as I get my hands on the iPad VGA
connector that I ordered from APPLE.
So much for content creation.
As a laptop replacement? Almost. But applying the Paretto principle, the iPad
is more than capable when it comes to content creation.
2. Inability to handle FLASH. Truly the iPad cannot. If your work requires
you to visit flash heavy websites, then it will not work for you as a laptop
replacement. You will have to wait until most of these sites have migrated to
HTML5, according to Cupertino.
3. Multitasking. Listening to music is about the only thing you could do on
the iPad together with whatever work you are on. Arguments abound on the web
saying that not having multi-tasking allows you to focus and finish faster
whatever you are doing. Just do them one after the other.
And for what I feel are the true productivity boosters:
Instant On (processing speed). For most of my daily
computing chores (schedules, checking email, finding directions, writing quick
notes, mind mapping new ideas, etc.) I just grab the iPad and be done with it in
matter of minutes. Since I got the iPad, it has never left my person. It sits
beside my bed and is always in my man bag everywhere I go.
Unbelievable Battery Life. I recently went on a business
trip that started with a plane ride at 5am and ended at 11pm. Checking emails at
the airport, sending a quick email of the powerpoint attachment, reading an
ebook, writing meeting notes, you name it. I still have 13% juice left when I
finally got home.
Form Factor and light weight. No doubt anyone would appreciate the iPad's1.5 lbs weight and multitouch. Not to mention that the thinnest bag you could find would be more than enough to accommodate it.
YMMV, but as far as I am concerned, the iPad has just about replaced my
laptop. I still carry my laptop in the trunk of my car for the times when I have
to make powerpoint presentations (c’mon Fedex I need that VGA adapter now). But
since getting the iPad a month ago, I hardly ever have to reach for my laptop.
Even the Android 2.1 Motorola Milestone has been idle inside the man bag.
Next up, what softwares did I install in the iPad?