Technically Geeking: iPad Real World Tests
So maybe you read my initial review of the iPad, and for whatever reason you’re still on the fence, with questions like:
Can it replace my laptop when I travel?
Can it replace my laptop all the time?
What CAN’T it do that my laptop CAN?
Is it better than a Kindle?
Should I get one for my Grandma?
After having used the iPad extensively for about 2 months now, I can answer some of these questions.
Can it replace my laptop when I travel?
The short answer is Yes. The longer answer is yes, but if you are a content creator – someone who makes web pages, graphics, movies, scripts, etc – then you need some extra tools if you want to leave the laptop home. I learned this lesson the hard way the first time I went away for a long weekend with the iPad instead of my laptop. I found myself with a need to make a minor edit to a web page on my company’s website, and all I had was the iPad with no web editing software and no access to my computer at home which could have done the job remotely.
So when I went to NY last week, I got my iPad prepared this time. I installed: LogMeIn for remote access to my Macs and PCs at home; Gusto for a web page editor; Air Sharing for downloading files and documents from the web and email; and Boingo so I can buy Wi-Fi credits in 1-hour increments at the airport. The result was great. I didn’t have to take anything out of my carryon going through security at LAX (They did require I take it out at JFK however). I got my work done in the airport and at mom’s house. When I needed to do something more complex, I did it remotely on my Mac at home. The only problem I had was that the cat unplugged my Mac at some point and it went to sleep. So you might want to do something about that.
Can it replace my laptop all the time?
This really depends on you. If you are using a 7-year-old iBook 13-inch, you will feel like the iPad is an upgrade and not a downgrade. It doesn’t do everything all the time, so you’ll probably want to keep a real computer around for certain tasks. It doesn’t have a lot of disk space either, so all those emails and documents and music could fill it up quick. You could move to a cloud-based-data-storage lifestyle, but that’s a big commitment. You’ll definitely want some DropBox in that case.
What CAN’T it do that my laptop CAN?
A lot of things. But for most users, the only thing that will be sorely missing is Flash support. So some websites and some videos on the web will not be accessible. But if you just need a word processor, an email client, a web browser, some facebook and some YouTube, you might be satisfied with an iPad only life.
Is it better than a Kindle?
Hell Yes! Disclaimer: I haven’t really used a Kindle. But from what I have read and seen, the Kindle is better at 2 things: 1) Its e-ink format is better for bright sunlight, like beach reading; 2) It’s not the iPad, so you probably won’t get mugged for it on the subway. Other than that, the iPad is better in every possible way. If you just want it for books, the Kindle is probably better and definitely cheaper, but if you want to do anything else on it, the iPad wins hands down.
Should I get one for my Grandma?
Yes! It’s definitely a great computer for beginners. It’s fun and intuitive to use, the 3G version can get someone on the Internet for the first time with no other devices or services required, and it doubles as a digital photo frame which grandma likes already. Rumor has it, however, that the Face Time camera version is coming next year, and that will make it even more Grandma-friendly than it is already. So maybe you should start saving now, and tell Granny that she is not getting any presents for a while so you can get her the present of a lifetime. Of course, by then, she’ll probably buy one for herself and steal your thunder.
Justin, this is a great review. I have had my iPad not nearly two months now and for the most part both my Macbook Air and my iPhone are beginning to collect some dust. I find that I can do just about everything I need on the iPad and it is especially handy at work for accessing Facebooks, blogs and things that my very stringent employer (the State of New Jersey) will not allow me access to. I have found that I am infinitely more productive at both work and play.
The only caveat I have is that I found that I need to use the wireless keyboard and I would definitely recommend purchasing that and taking it with you when you travel. I just cannot type as effectively on the iPad onscreen keyboard. But no big deal, the Apple one is pretty small and lightweight. When I went to a workshop last week for my job, I took the iPad and the keyboard (just threw them in my purse) and took notes. It was awesome!
I will also check out the apps you recommended! Thanks.
Thanks M. I saw you mentioned in your review that it hasn't worked out for documents. Are the iWork apps just too weak, or what is wrong there?
I do have a wireless keyboard and it works great with that. I think if I carried a purse, I would ditch my iPhone and get a regular cheap phone and take my iPad everywhere. As it stands, I'm not one for man-bags, and even a small backpack is little hard for me to swallow.
One last question – what about the 3G? I'm starting to get the itch to have that. Does it use Edge when there's no 3G coverage?
Justin, this is a great review. I have had my iPad not nearly two months now and for the most part both my Macbook Air and my iPhone are beginning to collect some dust. I find that I can do just about everything I need on the iPad and it is especially handy at work for accessing Facebooks, blogs and things that my very stringent employer (the State of New Jersey) will not allow me access to. I have found that I am infinitely more productive at both work and play.
The only caveat I have is that I found that I need to use the wireless keyboard and I would definitely recommend purchasing that and taking it with you when you travel. I just cannot type as effectively on the iPad onscreen keyboard. But no big deal, the Apple one is pretty small and lightweight. When I went to a workshop last week for my job, I took the iPad and the keyboard (just threw them in my purse) and took notes. It was awesome!
I will also check out the apps you recommended! Thanks.
Thanks M. I saw you mentioned in your review that it hasn't worked out for documents. Are the iWork apps just too weak, or what is wrong there?
I do have a wireless keyboard and it works great with that. I think if I carried a purse, I would ditch my iPhone and get a regular cheap phone and take my iPad everywhere. As it stands, I'm not one for man-bags, and even a small backpack is little hard for me to swallow.
One last question – what about the 3G? I'm starting to get the itch to have that. Does it use Edge when there's no 3G coverage?
At the time E and I wrote the review their was no iPad version on QuickOffice or Documents to Go. And iWorks was a problem since the majority of my files were created in Word on a PC at work so the formatting and fonts would often go crazy. Now, both QuickOffice and D2G have iPad versions so I am using the D2G version and it works great!
Oh and for me the 3G version has been a must! And it does work on Edge when there is no 3G coverage.
At the time E and I wrote the review their was no iPad version on QuickOffice or Documents to Go. And iWorks was a problem since the majority of my files were created in Word on a PC at work so the formatting and fonts would often go crazy. Now, both QuickOffice and D2G have iPad versions so I am using the D2G version and it works great!
Oh and for me the 3G version has been a must! And it does work on Edge when there is no 3G coverage.
I still cant afford an ipad for myself :-(
I still cant afford an ipad for myself :-(