iPad As a Notebook Replacement

This ongoing article series will discuss the possibilities of using an iPad on the road instead of a traditional notebook or netbook. We will try to list the benefits and limitations of using the iPad including replacement applications from a traditional computer, cloud based services like Google Docs, and additional accessories to make the iPad more productive.

One big plus and minus of the iPad is lack of a traditional keyboard. When you are consuming content this really is no issue. It makes your media device lighter and more portable. Ever been wedged in the middle seat of a plane commuting and tried to use your laptop? Well the iPad makes it more comfortable. What if you want a keyboard? See below.

Benefits:

• Great battery life (Around 10 hours)
• Great for consuming media – music, photos, video, social media apps and sites, games, etc.
• Light and compact – If you mostly check email, facebook, and the web well the smart form factor of the iPad may be for you
• Wow factor unlike any laptop. I mean it is important to be cool right?
• So many possibilities in such a nice form factor. Yes the iPhone is great but maybe you don’t use AT&T. The iPad can put you in with the “cool” kids on the block. I know Droid does….
• If you own an iPhone you apps will transfer over. You can pick and choose which.

Cons:

• Price tag -  $499 and up. A nice laptop can be had for around $550. Like the 13.3″ HP Pavillion I am using to write the majority of this article. If you don’t have a mifi device to give yourself wifi you might want a 3G iPad. 3G service as required on a monthly basis from $14.95 and up. Also consider Boingo for $9.95 per month. (See below for more info)
• No Ethernet port – Many hotels offer free internet but not free wifi. What are you going to do with that network cable?
• No USB port or SD Card Reader – Spend another $29 on the iPad Camera Connection kit and your problems are solved. Connect USB cameras microphones, and more using this. No jailbreaking required.
• Storage unless you spend the big bucks you only get 16GB of storage with the cheapest $499 wifi only iPad. This is where using cloud based services like DropBox, Google Docs and Box.net take a little of the sting away. Download your files as required and have offline backup as well.
• Is there an App for That? Well most likely. If not maybe soon. However, there just may be a few things you like to do on a laptop that you can’t do on the iPad. Make a list of what you commonly do on your laptop, head to the Apple store and ask questions. Use your favorite search engine and YouTube to find apps and get reviews.
• Your touch screen will always be a mess with fingerprints. A microfiber cleaning cloth will become your new best friend
• Accessories like cases are a rip off. $40 for a neoprene case or some silicon? Ask around, be patient, and search the web for the best pricing. We like cases from Incipio including the Feather Case or the NGP. If you need Road Warrior protection look no further than the OtterBox Defender case. $89.95 list but can be found on Buy.com for $48.00. Look for DIY solutions like the $.79 iPad stand from Office Depot. Really it is just a plastic business card holder. For my iPhone I fold up a hotel room key or other plastic card.

Limitations:

• Screen Size – You may tire from having only a 9.7″ screen like using a netbook as your primary computer.
• Storage and file flexibility – Where are you going to store all your stuff? DropBox is a good solution for up to 50GB.
• Current OS no multi-tasking – This will get fix with iPad OS 4 in the fall
• No mouse support unless you Jailbreak your iPad
• No ability to print without 3rd party application like PrintCentral – $9.99

iPad/iPhone Bluetooth Keyboard:

You can use the very compact $69 Apple Bluetooth Keyboard with your iPad and iPhone. Most keys work including the volume and brightness keys. I believe this is a much better option than the iPad keyboard dock.

Other less expensive bluetooth keyboards should work but probably aren’t as sleek as the Apple keyboard. This keyboard could easily fit in your bag to make either your iPhone or iPad a more powerful device. Imagine creating blog posts with ease using a keyboard or making minor edits to an office documents .

The keyboard is extremely light and thin. It is powered by 2 AA batteries.

For those that are considering ditching their laptop to lighten the load I think could give the iPad keyboard combo a serious look. The only other thing you need is a DIY stand like a business card holder and you’re good to go.

For a complete comparison of the iPad Keyboard dock and the Bluetooth Keyboard go here.

Software: If you don’t have to buy traditional desktop applications many comparable apps on the iPad are much cheaper. QuickOffice HD for the iPad is $14.99 and has nearly identical functionality as Microsoft Office for the average user.

Recommended Apps:

• QuickOffice HD – $14.99 if you need to create and edit word documents, spreadsheets, and presentation files this app is for you.
• DropBox – Drop box is the be all end all cloud based storage solution. There are free apps for the iPad and iPhone as well as desktop applications and if all else fails you can access your files from any web browser. Start with 2GB for free. Get your friends to sign up and you free amount can grow to 8Gb (Box.net or Google Docs may work as well)
• Atomic Web – This $0.99 app super charges your web browser with a multi-tab interface, adblock, ability to import bookmarks and way more. Just get it! You also get a free version for the iPhone.
• FlickStackr – $1.99 If you use Flickr as your photo repository this app it for you. Great way to manage and view your images as well as others. If you have an iPhone you get a version of the software for it for free! Just a great app.
• WeatherBug Elite or WunderMap – Free – Fun apps to view the weather and radar which take full advantage of the large iPad screen
• USA Today – Free enough said
• NetFlix – Free – Sitting airport standby or missed your commute? Kill some time watching a movie. Netflix subscription required.
• Pandora – Free – Some music lovers dream app and will be better when it can run in the background
• News Aggregators -Fluent News and SkyGrid pulls news from a variety of sources for your reading pleasure. Reeder for the iPad $4.99 will pull in all of your Google Reader RSS feeds into a nice clean interface
• Zillow – Looking for your dream home on an overnight? Free nice iPad application to view sales in your area and others.
• FlipBoard – Free – Fancy magazine format app for your Facebook, Twitter and other media feeds.
• Skype and other voip apps – Skype free others pay but yes you can make phone calls over wifi with the iPad. Please don’t hold it up to your ear.

News Sources:

• NPR – Free – get news from NPR and listen to your favorite programs
• Thomson Reuters – Free – Get news from Reuters including videos, pictures, exchange rates, and stock quotes
• ABC News – Free – News from ABC
• AZCentral – Free – If you live in Arizona this will get you news from the Arizona Republic newspaper

Others to Consider:

• TuneIn Radio – $1.99 – Not an official version for the iPad yet but if you love to listen to radio stations from all around the world this app is for you. You can pause and even record your favorite programs.
• TeamViewer – Free – If you need remote access to a computer this is a very good program.
• ForeFlight – $74.95 a year. Do you still fly for fun but miss having a dispatcher? Well if so ForeFlight is for you. Get complete briefings, charts, approach plates, radar, etc and even file flight plans with this great app. Free for 30 days

Get Wifi Almost Anywhere: I recommend subscribing to the Boingo service for $9.95. This will get you wifi at almost every airport in the US and some overseas when free access is not available. Just remember that Starbucks and even McDonalds now offers free wifi. Many small businesses also have free access but you may need to ask for a login code.

In Summary:

Do I own an iPad? Yep that’s how I am able to write about this stuff. I also own the iPhone 4. My wife works for an advertising agency which is heavily involved in web and social media so I was inclined to get one of these things to learn more. I think the iPad is a great device and will get better over time just like the iPhone. I personally can’t free myself from bringing a laptop with me. I run a side business and I just need to have access to a full powered machine as required. It will spend more time in my bag though. Hopefully this article was helpful and will lead you in the right direction when deciding what your next gadget is going to be.

How can you afford all these toys/gadgets? I can’t but instead of having kids I have gadgets around the house. So bring your kids over for a couple of hours and you can test out all the gadgets. I won’t break your kids and don’t you break my gadgets.

Accessories:

• Cases by Incipio and Griffin are good. Lacie makes a sleeve for $15.00 (Amazon.com) If you just want basic protection consider a netbook case or head to eBay
• Keyboard – As mentioned above the Apple Bluetooth keyboard is great and works with the iPad and iPhone
• Screen Protection – Incipio cases come with a free clear screen protector. I prefer the anti-glare time. Available from many companies for around $20.00 (Yes a ripoff but how much is your screen worth)
• Stand – Plenty of cheap DIY solutions for under $10. I think most of the “real” stands are a rip off. Search the net for ideas. Office Max $.79 business card holder works.

Related Articles:

• Almost Fearless Review – Is the iPad for Traveling
• Guide to iPad Cases