Is Apple's iPad any good for working on the go? We put the slate PC to the test on a five-day business trip
Strange tool, missing apps
But the main problem I had with the iPad was that it wasn't the tool I'm accustomed to using.
I kept getting tripped up while performing everyday tasks. Here are a few examples:
- The iPad doesn't have a file system like the Mac, where you save documents from different applications in a single pile.
Instead, you mostly save documents inside the particular app that created them - Pages documents in Pages, for example - with some limited sharing between apps.
It's a completely different way of storing and managing documents, and it takes some getting used to for people who are accustomed to doing things on a desktop computer. - In the iPad's web browser, you can't open a whole folder of bookmarks all at once like you can with desktop browsers.
- When I do online banking or shopping, I like to save PDFs of receipts to my desktop. You can't save PDFs on the iPad.
More important, I have about a dozen applications on the iMac that I use all day, every day, to get things done.
Many, like Textmate, aren't available on the iPad. Others, like Things, are available but they work differently.
I do most of my work in plain text files. Before my trip, I wasn't able to find a decent text editor for the iPad.
There is one now - Simplenote for the iPad shipped in the US on April 26 - but that didn't help while I was travelling.
Most users have similarly indispensable tools that they use every day on their main computer but that aren't available on the iPad.
All five days I was relying on the iPad, I found myself reaching for programs and keyboard shortcuts that didn't exist on that machine.
And the syncing! The syncing will drive you crazy.
I used Dropbox and a thumb drive to make sure I had all the documents I needed with me. Getting all of that configured took hours before I left.
Hopefully, that's a one-time effort - next time I go on a trip, all of that will have already been configured - but I wouldn't have had to do it at all if I'd had a laptop computer as my main computer.
NEXT PAGE: Strengths
- We put Apple's slate PC to the test
- Weaknesses
- Strange tools, missing apps
- Strengths
- Great for the hotel room
Comments
Matt Egan - Editor said: As PC Advisor forum users know were in the process of looking at the site layout and will be making improvements soon If you like to offer us your considered feedback perhaps something more constructive than this is rubbish contribute to this forum thread bitly98VALa or email me - in the meant time lets try to keep this discussion about the Apple iPad Thanks
Your layout is embarassing said: Why would I take tech advice from people who cant even build a webpage in a sensible way It is just ugly not very user friendly and so on If you cant manage this and if this disorganised pile is indicative of the orderliness of your brain and other daily functions then your advice cannot be trusted
Geo Lenker said: I think it depends on the type of work one does A writereditor like myself for example doesnt need a lot of extra apps besides basic WP ones I havent road tested it yet beyond a day but I see no problem going a week with just my 3G iPad when Im on the road
hoppy said: I agree Conal and im fed up hearing Apple fanatics banging on about how the i phone was laughed at when it first came out and how wrong the critics wereThere is a difference thoughthe i phone served a purpose but the i pad will go down as one of the most pointless waste of components ever that was loved by rich fanatic Apple drones and generally ignored by people who want to do things that matter with their technology I await the pad pretentious apple drones replies
Conal said: Yes the ipad is amazing Sometimes I ask myself Why Whats the point in it No it wont compete with a laptop or pc and it never will Its for people with more money than brains if you ask me o and it only costs apple 230 pound to make it And they re selling it for 429 Yea right apple
Nour said: It doesnt have a flash player
Steve G said: Sort your page design out l totally object to have to click through an avert to read another small section of an article -a very informative article Carry on with this type of format and watch your hit rate fall
Al said: Sounds like a pile of poo really Lack of multi-tasking sensible file system format support It really is just an entertainment device an additional gizmo to carry around and all the Apple lovers rush to buy one just because its Apple and so they can look good Theres a hole in the market for and all functioning tablet
harry london said: Nice little article Lousiest page design ever put me off blackberry
Tim Staffell said: This is exactly or nearly what I wanted to know about the iPad I dont want an entertainment device entertainment is baloney I want a working device and this sounds as though its not really there the pad format is good the startup time is good - the apps driven format is not In my view this is a portable entertainment device I will have to look elsewhere for what I need
Paul said: I cant stand the page layout of this and many other computing web sites You barely get to read anything before you have to click on page 2 page 3 etc Consider the reader and not just your format
mypad said: No one can notcheck out stg interesting buzzintechnologycom201004t