Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#1

Post by ananddass » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 4:52 PM UTC

Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week
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Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#2

Post by marban » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:30 PM UTC

After trying really hard to use an ipad as a work tool for the most mundane tasks since the very first generation, I'm back for good on an 11" MBA and not looking back. Now that the battery life is 7h+ there's no real reason to carry the awkward tablet & keyboard combo and the ipad collects dust as a hi-end ebook reader.

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#3

Post by fotcorn » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:33 PM UTC

Is someone using a Surface Pro full time? It seems like a good compromise between tablet and notebook, because its only 50% heavier than an iPad and solves the inter-app data exchange and the App Quality problems.

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#4

Post by ananddass » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:38 PM UTC

fotcorn wrote: post #3

Is someone using a Surface Pro full time? It seems like a good compromise between tablet and notebook, because its only 50% heavier than an iPad and solves the inter-app data exchange and the App Quality problems.

That would be a good analysis to do as a next step. The new Microsoft ads make it a point of highlighting that differentiation.

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#5

Post by lukeqsee » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:44 PM UTC

I also attempted this for a while. I could accomplish work (I worked primarily through SSH), but it was always a little forced. Since then I've decided to make the iPad primarily used for its design, i.e., entertainment and my MBP used for its design, i.e., work.

I've found it really helpful to separate the two domains. The separation allows my mind to know which mode to be in and thus allows me to focus when working and relax when relaxing.

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#6

Post by samps » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:45 PM UTC

fotcorn wrote: post #3

Is someone using a Surface Pro full time? It seems like a good compromise between tablet and notebook, because its only 50% heavier than an iPad and solves the inter-app data exchange and the App Quality problems.

I've tried this recently after receiving a Surface Pro as a gift. I find myself gravitating back toward an iPad and a MacBook -- the Surface, despite doing many things right, feels trapped in a worst-of-both-worlds situation.

- It doesn't make a great laptop; the awkward kickstand-and-lightweight-keyboard setup feels unbalanced and doesn't really work on your lap, for example. The keyboard, by virtue of being a cover, is not awesome and the attached trackpad is pretty terrible. The screen is small enough that coding feels cramped.

- It doesn't make a great tablet; the aspect ratio is too tall for reading and the extra weight really does make a difference when holding it for even a few minutes.

I really like drawing with the pressure-sensitive stylus, though.

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#7

Post by purplelobster » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:48 PM UTC

fotcorn wrote: post #3

Is someone using a Surface Pro full time? It seems like a good compromise between tablet and notebook, because its only 50% heavier than an iPad and solves the inter-app data exchange and the App Quality problems.

I do. I dock it at home with a bigger screen/keyboard/mouse, so there it's just like another laptop/desktop. When I'm on the move, I bring my wireless mouse and the type cover. It works well enough for me. The screen is pretty small (obviously), but very high res, so I have as much screen real-estate, but with smaller fonts. My eye-sight is good so I have no problems with that. The keyboard is OK, but if I need to do a lot of work I much prefer a bigger one.

A huge plus for me that differentiates it from both laptops and iPads is the Wacom stylus, which has replaced all my (paper)notebooks at home and work.

To anyone considering to buy one I recommend going to a Microsoft store or Best Buy to try it out. Seems like a love it or hate it kinda product.

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#8

Post by freehunter » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:48 PM UTC

fotcorn wrote: post #3

Is someone using a Surface Pro full time? It seems like a good compromise between tablet and notebook, because its only 50% heavier than an iPad and solves the inter-app data exchange and the App Quality problems.

I was at a conference with someone who had a work-issued Surface Pro. We talked for a little bit about how he liked working on it, and he said he only used it for traveling. At his desk he still has his Thinkpad with dual monitors.

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#9

Post by taude » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:50 PM UTC

I wish I had a job where I could pull this off. I'm not even sure sales guys could with some relying on fancy projecting spreadsheets....

Re: Experiment: To work primarily on an iPad for a week

#10

Post by pseudonym » Mon, Aug 12, 2013, 5:56 PM UTC

marban wrote: post #2

After trying really hard to use an ipad as a work tool for the most mundane tasks since the very first generation, I'm back for good on an 11" MBA and not looking back. Now that the battery life is 7h+ there's no real reason to carry the awkward tablet & keyboard combo and the ipad collects dust as a hi-end ebook reader.

Agreed. I tried the iPad + external keyboard combo for awhile, but after getting an 11" MBA and using my smartphone for things that I can do completely handsfree (like Skype calls), my iPad has fallen by the wayside for the most part and only comes out for reading comics and PDFs.