Michael Braun's Blog

As I contemplate purchasing an Apple iPad when it is released, I stopped to consider how the iPad would work with the laptop I already use for most daily functions. After all, since 2004, I’ve managed all my computer needs using just a laptop; do I really need to throw another powerful device into the mix? In considering ways in which I envisioned myself using an iPad, I came up with a list of four areas in which the iPad excels over a laptop or desktop computer.

First, augmentation of other media. There are plenty of opportunities for media multitasking during the day. Indeed, a recent Kaiser report indicates that teens are able to cram so much media use into a single day because they are often multitasking (i.e. using the internet while watching TV, et cetera). And if you are like me, you do similar things with your day. A tablet fits well with this multitasking because of its size and shape. While a laptop is designed to be used on a flat surface (like your lap), a tablet is designed for your hands. That means it’s easy to pick up and set down while watching TV. In fact, I imagine using a tablet in conjunction with my laptop – for example, typing on my iPad while pulling up sources on my laptop.

Second, portability. If you use your laptop as your primary computer, that means it’s full of stuff that you would be devastated if you lost. Though also backed-up on an external hard drive, my laptop serves as my main storage device for all my music, movies, pictures, and other documents that I have assembled over years and years. There is no reason that I should be taking all of this with me everywhere I go. Because most of my daily computer tasks do not require the full power of my laptop, an iPad can be an ideal alternative.

Additionally, the iPad offers portability of the data that might currently be trapped on your desktop computer. For example, digital photography has all but replaced traditional film photography. But that means that digital photos must be associated with some device that can display them in order to be useful. This restricts the ways in which photographs are shared with family and friends. The iPad is an ideal solution to bring your photographs with you without having to use a computer. It can serve to fill a lot of the functions of a laptop, without you having to burden yourself with managing two different computers (a laptop and a desktop).

Third, staying organized. This is a big one for me, as I like to keep my calendar and address book up-to-date, but find that having them trapped on my laptop means they are less useful than I’d like. When I want to add something to my calendar, I want to do it as soon as possible, not have to go get my laptop to do it. The iPad seriously lowers barriers to accessing a digital calendar. And with all those helpful iPhone apps that run right on the iPad, it’s really easy to find productivity software that can help even more.

Finally, as a digital document display. I print out a lot of documents to have as references in meetings or in class. For example, I print out an outline for section that I follow along to make sure I cover everything. Reading the document from my laptop alleviates the need to print, but it’s awkward to use a laptop while standing up and talking to the class. The iPad solves this problem. It’s just the right size and has the right mix of functionality to make it perfect as a document display. I additionally intend to use it to read PDF articles for class (rather than print them out).

By now, you are probably sick of reading my gushing over the iPad. But hopefully you are also starting to see some ways that it could fit well into your own life. I think it has just the right mix of features to offer something for everyone, even if you already have a laptop computer.

Related posts:

1. An Actual Tablet?
2. My Requirements for Apple Netbook
3. I May Be Spending $600

This entry was posted on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 16:37 and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.