Sep 7, 2010 - iPad Review - Part 2 - Professional PurposesWhen I was weighing whether or not to invest in an iPad, my initial thought was to wait. I'm generally an early-adopter with technology, and have been burned many times in the past.
The more I researched the device, the more I realized how well it would fit into my workflow. As a software and web developer, I realized that without one, I was missing out on an emerging technology, and the only way to build for it was to have it.
It's now been three months since I acquired the iPad and I can say without a doubt, this device has dramatically enhanced my work processes, and productivity.
This article aims to show the professional purposes an iPad lends itself to, from the perspective of an I.T. Consultant and software developer.
1. Diversions Become More Efficient
It's safe to say, people spend a lot of their work day checking twitter, news feeds, and facebook.
Since getting the iPad, I spend far less time checking these feeds on my computer. Instead, I check in on facebook, twitter and my RSS feeds while taking a break. It's more enjoyable on the iPad, takes far less time than it does on a PC, and once I've caught up on my reading, I go back to work until the next reading break.
While RSS, twitter and social networking sites can be timewasters, I often find that using these ends up enhancing my productivity. The RSS and twitter feeds I follow are largely related to technology, design and photography. On more than one occasion, I had a work related task on my mind (for example, creating a jquery-enabled image slider for a client project), and voila, this topic just happens to show up in my twitter feed, allowing me to read, comprehend, and bookmark an example for future reference. Not bad for sitting having a coffee.
The best part of this is that now, I've stopped bothering to check facebook or twitter on my PCs, and this has made my computer time much more productive. On a normal PC and web browser, I find twitter and facebook slow and lacking compared to the interface I get on the iPad.
2. Improved Response Time and Connectivity
For the better (and also the worse sometimes), the iPad enhances my connections with clients. I can read and respond to emails faster (and at all times of the day), often long after I've shut down my PCs and stopped "working" for the day.
The upside of this is that I can keep on top of email and client queries, and so again, when I go back to my PC I can focus on getting work done instead of keeping up with email. More and more, I find myself working on my PC without even opening my email, which means less interruptions.
3. Productivity and Office Applications
The productivity apps available to the iPad have blown my mind. This is an area of productivity that the iPad has truly surprised me.
Since getting the iPad, I started using Dropbox, DocsToGo, and GoodReader. On all my PCs I can save a file into my Dropbox folder, and in a few seconds it's in the cloud, accessible from any other PC and yes, the iPad too. This has proven very helpful as I have constant access to design quotes, style guides, coding references, invoices and proposals.
DocumentsToGo allows easy access to Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel and even PDF files. Instead of launching MSWord, I can browse and edit documents using the iPad, and save them back to the cloud.
MS Excel Spreadsheet in DocsToGo Premium
Using Google Docs, for the first time ever, I created a design proposal, quote spreadsheet, and then "printed" it as a PDF and emailed it to the client. Not bad for a touchscreen tablet, and again, it's one less thing to do on the laptop.
GoodReader is another amazing app. It can load documents from DropBox and other sources, and I've quickly integrated this into my daily routine. On an ongoing basis I add books, magazines, and work-related documents to GoodReader, and then when I feel like reading, I have a large libary of content at my disposal. GoodReader formats PDFs in a highly enjoyable layout, allowing you to read "2-pages facing" in landscape mode, which is how I enjoy reading magazines and periodicals.
Reading a magazine in GoodReader:
Another free application I use constantly is Evernote. On my PCs I use it to store client meeting notes, design sketches and diagrams, and other materials. Using Evernote for iPad, I can easily get at those notes, review diagrams, and add additional notes. Evernote automatically syncs from the PC to the cloud, and from the iPad to the cloud, so all my notes are available on whatever device I'm on.
A Diagram in Evernote
4. Web Content Management
As a web developer, blogger and photographer, I'm constantly working with online content. This involves a combination of web browser, FTP client, photoshop and other applications depending on the platform. I also have a homegrown web-based task and calendaring application that is critical to managing and completing my daily tasks.
Since getting the iPad, I've started tailoring my task/calendar application "ASIC Personal Manager" to leverage the interface of the iPad. In no time at all, this application has become far easier to use on the iPad than it is on a PC.
This blog is also manageable through the iPad. It's not as easy for batch uploading of photos, but as far as writing goes, I can do it on the iPad no problem.
For file transfer and managing web server files, I use FTPOnTheGo, an amazing FTP tool for the iPad. If I need to upload or edit HTML files, FTPOnTheGo allows that. It also allows me to transfer images to my web server, a task I didn't expect I'd be able to do on the iPad.
FTPOnTheGo
5. Remote Access to Servers and PCs
To access PCs, I use a Terminal application called RDP. It's one of many remote access applications that allow you to log onto a PC (or server), and use it as required. Using RDP I can easily log onto web servers to manage services and processes. This is handy, no doubt.
One thing I'm amazed by is that my PC screens look far sharper on my iPad than they do on the PC itself. I'm not sure why this is, but it's a testament to the awesome screen the iPad is equipped with.
RDP Remote Access app
Part 2 - Conclusion
I've read so many blog posts where people debate whether or not they can abandon their PC or laptop and carry out all their work on the iPad. The bottom line as far as my work goes is that no, this isn't possible. That said, I can say that my iPad is getting far more use than my laptop for administrative dutues (billing, email, reviewing notes), whereas my laptop is still very important for software-dependant tasks such as web page coding or photo manipulation.
Continue to part 3. General Findings, Pros/Cons