Google Docs vs. iPad iWorks

[wolfpackfan]

Is anyone else having a debate as to how you plan on editing documents on your iPad? Assuming that the iPad fully supports Google Docs editing, I have been going back and forth as far as doing it in Google vs. purchasing the iWorks apps. My needs are fairly basic - a couple of simple spreadsheets and the occasional Word document. Right now I use Office for Mac. But I'm thinking I want a solution that I can update on my Mac, my iPad and also view on my iPhone. If I use iWorks I could update on Mac and also iPad, but that leaves my iPhone out. I guess I could use something like DropBox to get the files over to my iPhone and use iTunes sync for my iPad; but I really don't want to install any additional sync software on my Mac.

So I got to thinking Google Docs really gives the perfect solution. I may initially try that route and if it doesn't work, then purchase the iWorks apps and give it a try.

Anyone else thinking about using Google Docs on your iPads? I sure hope it works okay on it.

 

[markosb]

I'm going to give Docs2Go a shot, only cause I own it now, granted its not formatted for the iPad, if that doesn't work out, I would prefer Numbers and Pages, I don't do presentations so I don't need that.

 

[kes601]

I'm going to try Google Docs because we use Google Apps for work, however I will also purchase at least Pages and Keynote, not sure about Numbers yet.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

A big downside to using Google Docs as your main Office package is that relies on an Internet connection. If you are somewhere w/ no WiFi or poor or slow 3G if you have a 3G iPad, it could be frustrating at best.

iWorks is $10 per component so its not like its going to drain the bank account and you can using it w/o Internet. You can then store/back up the files on Docs if you want.

 

[wolfpackfan]

You are exactly right. That really throws a loophole in my plans. So I guess what I'll do is use DropBox to sync to my iPhone and iWorks on iPad.

 

[kes601]

You are exactly right. That really throws a loophole in my plans. So I guess what I'll do is use DropBox to sync to my iPhone and iWorks on iPad.

The question with Dropbox (and other apps like it) is whether or not they can save files to where the iPad version of the iWork apps can modify the files....

 

[wolfpackfan]

The question with Dropbox (and other apps like it) is whether or not they can save files to where the iPad version of the iWork apps can modify the files....

Probably what I'll do is use Dropbox only to sync with my iPhone (using Dropbox app) and use iTunes to sync with my iPad.

 

[LadyHoneyBabe]

The question with Dropbox (and other apps like it) is whether or not they can save files to where the iPad version of the iWork apps can modify the files....

Dropbox doesn't create files. It's just storage, so, you can create files, upload them, then download them to where ever you want. I just started using it and it's perfect for what I need. I uploaded some pdf files from my laptop at home and now I'm reading them on my computer at work.

 

[anthonymoody]

For me much of the decision hinges on whether/how Apple integrates (either officially or simply functionally) things other than iWork.com into the iWork apps.

For instance: what about iDisk? Will we be able to save documents to it? Will iDisk and iWork.com sync? How will this all work? Same for dropbox. Can we save docs to it?

In general, I don't mind paying for a well-integrated solution, so if it's some bundle of mobileme iDisk and iWork.com that works really well together, I'm all for it.

But if it's piecemeal, then I'm much more open to mixing solutions from different providers.

My money is on the all-Apple solution, if not Day 1 then around OS4.

 

[kes601]

Dropbox doesn't create files. It's just storage, so, you can create files, upload them, then download them to where ever you want. I just started using it and it's perfect for what I need. I uploaded some pdf files from my laptop at home and now I'm reading them on my computer at work.

I realize that, however somebody mentioned using it to transfer the files to/from the iPad, and also mentioned the iWork apps. One would assume that he/she would want to be able to edit the files with the iWorks apps. My point was that it may not be possible to sync your files with Dropbox and have them be saved on the iPad in a place where the iWork apps can access them. Will just have to wait and see.

 

[francisq]

A big downside to using Google Docs as your main Office package is that relies on an Internet connection. If you are somewhere w/ no WiFi or poor or slow 3G if you have a 3G iPad, it could be frustrating at best.

iWorks is $10 per component so its not like its going to drain the bank account and you can using it w/o Internet. You can then store/back up the files on Docs if you want.

Agree 100%

 

[aaquib]

Go with iWork. You'll get a much richer experience and I have no idea how spreadsheet formulas are going to work on Google Docs.

Numbers has a reworked keyboard for easily entering formulas which should save you quite a bit of time vs. manually typing in each one.