My approach to the iPad - particularly the 10.5 IPP - has been to focus on its obvious strengths mapped to my specific requirements.
My work involves three basic activities: reading, writing, and research (online and archival). I also give presentations, deliver briefings etc. In addition to this, of course, I use mail, some social media platforms (forums, Reddit, Whatsapp, Telegram, Instagram but not Facebook). I also have my share of music and movies/ videos.
When I say my work involves "writing", I mean writing anything from 6000-word policy briefs to 300-page research monographs and everything that falls in-between. "Reading" means reading/ note-taking/ annotating documents of varying lengths and complexities - usually PDFs, Word, Excel, PPT files and now also ePUB/ MOBI.
I have to say that I don't relish the idea of banging out a research monograph of, say, 200 pages with extensive footnotes, reference notes, bibliography, appendix etc. on the Smart Keyboard. For me its a matter of comfort. What about the good BT keyboards? Yes, I have tried a few but I wasn't really comfortable. I have to add that I come from using the classic ThinkPads and am used to their excellent keyboards (I fondly remember my X201!!). This, to me, represents one of the weaknesses of the iPad (in my case, the IPP 10.5).
But what about the "strength" of the IPP relative to my work?
Well, I have a large personal library (5000+ books), which constitutes the core of my research assets. For me, the strength of the IPP is in its ability to offer me access to a large percentage of this library plus other online materials in a package that (1) is very convenient for me to handle (2) with an AR that is "just perfect" (3) an inking experience that is sharp and superbly responsive (4) a device that enables me (in conjunction with a cloud service (O365+ OneDrive) and a data connection) to be mobile (5) battery life, super screen, and lovely device profile.
Sure, the IPP has its negatives - lack of file management is one. But there seem to be emergent alternatives like that Documents app (Readdle) and of course the Files app.
As such, it is a "perfect" fit between my primary computing device and my phone. In other words, the IPP gives me my ideal digital notebook/ reading device. I say this having used in the past an Android tablet (Acer A500), the Surface RT 1 &2, the iPad 4 and Air, the Surface 3 (non pro but with the Pen). All of these devices were good in some ways, but none really suited my purpose. Of course the iPads and the A500 did not have inking capabilities and the S3 was good - very good in fact, but there were issues like progressive yellowing of screen, battery erosion and eventually, it fell and the screen cracked. I mention this only to reiterate that my hunt for that till-now elusive "ideal" digital notebook has been a longstanding one and it has allowed me the pleasure to use and experience a variety of devices and ecosystems.
But, I am clear about one thing: The IPP cannot replace my primary device, which currently is a Surface Pro 4, which I connect - using the Surface dock - to a set of external monitors and HDDs. As such, it functions as my "desktop" device. The new KB is excellent and I am saying this being a fan of the classic ThinkPad KBs. It also allows me to swiftly unplug my SP4 and, in effect, carry it with me.
It is worth reiterating that while the IPP cannot replace the SP4 (for me), it is nevertheless, an indispensable part of my set up. As I have mentioned above, it is really "a perfect fit".
In effect, therefore, while on the move, I carry a relatively slim and lightweight package consisting of my SP4 (with KB attached), the IPP (with ASC attached) and my phone. It also means that I am, in effect, carrying with me my "office files" (lodged both on the SP4 and on One Drive), my precious library, and my communications and data-sharing device.
Reminds me of the question Steve Jobs had posed when he unveiled the iPad. Jobs had asked, “Is there room for a third category of device in the middle?” It looks like, for me, the answer is a resounding yes!
Which it turns out they are getting quite a few requests for, so we have been going back and forth with regard to exactly what data I want and what I do with it. (It’s for simgym, which is like fantasy football but for NCAA gymnastics.)
