Sadly, iPad not for me. Not enough productivity

[147798]

Their confusion comes from the fact that there is not an "attach" option when composing an email. At first impression, it seems that only apps can attached stuff. I too thought this, until I remembered cut and paste.

The lack of Excel export from numbers is an oversight - the Mac iWork version can export to excel, and I would imagine a future update to Numbers for iPad would add this functionality as well, or else numbers on iPad is a lot less useful to most computer users who only have access to excel.

Now that I know about cut and paste or the apps mentioned in another post, the non-excel export is a bit of a pain.

I do some volunteer work, and I only need mail, browsing, and docs when traveling for work, but every once in a while, I need to do a budget doc for someone, and they'll likely only have excel. Hope to see that fixed.

 

[147798]

The whole file management system is wonky, and I am not surprised at all that you noticed it, and are hesitant to buy an iPad for productivity reasons due to this wonkyness. Everything is work arounds and 3rd party apps. I expect this too will be fixed with some future updates.

I just hope it will be an update on the current hardware, and not require an upgrade

 

[bpd115]

Hmmm... that is a bit wonky.

So, AirSharing actually creates a "my docs" space that's global across all apps?

It's a bit backwards but yes...

I have all my documents in AirSharingHD. From there I can view them right inside the app.

If I want to edit a document, I don't go to say pages and try file open like you would normally. Instead I go to AirSharing, select the document and say "Open In..."

 

[147798]

It's a bit backwards but yes...

I have all my documents in AirSharingHD. From there I can view them right inside the app.

If I want to edit a document, I don't go to say pages and try file open like you would normally. Instead I go to AirSharing, select the document and say "Open In..."

Is AirShare an app that is a typical target for Apple to try and break through FW updates at all?

 

[bpd115]

Is AirShare an app that is a typical target for Apple to try and break through FW updates at all?

Not at all, it's an approved app that dates back to the iPhone.

The only thing that would make it redundant is if Apple implements it's own file management solution, and even then I doubt it would have the webDAV, FTP, dropbox, etc. implementation.

 

[Zazoh]

Printing, attachments, FILES? Wow - welcome to 2003. I was going to buy a car but ther was no place to put cards in the spokes.

 

[shakenmartini]

I think its more a really sexy e-book reader, not a productivity tool. Apple provide a line of excellent macbooks for that purpose.

I just wrote and edited a NIH 12-page grant proposal with about 50% of the time writing/editing on the iPad.

Worked beautifully and the only major limitation is that there is no EndNote for iPad yet, so I had to put citations in {citation} style and then scan the document in the desktop version of EndNote.

Overall, I am surprised daily by the amount of stuff I can do effectively with the iPad.

In fact, I am seriously considering selling by 17" MBP and getting a MacPro with 2 30" screens and using my iPad for mobile computing.

 

[147798]

Printing, attachments, FILES? Wow - welcome to 2003. I was going to buy a car but ther was no place to put cards in the spokes.

What??? Welcome to dealing with other people and working in groups, especially since not everyone else is digital.

Printing, though, is certainly archaic, but how do you get around attachments and files?

 

[sinsin07]

No, a slight misreading. I don't sit in my mom's basement and spend all my money on video games and purchasing TV and movies. (you give nasty, you get nasty).

I don't mind the nasty. Thanks for your response. I'm not a youngster myself, two children in their twenties. I work in the technical field and I can't even use this device at work because it's not allowed.

So your point : "so I don't have the change to spend for just fun." is lost

Sad.

 

[147798]

I just wrote and edited a NIH 12-page grant proposal with about 50% of the time writing/editing on the iPad.

Worked beautifully and the only major limitation is that there is no EndNote for iPad yet, so I had to put citations in {citation} style and then scan the document in the desktop version of EndNote.

Overall, I am surprised daily by the amount of stuff I can do effectively with the iPad.

In fact, I am seriously considering selling by 17" MBP and getting a MacPro with 2 30" screens and using my iPad for mobile computing.

Great feedback. That's exactly what I was hoping for. This thread has given me some hope.

Now, how much memory do you need? I'm figuring at least 32GB, just because my music is more than 8GB, and then 10GB of photos, if I load all my jpgs.

 

[sinsin07]

Sadly, this thread is not for me. Not enough insight.

LMAO. Yes this is one of the most insightful comments on here. Re-reading the OPs opening statement make me keep reaching for my checkbook to make a donation.

 

[147798]

I don't mind the nasty. Thanks for your response. I'm not a youngster myself, two children in their twenties. I work in the technical field and I can't even use this device at work because it's not allowed.

So your point : "so I don't have the change to spend for just fun." is lost

Sad.

Says you. You can be anything you want on the 'net, right?

Anywho, I've got plenty of venues for movies and music. One part of the iPad I don't like is the whole iAd thing. A platform designed specifically to get me more commercials?? Really??

No, I've got plenty of ways to waste my time. I don't need another. But to have something so light and carry-everywhere -- if it could just support some productivity workflows, so I don't have to carry the iPad AND a MBP.

Seems actually like it might work.

 

[147798]

LMAO. Yes this is one of the most insightful comments on here. Re-reading the OPs opening statement make me keep reaching for my checkbook to make a donation.

I'll get you my paypal account!

You claim you have kids in their 20s? In College, or just ditch-diggers? It's great you've got cash to throw around. Certainly send some my way. I'm not proud.

 

[PhoneI]

You can put two documents into a single email using cut and paste.

This is why you should never base your review on a 15 minute trip to an Apple store.

 

[147798]

This is why you should never base your review on a 15 minute trip to an Apple store.

Fair comment. I did a bunch of research, but I took for granted the multi-document thing. It was only when I got to the store that I hit this limitation, and wifey was with me, and impatient. But it's a fair comment. Perhaps I should have asked the question in the thread, instead of stating a conclusion, given that I was relying on retail clerks

 

[sinsin07]

I'll get you my paypal account!

You claim you have kids in their 20s? In College, or just ditch-diggers? It's great you've got cash to throw around. Certainly send some my way. I'm not proud.

I am not going to get upset you with your ditch digger comment concerning my kids. What you consider throwing money around is all a matter of perspective.

However I will say that whatever it is your doing with video and picture editing, one can only conclude that you must not be very good at it. Maybe you should think about digging ditches, it might pay more. And try to have some fun.

 

[bossxii]

Apps make the ipads short comings workable. Not perfect but it can be a very useful tool with a few 3rd party apps. I would suggest trying it out over a few days. Apple has a 14 day retune policy, and if possible buy it at Best Buy and get a 30 day window.(45 day if you a silver rewards member)

I have yet found the need to print directly from the iPad as I normally use email or the items I need to print are building blueprints which require large printers or plotters that I load from a work desktop pc anyhow. I purchased the iPad too be an entertainment device and have found many business uses with the Citrix and VNC clients available. Only way to really know all it has to offer is to use one for a few days and get a real test drive in. I am 30 days in and still learning a few things via new apps that are possible. Apps will clearly continue to increase it's uses and who knows what Apple will bring to the table with the 4.0 OS this fall. Good luck either way.

 

[OGDaniel]

Photo and video editing are kind of heavy duty tasks, and the iPad is more for entertainment.

"Time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted." -John Lennon

 

[raremage]

It's interesting to me that you are looking at what might be "corner cases" to determine that this is not a productivity tool for you.

Look at it from an 80/20 perspective. The iPad in general let's me do 80% of the productivity tasks that i require. There are certainly things i need to do from time to time that i cannot do on the iPad, but it is not intended to displace a main system.

The fact that i can do most of what I need to on a lightweight, fully portable "take anywhere, do anywhere" device makes it well worth it to me. It may not be a fit for you, and there's really nothing wrong with that.

 

[raremage]

Great feedback. That's exactly what I was hoping for. This thread has given me some hope.

Now, how much memory do you need? I'm figuring at least 32GB, just because my music is more than 8GB, and then 10GB of photos, if I load all my jpgs.

I've never regretted having more space than I thought i would need. Get as much as you can afford, you'll have plenty of opportunity to grow into it.

 

[illutionz]

The only thing I got from this is that you can't afford the ipad and you have no fun. I surprised based on the your tone you didn't ask for donations.

I have yet to see a phrase or word about "price" in his post.... Man you must be high. I want what you're having

 

[mlblacy]

Not enough "productivity"?

Printing? There's an app for that...

Video editing... Ahh, did you really think it was going to run Final Cut?

Photo editing... I do extensive work using Aperture, and I never had any delusions of it replacing my desktop for that. I need ram, a lot of screen, and a lot of horsepower to boot. That being said, I do have some photographic aspirations form the device. The ability to preview pics on a shoot would be KILLER, first choice choice would be a live tethered preview (and there is a product that does that, but currently you need three devices... A camera, a iPad and a laptop to host the adhoc connection. My wish would be camera and iPad only).The Eye-Fi card also offers some possibilities. Even if the wireless solutions take a bit of time to work out the camera connection kit is a workable solution now...

I would love an aperture light app, but am enjoying some of the existing apps like Tilt-shift. This device is indeed a productivity tool, and as an Art Director by trade I can see this will be a game changer down the line.

I got to play with it for an hour or so in the store last week while I was waiting for an Apple repair. I can see thinking it is only a consumption device, or a big Touch. After a few days though with my own 3G pad I can see it is MUCH more. If anything it has replaced my laptop in the field, which couldn't connect to the net anyway. The price is half what I, and everyone else thought it would be. The access costs are half what every other solution costs, and there is NO contract. I could go on...

If you work in video and in photography, the iPad is perfect for showing clients work. I did the exact thing just yesterday, and if it was just a mobile portfolio... it would be worth the price right there.

The device is only a rev1 version, but it is really mature for that. Far more sophisticated than the first iPods, or the first iPhone. You may have to figure out how to accomplish what you need to do, or you could opt to wait. Your competitors on the other hand are probably not waiting...

It's the pain of the bleeding edge, but early adopters get the edge of being farther down the learning curve, and that gives themselves an edge.
Don't make up your mind based on a small amount of time in a crowded apple store...
Cheers,
Michael

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I have yet to see a phrase or word about "price" in his post.... Man you must be high. I want what you're having

Uhh... which part of "I don't have the change to spend for just fun" did you not comprehend as pertaining to the cost of the iPad?

Clearly you do need what the poster you were snarking is having b/c at least he passed reading comprehension.

 

[ippikiokami]

Ok... If you have to justify it this much to be worth it as a productivity tool for yourself then obviously you are really stretching it.

As mentioned in an above post for me the productivity comes strictly from it being a great portfolio display tool especially right now as it still has it's "wow" factor. After that it is no better in anyway than a good laptop as a productivity tool. And if you are on a budget then it's definitely not something you need.

- Typing is slower.. even if you are an amazing touchscreen typer you can type faster on a laptop keyboard period. Numbers is definitely much slower workflow wise.
- Creating documents where you are referecing other documents is to the level of just plain time waste. Even with the Multi-tasking of 4.0 this will still be MUCH slower than a laptop. Rearraging the look of your documents? (moving paragraphs, graphs etc) again slower.

As a compliment to a laptop it's perfect as there are times when you are really lazy and firing it up to check a quick webpage or watch a quick video it's great. But as a sole productivity item other than the fact it's lighter what are you gaining (vs a 4.4 pound macbook pro?)

32gb wifi + case + dock + usb + any apps you are pushing over 750$

As a photographer myself there are some wishes I had for this thing but it seems that most won't be answer in this revision
1) live preview with camera straight to ipad - From everything i've read and asked to developer friends. There is no way the ipad can do this. The usb dongle is too locked down.
2) On a long trip even at my 32 gb I could probably blow through that space easy with pictures. That's saying I don't have any other pictures or videos on there (I do video work also) that would take up space.
3) Editing is really minimal on it. If it's a fun picture i'm only going to post on something like facebook it's fine. If it's something I'm doing for a gig or anything else that is more serious then I want a real editor to use.
4) Why oh why do I have to go through iTunes or Buy another App just to get pictures off of this thing.
5) Again the USB lockdown ... can't just copy pictures off it to an external harddrive.

 

[ct2k7]

Uhh... which part of "I don't have the change to spend for just fun" did you not comprehend as pertaining to the cost of the iPad?

Clearly you do need what the poster you were snarking is having b/c at least he passed reading comprehension.

He still didn't say he cannot afford it. Some people just don't want to throw money unnecessarily.