I purchased an iPad to release some of my creative energy. I never knew it would eventually replace my laptop... sort of.
The iPad is an amazing device. As a graphic artist, I enjoy the superb software available and the ability to always carry my 'canvas' around (even tho it's always made of glass). But the iPad began to play an even larger role as I got to know it better.
It's connected to the internet. It's fine tuned for the web. I asked the IT department to connect my office email and they did in just a few minutes. Toggling between office email and my gmail accounts is easy.
Typing is very convenient and a pleasure now that I purchased an Apple wireless keyboard. It's easier to carry around and lighter than my MacBook Pro. The Incase Origami case protects the keyboard and smoothly stows away in my bag. I see Logitech has something interesting too that works as a keyboard for the iPad. Good options are accumulating! I use iA Writer (I just call it Writer). It's one of the best $1.99 I've ever spent. You can type away comfortably... sit on the train and type... lie in bed and type. Set it up at your desk and be the envy of your coworkers.
Taking notes is simple. The iPad's replaced my spiral paper pads and/or yellow note pads. I save paper every single day. Believe me, I used to go thru a lot of paper! I write on Bamboo Paper (another excellent way to spend $1.99). Bamboo Paper also allows me to quickly sketch out my ideas and layouts, email them to my boss for approval (she also uses an iPad at work daily) and get my work done.
My tasks are kept in a free app called Errands. I can easily divide up personal and work tasks. I keep a diary (divorcing my wife of 17 years forced me to keep track of my days with my children and without) in another free app called Moment Diary (or MD for short). My passwords are safely kept in an app called Secure Safe which has both an online and offline mode for easy password retrieval. My banking is done thru the free TD Bank app. Free apps are very useful and allow you to get an idea of the quality apps available. My Android phone had nothing but crappy apps that constantly crashed the last time I checked.
Sketchbook Pro is my app of choice and used nearly daily. For $4.99 you get an entire set of colored pencils, markers that never run out, special brushes and effects that help move your creativity along and keep you sketching.
The only apps I have not been able to replace and require my laptop are Photoshop and InDesign. Here the MacBook Pro shines! But there is a version of Photoshop for the iPad as well as Apple's own Pages app for layout that might be worth examining to replace the more expensive PC based applications. I don't believe these apps are ready to replace these powerhouses in desktop publishing but the day may come when an iPad is all that's needed (and a quick hookup to a larger monitor).
The last app worth noting (in my growing collection) is Blogsy. This is what I use to write my blog. All you have to do is setup a free blog with Blogger.com (or one of many other free hosted blog solutions) and connect it with Blogsy (another $4.99 well spent).
Unless you require heavy hitting desktop publishing apps like Photoshop, InDesign or other types of specialized PC based application like CAD, the iPad can replace much of the daily grind your laptop endures. I leave mine at work most of the time and tote a light iPad and wireless keyboard. My bag is lighter, access to my work is just as easy and my productivity has increased. If you have an iPad and use it for simply surfing the web, visit your local Apple store and tell them what you do for a living as well as what you like to do. They may have some excellent suggestions for getting more done on your iPad.
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