Ipad 2 and Connectivity

The ipad 2 is here. Good news for Apple lovers like me and many others. But what does it means for the average user ? I mean the user that is not exactly computer savvy and think it will take him to a computing nirvana.

First and foremost, the iPad is not a computer per se, it is a half way between a phone (iPhone) and a laptop. There are good and bad things about it. Allow me to try to explain...

The first good thing about the ipad is its size, it is nearly the size of a mac book pro 13'3, that means it is like a macbook pro without a lid, therefore much lighter and thinner. The second would be the UI (User Interface), because there is no keyboard, all the input is done through taps, pinches and moving it back and forth, up and down. It may sound strange but in my view is the biggest change on how we use “computers”.

Comparison

But these features are also its downfall to many. If you are expecting a laptop replacement, you will be disappointed, because there is no keyboard, typing is not the most effective thing to be done. It is alright for short texts, but to write this blog, for instance, it wouldn't be very productive. Yes, we can connect a wireless keyboard, some would say, but if your are on a plane, train or anywhere away from a desk, the task is nearly impossible. Second issue, is the fact that you can't transfer files across like you do with a laptop, there is no USB port or SD interface. You will need a computer to be able to connect it up and go through iTunes to transfer the files. Third one would be the Operating System, the iOS 4 is great but is a new OS and is not anywhere close to the mature, fully developed MacOS.

Connectivity

iPads are great to travel with, they will come with cameras (front and back) so you will be able to use face time and take pictures and email them to your friends... Well you will be able to send if you have internet. There are two main ipad models the WIFI and the 3G. The WIFI needs an external network to connect to the internet, thanks to iOS4.3 are able to use your iPhone as a router and share the internet with your iPad using the WIFI on your phone . The 3G model uses a sim card, just like the one in you phone, to connect to the mobile network, all you need to do is buy a data pack from any carrier and you should be good to go.

Now let me share one of my customers experience with the iPad:

This client bought an iPad a couple of months ago, a few months before he also bought an iPhone, so he is bitting the bullet and becoming an avid Apple user. He will be getting his first MAC soon I believe.

Back to his experience, he told me he was going to Germany for a business trip and didn't want to take his clunky PC laptop and that he wanted to replace with his iPad. Well, I warned, the ipad is not as full featured as a laptop, so before you go make sure you transfer all you files to the iPad using itunes and download some apps to edit .doc files and to read .pdf files etc. Also, because his iPad is a 3G one, he thought he would be able to connect without any dramas when in Germany.

We set up his emails on the iPad, transfer all the files and off he went. 2 days later he called me from Germany saying he couldn't connect to the internet and the hotels could only provide wifi connection while he was within the range of the hotel.

He was disappointed with that, he thought he would be able to use its 3G connection there, what he didn't realise was he needed to buy a data pack from a German carrier in order to use the internet without having to rely on the hotel wifi.

This short story shows that although the iPad can be used for business, there will be some planning to be done ahead before taking this road. From my point of view, the iPad is perfect for fun and for light work. For now, nothing beats a good laptop for work. If you are looking for a extreme light laptop, check out the new Mac Airs that have just been released.