Trade your laptop for an iPad?

Marcos,

Yes, it's everyday people who are lining up for iPad and iPhone 4 but we also must realize "people" own businesses and and have jobs in companies. I think they're buying these devices to enjoy life more and do their jobs better. While hype and dedicated fannery may explain sudden spikes in demand, only one thing can explain hyper-demand that outpaces even the most astute analysts' predictions - products that work well and provide satisfaction.

"People" that may have purchased iPad for consumer-related activities have started to probe iPad's ability to provide essential productivity away from the office and further away on business trips. There's no shortage of articles and testimonials that show iPad is able to replace a notebook in many cases and for 3 to 7 day business trips.

While Apple had little expectation that iPad would be embraced in business, the opposite is happening and it turns out this is precisely the right form-factor for mobile business computing. It's far from the right app functionality, but that's changing rapidly as business software providers realize the opportunity.

Well, Apple sold 3 million iPads in 80 days. If you go to an Applestore today you still find people in the line to buy one iPhone 4. And they aren't only geeks urging for the latest gadget, they are the "normal" people. Something is really going on there, it's undeniable.

Marcio,

>>> I am less optimistic about it being a "shape shifter" capable of serving as a mainstream interactive device in the short term. <<<

Few people were swayed by textual debate about iPhone; the same is happening with iPad, yet the adoption numbers continue to surprise even the best informed analysts. I think the jury is in on iPhone and they're coming in with a verdict on iPad - iOS thingies are clearly shape-shifters.

>>> Mainstream? <<<

Look around dude! There is no mainstream any more. Like television, movies, music - consumers in all classes of life on plant earth have decided they belong to millions of markets of dozens who want very specific [hardware] products and [software] services designed not for "mainstream" activities, but for individuals. This requirement stipulates the hardware device must melt away and allow it to assume a shape and behavior that fits specific requirements in a specific consumer services context. iPhone was the first device to achieve this; iPad is taking this basic requirement to a far greater height.

>>> a great execution a bit ahead of its time <<<

Like electricity, ball point pens, and email. ;-)

Software vendors, including many CRM companies are rushing to announce "support for iPad" in their applications. Presentations to customers seem to be one of the touted applications. Does it change any of the previous answers?

Bill,

I do think the iPad has a niche of use as a media consumption device, but I am less optimistic about it being a "shape shifter" capable of serving as a mainstream interactive device in the short term.

I think the shift from a mouse/keyboard input to a touch interface is an advance, but I think we (the people) still lag behind in shifting ourselves from the long/structured to a short/fragmented mode of interaction. I am afraid the iPad still is (after the Newton and other attempts) to tablet computing what the PalmPilot was to handheld mobile computing - a great execution a bit ahead of its time.

But that lack of excitement comes from observing from a distance (with the good and bad of that). I have not yet played with one for any significant amount of time.

Don't get me wrong. I want one :o).

Marcio,

>>> is the iPad a "corporate" device (i.e. an acquisition you can justify solely on the basis of the business need) or a personal device... <<<

It's neither - that's the point of defining this device as a "shape shifter". Attempting to cast this device, and to some degree it's genetic heritage (iPhone), into one of two primary purposes, fails to recognize the true innovation of the platform. When it's used to run GMail, there's not a shred of innovative character shining through. But load up some well-designed business intelligence data in RoamBI and you quickly realize the app dresses up iPad for revolutionary corporate success.

People need to stop wondering what role this device plays and realize that it plays every role - only envisioning opportunities stand between iPad and corporate or personal success.

Marcos,

>>> The iPad is not a replacement for the laptop. <<<

Says you. The early business use data and suggests you are right, but only in a narrow context. This is one of those questions that must be addressed contextually. Broad, sweeping statements are not really good answers for broad, sweeping questions. ;-) Some roles in business (from the trenches to the boardroom) have already ditched the laptop citing favorable battery life, agility, simplicity, weight, and productivity as reasons for moving on.

http://redmonk.com/sogrady/2010/05/14/travel-machine/
http://ipadcto.com/2010/05/15/two-weeks-of-travel-ten-ipad-lessons-2/

>>> It's a brand new computing platform ... <<<

And then, it isn't. There's nothing revolutionary about dealing with day-to-day email tasks on an iPad, or taking digital notes in a meeting, or composing a document on a plane. It's still a browser-centric, software-app-runnin' gizmo that happens to have a new form-factor. Why some of us see it as perhaps revolutionary, is fundamentally based in part on what it isn't - it isn't a technology bundle that's always in your face. Rather, iPad is a shape-shifting "window" whose "technology" falls away as soon as you launch a well designed, high quality app - i.e., a "killer" app. While there are few "killer apps" (so far), the ones that have emerged have been game-changers for specific business users. RoamBI is a good example.

http://iphonecto.com/2010/04/19/finally-killer-app-ipad/

>>> ... raises the bar for native apps making the old web applications second class citizens. <<<

Actually, I think those "second-class web apps" are going to dominate native apps in the [near] future just as enterprise web apps have all but killed native desktop apps.

http://iphonecto.com/2010/05/05/2011-mobile-enterprise-development-controversy-native-app-web-app/

At the end of last year, myself and clients team worked with Gartner Group, leading consultants and professors to analyse on where the market is going in regards to Mobile Devices - Exactly this question!!

Our results are: that within the next 5 years, there will no longer be seperate devices between mobile and laptop... there will only be the single device (such as the iPad). We believe without a doubt, that you won't really have an option - at least in the business world - one device. If you truly look at the market, big success with Software companies providing User Profile Solutions (such as Appsense and others), shows the trend that corporations and user demands want slimmer, faster, single point, flexible solutions.

Proferssor Herbert Miosga, the leading active expert in this field and personal friend, believes firmly that devices such as the iPad is it... bye bye laptop, bye bye mobile.

Is the iPad a coporate device today? No, it isn't mainstream yet. But many IT managers would say the same about Windows 7 64 bit. However, an iPad can work for senior management in a mid-market company-- like me. I access coporate reports and networks and my work machine via tools like LoginMe and Citrix.

To me, the real extinction is between content consumption and content creation. As senior management, I need access to relevant data that I can consume and make a decision. I am not looking to, say, render a video file into a powerpoint presentation or publish complex web pages.

I impressed in Apple's integration of native apps with the web. In 25 years in the computer business I cannot think of a better presentation of program and data than the Wall Street Journal iPad app. Amazing.

The iPad is not a replacement for the laptop. It's a brand new computing platform instead and we'll confirm this revolution in the months to come. The touch interface with the always connected environment raises the bar for native apps making the old web applications second class citizens. And it's a powerful sharing and communications channel as well. Did you get yours? My travel bag has a reserved room for the iPad.

So Bill used the iPad *instead* of the laptop.

Joe likes what most see as a limitation: single task.

Philip could drop the laptop for the iPad, but Oracle and VPN still requires it.

Joe, Bill, Philip: Question: is the iPad a "corporate" device (i.e. an acquisition you can justify solely on the basis of the business need) or a personal device that you happen to occasionally use for work as a convenient replacement for the laptop?

I am using myiPad 90% of the time as a remote work machine at home and while traveling. In addition to the simplicity and immediate accessibility of the device to the network what I find liberating about the iPAD is what others refer to as its major limitation-- i.e., lack of multi-tasking. The iPad's large screen, single task applications require the user to be focused on completing your task-- one application at a time, so you need finish your work. Multi-tasking devices have, in my opinion, done more harm to personal productivity and creativity than anything else.

I've been using iPad (instead of my notebook) for 100% of all out-of-office activity including demos, client presentation, and even speaking engagements at large events. I continue to type lengthy email and for that, I typically use the small bluetooth Apple keyboard (which fits nicely in any netbook case with iPad). But in many cases, I simply dictate all text using Dragon Diction (for iPad) and then clean it up with the integrated keyboard - this has been a significant productivity enhancer for especially long texts. You'll also find some good content about this at http://iPadCTO.com.

The feature story at iPhoneCTO delves into this question. http://iphonecto.com/2010/04/20/ipad-laptop-time-leave-laptop/

Not really applicable to the original questions, but I am in NYC for a conference and a presenter was using the iPad instead of index cards with notes.

I consider the question as I write this response from my iPad. I am finding my iPad to be my essential interface to the web, and as the device improves and the apps mature, I just may never put it down. I have a trip planned soon, and I fully intend to take my iPad with me, and will only use my laptop because it is required for Oracle tools and private network access. I already have business documents in presentation format on my iPad and am considering new uses for it in the sales meeting, both in person and online. If a keyboard is important I will buy the dock and keyboard for my iPad. At the moment, it replaces my laptop and desktop for mobile work, but it is not totally ready to replace the laptop on longer trips.

The lap top bag, how that brings back memories, everything for the working day including lunch packed inside. We call the laptop bag a travel bag because that is what we used to do, by car, plane, train etc. But think about what we are saying, the click community exists in a real time world, do we really travel as much as we used to do to see clients. The cost of travel and the uptake of technology has reduced travel significantly. 10 years ago, I would have had to travel to discuss and plan strategies, product launches etc with Graham and colleagues in the USA, or Europe. Now we are happy to use skype for free, because the technology allows us to be in the same room whenever we want or need to be. My Power point is as effective (or not as the case may be) delivered over air as it is delivered from my laptop from the same room. Technology, has changed the way we work and think and will continue to do so. The question we need to consider is, "Do we want to lose the laptop bag" technology will let us do it, people have mentioned iphones as possible substitutions, so why do we still use laptops and associated technology, when there is no need, other than our comfort factor.

I agree with Marcio. However, I tend to agree due to the essence of my job. As a sysadmin, I still can't see myself troubleshooting something not using a "full size" keyboard. Answering the question, I can't drop the laptop. I don't even see myself buying one these mentioned devices with the exclusive intention of work. It could be one more gadget in my travel bag, but mostly for entertainment, I believe.

I think today we are still in a world where the long emails matter to many people but it is changing. I find myself using Skype IM features much more frequently now to stay connected in real time with the people I work with. The long emails go away and you actually get more productive by being up to date with what is happening. Isn't this the effect that twitter is also having on us.

If we can update people in real time then we don't need the long emails to set the context and lay everything out. Also if you can send and receive updates in real time then you can pretty much forget about it and move on to the next thing. If most of the communication follows this dynamic then I wouldn't need my laptop when i'm on the road.

But I can do it all on my iPhone (and talk to people, and take pictures) so I wouldn't take the iPad either (especially now that the airlines want to start charging even for carry on bags :o(.

Personally, I think the keyboard is important for those long e-mail messages at the end of the day. So I want an iPad, but it is most for media consumption at home.

Not in my travel bag. I still need the laptop if the trip is longer than a couple of days. Can survive with the SmartPhone only otherwise.