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In less than one month, the iPad has almost entirely replaced my laptop.  Both at work and at home.

It is truly an amazing device.  It is mind boggling that something so small and thin, can be such a powerful tool.

It is Not a Laptop

I’ll start by saying that if you need a laptop, then by all means, buy a laptop.  But, these days most people don’t need a laptop.

The iPad is a different class of device.  It doesn’t do everything that a laptop does.

But, it shines in many areas that laptops do not.  It is lightweight, but high on productivity.  It does certain tasks such as email, calendar, web, and niche applications.  And it does them very well.

I can do 90% of what I need to accomplish on my iPad.  My laptop has been relegated to sitting on my desk at work.  I only use it when I need to do something more suited to the desktop environment.

Productivity Shines

I find that with my iPad that I spend more time doing and less time fiddling.  Yes, you could spend all day surfing the Internet at work.  However, like any powerful tool, it can be used for good or evil.

Here are some of my thoughts on productivity with the iPad:

• Email Shines – The email experience on the iPad is outstanding.  I have several email accounts that I check from personal to work to TMN.  There is something special about the email interface on the iPad.  It feels natural interacting with your email by touching it.  I find myself quickly dealing with and filing emails.  Some would think the onscreen keyboard a hindrance, but I find it works well and encourages quick and brief communication.  Attachments also shine on the iPad.  The large screen is beautiful for viewing Word, PDF, and Excel docs.
• Calendar is Sharp! – The iPad’s calendar is one of the apps that has really changed the way I work.  Unlike the postage stamp sized view you get on most smartphones, you can see your entire week or month at a glance on your iPad.  This comes in handy when I want to hold up my week’s agenda to my business partner for planning.
• Size is Everything – Nothing compares to the iPad in size.  Even the smallest notebooks seem like monster trucks sitting next to the iPad.  It is very thin and in the Apple case people assume you are carrying a paper planner or portfolio.  It is very unobtrusive.
• Instant-On is a Winner – Unlike most laptops that can take a good 30 seconds to come back from sleep mode, the iPad is instantly awake just like your iPhone.  This is very powerful.  In a meeting, I can flick it on, check a fact, and turn it back off in seconds.  Try doing that with your laptop.
• Multitasking Myth – Much has been bemoaned about the lack of multitasking on the iPhone and iPad.  (By whom I am not exactly sure…)  However, in a counterpoint I would say that there is something inherently productive about the iPad’s workflow.  Yes, you can only have one app on screen at a time, but it keeps you on track.  And it does not present all the distractions that a typical computing environment does.  (“Oh…let me browse that website real quick…or look at that email that just came in…!”)  If you don’t subscribe to multitasking, the iPad presents a great work environment.  And for the others, don’t worry, multitasking is in the new OS 4 coming to iPad this Fall.
• 3G is the Key – I had the opportunity to use the Wifi iPad for several weeks before the 3G version was released.  I then switched over to the 3G model and all I can say is… I am not going back!  We have been hearing for years how WiFi is going to be everywhere.  Well, I have some news for you.  It is not at the dentist’s office or the client’s building or at the Atlanta Airport (for free).  So, I think it makes all of the difference with the 3G model.  BTW, forget about the 250MB data plan and start with the unlimited plan for $29.99.  (I used up my 250MB plan in 4 days!)
• Battery Goes and Goes – On any mobile device, battery life is always a concern.  I can attest to the amazing battery life on the iPad.  After using the Wifi version for an entire workday, the battery was still at 48%.  Wow.  I was nervous that the 3G would eat up the battery life dramatically more.  It did not.  The battery life of these devices is great.  So much so that some users are only charging it every other day.

iPad for You?

The iPad may or may not be for you depending on your needs and type of work.  For me, it is a game changer that will only continue to change the way I work.

It will be exciting to see where this type of device goes.  Just as the iPhone changed phones, the iPad promises to forever shift the future of computing devices.

What are your thoughts and experiences with the iPad?