No more laptops at the workplace

[tkingart]

Funnily enough I use 3D modelling software also, and Photoshop etc.

It's just what suited.

Humans did not go though tens of thousands of years of evolution and learning to make tools that enabled us to do things otherwise impossible to go back to finger painting on cave walls, or like a baby does as it does not know how to use a brush yet

I can't see ever getting over that hurdle.

We have highly advanced brains and muscle control and excellent eyesight, and humans can use very find controls using the right tools.

Plonking your fat finger on a touch screen is just not going to cut it, unless you want to be zooming in and out all day long.

Yes, superb for some things, totally useless for other things.

Sorry Steve Jobs, but if you are EVER going to get a tablet to be useful for serious work, then you are going to have to make it usable with an optional fine tipped stylus.

Stevey Boy may not like it, or want to admit it, but nothing else it going to work.

There is no shame in a stylus, and it's only for some work.

Be all know you could fit a stylus inside the iPad's body, and pull it out to use say a Cad, or Modelling package on a Tablet.

You won't need it for playing games.

Perhaps you want to sign your name on screen, well then you would again use the stylus.

Or on an art program, you would use the Stylus as a brush, then place the stylus back in it's internal holder for wed browsing with your fingers again.

Really, it's obvious, you NEED to have both options, and they you have answered many of the problems that a touch screen brings.

I accept they need to work some more on the screen tech to be able to do this with a fine tipped stylus.

But please Steve, no silly childish comments about Stylus = Fail.

You are a grown man and know better than that.

Some software just is not suitable for a finger tip, and probably never will be.

Actually, I have to agree with you. I'm not sold on touch for fine work, especially detailed mesh editing, I have iTracer and well- I haven't found any use for it...at all, other than being a toy for amateurs with a passing interest in primitives. I'm also over the "finger notes" apps, writing with my finger just didn't cut it at meetings, I bought many of these apps that claim to have a great input method (algorithm) but they were all mostly the same, I figured the ONLY way to use those hand drawn note apps is to have a pogo (or stylus). However, this is where I might make use of a touch screen for 3dmax. I ended up using something called Corkulous, I found it more intuitive to have something that lets you drop stickies with shortened text.

I "might" be able to get used to "very simple mesh editing", or using organic modeling apps like Z-Brush on the iPad with a Pogo stylus, I'd love to give an iPad version of MudBox on the iPad even if it was just for small simple things, like putting together simple environmental props. I want to order a pogo stylus (actually, going to do that tonight.)

I've been using 3dmax since DOS version 1.0, and also Maya for a very longtime in the gaming industry, I know an iPad version of either of these would need more precise control through a Pogo stylus, and I would welcome express versions of Nurb's modeling tools even if simple; right now there is nothing except what looks like a couple amateur 3d modeling apps.

Since my iPad is more of a personal organizer and media device for me, it would be really useful if Autodesk made a .max viewer for the iPad for meetings, even if all I can do is rotate a model.

 

[mdatwood]

I think a lot of people have a very narrow vision of what constitutes work and seem to think it's all writing reports and filling in spreadsheets.

In labs and hospitals a lot of the work involves working from SOPs, reading papers from Pubmed, filling in small amounts of data in batch records, perusing data generated by machines, keeping up-to-date on office and collaborator email, filling in a schedule at meetings. I can easily imagine an iPad fitting well into the scientific environment where a laptop would be unusable, get in the way, or simply not be allowed, while being more comfortable to read from and more portable.

When you're back at your desk, you can always use a standard computer for the heavy duty text and spreadsheet work.

The iPad requires some maturation, but I believe they could largely replace other portable computers in many workplaces.

My view of work isn't narrow at all. The OP said the iPad would replace computers in the workplace. What you describe is the iPad replacing the old pencil and legal pad, which in many cases I completely agree that it is a natural fit. The question is, do you think that the computer back at the persons desk is going to be replaced by an iPad anytime soon?

 

[jnpy!$4g3cwk]

Just bought an iPad and I can easily see how it will remove laptops from the work place in the coming years. As a productivity tool it is lighter, nicer to work with, and provides access to all the essentials... One day they will look back at laptops and say " those old timers used to use massive bricks with buttons"

Sorry, I don't get it. Why would I replace an MBP with an iPad? I'm guessing not many iPad users are touch typists?

 

[shen]

I am sorry, but the thing just hasn't got enough power, enough use, enough ability to get data into to it... It is just a toy. An expensive silly toy, portable sure, but a toy. No one will ever do real work on that thing.

Oh sorry, I wasn't talking about the iPad, just thinking about what a coworker said about the first portable computer we ever saw.....

Pathetic short sighted children.

 

[henry2]

essentially they use them as a thumb drive.

Our company was the first one to think it would lighten our work load along with the wieght that we carry on the trips around the states to do our work after seeing one of our people son school went to ipad as a way to light the loads that the students where carrying for school ..

it so nice now just to carry just a small duffle bag full of cloths and ipad sling bag that now i carry for travel for work instead of alot of extras items

 

[MrWillie]

Sorry, I don't get it. Why would I replace an MBP with an iPad? I'm guessing not many iPad users are touch typists?

Sorry you don't get it. We are not talking about doing GE's financials or writing thousand page tech manuals. However, I have several spreadsheets I fill out on a daily basis. Did templates on a "big boy" computer using Excel. Fill it out on the iPad. I can also reference thousand page tech manuals and engineering pubs on my iPad, and it is nicer doing that on the iPad than it is on a MBP or any other Windows laptop. (Or lugging physical paper manuals around.)

You can also try the Zagg case advertised here on MR. It has an integrated BT keyboard.

Our company was the first one to think it would lighten our work load along with the wieght that we carry on the trips around the states to do our work after seeing one of our people son school went to ipad as a way to light the loads that the students where carrying for school ..

it so nice now just to carry just a small duffle bag full of cloths and ipad sling bag that now i carry for travel for work instead of alot of extras items

It sure the heck is.

 

[henry2]

the biggest problems most of the socalled people have with the ipad is that is not a true computer in the sense but it is a device that forfill some of the basic work fuctions with a few simple applications installed to make it a great little device for work ..

 

[MrWillie]

the biggest problems most of the socalled people have with the ipad is that is not a true computer in the sense but it is a device that forfill some of the basic work fuctions with a few simple applications installed to make it a great little device for work ..

But it IS a true computer. Can it encode 4K video files ? Well no, but neither can most peoples desktops and laptops, but that doesn't make them not true computers does it ?

Could you run a CAD app on it ? Of course you can. Is a nine inch screen "perfect" for CAD work ? Of course not. But neither is lugging a high end workstation with a 27" screen to a remote location where the only power available is a battery bank.

Sometimes you need a workstation, other times a laptop, and sometimes the iPad is just right.

 

[RichardMZhlubb]

Unless and until someone develops a word processing application that can create and edit footnotes and can handle black-lining, the iPad is useless in any work setting that requires moderate to extensive document creation and editing.

 

[KeithJenner]

Once again, we have a thread talking about using the iPad for work, and just because people haven't found a way for THEM to do THEIR work, they tell us that it isn't possible.

I don't see the iPad (or equivalent) replacing computers in the workplace for a very long time, if ever, but I think that it will go some way to replacing laptops.

I used to have a laptop as my main computer, which I carried into work with me every day and then took home again at night. That is a very common setup amongst my workmates and friends. Since I got my iPad I now leave the laptop in one place, syncing my documents between my computers at home and at work. My laptop has basically become a desktop and I use my iPad when I am out and about or in meetings.

As memory becomes ever cheaper, we will be able to carry a lot more data around on these devices and I can see far more integration between peoples iPads and desktops. For example, wireless syncing would help ensure that files are kept current without the security issues of using the cloud.

I can certainly see the situation where most people have a desktop, rather than a laptop and their iPad acts as a mobile extension of that.

 

[bpaluzzi]

Unless and until someone develops a word processing application that can create and edit footnotes and can handle black-lining, the iPad is useless in any work setting that requires moderate to extensive document creation and editing.

yes, because clearly EVERYONE uses those.

the level of short-sightedness and self-involvement of the average poster on this site is almost comical...

 

[KeithJenner]

Here's an example of the iPads use in a practical situation.

I was heavily involved in one of the campaigns in the British General Election in May of this year. One of my main jobs was to ensure that we delivered all of our literature (about 250,000 items over a one month campaign).

To do this, I had created about 300 delivery routes, the details of which were on a database. I then had to get the leaflets with delivery instructions to our regular volunteers, as well as control teams of ad-hoc volunteers who came out to help, and track progress to report daily to central office.

The delivery routes were created on a computer, as they still would be now, that is not the sort of thing which is practical to do on the iPad.

However, back then, before the iPad was available here in the UK, I had lots of problems keeping track of where we were up to on our deliveries. I was working from my car for much of the time and the laptop was impractical to use as the battery wasn't good enough to allow it to be kept on, but bootup times meant that I couldn't enter or find data in real time as I generally had to get off the phone as quick as possible.

As a result, I ended up scrawling notes on paper and booting up my computer every now and then to enter everything. If someone phoned me up with a query, I was often unable to answer them quickly.

If I was in the same situation now then I would be able to use the Filemaker database that is on my iPad and enter allocation and completion details in real time. If anyone had a query I could pull up the map almost instantly to help them out. It would be a totally different and more efficient operation.

Just because I wouldn't produce the maps on it doesn't mean that the iPad can't be used for work. It can't be used for all types of work, but it is extremely good at what it can do. Far better than a laptop in the example I've given here.

 

[shen]

yes, because clearly EVERYONE uses those.

the level of short-sightedness and self-involvement of the average poster on this site is almost comical...

Almost?

 

[Syk]

The real answer it depends on the work environment and what you are required to do. If you're job requires you to access data or maybe make quick notes then yes the iPad or tablet could replace the laptop or if you want to set up a semi docking station at home and at work with a BT keyboard.

To replace a laptop the tablet will almost have to run a full OS.

I have laptop for work and I take it home. Reason being if I'm at home and want to work on some programming code I can do so and keep everything in one place. Same goes when I'm working in Photoshop.

For traveling I would just take a tablet for portability and really when I travel I don't do any programming or anything that would require a lot of horse power.

I think the Dell Duo or the Lenovo Hybrid could do away with standard laptops. The Duo seems small enough to use as a tablet but also flips to use a keyboard, the Lenovo hybrid, the screen just pops out and you take it with you leaving the keyboard portion

 

[tunerX]

There aren't any rs232 connectors yet. I still need those.

I use it as a replacement for tech manuals and engineering diagrams.

The iPad can replace or augment some functions but some functions require io that is not yet available on the iPad.

This took me along time to type on the iPad. It would have been really fast with a real keyboard.

 

[RichardMZhlubb]

yes, because clearly EVERYONE uses those.

the level of short-sightedness and self-involvement of the average poster on this site is almost comical...

The initial post in this thread suggested that iPads would replace notebooks in work settings (not just a few, but presumably all work settings). It's not "self-involved" to point out that the iPad simply can't perform tasks required of many, probably most, work computers.

 

[Night Spring]

A lot of posts in this thread are looking at the iPad as it is NOW and saying "It will never replace the laptop because it can't do X, Y, Z..."

But the OP was talking about what might happen in the coming years. Yes, the iPad will never have a keyboard (if it did, that would be a laptop/netbook), so keyboard-intensive tasks would never be its thing. But as the hardware and software for the iPad evolves in the coming years, it would be able to do more and more things. And while I think the iPad would always be a secondary computing device, I can see more and more people going for a desktop+iPad combination instead of desktop+laptop or laptop only. Some people may use laptop+iPad but keep their laptops parked on their desks for the majority of time, taking them along only when absolutely needed.

Of course laptops aren't going away any time soon -- they and the iPad will coexist for a long time to come. But the point is that the addition of iPad gives many of us more flexibility in how and where we get our work done.

The initial post in this thread suggested that iPads would replace notebooks in work settings (not just a few, but presumably all work settings). It's not "self-involved" to point out that the iPad simply can't perform tasks required of many, probably most, work computers.

But notebooks do not equal work computers. I can't vouch for what the OP really meant, but I took the post to mean the iPad could replace portable work computers, not all work computers.

 

[parseckadet]

Here's an example of the
...

If I was in the same situation now then I would be able to use the Filemaker database that is on my iPad and enter allocation and completion details in real time. If anyone had a query I could pull up the map almost instantly to help them out. It would be a totally different and more efficient operation.

Just because I wouldn't produce the maps on it doesn't mean that the iPad can't be used for work. It can't be used for all types of work, but it is extremely good at what it can do. Far better than a laptop in the example I've given here.

I've been lurking here for awhile, but this thread got me interested enough to finally register. What KeithJenner states here is how I see things playing out in the near future for the iPad and other tablets. Each form factor has its own unique roll to play in the workplace. As such, you're going to see people using multiple form factors depending on the task they are performing.

Just look to Alex Lindsay for a prime example. It seems like every week on Mac Break he is talking about how he uses the three form factors we're most familiar with. He uses iPads heavily in the field on photo shoots, uses laptops for on site editing, and uses top of the line MacPros for real heavy lifting. Is the iPad going to replace laptops and desktops in his professional life any time soon? No. Is the iPad just a silly toy to him that's only good for twitter and games? Not at all.

Additionally, we still have computers the size of rooms for very specific purposes. That's the reality of the workplace for a very small set of people still to this day.

As for the more distant future, I see us carrying around computing devices (I imagine something about the size of the new AppleTV, but thinner) that we just plug into the screens and input devices that best suit our current task, much like that Apple patent for an iMac that was more like an iPad docking station.

 

[Night Spring]

As for the more distant future, I see us carrying around computing devices (I imagine something about the size of the new AppleTV, but thinner) that we just plug into the screens and input devices that best suit our current task, much like that Apple patent for an iMac that was more like an iPad docking station.

Actuually, when I saw the 11-inch MacBook Air, I thought it would be perfect for using in this way. A monitor and keyboard at home and another monitor and keyboard at the office, and I'd have the same computer with me wherever I go.

 

[henry2]

But it IS a true computer. Can it encode 4K video files ? Well no, but neither can most peoples desktops and laptops, but that doesn't make them not true computers does it ?

Could you run a CAD app on it ? Of course you can. Is a nine inch screen "perfect" for CAD work ? Of course not. But neither is lugging a high end workstation with a 27" screen to a remote location where the only power available is a battery bank.

Sometimes you need a workstation, other times a laptop, and sometimes the iPad is just right.

true on that last part of sometimes where you working or not working ..i have worked in the middle of nowhere in Neveda and worked in the New York city and it depends on the job ..some of the work is done in a overnight job with you locked into the mainframe room with a company person or security personal depends on the job if we have both and they left you out for bathroom breaks and lunch and some of the work last three months with my side comeing in at the last week and helping with the what we call in our line of work the talking dummy at th workstations trying to mess up the software program that we are installing at the last part of the mainframe build for the company ..

the software that is writen for our work is done on desktop work stations with the ipad is the secondry device in the work.to allow us to walk around the room that we are working in with the netbook attched to the mainframe work with a cable interfaced and we use a wireless system set up that one of the guys made for use to work along the ipad in the work areas ..

it been so nice not to have to lug around a bunch of items for work and least be able to get though a checkpoint without going it work stuff ..now it one guy carrying all the items for work and we are allowed to travel more freely in our work

Once again, we have a thread talking about using the iPad for work, and just because people haven't found a way for THEM to do THEIR work, they tell us that it isn't possible.

I don't see the iPad (or equivalent) replacing computers in the workplace for a very long time, if ever, but I think that it will go some way to replacing laptops.

I used to have a laptop as my main computer, which I carried into work with me every day and then took home again at night. That is a very common setup amongst my workmates and friends. Since I got my iPad I now leave the laptop in one place, syncing my documents between my computers at home and at work. My laptop has basically become a desktop and I use my iPad when I am out and about or in meetings.

As memory becomes ever cheaper, we will be able to carry a lot more data around on these devices and I can see far more integration between peoples iPads and desktops. For example, wireless syncing would help ensure that files are kept current without the security issues of using the cloud.

I can certainly see the situation where most people have a desktop, rather than a laptop and their iPad acts as a mobile extension of that.

Here's an example of the iPads use in a practical situation.

I was heavily involved in one of the campaigns in the British General Election in May of this year. One of my main jobs was to ensure that we delivered all of our literature (about 250,000 items over a one month campaign).

To do this, I had created about 300 delivery routes, the details of which were on a database. I then had to get the leaflets with delivery instructions to our regular volunteers, as well as control teams of ad-hoc volunteers who came out to help, and track progress to report daily to central office.

The delivery routes were created on a computer, as they still would be now, that is not the sort of thing which is practical to do on the iPad.

However, back then, before the iPad was available here in the UK, I had lots of problems keeping track of where we were up to on our deliveries. I was working from my car for much of the time and the laptop was impractical to use as the battery wasn't good enough to allow it to be kept on, but bootup times meant that I couldn't enter or find data in real time as I generally had to get off the phone as quick as possible.

As a result, I ended up scrawling notes on paper and booting up my computer every now and then to enter everything. If someone phoned me up with a query, I was often unable to answer them quickly.

If I was in the same situation now then I would be able to use the Filemaker database that is on my iPad and enter allocation and completion details in real time. If anyone had a query I could pull up the map almost instantly to help them out. It would be a totally different and more efficient operation.

Just because I wouldn't produce the maps on it doesn't mean that the iPad can't be used for work. It can't be used for all types of work, but it is extremely good at what it can do. Far better than a laptop in the example I've given here.

The real answer it depends on the work environment and what you are required to do. If you're job requires you to access data or maybe make quick notes then yes the iPad or tablet could replace the laptop or if you want to set up a semi docking station at home and at work with a BT keyboard.

To replace a laptop the tablet will almost have to run a full OS.

I have laptop for work and I take it home. Reason being if I'm at home and want to work on some programming code I can do so and keep everything in one place. Same goes when I'm working in Photoshop.

For traveling I would just take a tablet for portability and really when I travel I don't do any programming or anything that would require a lot of horse power.

I think the Dell Duo or the Lenovo Hybrid could do away with standard laptops. The Duo seems small enough to use as a tablet but also flips to use a keyboard, the Lenovo hybrid, the screen just pops out and you take it with you leaving the keyboard portion

i have a laptop at home mainly for surfing the web and watching movies and tv shows from hulu and that basically it and for work is standard work destop from Apple loaded with the software from the work for the company to do the work we do ..

at work is the next four months of travel schedule for me with all the hotel and flights and car rent info and all the diagrams of the places where we are going to work and the socalled mainframes work we are going to do and the routes to and from the hotel and airports and the place we are going to be working at on the work ipad and that gets carryed around a lot at work ..for it has become the personal assistant to me in the way when iam sitting there in a meeting and they say Chicago called we need you soon than we thought i can look up my schedule and say i can clear out this part of the week to go or no if iam booked on the another job .

the ipad is what i call the out of the house device when traveling it light enough to carry with me in the sling bag and large enough screen to make the reading of the emails or checking the tracking numbers of the package i have bought or checking the book or library applications to see if i have the movie or book that iam looking to buy or when in the hotel room sitting there listening to music or playing a game of chess or other games i have on the ipad ..

There aren't any rs232 connectors yet. I still need those.

I use it as a replacement for tech manuals and engineering diagrams.

The iPad can replace or augment some functions but some functions require io that is not yet available on the iPad.

This took me along time to type on the iPad. It would have been really fast with a real keyboard.

the local school system out here is getting the grade school and middle school and high school text book company to start makeing a E-book verison of the books need for each grade level ..

for the next couple of years the socalled E-book for schools program is going to be takeing off like wild fire in this area... the schools now looking at the next wave of light wieght tablets comeing out to replace the school books that they kids have to carry with them..

image this a kid only has to pick up a daypack filled with ipad in a cover case along with a few simple items to help clean the screen or power the ipad or to listen to music and there lunch in the bag in the daypack with each student has a keyboard at home and school for data input on the test or a stylus unit for basic input for doing math problems or other school problems that the teacher has give out to the class through a wireless router set up in each class room with the teacher useing a notebook as the master of the teaching assignments and the students e-mailing the homework to the teacher with no more the dog ate my home work anymore ..

some of the US military training schools along with the Other branchs of the British and European Armed forces are starting to see the value of the ipad as a trainer device for use in the armed forces of that country with diff tech manuals and diagrams for the system that work on with a quick look at the diff system that can be preloaded onto the ipad for the person to use in the field or at the home base

 

[anthonymoody]

Just bought an iPad and I can easily see how it will remove laptops from the work place in the coming years. As a productivity tool it is lighter, nicer to work with, and provides access to all the essentials... One day they will look back at laptops and say " those old timers used to use massive bricks with buttons"

Some of us are already there (see my signature...)

 

[MrWillie]

..some of the work is done in a overnight job with you locked into the mainframe room with a company person or security personal depends on the job if we have both and they left you out for bathroom breaks and lunch and some of the work last three months with my side comeing in at the last week and helping with the what we call in our line of work the talking dummy at th workstations trying to mess up the software program that we are installing at the last part of the mainframe build for the company ..

the software that is writen for our work is done on desktop work stations with the ipad is the secondry device in the work.to allow us to walk around the room that we are working in with the netbook attched to the mainframe work with a cable interfaced and we use a wireless system set up that one of the guys made for use to work along the ipad in the work areas ..

it been so nice not to have to lug around a bunch of items for work and least be able to get though a checkpoint without going it work stuff ..now it one guy carrying all the items for work and we are allowed to travel more freely in our work

Now these jobs where you have the security guard standing over you (mine was named Bubba, stood a good 6'8"), were you allowed to have a digital capture device (camera) as on your cell phone or web cam on your laptop???

 

[henry2]

Now these jobs where you have the security guard standing over you (mine was named Bubba, stood a good 6'8"), were you allowed to have a digital capture device (camera) as on your cell phone or web cam on your laptop???

they where in a suit and tie or 511 pant's and polo shirts along with no one was allowed any digtal capture device on our person along with no phones or cameras or a laptop with a camera device and we where patted down before allowed entry to the area with a work i.d. card on displayed at all times inside the area and outside the area with them standing at the door and walking around with you .most of them where will you hurry up or iam going to be at the door in the chair come get me when you get done ...

remote work places where alot easly to work than the city jobs they where happy to see another person and once you got through the outside security system in the area it was easly to allowed to walk around the area ..

 

[MrWillie]

Cool, when I bitch about every electronic device having to have a camera on it. I get told to break out the foil hats, or yea we want devices with less functionality and then the sarcasm face gets posted. Every laptop Apple makes has a camera. 99% of cell phones have cameras. I can buy cigarette lighters with a camera built in. Now they want cameras on iPad2. If you don't want them don't use them. Well I won't be able to take them into some work areas. I think the worst thing Apple did was put a camera on the iPod Nano. It's a audio player. And the best think they did was take them off. Now if I could just get any Mac laptop and an iPhone without a camera...

 

[henry2]

Cool, when I bitch about every electronic device having to have a camera on it. I get told to break out the foil hats, or yea we want devices with less functionality and then the sarcasm face gets posted. Every laptop Apple makes has a camera. 99% of cell phones have cameras. I can buy cigarette lighters with a camera built in. Now they want cameras on iPad2. If you don't want them don't use them. Well I won't be able to take them into some work areas. I think the worst thing Apple did was put a camera on the iPod Nano. It's a audio player. And the best think they did was take them off. Now if I could just get any Mac laptop and an iPhone without a camera...

..

that why i will never own a newer model ipad for they are allready calling for a camera in the unit and when you explain how it could be used to spy on you they go you got your tinfoil on tight and when the stories like the one in the VA where the school was spying on the kids and in there own bedrooms along with the fact that people have become to acustom to the fact of the public agancy that are to protect us ar now crossing over into some of the areas that border on 1984 style people spying on people and for want reason behind the fact that they can do it


technology has given us great things along with the great things it has given us it also have give a way for the people to spy on one another and doing it legaly ..