Regret buying iPad, any suggestions to improve productivity with it?

[APlotdevice]

If you are willing to accept the potential drawbacks, jailbreaking can make your iPad considerably more productive.

.I can agree that the on screen keyboard could use shortcuts, but if you buy an external keyboard, the shortcuts are there and work well.

And yeah, yeah, people will say "you might as well buy a laptop," but frankly, they're wrong. I have a laptop, and an iPad + keyboard is still way ligher and more convenient. Not to mention the keyboard is optional, and if I'm just browsing or only sending off quick responses, it doesn't need to come out at all.

Well, the shortcuts that are there work well. Annoyingly though you can't scroll or select options with the arrow keys, nor delete forward from the insertion point. And why you can't use either the mission control or Launchpad keys to mimic the home button is beyond me. (especially since third party keyboards frequently have a key for it).

 

[Winni]

I am a college student, and I regret buying an iPad. I am disillusioned as the keyboard quite sucks, and opening the Smart Cover wastes time. Do you find that the only benefit it has over a smartphone-laptop combination is reading PDFs? Is there anything an iPad can do that a phone-laptop combination cannot? I hate the reduced portability compared to a phone. After upgrading my laptop to SSD, I feel it is as good as an iPad for most things. I want to get apps that an iPad handily beats a phone or laptop. Thanks!

Welcome to the real world. That's why I returned my iPad to Apple after only four days. For me, except for light web browsing, certain games (like Shredder Chess or Plants vs Zombies) and eBook/comic book reading, tablets are useless devices.

Like you said, they're no really mobile - at least not more mobile than an ultra-book - and they suck for the obvious reason like the lack of a good keyboard. Heck, I write and type A LOT every day, and that's definitely something tablets were NOT made for. Except for consuming certain types of content, I found it impossible to find a real world use for a tablet. There certainly are a few niches, but I don't live in any of them.

For me and my needs, the Samsung Galaxy Note is the perfect phone/tablet combo and for everything else there are REAL notebooks and desktop systems.

 

[APlotdevice]

Like you said, they're no really mobile - at least not more mobile than an ultra-book...

I strongly disagree. Like any notebook computer, an ultrabook must still be set down on a surface in order to use properly. The fact that I can easily use my iPad while standing up makes it far more mobile IMO.

 

[MacDawg]

I got the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard cover and have never looked back
I have a 13" MBA and an iPhone 4s, but I love using my iPad as well

* More portability - even though the MBA is highly portable, the iPad is far more so

* Always online - with my unlimited data plan I never have to worry about finding WiFi or tethering, I open my iPad and I'm on

* Footprint - I travel a lot (a lot), and using my iPad/keyboard combo far easier to do on an airline tray table than even my MBA due to the way it connects to the keyboard

* Logitech Keyboard - all of the "keyboard sucks" comments go away when using the Logitech Keyboard

* Handwritten notes, sketches - when I need to jot something down or sketch something out, I don't have a great option on my iPhone or MBA

Sure, I use my MBA for the heavier lifting when I need it and I truly love it as well. But for email, iMessage, Evernote, Day One and stuffs, my iPad combo is phenomenal.

Before I got the keyboard, about all I used my iPad for regularly was iBooks. Now, especially when I am traveling, I reach for the iPad more and more often.

 

[Ruffian829]

I used my iPad almost exclusively through my last year of law school. Only drawback was for big research papers (need multiple windows and ms word at the same time). Other than that I used an external keyboard, notability with auto sync to Dropbox, goodreader for PDFs, pages for memos/papers, pocket informant for calendar/tasks, I also had some legal based apps that we're super helpful, flash card apps, etc.
I loved it. I used my iPad 99% of the time vs my MacBook. Even with my new MacBook pro (purchased only bc my MacBook is fairly old and I needed something reliable to take the bar exam on) I still use my iPad more often. Easy, better battery life, accessable, etc.

But, If your in the situation where openinging the smart cover is a "waste of time" I don't think anyone here can really help you... (I used an incase book jacket- imagine the time wasted with that- having to undo the elastic band and then fold around the cover AND turn it on... Wow... And add in the external keyboard. I must have wasted a ton of time...)

 

[taipan61]

only you can (op) can determine how you can improve your own productivity. i use mine with a bluetooth keyboard and handwriting apps (bamboo) and don't really have any slowdowns at all, i'm only it for light creation, some writing and drawing, but it's only limited to what apps are available and the research you do into those apps


to ruffian829...

good luck with the bar exam, took mine in '94 (passed first time!)
trick was i got a hotel room close to where they were holding it and locked myself in the room for 3 days prior (now spouse, kids, dogs, etc) and viola!

again good luck!

sorry for going off topic...

 

[LeandrodaFL]

Simply sell it on ebay

 

[IscariotJ]

IPad is useless when it comes to productivity because iOS is very much crippled without file system access.

In your opinion. I have no bother using my iPad for work....

 

[Redjericho]

You should get the galaxy note 10.1 it has a very good stylus and Android is geared more towards productivity with desktop-level browser and file system access. IPad is useless when it comes to productivity because iOS is very much crippled without file system access.

Well a jailbreak solves that problem in under 5 minutes so that's no problem. And the galaxy note does not give desktop level acess without rooting your device, which requires just as much time as a jailbreak. It does offer a native file browser, but it most certainly is not root acess.

The thing that stops me from being able to efficiently use my tablet as a work device is that it lacks viewing angles. It's an obvious problem that I knew about when I bought my iPad, but i didn't buy it for productivity. If I were to consider trading my laptop and going tablet-only, there would need to be a smart-cover stand angle in between standing near straight up, and basically laying on the table.

 

[Carlanga]

I just think you are a little sour that you didn't get an iPhone instead of the iPad

If you are in college I would not take a macbook out if I had an iPad. People buy it for the portability and if you had a MBA already it becomes a little redundant. You can use your iPad to take handwritten notes on PDF's and powerpoint, but I always find keyboard typing to be faster and better for re-reading. I loved Pear Note when I had to take notes w/ my macbook.

The best use for a tablet for me though is getting a book in pdf or other formats and just highlight in various colors, underline, take handwritten and typed ones.

 

[lazard]

the iPad is an entertainment device. Stick with a laptop if you want productivity.

 

[Oppressed]

I am a college student, and I regret buying an iPad. I am disillusioned as the keyboard quite sucks, and opening the Smart Cover wastes time. Do you find that the only benefit it has over a smartphone-laptop combination is reading PDFs? Is there anything an iPad can do that a phone-laptop combination cannot? I hate the reduced portability compared to a phone. After upgrading my laptop to SSD, I feel it is as good as an iPad for most things. I want to get apps that an iPad handily beats a phone or laptop. Thanks!

Couple of clarifications needed. How is opening a smart cover waste time vs opening a laptop? You find the iPad to be less portable than a cell phone, but expect something different from a laptop?

You should get the galaxy note 10.1 it has a very good stylus and Android is geared more towards productivity with desktop-level browser and file system access. IPad is useless when it comes to productivity because iOS is very much crippled without file system access.

Blanket statements like that help no one. The OP hasn't clearly stated what he wants to use the iPad for. Therefore it would be difficult to call something "useless" when you don't know the desired use of the device. Now if he wanted to use the iPad to carve a turkey than it might be useless.

 

[sectime]

Opening the Smart Cover is a chore for you?

Been out of college for awhile, maybe students move like hummingbirds these days

 

[mac jones]

Different strokes. There are many people who chose iPads who have no need to do so. They are more personal than laptops. They are also much less fragile, and portable.

But I really like my 11" MBA

 

[arcite]

Thanks for the reply. But my Mac is light enough so I bring my Mac to school everyday. So typing on my Mac is sufficient.

You obviously have too many gadgets. Why not just give the iPad to a friend?

 

[HishamAkhtar]

They didn't half ass it. Millions of consumers voting that with their wallets that they nailed it with the slim mobile OS where every fully featured desktop OS tablet has failed.

Its that there are a handful of vocal people who didn't pay attention, didn't pay attention to Apple touting it as a great consumption device.... NOT creation.

Games, news, reading, social media at home... iPad wins.
Writing reports for work, CAD, long exhaustive emails or letters, complex research. Laptop.

Actually Apple is pretty aggressive about how they've improved the iPad for creation.

 

[Liquinn]

You obviously have too many gadgets. Why not just give the iPad to a friend?

There's no such thing.

 

[NikeTalk]

the iPad is an entertainment device. Stick with a laptop if you want productivity.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner! It's still just a big iPod Touch.

 

[Irishman]

I am a college student, and I regret buying an iPad. I am disillusioned as the keyboard quite sucks, and opening the Smart Cover wastes time. Do you find that the only benefit it has over a smartphone-laptop combination is reading PDFs? Is there anything an iPad can do that a phone-laptop combination cannot? I hate the reduced portability compared to a phone. After upgrading my laptop to SSD, I feel it is as good as an iPad for most things. I want to get apps that an iPad handily beats a phone or laptop. Thanks!

To a degree, you're finding yourself on the other side of the Apple customer divide. Usually, Apple designs something that 85%% or so of the market will use. This makes 15% of the buying public irritated for some reason or another, but you can hardly blame Apple. As a business strategy, it's working VERY well for them.

In the past, this has left some on the other side of the divide that included people who wanted a mid-tower gaming Mac, a headless iMac, any Mac with a Blu-ray drive, any Mac notebook with hybrid storage, Macs that still booted into Classic, Motorola processors, had floppy drives, etc, etc, etc.

So it seems like this time, it's you who finds himself on the other side (the 15% of us who wanted their iPad to be something other than what it was).

It can be a frustrating place to be, but be aware that you can do something about it. I would start by asking a question: what hardware keyboards have you tried with it, and where do you find them lacking?

 

[rowspaxe]

Two productivity devices may be less productive than one! Although some here have found ways to work around ipads deficiencies with external keyboard, lack of file system, lame multi tasking, etc., i think a laptop is a far better productivity device. But the ipad shines as an ereader and ocw viewer. Easily worth $500 dollars. Writing on an ipad is possible--i guess--but the experience sucks. No one who has used a Samsung slate 7 would go back to capcitative writing.

 

[faroZ06]

I recommend:

• iWork
• Jailbreaking (But be careful!)
• A Bluetooth keyboard if you hate the iPad one (Or just get used to the iPad keyboard, shouldn't take long.)
• The free Dropbox service and app (This can help a lot with file management.)

If you want to use an iPad for work, you have to do it the Apple way. Like it or not, you can get used to it, and it ends up being a pretty nice experience. It's not for everyone. I still need to use my MacBook Bro for computer science, and I'm the kind of person who likes to be prepared for anything with a fully-featured MacBook.

 

[HishamAkhtar]

Err I hate the fact that I need to open the flap, then fold it or pull the cover off. That wastes more time than opening my Mac which wakes up instantly from sleep. When both my iPad and Mac are nearby and my calculator is not, I use my Alfred on my Mac to calculate stuff instead of the iPad which is quite troublesome to open. Not to mention if I use a proper smartphone.

Then ditch the Smart cover....?

 

[MacDawg]

the iPad is an entertainment device. Stick with a laptop if you want productivity.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner! It's still just a big iPod Touch.

Many, many users such as myself would disagree
Coupled with the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard my iPad has really become productive for me

It all depends on what you need to accomplish
Just because it doesn't work for you in your lifestyle and workflow doesn't mean it doesn't for others

I find it a very good addition to my MBA and iPhone

 

[faroZ06]

You should get the galaxy note 10.1 it has a very good stylus and Android is geared more towards productivity with desktop-level browser and file system access. IPad is useless when it comes to productivity because iOS is very much crippled without file system access.

You don't need file system access for work. All of the productivity apps on iOS let you access your documents anyway. You don't need to see the whole filesystem just to open a Pages doc.

I sometimes need the filesystem for non-work-related stuff, so I use Dropbox to help with that, iFile (Cydia app) if it's more intense, and Terminal (Cydia app) when I get desperate.

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Then ditch the Smart cover....?

I think the Smart Cover is actually very dumb.

 

[darngooddesign]

I think the Smart Cover is actually very dumb.

I on the other hand think its pretty smart.