News Review - Apple iPad – fashion fad or business workhorse?

Reviewing the business technology news for this last week, one item stands out – the launch of the Apple iPad in the UK. Pre-orders start today (10th May) at the Apple Store, for delivery by Friday 28th May.

Pricing had been announced for outright purchase (see below). Some models have a slot for a micro-SIM card, to access services via 3G. At the time of writing, Orange had announced data plans for the iPad, with other operators to follow. News is awaited whether the device will be available under a combined monthly hardware/SIM contract, like an iPhone.

The iPad is a “tablet” / “slate” computer, with a screen comparable in size to a small laptop, notebook or netbook. The screen is embedded on the surface of the device, rather like an iPhone, and is touch sensitive. Indeed the iPad is based on the same technical platform as the iPhone, and can run the same "apps".

Reports from the USA suggest people are now attending business meetings with their iPads rather than laptops or notebooks (or indeed their 90s filofaxes!).

So is the iPad really for business?

Is this a fashion fad, or is the iPad a business workhorse? Is it a reasonable alternative to a laptop, notebook or netbook? Or will we be carrying both?

Despite this being by no means the first tablet computer, the first million iPads were sold in the USA in 28 days, less than half of the time for the first million iPhones. Many iPads will have been bought by businesses.

Apple is certainly trying to woo business users, with special business functionality, and a sales team focused on corporates.

Consumer focus

But it’s clear that the iPad is aimed principally at mass-market consumers. The iPad’s minimalist design is both aesthetic and practical, but geared principally to “consume” ebooks, videos, music and web content. (Much of this list is being sold by Apple themselves, so the iPad is a conduit to these additional revenue streams.)

The interactivity of Web2.0 is secondary. The touch-screen provides an on-screen keyboard, but this is best kept for occasional use. An optional external keyboard is available, as is a cover cleverly designed to prop the iPad up at a table to make it easier to view the screen and type on it. See the accessories at the bottom of this page.

Much has been made of other limitations, such as lack of multi-tasking (but then that might suit us men!), and lack of the normal input-output mechanisms you might find on a laptop or notebook.

Connection to the internet (or an internal network) is made via wireless (Wi-Fi). Versions are available with 3G micro-SIM cards to access the internet on the move when Wi-Fi is not available.

The amount of internal storage is limited by modern standard (maximum 64GB). But if you able to use remote cloud applications and/or store files remotely, this should not be a problem.

Can it be used for business?

Yes it can, in two ways:

1. General business applications
2. Niche applications, such as storing the documents that would normally be taken to a meeting so that “the other side” can view them

Apple themselves promote the iPad as a business tool:

• Linkable to corporate email, calendar and contact systems, such as MS Exchange
• Business applications from the Apple AppStore, including “iWork” presentation, word processing and spreadsheet options
• Making 1-2-1 presentations, and with optional VGA link to show sales and other presentations to larger groups
• Remotely wipe everything from your iPad instantly in the event of theft or loss (provided of course it’s switched on and accessing the internet)

The “iWork” applications are not PowerPoint, Word or Excel. Alternatively it is possible to access web “cloud” applications like GoogleDocs. However compatibility with the iPads “Safari” web browser will be an issue for accessing some websites, as is the lack of Flash and Java support.

With similar products that are fully Windows compatible coming from other manufacturers, they may be better business tools.

Is the iPad significantly dearer or cheaper than laptops?

iPad pricing is comparable to many business laptops and notebooks. There are 3 versions with different amounts of internal (flash) memory, each with an optional 3G micro-SIM slot:

Memory:	16GB	32GB	64GB
Wireless (WiFi)	£429 (£365 ex VAT)	£499 (£425 ex VAT)	£599 (£510 ex VAT)
Wireless + SIM**	£529 (£450 ex VAT)	£599 (£510 ex VAT)	£699 (£595 ex VAT)

** Monthly data contracts are available in addition. Contract pricing for iPad + 3G connectivity is yet to be announced.

SO IS THE iPAD A FASHION FAD OR BUSINESS WORKHORSE?

With significant limitations compared to a laptop or notebook, the head says that an iPad is not as good a business tool, and is not a replacement. However there are some niche business applications, and many business people will find it useful as a personal tool. Having held one and used one, the heart says it’s a must have!

The iPad is clearly a version 1.0 device. This and similar offerings from other manufacturers is a step in the right direction. I’m waiting for the day when a pocketable device (like a mobile phone) will hold internally all the software and data I ever need, and can be easily slotted into a desktop or a portable chassis like an iPad or laptop to provide a decent screen, keyboard and connectivity. How long to wait I wonder?