On the iPad

I’ve been mulling about the articles regarding the iPad from theAppleBlog and gizmodo for some time now. Those two articles lead me to ponder - can I fit the iPad into my lifestyle?

Right now, I have a previous generation Macbook Pro (non-unibody), a 3rd generation iPod Touch, a Nokia E63 and a Canon Eos.

But for a long time now, I have noticed that, more and more, I am leaving my Macbook Pro parked on my desk in the house. The computer is the hub that connects together an external display, two external drives, external keyboard, mouse, and a bamboo tablet. So, my Macbook Pro is more functional with it parked on my desk than as a stand-alone computer.

As to be expected, I do all of my image processing and file management with my laptop. But, with regards to my other commitments, I rarely use my Macbook Pro anymore.



Why? Because I use my iPod Touch more and more. I write my essays and blog posts with it. I use my iPod Touch to update and read my Twitter and Facebook. I use it for viewing flickr updates from those I follow, read and send emails, read PDF's, and, read my saved web pages from the Instapaper iPod Touch app.


When I get home, I just put images and equations if needed, in my articles and blogs, from my computer. I do some final changes and editing then I publish my blog post, or submit my essay to my editor. And of course, I Photoshop the pictures that I take when I get home in my computer. I don't expect that a PC tablet nor any netbook out there would be able to meet the demands of Photoshop. Only a full-pledge laptop can do Photoshop. But of course, you will have to lug around 5 pounds of weight. Add that to my DSLR, an extra lens, a flash and of course, the laptop's AC adaptor, among others.


So, to answer the question I posed at the beginning, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" And do you know what I think is the best set up for me? An iMac and an iPad! This way, I wouldn't have to worry about conditioning the battery of a laptop anymore, I would only have to "lug" around 1.5 pounds of "computer", and, when I fly, as of now at least, I wouldn't have to bring out the iPad anymore at airline check points.


The problem now is, how would I be able to back up my pictures "in the field." For this, I am thinking that I'd just get a card reader with storage like the Digital Foci portable storage.


But that would still be far off. My Macbook Pro is just going on its third year so I expect to squeeze some more years out of it. I know, in computer years, my Macbook Pro is now in its golden years, but... I'd rather get a macro lens first. I still have my trusty iPod Touch to tide me over.