For my serious work, I have a core-i7 w/ 3 24" monitors. You're right. You can't beat screen real estate. While I'm at my main station, I have my win8 slate docked next to me. On it, I have my communications apps loaded (bria, spark, lync, email, etc) and my bluetooth headsets paired to it. The advantage of using it for this purpose is that I can install all of those essential applications on one pc and take them anywhere with me so now installing this there and that there...they're always just there. In addition to that, I installed Mouse w/o Borders to kind of turn the slate into a 4th screen where really, they just share a mouse and keyboard and I can transfer files with it (but I primarily use Live Mesh for the file sync).
And because it is a windows pc, I also have Visual Studio, MySql Workbench, etc. installed so when I'm at a client or when I'm in my home vs my home office (above detached garage), I can still do my serious work albeit in a limited fashion when compared to my main station. At home, I have a 24" monitor that I connect via HDMI and when I'm at a client, I rely on the 11.6" screen and a set of bluetooth keyboard/mice. Occasionally, I'll bring my 14" Toshiba USB display with me to clients if I'm anticipating heavy onsite coding, other than that, the 11.6" screen @ 1366x768 seems to work well enough for those random coding sessions (though it can be a bit painful when you're used to 3 24" 1920x1200 screens) but it's replaced my laptop for the last 4 months.
It's pretty nice having the slate and I can see where the iPad can compliment your work environment. It's just an added bonus that my slate runs Windows 8 cause I have a workstation and a slate and not a workstation, tablet and a laptop. The dual functionality of a win8 slate (metro for consumption and the desktop for production) suits my workflow rather well. If I had only 1 24" display at my desk, I could seriously consider using the slate AS my pc and use only 1 device for every purpose...that's real value and even if I can't benefit from it, I know others could. I guess it's technically possible that I can replace my main station but I'd need a powered usb hub, usb->vga adapters, large external storage, etc and then I still couldn't run my games (BF3, Arma2:OA, etc) on it so it seems my PC is still needed but it's not a stretch to see other users using a win8 slate as their pc, as their laptop and as their tablet. 1 device, that's pretty cool.
Discussion on:
View:
Show:
I am in a local territory sales position for an office technology (hw/sw) dealership. The iPad is great for accessing our CRM when i'm driving down a street and I want to get background on the firm I'm looking at. Contacts, past history, etc. can help me quickly assess the account.
I also have the Satellite Map on, and it's great for showing you an out-of-the way business that you might have overlooked.
Oh, and for business usage the Logitech Bluetooth keyboard case is a must-have. I use the Notes app while in meetings and can type on a keyboard - much faster and more accurate.
Having the Calendar synced to my office Outlook is tremendous. Our new phone system is set up to forward a phone message to your e-mail, so now I can easily pick up any phone messages through the iPad - very handy.
In the business community, things like iPads are still very rare, so you look cutting edge when you incorporate it into presentations - I use SlideShark to show Powerpoints.
Lastly, a lot of the document management software I sell has a Tablet component that lets a user easily bring up documents for viewing and taking actions in a workflow. When you show it on the iPad it is still a really cool thing to see, and it grabs attention.
I felt that having the iPad would increase my productivity enough to easily justify the $800 expense - totally out of my own pocket. In sales, that could be just adding one more sale for the year.
However, there is the downfall of the enticement of the device. I have the NY Times on mine - just the free Top News section, and it is tempting to see "what's going on". They refresh that many times during the day, so there is always new content.
There is also a game called Words with Friends.....
One night I forgot my iPad at my desk and only had my laptop at home. I was stunned at how much more "work" I got done, not having the iPad around. It gave me pause....but I'm hooked. I love my iPad.
I also have the Satellite Map on, and it's great for showing you an out-of-the way business that you might have overlooked.
Oh, and for business usage the Logitech Bluetooth keyboard case is a must-have. I use the Notes app while in meetings and can type on a keyboard - much faster and more accurate.
Having the Calendar synced to my office Outlook is tremendous. Our new phone system is set up to forward a phone message to your e-mail, so now I can easily pick up any phone messages through the iPad - very handy.
In the business community, things like iPads are still very rare, so you look cutting edge when you incorporate it into presentations - I use SlideShark to show Powerpoints.
Lastly, a lot of the document management software I sell has a Tablet component that lets a user easily bring up documents for viewing and taking actions in a workflow. When you show it on the iPad it is still a really cool thing to see, and it grabs attention.
I felt that having the iPad would increase my productivity enough to easily justify the $800 expense - totally out of my own pocket. In sales, that could be just adding one more sale for the year.
However, there is the downfall of the enticement of the device. I have the NY Times on mine - just the free Top News section, and it is tempting to see "what's going on". They refresh that many times during the day, so there is always new content.
There is also a game called Words with Friends.....
One night I forgot my iPad at my desk and only had my laptop at home. I was stunned at how much more "work" I got done, not having the iPad around. It gave me pause....but I'm hooked. I love my iPad.
- Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Prev
- Next
- Toggle
