It finally happened, I no longer needed to carry around a laptop. My iPad can handle everything I need to do. I bet for most the iPad can handle what you need to do on a day basis.

I’ve been using an iPad for years. Finally I feel like it’s the best possible solution for all my needs. 

I’ve tried for years to make my iPad into a laptop. And it was a struggle. It’s not a laptop. It will never be a laptop.

That’s the best part about it.

The iPad is a super thin, highly portable, incredibly capable platform for you to do most anything.

• I like that I can touch my work. I know it sounds strange but I like that fact.
• I like that the iPad can sit on my desk and take up very little room. It’s smaller than a letter sized notepad.
• Lastly, the iPad works because of the apps I’ve selected. I’ve tested these apps out and they have performed beautifully over the years.

My core productivity apps have always been on my iPad: 

• Calendar: This is the built in app and it works fine for me. All my calendars sync back to this one so I can see everything here. In fact it’s the only location where I can see all my calendars in one view.
• Evernote: I use Evernote as part of my system for reference materials. I needed a system for filing project based reference, someday reference and general reference.
• Contacts: This is the built in app and it syncs with my Google account.
• Mail: I have all my email accounts on this app.
• Safari: Safari is now integrated into everything that I need to use it.
• Nozbe: This is my primary productivity app.
• PocketCloud: This is a great app I use all the time. It’s a remote desktop log in for my work computer. I can open up my iPad and see my desktop computer. Any gaps in the iPad get filled in with this app.

This has been a game changer for me in the past year: 

• MS Office Online: Word/Excel/PowerPoint have been a staple part of my computing needs for decades. When I first started using the iPad I searched for apps to replace these apps. I used pages/numbers/keynote when I used the iPad. With iCloud these where now available through my web browser. It worked fine but at my office we are PC based I just can’t get away from Microsoft. There workarounds but with the office suite now available online and with apps for iOS devices I have no reasons to use any workarounds. I store most of my documents in one drive and can access them anywhere. The word online versions is feature rich enough so that rarely need to use the full version. The change sync instantly and even sync when the document is open in multiple places. It truly let’s me be iPad only.

One small addition that was a bit of an experiment over time was adding a real keyboard. I’m using the Zagg Keys Cover which I love. It makes a nice portable package.

Here’s why:

• The iPad is detachable. It’s so easy to pull out and put back.
• The keys are backlit. I really love this when I’m in dark room.
• It allows you to view the full iPad screen.
• It protects the iPad screen.

Want a bigger screen try the iPad Pro.

Can the iPad do everything – no. But it does most things and does them well. Can it handle everything you need it to? I don’t know. You may need to use special programs during the day and the iPad may fall short. But if you need a productivity device, and who doesn’t,  that can help you handle your day in a sleek, portable, easy to use package, then there is nothing that can compare.

Let’s talk more about this on Twitter.