Entrepreneur's Journal: Get an iPad for Your Business?


Apple iPad for businessLike thousands of other people, I got an Apple (AAPL) iPad. It worked out-of-the-box and has a similar interface as my iPhone.

And it's a conversation starter. At a coffee shop yesterday, four people asked me about my iPad.

My response? It's awesome. For the most part, I will probably not use my laptop much anymore (yes, I have a Mac Air).

My main reasons are the following:

  • Boot-up: While my laptop takes a few minutes to boot up, the iPad takes a few seconds.
  • Battery life: It is 10 hours for the iPad. In other words, I don't have to worry about finding an electric outlet.

All in all, the iPad is about making my life much easier. This is certainly something I'll pay for.

But can an iPad improve business?

I think so. First of all, if you run into a potential client, you can do a quick -- and colorful -- presentation. Or, you can show-off your website or a video of your product.

Next, the form factor is just right, with a screen of 9.7 inches and the weight at 1.5 pounds. As a result, the iPad is just right for writing emails and documents -- as well as making updates to your social networks like Twitter and Facebook.

Although, I would recommend purchasing Apple's Pages word processor. It is only $9.99. You might also consider getting Box.net, which is free (it's one of the first iPad apps for business). Basically, you'll be able to share your documents.

Now, there are some limitations with the iPad. For example, you cannot use Flash-based applications. Also, the iPad device looks fragile. So, I would purchase a $39 case for it.

Finally, you might wait for the end of the month to get a 3G version, which operates through AT&T's (T) cellular network. The current iPad version only works with wi-fi.

But to me, these are minor things. Already, I've notice a big difference. And as more apps come on to the iPad, things will only get better and better.

Tom Taulli advises on business tax preparation and is also the author of a variety of books, including The Complete M&A Handbook. His website is at Taulli.com.

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