iPad for Solo & Small Firms....again

I have now had a chance to use an iPad and I have to say, I am impressed.  That still leaves open the question of whether it is the right device for solo & small law firms. I have been somewhat skeptical but after actually using one, I have a better idea where it would fit in.

First off, the iPad looks to me like the passage of a paradigm shift.  Keyboards and mice have been mediating our computer experience for nearly half a century (light years in tech time).  Why carry peripherals?  Why should we not be interacting more directly with the computer?  Think Star Trek - Mr. Scott finds himself in front of a 20th Century computer, picks up the mouse and starts talking to it.  We are moving to ubiquity of the computer - it not being a device but the environment we live it - and more direct interaction - touch and voice - as the interface.  The iPad is bringing that paradigm change to the mainstream.

This is a great travel device.  My wife loves her Macbook Pro - except when she's packing up for a trip.  She needs to check her work email and have web access for Bloomberg.  So when we travel, she's always borrowing my Macbook Air {and I hate sharing my computer - it's just a thing with me...).  This would be perfect for her.  Slips into her bag, she can tie into her Exchange server, great Internet access (if you avoid Flash heavy sites, which Bloomberg particularly is not).  For me, this is less of an issue because of my Macbook Air.  I have a laptop that is not much different from the iPad form factor.  So if you are one of those who dread lugging your laptop on trips because it is too big - the iPad is a fantastic device for you.

The iPad is a great lounging around device.  Watching a movie on TV and you are trying to remember who that character actor playing a minor but cool role is?  Instead of getting up and going to your computer to search IMDB.com, just pick up the iPad.  Relaxing in front of the roaring fire?  How about an e-book?  The e-book experience on the iPad is brilliantly book-like.

What I am not seeing, however, is the iPad taking over for the day-to-day office tasks.  It is not a great word processor unless you link it to a keyboard (which can be done with Bluetooth).  Not that that is bad, it is just that you are back to the notebook/desktop computer paradigm.  Taking notes in a client meeting or a deposition - until there is an handwriting recognition app a legal pad is better than the iPad (it perplexes me that this wasn't part of the OS given how prevalent it is with table computers and Apple has the technology - think Newton.....).

While I am not seeing it replacing the notebook computer, let alone the desktop computer, yet - the emphasis is on "yet."  The iPad is a first generation product (albeit a well thought out first gen product).  It may only be a transitional product.  But I see it changing the computer interface paradigm in much the same way that the iPhone changed the cellphone interface paradigm.

- Peter H. Berge

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