iPad for business use?

[renato88]

Anyone use an iPad for business use? From what I heard its great to show your work, but other than that? I have a 27" iMac but I think it would be great to be able to show photos (wedding photographer) or is there more in an iPad? What else could a photographer use an iPad for?
I miss the mobility like a laptop (used to have a Macbook years ago).

[theosus]

Originally Posted by renato88

Anyone use an iPad for business use? From what I heard its great to show your work, but other than that? I have a 27" iMac but I think it would be great to be able to show photos (wedding photographer) or is there more in an iPad? What else could a photographer use an iPad for?
I miss the mobility like a laptop (used to have a Macbook years ago).

What else would you Want to use it for? You can use spreadsheets on it, word-like programs, all the power of the Internet, and when business is slow you can play angry birds and flight control all you want. Its sort of up to you what you want it for. Outdoor wedding with ominous clouds? Check the weather radar...I haven't checked but it would be nice if there was a Microsoft Access-style database software. I wrote plenty of those for work, it could be useful on the iPad for keeping track of stuff.

[Jim Poor]

I had four iPads that I used in the business, but there are some severe limitations to what can be done in terms of proofing and selecting. This is mostly because the OS blocks access to file names.

I sold off three of them, but on the occasions where I use the one I have left, it's a big hit with customers. A big hit as in wow factor, but not really any different sales-wise than an iMac.

I'm now running 4 iMacs and a Mac Mini at events for proofing and sales.

There is a FB group for photographers with iPads where some development is being discussed. I'm hopeful, but right now, the iPad just isn't there for anything much beyond a portfolio, and even that is a bit of a pain to manage.

[SwissJon]

I have an iPad 3G, use it on the way to and from work on the train. It's nice for reviewing photos, but to be honest, I think I'd have preferred to get a MacBook Air.. The cheap one wasn't much more than my iPad, and it's a whole lot more useful. Only downside of the Macbook Air is that the battery life is half that of the iPad.

[ScottWebb]

The iPad can be used for so much. I recommend anyone having one for sure. It's not a replacement for a laptop or a main computer like the iMac - at least not if you're a photographer.

The iPad is amazing for consumption, obviously. This means eBooks, reading rss feeds, instapaper, browsing sites, browsing galleries for inspiration, and more.

Now that it can mirror, you could connet it to an HDTV and do pretty amazing presentations.

Combine it with an Apple TV and you can easily flip from holding the photos in your hands to seeing them on a large HDTV. Also, flip videos from iPad onto TV.

Really there are so many uses. I would suggest looking at the iPad and really thinking of everything it could do for you. Maybe start with creating a list of all of the activities you normally do or would like to be able to do and then look to see if the iPad can enhance that experience.

[AntMason]

I just wanted to add that I had another thread in this section on the iPad, and someone provided me the link to this:

Photosmith – The Grand Tour | Photosmith – the iPad mobile companion for Adobe Lightroom

Its not out yet, but it seems like if it doesn't descend into vaporware, could possibly be a game changer to get me to buy an iPad...

[Algernonep]

I use it for everything, including accepting credit cards.

[renato88]

Still haven't decided it yet.....and it came out a few days ago. Am going to set up my photography business this year. Have this imac desktop but nothing 'on the go' except for an iPhone.
I do read a lot but was planning to get a little pocket reader since everyone says that reading a lot on these screens cause eye strain. For photo books and colour photos I just think an iPad is the way to go. Showing my portfolio another plus. Loading photos from my camera for storage or showing, again a plus!
Anyhow, for business use (and fun is included) still don't know if its worth to get one so I head out tomorrow and see if I bring one home :-)
Did I convince myself it is the right thing to do? LOL

[AndyNJ]

Originally Posted by AntMason

I just wanted to add that I had another thread in this section on the iPad, and someone provided me the link to this:

Photosmith – The Grand Tour | Photosmith – the iPad mobile companion for Adobe Lightroom

Its not out yet, but it seems like if it doesn't descend into vaporware, could possibly be a game changer to get me to buy an iPad...

I'm a beta tester for Photosmith. It's pretty solid and not vaporware, but they delayed another week to fix some more bugs and make some changes based on feedback from beta testers. Should be in the App Store in a couple weeks, I think.

The two developers have already created the framework for editing photos (in addition to the metadata stuff in the v1.0 release). It will be coming in a future update. I'm not sure to what degree you'll be able to edit, but even if you can adjust white balance, exposure, and some of the basic stuff, that's pretty useful.

Either way, being able to get a jump start on your workflow while away from home and without having to carry a laptop is pretty sweet. My iPad fits in my Clik Elite sling, my MacBook Pro does not and my netbook is worthless for anything using Lightroom (it'll run and you can keyword, but don't try editing. Basically, it will do as much as Photosmith and no more).

Also, take a look at Filterstorm Pro (Filterstorm Pro). I think it's already been submitted to the App Store. This app is essentially Lightroom on your iPad. The only problem is that it doesn't actually sync to Lightroom.