iPad2

By David J. Bilinsky

Having recently acquired an iPad2 (www.apple.com/ipad), I am just starting to explore how to integrate this tablet into my daily workflow. As with any new gadget, I had questions as to the degree the iPad2 would replace my MacBook or fit into my existing workflow. Surprisingly, I have found that, rather than replacing my MacBook, the iPad has integrated into the workflow quite nicely. So here are the initial steps in my journey with the iPad2:

I realized that using the onboard screen keyboard was not something that I was prepared to do long-term if I was going to use the iPad seriously. So the first thing that I did was to purchase a Kensington iPad wireless keyboard + case (http://us.kensington.com/html/17835.html):

This provided me with a nice bluetooth keyboard along with a very attractive leather case for carrying and protecting the iPad. The bluetooth setup was straightforward and the iPad “discovered” the keyboard in short order once the settings were turned on in “System Preferences” on the iPad. In addition, the Kensington case props the iPad up on an angle in front of you with the keyboard out level in front. Great for working at a desk but not really suitable for lap-use, since the iPad is just propped up and if you shift or move, this may dislodge the iPad from its “groove” that keeps it upright. But otherwise I love the case and the keyboard. The case is really designed for the original iPad, which is thicker, so the iPad2 really needs a small bit of foam between the back of the iPad and the case to keep it tight in the case. Not really a problem.

Then I downloaded and installed the AirDisplay app (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/air-display/id368158927?mt=8) that allows me to use the iPad as a second display with my Mac (it also works for PCs). Now this app cost $9.99 but it was worth every penny! Installation on the iPad was straightforward as well as on the Mac (it did require a reboot of the Mac to complete the installation). But now I have a second display wherever I may be! With a battery life of 10 hours, I don’t have to worry about finding an AC outlet to power the second display. Auto-rotation of the iPad is detected, so I can switch from portrait to landscape display simply by turning the iPad (the Kensington case will hold it in both positions, but in landscape it is angled back nicely while portrait mode is vertical unless you can prop it up against something.

But now I can work from dual screens using the Mac and the iPad! I have become totally hooked on using dual screens and this feature is great. You can “drag and drop” between the Mac and the iPad2, you can resize windows for the iPad display etc. For serious work times where you wish to emulate your office environment as much as possible, then using the iPad2 and the MacBook (or PC) in dual-display modes allows you to feel like you are back at your office with all the trappings.

(This is an excerpt of a post on http://bit.ly/jwLPQ8).

The views expressed herein are strictly those of the author and may not be shared by the Law Society of British Columbia. David J. Bilinsky is the Practice Management Advisor for the LSBC. Email: daveb@lsbc.org; Blog: www.thoughtfullaw.com.

This article originally appeared in the June 2011 issue of BarTalk and is reproduced here with permission of both the author and the Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Branch.