I recently went on vacation, but before I did I wrote up an article asking which gadgets I should take with me. At the time I was debating about bringing my MacBook, iPad and iPhone 4.
Well, I have since returned from the vacation and have to say that at the last minute I decided to leave the MacBook behind. The main reason was because this was technically a vacation and I figured that if I brought the MacBook, I would get sucked into a work mode.
So, what did I bring? I happily packed some magazines I had been meaning to read, my iPhone 4, and my iPad.
As soon as it was safe to turn on electronics in the air, I launched GoodReader and scrolled through the presentation, Word doc, a PDF, and viewed an Excel document detailing the financials, and then launched the built-in Notes app to take detailed notes to send back. When the plane landed I emailed my notes, and my work was done. I technically could have annotated the PDF with GoodReader, but it was easier to just write in an open canvas.
Throughout the vacation I used the iPad to check e-mails, and answer priority ones. Because of this I was able to remain relaxed on my vacation, not having to wonder what nightmare may be waiting for me upon my return. I previously took some time off, only to be inundated with 400+ emails when I got back to work mode.
I also took one conference call while away, but was able to relax on a balcony with the iPad, with a presentation open. It was the furthest from feeling like I was working, which was the ultimate goal.
I also used the iPad for reading. I used GoodReader, Kindle, USAToday and general web browsing for casual reading.
Going on vacation with the iPad really showed me what it was capable of. I'm always afraid to leave the MacBook at home, but having something as powerful as the iPad has me thinking about picking up the iPad 2 now, and trickling the iPad into the family as an entertainment device. I know that the iPad 2 doesn't offer enough to justify an upgrade, but I can't help thinking that a faster iPad, with camera functionality, may be just what I'm looking for.