New Technologies and How We Use Them

One of the questions I'm getting asked a lot lately is about how a lawyer can make the best use of an iPad or other tablet device. Since I don't think there is any single answer that works best for everyone, I can only let you know how I go about evaluating the usefulness of a new technology tool. First of all, I use the tool for everyday activities ... and I observe how much I use it, and for what, and when.

I am an early adopter so I had a first generation iPad and now have an iPad 2. But I also recently purchased a new generation MacBook Air, to see where it and the iPad 2 fit with my existing iMac and my iPhone. And what have I learned? The iPad is still great for travel and very light typing, and has great battery life, but the lack of a useable, built-in keyboard is still problematic. The MacBook Air on the other hand is getting smaller and lighter, and with the solid state hard drive is so much faster than the last generation, but battery life is still a problem. So it seems the MacBook Air and the iPad are morphing or rapidly growing together ... but there are still plusses and minuses to each. One of these days one or the other will leap ahead in my mind for the way I travel and work and play ... at that point there will be greater clarity ... but the only way I will ever know is by putting them all to the tough test of being by my side in everything I do ... and seeing which one I reach for and for what.

I’m curious … what has your experience been like with these technologies? And not only Apple products – other tablet or highly portable devices are fair game as well.