Yesterday I picked up on Amazon the Apple Magic Trackpad 2 in Space Gray (it was on sale). I’m sure I still paid too much for it. The Magic Trackpad 2 works great with my iPad Air 4. I shutdown my MacBook Pro at the end of my work day and used the iPad Air 4 with the new trackpad for several meetings and other things.
The Satechi Slim X1 keyboard and the Apple Magic Trackpad 2 work great together. It fun learning how to use the iPad as a computer replacement. A few months ago I worked my day job as an IT support using the iPad. I was able to complete most things without too much aggravation. A few things would be better, and maybe I just need to install Microsoft Company Portal and use Office365 apps to get a better experience. Still, if you had to, you can use the iPad as a replacement computer if needed. If only you could have dual screens.
Maybe next week I will work a full day or two from the iPad.
Shortly after it debut, I installed Windows 10 on my Sager NP8690. I was hoping Windows 10 would run well… this didn’t happen. I’m not trying to bash Windows 10, many seem to like it. For me the experience was a little meh. I still prefer mac OS and my iMac, but I’m running out of space (too many pictures and videos taken with my GoPro Hero 4 Silver). So what about my really cool iPad 3? It is so slow with iOS 9.3.5 and it is painful to use to the point where I am typing faster that it can can process the keys. This usually results in many misspelled words or auto-corrected to something that makes no sense.
So this weekend I removed Windows 10 and reinstalled Windows 7 Ultimate x64. The only downside is the lack of support from Microsoft. I figure I’ll keep it around to play some games and have something to use when I go on extended visits with family. What I really want in a new MacBookPro 15″ with the Touchbar. Too bad it is way out of my price range.
Maybe next year I’ll pick up the next MacBookPro with a cheaper price and maybe better specs.
So I’ve been busy learning how to use Apple Motion 5 on my iMac and making videos for my son’s Boy Scout Troop, my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop, family videos, and goofy videos for friends. Some are publicly published on my YouTube channel.
This summer was my first return to Boy Scout summer camp in 30 years! Growing up in the Pittsburgh area, I spent many years at Camp Conestoga at Somerset, PA. Living in Delaware, my son attended summer camp at Camp Rodney in North East, MD. I spent my mornings at the rifle range helping with supervision, and the afternoons completing my training for Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills. I’m looking forward to returning to camp again.
This is my second year belonging to a bowling league. Out team is called the Eccentric Raccoons and we hired someone to design a logo for our shirts. We are a three person team, but our Team Captain quit, which is causing us to lose points (but I’m suppose to have fun and not worry about winning and being upset losing the game.)
I also took an extended vacation this summer. Three days at Janes Island and then drove to Nags Head, NC for a week of relaxation with my family. Although the black flies and greenheads we out in force and it was humid, the trip was worth it. I turned off the work email on my phone and iPad and enjoyed the beach, some tours, wave runners, and bike rides. Hopefully I’ll be back next summer.
After 2 years of shopping around for tablets, I finally purchased an iPad 3 aka The New iPad.
I was going to mention what took me so long to purchase the iPad, but it is a boring story about saving money, looking at tablets at least once a month, reading blogs about with everyone’s opinion, and just waiting for the tablet that had all the right features. For a few months, I thought the Asus Transformer 201 was the right device. Nvidia quad core processor, Ice-cream sandwich for the OS, and the optional keyboard to “transform” into a netbook.
New iPad (Photo credit: sidduz)
But when I compared the iPad 3 to the Transformer 201, I felt the iPad was a better tablet. Yes, the iPad was more expensive, but over the last year I was becoming more use to the IOS interface, providing support for iPhones and iPads at work, and I really like my iPod. I have also noticed when I need to check my personal email away from home, or look at the calendar, I usually went to the iPod over my Android phone. Plus my Android phone needs to be replaced. Too many lock ups with apps, and I have to reboot it once a day.
I love my new iPad! I have used it every day for the last week for work and home. I take it to work and use Evernote to take notes of computers that I’m working on, use AIM app to keep in touch with colleagues and friends, listen to music, and attend web meetings with AT&T Connect. Plus several customers at work have made suggestions on apps and other accessories. I purchased a case at Amazon.com called the Bear Motion, in black. The case props up the iPad at a good angle for typing (writing this post on the iPad now), and for video calls using FaceTime.
I don’t have any major issues or complaints about the iPad. I do want to find a good office suite for the iPad, and it would be nice if Microsoft would realse a version of Office for the iPad. I know Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are available. I had several colleagues recommend Documents To Go as an option. However, after all these years of trying different office suites, nothing compares to Microsoft Office. It is a standard, and I’m familiar with the programs.
I would recommend the iPad to anyone, but i also tell people to look at all the options. They might like an Android or Windows tablet over the iPad. Maybe picking up the iPad 2 would be a better option for someone instead.
Now, let’s see if I can figure out how to upload a few screenshots I made last week using the WordPress app.
Lock screen for my iPad. Feels like a Star Trek Univerise