I need a small lap top for class and was thinking of an I-pad. I only need it for small work, looking at reference pics for drawings, some internet, checking hockey scores when class sucks etc....so what do you think? Lapt op or Ipad?

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Typing on the touch screen isn't bad, but I wouldn't want to take notes or anything using that. You can pair up a bluetooth KB with it to do that if you want.

I use mine quite a bit. When I have to leave my office to go to the other buildings, I bring it with me to take quick notes, but I also have a ton of reference materials for things I may need to know. Simpler than carrying my laptop bag a lot of the time.

Only downside I have is that I've outlawed wireless throughout the company, so I have to pull my phone out and VPN in if I'm in a pinch.

I think for small work, with an external keyboard, it's not a bad idea.

I need something that I can take with me, pull up my portfolio for customers, take my reference photos for in class drawing, music, research for class and some notes. Sounds like the Ipad is pretty nice.

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Why did you outlaw wireless for?

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It's a bitch to manage and a helluva security risk.

Plus, when users can't connect, they are the loudest, most annoying SOBs you'll ever meet.

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Yeah, pretty much that.

To be more specific:

- The vast majority of our employees are tech support / customer service call center staff. They don't need wireless to do their job.
- My VP won't approve the expenditures for wireless equipment that doesn't suck. When the subject was broached 4 years ago, he wanted me to slam Linksys routers in, and I told him not a chance. The Cisco equipment I wanted to buy to provide an adequate level of security is more expensive than dinky Linksys shit, and they didn't want to pay for it.
- I don't trust all of our internal systems to be resistant enough to any potential network breach. While it's my network, and this shit is locked down very good, it's always possible for someone to hit up an unpatched vulnerability or something before I can correct it. Our previous systems administration department frankly sucked when it came to keeping their shit up to date and secure. The current group is better, but there's still no way they've gotten everything up to snuff.

The new update with multitasking is fucking great. Being able to Listen to pandora while reading or writing something makes any small sense of buyers remorse I may have had withe. Nice

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A netbook or a 13" laptop would work well too. Gotta love that QWERTY.