15 replies to this topic

[EP Sox Fan]

I have long been skeptical about the utility of tablets. However, a recent conversation with a judge gave me a bit of a different perspective on the potential uses for attorneys. She has an iPad and uses it for everything. More specifically, being able to access rules, code sections, and files without having to lug around all of the bulk. Unfortunately for my pocketbook, this has provided me with a real interest in exploring alternatives in the tablet market. I figured that there are enough lawyers on SoSH to get some perspective on which tablets provide the most utility (if any) from a legal perspective. iPad v. Android? Any must have apps?

[Omar's Wacky Neighbor]

I was shocked when my brother in WPB told me most of the legal community in his area uses iPads in the courthhouse. He says they;'re so prevalent that he bought them for everyone in his firm (he also get extra productivity at home out of his staff that way, but that's just icing on the cake).

But yeah, he says iPads are used all the time down there to cite/bring up stuff to show judges/magistrates/clerks.....

EDIT: speaking of which, 16gig Ipad2's for $399 at TJMaxx starting TODAY:

http://slickdeals.ne...d.php?t=3650384

Edited by Omar's Wacky Neighbor, 03 December 2011 - 01:47 PM.

[Trautwein's Degree]

There's only one tablet: the ipad. Get it.

[B H Kim]

In my experience, most of the lawyers who get a lot of productive use out of a tablet are lawyers who didn't previously use and constantly carry around a laptop. A tablet can be a very useful and helpful gadget if you weren't previously using any electronic device for carrying around, accessing, revising and communicating digital files. But it's not a laptop replacement. It's really not efficient for production or editing of complicated of lengthy documents. When I first bought my iPad, I carried it around with me all the time and tried to make use of it at work, but I still had to carry around and use my laptop so I gave up on using the iPad after a very short period of time. My recommendation is to buy an 11" MacBook Air. It's not that much bigger than an iPad and it does everything an iPad can do (and a lot more).

[mascho]

My wife and I are both attorneys and have an iPad that we both use for work. If you go that route, I would suggest Fastcase, which provides quick and extensive legal research, as well as Lawstack. Between those two you can pull up any case, code or rule on the fly. I was trying a medical malpractice case in October and was able to quickly pull up some research during a crucial Motion to Strike that probably saved my ass.

[Nick Kaufman]

In my experience, most of the lawyers who get a lot of productive use out of a tablet are lawyers who didn't previously use and constantly carry around a laptop. A tablet can be a very useful and helpful gadget if you weren't previously using any electronic device for carrying around, accessing, revising and communicating digital files. But it's not a laptop replacement. It's really not efficient for production or editing of complicated of lengthy documents. When I first bought my iPad, I carried it around with me all the time and tried to make use of it at work, but I still had to carry around and use my laptop so I gave up on using the iPad after a very short period of time. My recommendation is to buy an 11" MacBook Air. It's not that much bigger than an iPad and it does everything an iPad can do (and a lot more).

I think the answer to those looking for laptop functionality is the new Asus Transformer which includes an optional keyboard.

[Caspir]

The keyboard that costs $150 bucks? Why wouldn't you just buy a laptop instead of dopping ~$600 on a tablet/keyboard that can't perform all of the functions of a laptop? If you're getting a tablet, you can either buy the iPad or waste money. No tablet will accomplish what a laptop can, but the iPad (with bluetooth keyboard if you really need it) is so far ahead of the competition that it's not worth debating. I spent about a month trying to convince myself to get an Android tablet before buying an iPad 2, and I'm an Android fan boy so I looked for any reason to get a Samsung/Asus etc, but none of them can touch the iPad.

[mt8thsw9th]

Not sure how often you present, but the iPad has been incredible for presentations. I'll usually put together the basics in Powerpoint, email it to myself, and then open the *.ppt in Keynote and edit the rest there. I just plug in the VGA adapter and I'm good to go. It's nice not having to lug my notebook to class anymore on days I have to present.

[Nick Kaufman]

The keyboard that costs $150 bucks? Why wouldn't you just buy a laptop instead of dopping ~$600 on a tablet/keyboard that can't perform all of the functions of a laptop? If you're getting a tablet, you can either buy the iPad or waste money. No tablet will accomplish what a laptop can, but the iPad (with bluetooth keyboard if you really need it) is so far ahead of the competition that it's not worth debating. I spent about a month trying to convince myself to get an Android tablet before buying an iPad 2, and I'm an Android fan boy so I looked for any reason to get a Samsung/Asus etc, but none of them can touch the iPad.

Because of less weight and more flexibility. But yes, an ipad with a logitech keyboard also works.

[B H Kim]

I think the answer to those looking for laptop functionality is the new Asus Transformer which includes an optional keyboard.

The primary problem isn't the lack of a keyboard, it's the lack of fully functional software (e.g., no word processing apps that can read or create redlined documents).

Edited by B H Kim, 04 December 2011 - 08:37 PM.

[BigJimEd]

If you're getting a tablet, you can either buy the iPad or waste money.

A lot of people would disagree with that.

About a month ago we let our sales team, about 12 of them, choose their own devices.They were using iPads. Many upgraded to the iPad2 but several switched. A few wanted the smaller Galaxy Tab, a couple got the 10" Galaxy and one got the Lenovo thinkPad tablet with pen input and multiple ports.
I think all are happy with their choices. The Sony S has also received some good reviews.

The iPad is very good but there are alternatives out there.

[Nick Kaufman]

The primary problem isn't the lack of a keyboard, it's the lack of fully functional software (e.g., no word processing apps that can read or create redlined documents).

Can't you use google docs?

[Gagliano]

I just bought the ASUS Slate 12.1" for work, and it's pretty impressive so far. It's bulkier than an IPad, but if someone is looking for something closer to true laptop functionality, it fits the bill.

[Caspir]

A lot of people would disagree with that.

About a month ago we let our sales team, about 12 of them, choose their own devices.They were using iPads. Many upgraded to the iPad2 but several switched. A few wanted the smaller Galaxy Tab, a couple got the 10" Galaxy and one got the Lenovo thinkPad tablet with pen input and multiple ports.
I think all are happy with their choices. The Sony S has also received some good reviews.

The iPad is very good but there are alternatives out there.

No doubt there are alternatives, to some degree. I'm the furthest thing from an Apple guy (I bought an iPad2, and it was my first Apple product. Ever.), but after spending time playing with other tablets (especially the Samsung, which would have been an easy transition since I have a Galaxy SII), they just didn't compare. In a perfect world, HTC would make an Android tablet that doesn't suck, because I love Sense as a UI, and would drop the iPad in a minute if such a device existed. The same things that drew me to an Android smartphone (open community, etc), pushed me away from their tablet selections. Honeycomb just isn't there yet, IMO. I didn't get a chance to play with the new Asus, I did like the Lenovo even though it wasn't what I was looking for (and was too expensive), and the Galaxy just didn't do it for me.

It's all subjective, and the entire Apple set up takes some getting used to if you're coming from Android devices, but the iPad 2 just felt like it was a step ahead of the competition. If the Galaxy tab was closer to $250-$299, I probably would have jumped on it, but at their respective price points, I prefer the stability of Apple as opposed to the possibilities of other tabs. There has been a ton of headway, and I'm sure there are going to be some really nice tablets coming out over the next year that will make people stop and think, but right now, for me at least, it was iPad or nothing.

[jercra]

The keyboard that costs $150 bucks? Why wouldn't you just buy a laptop instead of dopping ~$600 on a tablet/keyboard that can't perform all of the functions of a laptop?

The keyboard is also an extended battery adding another 18 hours of life to your tablet.

[smastroyin]

The keyboard is also an extended battery adding another 18 hours of life to your tablet.

No, more like another 6, extending the total life to 18 hours.