I originally bought my iPad to be a simpler way to blog while traveling. So how has that worked out for me? And what might my experiences mean for you?
What are the features of an iPad?
- Small slimline profile means it easily goes into a large purse. It can function as a phone, though I don’t use it that way.
- Loads of apps, many of them free.
- Accessories can expand usefulness (I have a keyboard cover).
- Bigger screen than a phone, while remaining compact.
- Portable
- Battery has longlasting properties (compared with a laptop)
- Works well for reading eBooks and PDFs
I ended up buying an iPad Air 2.
-click home button to awake, twice to bring up app screen.
-screen adjusts to landscape or portrait mode.
It has a camera, but so far I found that a bit awkward to use. Better sound when not encased in the Belkin cover, but still good. Clear, beautiful display.
The Adventures:Â Traveling with an iPad
I found some things I genuinely liked, but the entire experience didn’t quite work out as seamlessly as I’d hoped. Still, I am not ready to say I have fully mastered bringing this portable device into its full potential.
Things I had to get used to:
- Apps are not full programs, so graphics may need to be done elsewhere. Luckily there are easy online programs like Picmonkey and Canva. Only Canva has an actual IOS app.
- Passwords. Setting up the device is just like setting up a new computer, so sometimes I have to go looking for passwords. There might be an easier way, but I didn’t know about it.
- Can’t get used to using it as a phone… at least not yet.
I liked the portability and accessibility of the iPad, loved the long battery life, and the Belkin cover lights up and makes typing easy.
That said, the keyboard features are smaller and more awkward than a full laptop keyboard. I found it harder to feel at home on the tablet and that interfered with my inspiration to write- but that is just me. I feel that as I get used to it, it will be as natural and I’ll stop thinking about it so much.
One app that makes a tablet highly functional is Evernote. When I put something into it, it transfers it to all my devices that have the app- including my phone and laptop. That solves issues with the need to have good photos/graphics for a post.
My eyesight isn’t very good, so the smaller screen is not always best for me. I enlarge, but I tend to like a larger screen. Huge imporvement on a phone, however.
Am I happy? Â Yes. Happy enough that I want to further explore which apps are best for me and to get greater skill and comfort in using tablets rather than laptops.
What Apps For Me?
I use many that are on my iPhone:
- Waterlogue for fun
- Camera +
- Pronto for graphics (this is a new one for me)
- Evernote
- Weather
- and 22 other apps, including  basics like camera, mail, etc
Other Opinions about Traveling With An iPad
Gizmodo had a post that sings the praises of using an iPad. Joel Johnson also cited the light weight, small size, and the great battery life. This is essentially the same experience as mine.
While written in 2010, I think the plus and minus of the iPads are the same today, six years later.
I do use mine differently since blogging is my main activity on any computer.
Useful Accessories For Tablets
From experience texting, I knew I couldn’t get very far with writing posts, or even social commenting  without  a keyboard. I just can’t. But I found a Belkin QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air 2, after much searching through reviews. I have to say it was a great purchase which I am very happy to use most of the time I am on the
Device Warnings -be sure to keep your OS up to date.
Summed up
I like this device more as I learn to use it. It is very user friendly with apps like imovie along with a decent camera, its size, and its good battery life. The screen makes watching video a great experience and Siri is there to help, too. I think it was worth the money invested.
