In and Out Of Office: Putting iPads To Work

Wall Street Journal ^ | March 23, 2011 | By WALTER S. MOSSBERG

[Swordmaker]

While it can perform many of the functions of a PC or Mac, Apple's iPad— including the new iPad 2—lacks two of the most common and frequently used features of a traditional computer. It has no standard USB port for connecting a flash drive or external hard disk, so you can't move files into and out of it from these devices. And it doesn't have a systemwide, user-accessible file system like those on traditional computers.

The iPad lacks a USB port and can't accept a flash drive or external hard disk. So how do you get your files on it? Walt Mossberg gives a primer for retreiving Microsoft Office files or Adobe PDFs from a computer or cloud services.

These omissions have led many readers to ask me how you get files—especially Microsoft Office files and PDFs—into and out of iPads. They have bolstered the contention that the popular tablet is really just a "consumption device," not a productivity tool.

So, here's a brief primer on how to get such documents into and out of an iPad, and how to view, edit and create them on the tablet. This isn't an in-depth product review, though I've tested every product and method I will mention here. It's merely a quick, practical guide to how to work with documents on an iPad.

[Jonty30]

There is a connection that you can buy to plug into the Ipad connector that you can then plug a USB into it.

[Swordmaker]

How to use MS Office files with an Apple iPad—PING!

Please, No Flame Wars, Discuss technical issues, software, and hardware.
Don't attack people!

Don't respond to the Anti-Apple Thread Trolls!
 PLEASE IGNORE THEM!!!

 

Apple iPad with MS Office files Ping!

If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.

[KoRn]

I’ve been able to use the adapter for cameras to pull files from an SD card.

[WVKayaker]

I got my iPad 1 today. 64g, 3g, case, extras- $400. Owner had to have the new one. I wanted one to play! I’m now waiting for it to load my music and pics. I will hae it to use tomorrow I guess, since I have about 30 g of music!!!

[hole_n_one]

While it can perform many of the functions of a PC or Mac, Apple's iPad— including the new iPad 2—lacks two of the most common and frequently used features of a traditional computer. It has no standard USB port for connecting a flash drive or external hard disk, so you can't move files into and out of it from these devices. And it doesn't have a system wide, user-accessible file system like those on traditional computers.

I know an easy solution to the inadequacies of the iPad........

Buy a "traditional computer".

[Keith in Iowa]

File storage: To the cloud! Plenty of options for that.

[Swordmaker]

Buy a "traditional computer".

I have plenty of "traditional computers" including a near state of the art MacBook Pro. . .with both a Windows7 and a LINUX install as well as OSX on it. I've turned it on exactly three times since I've had my iPad. I have NO problem accessing every file on my Mac Pro, my 24" iMac, or the Windows7 computers at several of my client's offices from my iPad from anywhere. I can open and edit or create Windows Word and Excel files and save them back to any of those computers... Also from anywhere!

So, hole? Where are the inadequacies?

I'm not being affected by them...

[cicero2k]

I’ve been able to use the adapter for cameras to pull files from an SD card.

Yes, I read about this capability and wondered why no one was exploiting it. The camera cards go up to 64GB I think, and would be all you need.

[Swordmaker]

Welcome to the club! Enjoy!

[hole_n_one]

I didn't use the term "traditional computer", the author of the article you posted did, multiple times.

I think the iPad is a marvelous device for what it is.

When I see articles that complain about what the iPad can't do vs. what a "traditional computer" can do, the answer is easy......

buy a "traditional computer" or quit your bitching.

[Cementjungle]

There is a connection that you can buy to plug into the Ipad connector that you can then plug a USB into it

Good grief.. what does Apple have against standard things like a simple USB port???

[Swordmaker]

Lots of people are doing it. It’s just one of those talking points being flogged by the FUD spreaders to push the competition like the iPad doesn’t do Adobe Flash content, ignoring the fact that those that do run their batteries down rapidly!

[MamaB]

I have had an iPad since last summer and love it. At that time I also had a new desk top and a new laptop. I think I can count on one hand how many times I have used the laptop. I have music, books and games on it. The battery last forever and is really light weight. My daughter has games and books on hers for her 3 year old granddaughter.

[Bulldaddy]

bttt

[knews_hound]

saving for the morning

[hole_n_one]

Good grief.. what does Apple have against standard things like a simple USB port???

Imagine for a moment if Apple released all the features that the public clamored for in one release.

They could, but then what would you buy next April?

[mojo114]

Thanks, copied and sent to others.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Better solution: get a laptop. Macbook Air > iPad2. Simple as that.

[ctdonath2]

Anyone who starts out an iPad discussion whining that it doesn’t have a USB port doesn’t have enough of a clue about the platform to have a valid opinion - much less one worthy of the Wall Street Journal.

The iPad is something new. Really new. Disruptive technology new. That’s why it outsold in way less than a year all tablets ever combined. The whole “USB file system is needed so we can handle files like we do in Windows” FAILED. I’ve been fiddling with tablets since the Wang document system. I have two Newtons in a closet upstairs. Microsoft has been trying to make tablets happen for decades. Nobody did ... until the iPad. And it made it big WITHOUT USB. Without “files” as defined to users by techies.

The iPad is not a computer in the regular sense of the term. Short of what we hope are short lived technical limitations and lingering semantic paradigms, we don’t start or quit programs, save files in directory structures, or even attach physical media to transfer those materials. The focus is on the user experience as users perceive and need, and not on technical obscurities users have to internalize.

Of course the author questions the absence of a USB port re: file access, etc. He’s still living a 20th century computing paradigm. Welcome to 2011.

(Written and posted, of course from my iPad.)