Zoom vs. IPad vs. any other like device

[Levi the Tile Guy]

So I have heard that a few of you on here use IPads for work purposes. Any way I am considering the doing the same thing, but I would rather use a Droid form of touch pad. The reasons are because my computer is an HP and all my contracts, forms, and pics are Microsoft format.

What I am wondering is if there are the same design apps for the Droid forms, or how hard it is to convert my Microsoft stuff to apple programs?

[Chad Deiter Company]

I use an app called DropBox to get to my estimates. It basically syncs to the one on my desktop. I don't do any real contract typing up on the iPad at all. And like I said all drawing applications are gonna be better with a real mouse.

I am pretty sure there are apps for editing Microsoft documents.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Is your desk top an apple Chad? Or does it sync to a Windows computer?

[Chad Deiter Company]

Nope it's a windows. The ipad just needs iTunes that's it. Doesn't matter what computer. But the DropBox syncs over air. Doesn't need to be attached.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Well I was in Best buy last night and can get either the Zoom or IPad 2 in 32gb size for $499, I think that is a decent deal.

[sandbagger]

well, you get the real deal or a copy that is always trying to keep up.

Like Chad said, you just need iTunes. I know there are folks who actually reject the Apple products (iPhone, iPad, iPod) because they are restricted to iTunes but that's a little silly if there is no other reason.

There are several ways to deal with the Office doc issue, and none of them are going to give you complete Office capability on either platform. Documents to Go is the granddaddy of them all and dates back to the Palm days - has been around for quite awhile so it's a proven app. (I used it on my Palm Tungsten.)

Here's a recent thread in the Apple forum from someone asking the same question. There are several other options mentioned in the replies.

UPDATE: Are you sure about that price for the iPad 2? If that is accurate I would jump on it. I just checked a couple of other sources and they show the $499 price for the base 16 gig model. The 32 gig is 100 bucks more.

(iPad prices won't vary much from any source.)

[tileguynky]

As for actual programs. Apple makes a few that will open/edit/resave in Microsoft format. I open 99% of all. Excel programs with Numbers. Pages will do the same with Word and Keynote will do PowerPoint presentations. Any time you edit something, just make sure you save it for the appropriate Microsoft program. All that I have are macs and will say that in 7 years of business, I have not ran into a Microsoft formatted program that I have not been able to open yet.

I have an iPad 2, 32 gb wifi only and it was $100 higher. There are two ways to get an iPad/iPhone cheaper than retail that I am aware of. First is Sam's club is about $11 cheaper than everybody else on iPads/iPhones. Another option is go to the Apple Store. Scroll down towards the bottom and click on the remanufactured link.