Apple’s tablet computer, the iPad, has made it easier to take work, games and movies with you wherever you go. Although it does not have a disc or USB drive, data can be stored on the Internet and accessed remotely; this is called “cloud computing.”
There are also over 90,000 iPad applications (apps) that give you access to programming and online content. For the millions of people who travel for work and fun each year, the iPad can lighten luggage and provide access to entertainment and information on the road.
There are some guidelines you should follow to get the most out of your iPad when you are on a trip. Read more to find out how to use an iPad when travelling.
1. Choose a Wi-Fi iPad, if you will be mainly using it for travel out of your home country or network. You may be subject to roaming charges if you try to access the Internet outside of your country. Many Western countries have widespread Wi-Fi, and you can sometimes pay extra for a local micro-SIM card.
Download a Wi-Fi Finder application before you leave home. This will allow you to find locations that have free Wi-Fi for easy access while you travel. Check near your hotel, airport and more.
2. Choose an iPad with a lot of memory, if you plan to use it for travel. You will want a good amount of applications, documents and content to be stored on it. The 32 and 64 gigabyte options are the best choices.
3. Turn off apps, Wi-Fi and 3G when you are not using them to save battery life. It is a good idea to keep them open long enough after landing so that the iPad can latch on to your location. Controlling the amount of power you use is essential if you are often away from a charging station.
4. Download all system updates a day before you leave. This is best done to avoid any syncing problems 10 minutes before you leave. It’s best to do any cleaning up or changing 1 to 2 days before to avoid any technical difficulties that may arise.
5. Download movies, newspapers, books, music, games and more before you leave home. If you choose to do this away from home, you may use up precious battery life. Set them up to download overnight so you can be ready when you don’t have an Internet connection in flight.
6. Check if your airline uses Adobe Flash for its website before you leave home. Many airline websites run their check-in pages with Flash, which is not compatible with the iPad. If this is the case, you will need to find another way to check in early.
7. Plan your work schedule before your flight. Download the Dropbox application before your trip, so that you can keep all of your work documents in “the cloud” and download them when you have an Internet connection. Download those documents that you will need directly onto the iPad in anticipation for a lack of Internet mid-flight.
8. Buy the necessary accessories before your trip. Just like choosing the perfect carry-on suitcase, passport book or walking shoes, iPad accessories can increase the effectiveness of the iPad. With the right tools, you may be able to replace your laptop completely.
•Buy an iPad keyboard, if you plan to work or email extensively on your trip.
•Carry wall plug to charge your iPad. This is important if you do not plan to bring a computer.
•Buy an iPad case that is also a stand and doesn’t draw too much attention.
•Carry a set of headphones that contain a microphone. This can help you to talk on video chat applications while abroad.
•Buy a headphone splitter, if you have a travelling companion. You can both watch content or listen to music while you are on a flight.