Confirmed: The iPad Isn’t Good At What It Isn’t Good At

What is it about the iPad that moves seemingly rational people to say perfectly ridiculous things?

The latest example of this foolishness is Matt Asay, writing in The Register, who argues that because there are some enterprise chores that the iPad does not do well or at all, “iPad is RUBBISH for enterprise.” The gist of Asay’s argument goes something like this:

  • Enterprise users depend on heavy-duty apps, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • These apps are not available on the iPad.
  • The Apple alternatives, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are less capable.
  • Therefore, the iPad is unsuited to enterprise use.

Each of these statements except the last is indisputably true. And that conclusion is completely wrong.

The problem is the implicit assumption that unless a computing device is well-suited to everything we might ask of any computer, it isn’t suited for anything. This is the sort of thinking–Microsoft is particularly prone to it–that has given us bloated all-purpose devices that can do anything, though often not very well.

To support his case, Asay quotes a Macworld article (unfortunately, no link was provided): “For the most part, I love writing on my iPad. But I still do so only when my MacBook isn’t around…”

I would say the same thing, and I would add that I don’t use my MacBook Air when my 27″ iMac or desktop Windows PC is around. The critical thing is that the iPad is always around when I want it; it has the right mix of capability of mobility for a vast variety of jobs, many of them as great utility to the enterprise.

It is true that putting capable Office programs on tablets gives Windows  slates a potential advantage in the enterprise markets. But, as I have written, the new versions of Office programs, while more touch-capable than their predecessors, still are not very well suited to touch use. It’s not at all clear at this point that a Windows tablet running Excel 2013 will really be very much better for enterprise spreadsheet use than an iMac with Numbers.

The big problem here, though, is the fallacy that lack of capability at any task the enterprise may demand renders a device useless. Let’s accept–and celebrate–the fact that we are living in a world where we have a choice of devices of varying capabilities and where

Published by

Steve Wildstrom

Steve Wildstrom is veteran technology reporter, writer, and analyst based in the Washington, D.C. area. He created and wrote BusinessWeek’s Technology & You column for 15 years. Since leaving BusinessWeek in the fall of 2009, he has written his own blog, Wildstrom on Tech and has contributed to corporate blogs, including those of Cisco and AMD and also consults for major technology companies.

78 thoughts on “Confirmed: The iPad Isn’t Good At What It Isn’t Good At”

  1. Enough people have brought their iPads to work, preferring them to the computers provided by their companies, that BYOD has become a large issue in the enterprise (due to security questions). Matt Asay seems to have somehow missed that point.

  2. “Confirmed: The iPad isn’t Good at what it isn’t good at”

    What a great title and what a great article. I too read the Register article and it’s stupidity made my blood boil. Steve Wildstrom has demolished the Register’s article with his title alone.

    Well done, Steve. Well done.

    1. I haven’t purposely followed a Register link for over 5 years. Their idiotic railing against all things Apple and the iPhone in particular revealed the Register as a collection of short-sighted PC bigot trolls.

  3. Yes, I read that article as well and intended on doing a quick take but Steve did a great job so I don’t need to.

    The Register Article was so misguided it was ridiculous. To take Steve’s analogy even further, Asay’s main argument is the same as complaining that a Camry is terrible at towing a boat and hauling stuff to the dump.

  4. There is nothing inherent about the iPad that would preclude Microsoft from creating a version of Office for it. So if Office isn’t available for the iPad, whose fault is that? This is a game Microsoft has played with Apple for decades. They withhold or release crippled versions of their enterprise apps for Apple platforms. Luckily, third parties will step in to fill the gap with apps that are data-compatible allowing companies that don’t want to remain under Microsoft’s thumb have options.

    1. “There is nothing inherent about the iPad that would preclude Microsoft from creating a version of Office for it.”
      Save that Microsoft will hold back to imply that “only the Surface is a real computer”

      They should have released the product and used the income to offset the odd billion they have thrown at Xbox and that advertising company they wrote off this quarter.

      1. It has been reported–and I cannot testify to the accuracy of the reports–that Microsoft is well along with a version of Office for iOS. Assuming this is correct, the decision seems to be not to release it until after the Windows RT tablets are launched. Another issue is going to be pricing. Microsoft is bundling Office into Windows RT. But an iOS version could not be priced at much more than the $10 per app that Apple charges for the iWorks apps.

        1. Apple is putting the screw on a lot of companies especially those that sell expensive softwares such as MS for their OS and Adobe for their creative suites.

          Now these companies have to find new ways of making money because a lot of softwares are going for a song although they may not be as capable but then they are not as bloated and loaded with useless features,

  5. He was referring to our July 2012 magazine cover story, “iPad: The New Business Machine”. And of course spelled “MacWorld” incorrectly with a big capped W in the middle.

  6. Hey there! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now and
    finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Texas!
    Just wanted to mention keep up the great job!

  7. Ahaa, its nice discussion on the topic of this paragraph here at this webpage, I have read all
    that, so at this time me also commenting at this
    place.

  8. Thanks , I’ve just been looking for info approximately
    this topic for ages and yours is the best I have discovered till now.

    However, what about the bottom line? Are you sure concerning the source?

  9. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I
    am inspired! Very helpful information particularly the remaining
    phase 🙂 I maintain such information a lot. I used to be seeking
    this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  10. Greetings! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering
    which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up
    of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking
    at alternatives for another platform. I would
    be great if you could point me in the direction of a good
    platform.

  11. It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am
    happy that you just shared this useful information with us.
    Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  12. I just like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again right here frequently.
    I am quite certain I’ll be informed lots of new stuff right right
    here! Best of luck for the next!

  13. I’m excited to discover this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones
    time just for this fantastic read!! I definitely liked every bit
    of it and I have you saved as a favorite to look at new stuff on your site.

  14. It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I am happy that you simply shared this
    helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like
    this. Thanks for sharing.

  15. A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment.
    I think that you ought to write more about this subject matter, it
    may not be a taboo subject but typically folks don’t talk
    about such issues. To the next! Kind regards!!

  16. Hi! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve
    had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
    I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

  17. I like the helpful information you supply for your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and test again here regularly.
    I’m relatively sure I will be told lots of new stuff right here!

    Good luck for the next!

  18. My partner and I stumbled over here from a
    different web address and thought I might as well check things out.

    I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to checking out your web page
    again.

  19. Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks
    would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your theme.

    Cheers

  20. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your blogs really
    nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later on. All the best

  21. Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The words in your post seem to be running off the screen in Safari.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to
    do with browser compatibility but I thought I’d post
    to let you know. The design look great though!
    Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Cheers

  22. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this
    onto a friend who had been conducting a little research on this.
    And he in fact ordered me lunch due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanks for spending some time to talk about this subject here on your website.

  23. Admiring the time and energy you put into your
    site and in depth information you present. It’s good
    to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted
    rehashed information. Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site
    and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  24. My developer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on a variety of websites for about
    a year and am nervous about switching to another
    platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts
    into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  25. Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog?
    My blog is in the very same area of interest as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from some of the information you present here.

    Please let me know if this okay with you. Thanks!

  26. Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging
    on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always useful to read through content from other authors and practice a little something from other
    websites.

  27. I’m not sure why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me.
    Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end?
    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

  28. I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting
    article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view,
    if all website owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  29. I’m not sure why but this site is loading incredibly slow for
    me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
    I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.

  30. You are so awesome! I don’t think I have read through something like this before.
    So good to find another person with a few original thoughts on this subject.
    Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This web site
    is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a
    bit of originality!

  31. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you make this website yourself or did you hire
    someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
    cheers

  32. If you are going for finest contents like I do, just pay a quick visit this web site all the time for the reason that it provides quality contents, thanks

  33. Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d
    ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa?
    My website discusses a lot of the same topics as yours and I think we
    could greatly benefit from each other. If you happen to be interested feel free to shoot me an e-mail.

    I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

  34. What’s up everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this website, and paragraph is genuinely fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these types of articles
    or reviews.

  35. Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst
    you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog website?

    The account aided me a appropriate deal. I had been tiny bit familiar of this your
    broadcast provided bright clear concept

  36. Howdy I am so grateful I found your weblog, I really found you
    by error, while I was researching on Aol for something else, Anyways
    I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round entertaining blog (I
    also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it
    all at the moment but I have saved it and also included your RSS
    feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep
    up the excellent work.

  37. Appreciating the commitment you put into your blog and in depth information you offer.
    It’s good to come across a blog every once in a while that
    isn’t the same out of date rehashed material.
    Wonderful read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.

  38. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning
    this blog. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog
    posts from you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get
    my very own site now 😉

  39. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve
    truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

  40. Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too
    wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating
    and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining
    and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant
    wait to read far more from you. This is actually a terrific web site.

  41. Excellent web site you have here.. It’s hard to find high
    quality writing like yours these days. I seriously appreciate people like you!

    Take care!!

  42. Greetings! I’ve been following your blog for a long time now and finally got the
    courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Texas!
    Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work!

  43. Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so
    I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and will be
    tweeting this to my followers! Superb blog and great design and style.

Leave a Reply to His Shadow Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *