I’d love your advice.

For context: I have primarily a Google based workflow - Chrome (though I currently search with Bing), Evernote, Dropbox, Google Voice. I live in The Cloud - and Apple’s late to that party… I had an iPhone 3G for a couple years. I’m thrilled to have been on Android since September. I like my MacBook Pro as I like all Apple hardware…

I am a minimalist. All I carry with me in my pocket is my license, CC, insurance card, keypass, and my HTC Aria (2.1) - In my backpack is my MBP (and plug), Kindle, a small Moleskine (with pen, pencil, eraser), a USB cable (charging and tethering), and headphones. Everything snug in my backpack so I can bicycle to work - hopefully the weather will let me get back to it later this month… I hardly use paper. Evernote is great: I take photos of whiteboards and napkins; and I scan my Moleskine sketches.

Anyway, I think I’m finally ready to get a tablet. I’ve been watching the technology for quite a while, and I think I have a workflow that’s finally ready for it…

My only two hangups are photography and design. For photography, I will continue to use my iMac (Aperture) at home. Though I am intrigued at the thought of figuring out how to use the iPad in the field…For Design, I primarily use Omni Graffle. There is an iPad App. If I do get the iPad, I suppose I just need to experiment with it to see if it’s powerful enough to do everything or if I still need to use the MBP for some things…

For my freelance business, I need to take down notes quickly, snap photos of spaces, sketch concept ideas etc. I also need a clean, quick, beautiful way to show off my portfolio. The iPad2 (with stylus for better sketching) seems to me like it is the perfect solution.

While I’m not bought and paid for by Apple, I do like a majority of their workflow. And one has to admit that their hardware is superior with most products. The iPhone itself is a killer piece of hardware; too bad it’s not as small as my sexy little Aria. More: too bad iPhone runs iOS which can’t do as much for me (on a phone) as even the outdated 2.1 - With the sole exception of Screen Capture, I don’t miss my 3G at all.

My list of criteria:

  • Battery - does anything else compete with the iPad’s 10 hour life?
  • Apps - Omni Graffle is a deal breaker…unless someone has another program to suggest to me.
  • Camera - a decent rear camera would be great for snapping a photo of a whiteboard sketch or taking a photo of a room I’m designing for. I could take or leave a front facing camera but it’s not a deal breaker, by any means. I do video chats (Skype and Gmail depending on who I’m talking to) from time to time, but honestly, sharing my screen during a chat would be far preferable. I do that with clients quite often.
  • Workflow - to justify the purchase, I need to not have to carry my laptop. With the exception of freelance consultations, if I have to have both, it’s not worth it. I want to carry less, not more.Internet - living in the cloud, I need to access the internet with my device. It needs to have good wifi like my MBP. It does not need to have 3G…so long as I can tether with my phone if I’m on the go. I certainly do not need two data plans; and will refuse to pay more than I need. I suppose I’m ok to consider a 3G model but only if I switch to a "dumb phone" with the same purchase.
  • Sleek Design - While not as powerful as other devices, my HTC Aria is smaller and cleaner than any other phone I’ve ever seen, including the iPhone. Form follows function; and for a minimalist, form sometimes IS function. The iPad2 with Apple’s Smart Cover seems to be a win in this department.
  • Price - Do I need more than I get with $499 (plus cover, stylus, and OmniGraffle) with a 16GB WiFi only iPad?

I think that covers all that I’ve been thinking.Do I keep my current set-up or can I justify switching to a tablet workflow? If switching, do I go iPad2 or consider an alternative?I remain open-minded, so please share.

Thank you, my friends.