Check out the design awards that Apple recently bestowed on these apps.  And while you are there, look at those from 2010.  This is a good place to see if you are missing any apps for your Mac, iPad, or iPhone that meet some strict criteria in design, innovation and technical excellence.

Although I gave the iPad a mediocre review at first, I now admit, that I am an iPad fanatic.  You may wonder what made me change my mind.  The first is that I upgraded to a version with 3G.  This makes all the difference in that you aren’t always trying to get on wifi and enter passwords as you move about.  When traveling, it is superb.  Check all email just before the flight attendant closes the cabin door, and stay in touch constantly.

The second thing is setting up the iPad well enough to make it fully functional.  This includes using your calendar, and integrating work and personal email.  Getting the appropriate productivity tools, books and some fun videos and games makes it a total entertainment device.  Many iPad specific apps came out since i first wrote my review and many of them are stunning.  I am a definite “app hog”, but rely on some way more than others.  Have many pages of apps, but the home screen is where I operate most.  If you click on the picture above, you will be able to see the apps I use most.  I also save a few website pages as shortcuts so I don’t have to take the extra steps to go to them via safari.

The most important changed happened a few weeks after I got the iPad.  I finally got a decent case and it made all the differnce in the world.  Without that case, I was always feeling like I would drop the iPad.  The case made it so much friendlier!

So, to make a long story short, I now love my iPad so much I rarely go anywhere without it!

So, when Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 was released, I purchased the Home and Student version which comes with 3 product keys from Amazon.  Only one problem:  there is no Outlook.  If you wanted Outlook, you had to buy the Business version.   When you load the home and student software, they suggest you try the Trial version of Outlook, which I did.  It expired, so I decided to upgrade.  Sounds simple enough, right?

Well you can upgrade for $99 and get only 1 product key.  I was upset that I couldn’t do the upgrade on the 3 products keys, but it took me 45 minutes on the phone with several Microsoft employees and supervisors to decide that I would finally upgrade with 1 key.  I then tried to purchase online for 4 hours.  In between, I called Microsoft and asked for help since their website would just spin and spin and could not complete the transaction.  I got put on hold after being shuffled to 4 people.  Each took my phone number “in case we get disconnected” and I had to reiterate my story each time.  The last person put me on permanent hold, and disconnected me completely, but never called me back.

You may wonder at this point why I wanted Outlook.  I had already imported and customized my email(several issues, but all ultimately resolved).  I finally decided that perhaps the browser was the probelm, so tried Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari.  Finally got connected and purchased, but this experience has made me even more of a hater.

After talking to 9 different Microsoft customer service people, I finally had to resolve the problem myself.  In all my years of using Apple customer service, I have never had any issues even remotely resembling this.  So Microsoft, perhaps you need to take a lesson from a company that provides excellent customer service and keeps their customers coming back to buy more.

Sad, but true – I finally succumbed to the iPad.  This is not your normal iPad lovefest review, but it may help you make a decision about purchasing an iPad.

I resisted for a LONG time (at least for me).  This started by convincing myself that I really didn’t need an iPad since I like to travel light and was happy with my iPod Touch and MacBook Air.  For those who can travel without a computer, the iPad is great, but I need to be able to access corporate VPN, do website work and unfortunately, I need a computer for that.

Once I finally decided to purchase, I found out that it was almost impossible to get one quickly, and had both a good and bad experience, but that is the topic of another blog post ( – my first bad experience in my “happy place”).

What I love:

• Video is spectacular
• Words With Friends is so much better than on the iPod Touch
• Photos
• Web Surfing

What is suprising:

• It is turning out to be a good “at home gadget”
• Really enjoy using when on the ellipical
• The lack of good apps (not using an iPod app at 2x size with lousy resolution).
• iBooks is a very elegant app

What needs improvement:

• Availability of decent cases – supposedly the Apple one is good, but mine has been on order for a couple of weeks, and haven’t received yet.
• Not that much easier to transport than the Macbook Air, with a lot of sacrifice of applications
• Multitasking
• Need books at a reasonable price and more selection

What are your thoughts on the iPad?

Once I finally decided to purchase an  iPad, I found out that it was almost impossible to get one quickly.  I ordered on line (said 7-10 days before it shipped with no expedited options).  I also went into the Apple store and ordered one.  That is a great system.  When it comes in, they email you and you have 24 hours to claim it.  It only took 48 hours to get my email – ” Congratulations your 64GB Wifi iPad is here”.  Wow – that was fast.  Canceled the online order and headed to the Apple Store.  Good customer service, but then, I had my first truly awful experience at the Apple Store.  It started out when I mentioned that the sync cord looked the same as the iPod.   She said, “no, it is different”.  I said “it looks the same”.  She said, “it is different inside”.  Huh?

They said in the email that they could help you set up your email, etc.  I decided to take advantage of this since I have never had trouble getting my email on my Touch, but have had terrible problems with sending email.  She proceeded to try to help me, and could not get it working..  I asked if she could get someone else to help, and she returned from the back saying that Road Runner email won’t work in the store – just at my house.  I said that I had problems with my email on the Touch even at home, and didn’t plan to spend $700 for an iPad where I couldn’t send email.  We then proceeded to try a pop email account from my website.  That didn’t work either.    She seemed reluctant to get any help, suggested that I call Apple from home???  I said fine, but I want something in writing that says that if I can’t get the email to send, I could return the iPad without a restocking charge.  She said – “Okay, Mike (store manager) knows about this”.  I said I needed it in writing.  She went to the back and returned with his business card with nothing written on it.  Wow – I am sure that would have really helped me.    At this point, I asked to speak with Mike.  After a short wait, Mike arrived and did not appear to know anything about the situation.  He was nice and got a Genius to help me.  The store had closed at this point (I was there 45 minutes thus far), so the Genius (who was knowledgeable) was able to give me some quick help so that I could finish at home.  I asked him about the sync cord, which he confirmed WAS the same as the iPod Touch.  So, in the end, I was okay, but it ruined my previously unmarred impression of my “happy place”.  iPad review is up next.

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Enjoy!