Apple iPad Review

redbenflies

The iPad is an interesting piece of technology. I had a chance to review one for use at my job. While reviewing it I found the included apps and software to be very intuitive and easy to use. The iPad I used had no 3G account, but it was easily configured for any available wireless internet. It has a lot of neat bells and whistles, such as being able to sense which direction is down, so by tilting the screen toward you friend, it automatically flips the picture so they can see what is on the screen without having to turn the device around. It ran all the apps with virtually no hesitation and I had no issues with crashing or lockups (pretty typical of Apple products). The ability to zoom out and in by simply moving your fingers apart or together while touching the screen was also a nice feature.

However well the iPad runs, it did have several drawbacks that make it unusable for my job. The first is that it has no USB ports. You can transfer data by email, or possibly by an app you would need to buy from Apple, but no facilities for transferring data by a flash drive. What about peripherals? You can’t plug a printer into it, so I guess you would need to set it up with a networked printer. That means that there is a whole market of peripherals out there that you can’t use on it.

Also, it’s Safari (web browser) was very limited. When visiting a site like youtube.com (pretty popular site), it was very limited to what video’s it was able to play. It also suffers from it’s inability to use any site driven by Adobe Flash. Apples CEO has stated that it will not ever use flash. They will not approve any apps or allow flash to be used on their iPod. The iPod apparently has some conflicts that are irreconcilable with Flash… causing it to overheat and lockup.

Safari also has some drawbacks with the programs we use regularly in our workplace for tracking parts and log info, which is pretty important for us to use. You can access the program, but it is unable to expand the views, which seems to require Microsoft Internet Explorer (Firefox doesn’t work for that site either).

As an overview, I think the iPad has some great possibilities in the workplace, or as a fun toy, but unless Apple loses the “we’ll tell you what you need” attitude, PC’s will forever dominate the market.

Looking at what is being worked on, I see some great PC and Android based “pads” coming out this summer that have the potential to fill the niche our company is looking for, and be able to use. The ones that Google and Asus have been putting together have internal GPS, USB ports, and all kinds of other features that will make them a lot of fun to use. Looking forward to trying them out!

Ben Horning

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Technology in Construction & Manufacturing: Why It’s More Than Just Device Management

January 20, 2026

Modern construction and manufacturing sites are no longer just about heavy machinery; they’re digital ecosystems. Tablets, laptops, IoT sensors, and mobile apps are now essential for everything from blueprint access to production monitoring. These tools enable real-time collaboration, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. But when your workforce is spread across remote job sites or large facilities, keeping these systems connected and secure becomes a challenge. Construction Blueprint & Plan Access: Crews use tablets to view updated plans on-site, reducing errors and rework. Safety & Compliance Reporting: Mobile apps allow instant incident reporting and safety checks. Equipment Tracking: IoT sensors monitor heavy machinery usage and maintenance needs. Manufacturing Production Line Monitoring: Tablets and IoT devices track throughput and detect anomalies. Quality Control: Mobile devices capture and share inspection data in real time. Inventory Management: Connected devices streamline material tracking and reduce downtime. These tools keep projects moving, but only if they’re secure, updated, and accessible anywhere. Why Remote Access Is Critical Construction sites and manufacturing plants often operate in remote or rugged environments. Workers need secure, reliable access to company systems, whether they’re in the field, on the shop floor, or traveling between sites. Without proper management, connectivity issues and security gaps can lead to delays, data breaches, and compliance failures. How a Managed IT Services Partner Helps You Win Partnering with a Managed IT Services provider lik e Eberly Systems ensures: Centralized Device Management: Configure, update, and secure all devices remotely using Microsoft Intune. Enterprise-Grade Security: Microsoft Defender protects against threats across IT and OT environments. Identity & Access Control: Microsoft Entra ID enables MFA and conditional access for subcontractors and BYOD scenarios. 24/7 Monitoring & Support: Proactive threat detection and performance monitoring keep operations running smoothly. Scalable Solutions: Whether you have 50 devices or 500, policies and updates roll out automatically. This means your teams can access critical tools and data securely anytime, anywhere, without worrying about downtime or cyber risks. Construction and manufacturing thrive on precision and speed. Technology makes that possible, but only when it’s managed effectively. A trusted Managed IT Services partner doesn’t just keep devices secure, it keeps your business moving, your workforce connected, and your data protected. Ready to empower your teams and safeguard your operations? Contact Eberly Systems today for a free consultation.