Customer Reviews

The iPad Pocket Guide (Peachpit Pocket Guide)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although the iPad ships with a whole card's worth of information, some users will undoubtedly appreciate more detailed help and information about the latest hot item from Apple. First, no need to fret if you're short a ten. Simply go to the Apple site, and you'll find a generous complimentary manual online. On the other hand, it's understandable that some reactionary types will prefer a "hard copy" manual--one, moreover, that does not require toting 200 letter-size pages of instructions.

Either one of these guides--the iPad Pocket Guide by Jeff Carlson or the Rough Guide by Peter Buckley--will do the trick--though you certainly won't require both (I ordered the 2nd only after forgetting that I'd already ordered the first). Unfortunately, the choice isn't easy. The prices are virtually equal, the size and weight of the two manuals are also practically identical. (Neither manual is quite small enough to fit into a back pants pocket, but that's merely a quibble: they're plenty compact and handy.)

Should you come across the two competing titles in a bookstore and read the back-cover hype, you're likely to assume that the Pocket Guide takes a more personal, hand-holding approach than the Rough Guide to the iPad and its application to your specific needs. However, pretty much the opposite is true. The Rough Guide has thicker pages, some in color, bigger print, more subdivisions and titles, less verbiage, and an index that has fewer than one-half the entries in the Pocket Guide (which must have close to 500 entries in its 9-page index).

Both manuals are written clearly enough, but if your interest is in the details and if your reading environment (not to mention eyesight) is optimal, you'd be justified in considering yourself better equipped with the Pocket Guide. On the other hand, it may matter to some readers that though the Pocket Guide contains more information and more detailed explanations than The Rough Guide, it presupposes just a tad more computer literacy on the part of the user. For example, the chapter entitled "Debunking the Multitasking Myth" would not immediately grab the attention of someone unfamiliar with the "myth"--or, for that matter, with the meaning of "Multitasking" (we'll be more charitable and assume the lay reader can handle "debunking"). On the other hand, if all you want is a fast read, some big print and even some color (forget the highlighting--the editor/author has done all of that for you), then the Rough Guide is no doubt your best bet for an iPad companion.

Having both manuals, I feel compelled to use both. And given the differences between the two--less about substance than style--I'd have to give both five stars at this stage. The "Rough Guide" has bigger print, more pictures, and makes frequent use of an inviting Q&A format. But it pays little attention to the user's actual sequence of using the machine. If you prefer all sorts of orientation, scene-setting, feature-talk before the basic business of getting your iPad set up and connected, the "Rough Guide" is probably the better choice (it doesn't get to specifics about basic set-up until P. 58). On the other hand, the pictured "Pocket Guide" may have smaller print, longer paragraphs, and fewer pictures, but it tries to get you off and running with a discussion of the procedure for set-up on P. 2. If you're impatient to actually use the machine, and if your vision is fairly close to normal, Carlson's "Pocket Guide" is the more attractive if not logical choice.

It has been said many times already, but it's worth repeating: iPad is one of the most revolutionary devices that has come around in years. On the surface it seem like a cross between a tablet PC, a net book and an iPod, but comparing it to any one of these other devices doesn't do the full justice. iPad is truly revolutionizing how we approach the use of computers, and it is bound to have an impact on all of the other computing devices. iPad is an always-on, easily accessible and intuitive computing platform. Even though the ease of use is one of its hallmarks, if you have never used an iPod or an iPhone you may have some initial difficulties with using it.

This short pocket guide aims to take away the mystery behind iPad and help you make the most of it. The guide is written in an extremely accessible and to-the-point style, and from the very outset it takes you straight to the actual demonstrations of how to achieve certain actions on your iPad. It helps you navigate the plethora of settings and adjustment options, and tries to make sense of them. This is in fact one of the books's greatest strengths - it is not just a bag of tricks, but a clear and lucid explanation of the rationale behind every design option on your iPad (both hardware and software). Even seasoned iPhone and iPad users will find many valuable tips and insights, and the book is a valuable reference for the long term use.

I also enjoyed the format of the book. As the name suggests, it is rather small but I would still not attempt to put it in my pocket. The illustrations, although small, are very clear and help to illustrate all the relevant material. It is a very intuitive guide for a very intuitive device.

As a side note, I have written this entire review on my iPad. I still don't use it as a full-fledged laptop replacement (nor was it meant to be used that way), but with addition of an external keyboard it can go a long way of meeting most of your daily productivity needs.

The iPad is nothing like most other portable computers, and there are plenty of ins and outs to learn to use it to its best potential. Carlson covers the basics and more advanced topics in a clean, easy-to-understand style. He obviously knows his stuff (he was one of the first journalists to ever see an iPad in person), and his expertise comes through loud and clear. If you need to know how to use the iPad and its apps, this is a great, quick read that not only covers the basics, but gives you the tips and tricks that will bring you a long ways towards becoming an iPad expert. Highly recommended.

I'm rapidly becoming an iPad junkie and this easy to read book has certainly helped. Some tips and shortcuts I would have never thought of by myself. Get it. You won't be sorry.

Absolutely fantastic. If you own an iPad this book is so much more informative than the guide contained in the iPad Safari software. In fact, after I read it I was actually sharing some pearls of wisdom to the Apple employees at the Genius Bar!

I've been using Mac computers for over 20 years and the iPad is a really different device. I bought this manual to help get set up and operating. Unfortunately, it's not a lot of help. The main flaw is really poor organization. It's written in a conversational tone, and while nice doesn't have the crispness necessary for a good manual. Carlson has used lots of "tips" and "notes", not because they are really necessary, but kind of to fill space. Too many of them really distract from the main message, and many should have been included in the body text. His tip on page 11 says one is to do a full charge/discharge cycle monthly for the battery to prolong battery life. On the other hand, Apple says it's not necessary. Carlson's suggestion applies to batteries using nickel chemistry, not to lithium chemistry as used in the iPad. "You can also recharge a lithium-ion polymer battery whenever convenient, without the full charge or discharge cycle necessary to keep nickel-based batteries at peak performance." [...]

In general, I get the impression the manual was written in a rush to hit the early market. Give it a pass.

Since my recent purchase of an Ipad, I needed some kind of reference to answer the many questions that always pop up during day to day operations. This handy book answers most of my questions!

Loaded with information and tips, The iPad Pocket Guide is a great resource for new and even veteran iPad users. In this Peachpit book TidBITS Managing Editor Jeff Carlson covered the bases of all things iPad and took the time to add the small touches that make the book more than a stodgy reference guide.

Here's a great typing tip I learned from the book that I have since used many times: "Want to know the most useful iPad keyboard tip? To type an apostrophe, which isn't on the main screen, touch the comma (,) key and slide your finger up to insert the apostrophe character." The tip is literally a hidden gem that is a great timesaver.
For users who have not used an iPhone or touch, the chapters will be a godsend. Experienced iOS veterans will find user tips that either solve the small inconveniences that can drive you crazy or provide the hidden features that might run contrary to one's iPhone experience. For example, iPhone users know that the home screen's shelf can only hold four items. However the iPad's shelf can hold up to six items!

When Apple ships the next iPad (hopefully soon), it should include the new edition of Carlson's book in iBooks.

This is an absolute waste of money. I was totally disappointed. Obviously written for someone with an IQ of a slug. I was too embarrassed to even give it as the gift as I had planned. If you want any tips at all, don't buy this.

Handy book with plenty of usefull information. One negative: a "Pocket Guide" should probably be a little smaller, say to actually fit in a pocket. This book is more suited to a backpack.