Customer Reviews

iPad Portable Genius

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

 

 

The book is very well written. It is a good instruction book for I Pad newbies or to learn the idiosyncrasies of the I Pad. There are just enough illustrations along with text to make the subject understandable. It is strictly a user manual and doesn't cover hardware or programing. Great book of the I Pad buyer. Another great book by Mr. Mcfedries

"iPad Portable Genius" assumes you already know the basics of using the iPad and want to learn more tips.

What I liked best
1) The physical size of the book was really cool! It is smaller than the iPad and fits well in the case. Book on one side; iPad on the other. I could try things as I read with everything on my lap!
2) The tips - connect to iTunes to get operation system update, fully discharge battery every month or two, type, wifi into maps to see hotspots
3) Suggestions on sites to look for.

What I would have liked better
1) Assuming a bit less knowledge like that the reader knows where the "sleep" button is.
2) Clearer differentiation between wifi and 3G models. It was there, but not that obvious.
3) More pictures - I couldn't figure out how to select well for copy/paste.

I also read "iPad Made Simple" so my recommendation includes when to buy each of the books. The price is only $5 different so that isn't a factor. If you already know about the iPad, want some tips and want to read it on your lap, get "iPad Portable Genius." If you are new to the iPad or plan to read it on a table, get "iPad Made Simple." Either way, enjoy your new iPad!

After scouring Barnes and Noble's iPad shelf, I settled on this one. First because, unlike the other books, it began by going beyond the obvious. It assumes the user is not "an idiot," and that he can figure out most things by himself. And while this is not always a good assumption, with the ease of use and getting around on the iPad, it turns out in this case to be a great rule of thumb.

All the things one would never think of (such as how to cut and paste from the web, the "ins and outs" of WiFi, juggling multiple web pages, etc.) this book makes these things seem like a normal progression from the basic tutorial instruction on the iPad.

It is an easy read. I read it from cover-to-cover on a four-hour bus ride to the beach, and feel immensely enriched by it. Until "The Idiot's Guide to the iPad" comes out, I believe this is the one to buy. Five Stars

The "Portable Genius" line by Wiley is a relatively new series by them primarily designed to take advantage of Apple's unique meaning of the word "Genius." Primarily, they compete with the Peachpit Visual Quickstart guides. Using copious screenshots and short explanations of popular concepts, Portable Genius covers that 20% of features you'll use 80% of the time.

Both the table of contents and the index allow readers to hone in on the key functions which interest them. Concepts are well explained in a "how do I?" and a "can I?" format instead of a feature- or app-based approach. New iPad users will find this presentation more approachable.

Unfortunately iPad Portable Genius suffered from some poor editing in which too often the author didn't update the iOS steps that differ for an iPad and an iPhone or iPod Touch. On rare occasions, the advice given is controversial. For example, the author suggests if you can't sync all your content to your iPad you should consider deleting some content from your main computer. That is just irresponsible! Additionally the steps and screenshots in the book are primarily Macintosh based so Windows users might be a bit confused.

Overall this is a competent and quality beginners guide to the iPad and a welcome addition to the existing guides available

Pros: functional approach with concepts well explained and easy to find
Cons: assumes end user has a Mac, some errors and confusing passages

I bought this book rather than to print out the Apple User Book from my computer because the Apple Book was 178 pages and not nearly as easily understood. The IPad Portable Genius book gives excellent illustrations that are easily understood by an 'older adult that is not a highly experienced computer user'!!! The descriptions are also easier to interpret and follow. Thank you.

Because I don't own an iPhone, I was new to many functions on the iPad that iPhone users might pick up immediately. I needed a book that would clearly take me step by step through not only how to set it up and use it, but list the tricks and gotchas, hints on equipment, explore apps, and, in general be crystal clear. This is definitely NOT that book. Whereas the book I purchased, after giving up on this one, starts with turning on the iPad, this one begins with a bunch of info about networking. Important info, to be sure, but not the place to start for someone who is just beginning to grasp basics. We're flying through the other book. This one was not only pure drudgery, it even listed pages in the index that were wrong or didn't even exist! My husband and I find that iPad: The Missing Manual is much more useful, and a breeze to read and understand.

Seems to be working real well so far for me. IPad just takes a lot of time

The iPad is the best device I have come across in a long time. Expanded my world.

Not what I expected for a "Genius" book..
I was Very Disappointed, I will NEVER order a ""Genius" Book again!!!
Boo!!!