One of the unexpected benefits of starting to use the iPad in place of my MacBook is that it has made me feel far lighter than ever before. No, I don’t mean “lighter” in a
“techno-geeky I’m so happy to be using this magical device…” way. No, I mean lighter as in “using the iPad means I carry a lot less in my bag”. In fact I can now carry a far lighter bag now thanks to the iPad.
I set out to figure how much weight I had “dropped” and even I am surprised. Here is a quick, rundown that is actually conservative in its estimation of what I carried until last week.
13″ MacBook Pro (plus weight of powerbrick and Speck shell since both were needed)- 4.5 – lbs
Kindle DX plus case 1.3 lbs
Acme Made Courier Laptop Bag (love this bag!!) 3.2 lbs
iPhone wall charger and external battery plus my touch (I carried it so music and video didn’t put a drain on my iPhone’s battery.)
The total weight of these items is about 9.5 to 10 lbs.
In addition I would carry my Livescribe Pulsepen and small pad, my wallet and assorted other items.
Fast forward to LAiP (Life After iPad).
I no longer carry a Kindle with me. I no longer carry the iPhone cord or extra battery since I use my phone so much less. I am using a light bag such as the Waterfield Muzetto (or will be when the new smaller version arrives) which is 1/3 the weight of the notebook bag. I don’t even carry the iPad’s wall charger since the battery life is so amazing.
The weight of the iPad and bag come to about 3 lbs.
Add back in the Livescribe and small pad and my wallet since I still carry those and the total savings in weight is in the neighborhood of 7 lbs WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT LOSS IN FUNCTIONALITY.
In fact, if I really want to carry light I can throw my iPad and my Livescribe Pulsepen in one of my “iPad compatible” Scottevest jackets and be good to go at under 2 lbs with no loss in my ability to get work done.
Now that’s a diet I think I’ll be able to stick with.
I don’t know about you but by the end of the day my back would hurt if I had to schlep my bag from place to place.