As iPad replaces laptop, lawyers lag behind rest of business world in making the transition

From the Legal Blog Watch:

As discussed on The Unofficial Apple Weblog, a new Forrester report finds that:

1. The iPad is beginning to displace the traditional laptop, particularly among those who use a laptop primarily for email and web-based communications.

Tablet Legal writes that there is not much evidence that this is similarly occurring in the legal world so far, which is 'surprising considering the typical short list of lawyer computing needs: reading, writing, email, calendar, contacts, internet. All of these are handled well by the iPad.'

2. The iPad is replacing paper. Forrester found that 'wherever people would usually carry around stacks of paper or files, particularly in medical and pharmaceutical industries, the iPad is now the preferred choice.'

Tablet Legal writes that this trend also does not seem to have taken hold in the legal world. Many lawyers still 'feel they can only edit or review a document in its printed form,' TL writes, also noting that the move to abandon paper may begin to grow with the next generation of legal professionals.

3. The iPad is allowing companies to be more efficient, Forrester says, 'by providing immediate connection to further resources and data.' For example, a sales rep may use the iPad to customize a customer’s order on the showroom floor.

Tablet Legal says this is strike three for lawyers, who have not really begun to do anything similar for their clients.

You can read the rest here.

(jbl).