With the exception of the HyperDrives, you can't attach standard hard drives to iPads. iPad doesn't have a user-visible file system and it doesn't natively support USB host; it can only be a client.
I don't see the new iPad features changing its usability for travel and storage.
Is the same true of all other tablets out there? I'd like to have a tablet to use for that purpose, for reading newspapers and reading web pages while at home, but be able to use it for photography on vacations.
If none of the tablets work for the simple purpose repeated below, then why would anyone write an article on using tablets for photography? What am I missing?
Specifically, to repeat my question:
Can you attach a USB hub to any of the tablets?
And from the USB hub, attach two portable drives and one card reader? And from the card reader, then use software like Photo Mechanic or Lightroom to download to the two drives simultaneously?
And be able to see the file structure to know that the files downloaded, and be able to create folders on the portable drives for the downloads?
(Note: the drives would be plugged into outside power with AC adapters. That is required with any netbook, and I assume with the Ipad. So powering the drives is not an issue. My question relates to plugging a USB hub into the Ipad, and two drives into the hub.)
If ANY of the tablets can do the above, which tablet do you recommend and why?
AND ONE OTHER (dumb) QUESTION -- a tablet like the Toshiba Thrive does have a full size and mini USB port. One of the reviews on Amazon said that "Toshiba was smart enough to include a file manager that makes it super easy to move data or media between the tablet and SD card or external hard drive, etc"
So I assume it might be able to meet my needs. But I have one other question about these Android tablets. Can you download and install windows software, like Photo Mechanic, to be able to use it download from the two drives simultaneously? Or is the only software that works with the Android operating system Android apps?
MANY THANKS for any responses