Presentation Tools: PowerPoint, Keynote, or Prezi?

I am beginning the process of planning some presentations for various conferences in 2012. Historically, I have used PowerPoint as my presentation app of choice. (See What’s In Your Presentation Toolbox?) Given I have some time to explore, and some new tools are now available, I am re-evaluating my options.

Presenting With an iPad

Ideally, I would like to walk into a presentation with nothing more than my iPad. I know Apple has a Keynote app for the iPad, and based on some quick scanning of the reviews, it performs well. Still, many of the presentation tips I see relate to a presentation in front of a small group with the iPad serving as the only visual source (i.e. no projector).

How would the iPad perform in front of a live audience?

One of the newer (2-3 years old) apps I am looking at is Prezi, a web-based presentation tool. Prezi is a completely different paradigm than either PowerPoint or Keynote. First, and foremost, it is non-linear. The presenter can easily move from one area of a Prezi presentation to another with a simple click.

Perhaps the best way to appreciate Prezi is to see it in action. Here’ is their official intro video from YouTube:

Prezi has an iPad app, and I like the way Prezi automatically prevents a presentation from quickly becoming a series of (boring) bullet points. Still, old habits die hard, and PowerPoint and Keynote have a lot of stability and familiarity built into the apps.

My first presentation is in mid-January, so I will need to make a decision in the next few days.

Do you have any advice? Powerpoint? Keynote? or Prezi?