iPad Do you use a bluetooth keyboard with your ipad?

[sracer]

By all the yes votes, I'd say most of you are trying to make your iPad something it really isn't. You now have overpriced (and severely underpowered) netbooks. LOL!

Why didn't you all just get an 11" MacBook Air?

Not "trying" to make it do anything.... it simply does what we want and need. Sounds like you are in the anti-keyboard camp for tablets. THAT's the thing I don't understand. How can flexibility and options be bad?

If you could look past your anti-keyboard bias, you'd see that we're talking about using our keyboards for special situations where we can benefit from having a physical keyboard. But we're not locked into carrying the keyboard everywhere every time.

It's pretty silly to think that a Macbook Air is a viable alternative to an iPad/keyboard combo.

The Macbook Air doesn't have a touchscreen, and OSX apps are not designed for touch. The keyboard on the Air cannot be detached.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

A memory equivalent 128GB iPad Air + keyboard will run you over $900.

I didn't buy a 128gb. Case closed!

 

[The Doctor11]

Have one just never use it and won't be using it.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Words

Okay, check this out. It's gonna sound crazy, but work with me. Okay. Ready? Here it goes...

People like the option of having a keyboard once in a while.

I have a sneaking suspicion that almost no one keeps their iPad in a clamshell with keyboard 24/7. Because, like you said, that just turns it into a tiny, underpowered MBA. But the thing is... once in a while you want to be able to type some. So we carry our iPads around, keyboard free, and then pop a keyboard onto it if we're going to be somewhere that requires some more typing.

Also, your "solution" of handwriting? Good lord. Yeah that'll work great. I'm sure you're just as fast with THAT method.

 

[AppleWarMachine]

if I needed a keyboard with my ipad, I would buy an MacBook Air instead

 

[Formativeyears]

Okay, check this out. It's gonna sound crazy, but work with me. Okay. Ready? Here it goes...

People like the option of having a keyboard once in a while.

I have a sneaking suspicion that almost no one keeps their iPad in a clamshell with keyboard 24/7. Because, like you said, that just turns it into a tiny, underpowered MBA. But the thing is... once in a while you want to be able to type some. So we carry our iPads around, keyboard free, and then pop a keyboard onto it if we're going to be somewhere that requires some more typing.

Also, your "solution" of handwriting? Good lord. Yeah that'll work great. I'm sure you're just as fast with THAT method.

THIS. Why would anyone care if some people use a keyboard occasionally with their iPad? 95 percent of the time I have no need for one, but sometimes I'm in the coffee shop and feel like writing fiction and the iPad + keyboard are with me and the Macbook Pro is not. To each his own.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

THIS. Why would anyone care if some people use a keyboard occasionally with their iPad? 95 percent of the time I have no need for one, but sometimes I'm in the coffee shop and feel like writing fiction and the iPad + keyboard are with me and the Macbook Pro is not. To each his own.

LOL exactly what I do! I don't have a KB on it ALL THE TIME, but once in a while I feel like having something I can tuck in my pocket and do some writing with.

 

[seble]

I do! Got my techgear/newtrent airbender case, and it makes a great addition to my iPad, protective shell, and fairly lightweight keyboard that has screen angle adjustment too!

 

[Yahooligan]

I do, just picked it up yesterday; ZaggKeys Folio.

I have a 15" rMBP which sits on my desk and travels in my backpack when I travel (Photo/Video editing, work, whatnot).

The keyboard for my iPad is primarily for being able to take the Air with me wherever I go and be able to jump on and take care of work virtually anywhere. The MBA and rMBP don't have cell data built in, so I'd have to whip out my phone or iPad, turn on the hotspot, connect toe laptop...when I could just whip open the iPad and likely be done before I'd finish getting the rMBP out and connecting to the VPN.

The on-screen keyboard has worked fine for typing email, responding to IMs, etc, but using the on-screen keyboard for remote management of servers is horrible, not only does the on-screen keyboard take up nearly half the screen it's also not particularly convenient when you have to type special key sequences.

To the people confused about why someone would want/need a keyboard for their iPad instead of just using an MBA, or for those making really stupid assumptions about other people and their usage, you don't have to get it, you don't even have to agree. That's the beauty of it. I really don't care if my use doesn't jive with what you or Jobs had in mind. It's not up to you or anyone else to decide how the devices are used. Some of these posts are absurd.

Pardon the crappy cellphone pics, but here's my iPad with the Zaggkeys Folio.

https://picasaweb.google.com/110423...authkey=Gv1sRgCKuI6_2qqtyUvAE&feat=directlink

 

[JonMPLS]

I actually DID think about an 11" Macbook air when they added iBooks in the last iteration. If the 11" Macbook Air had cellular built in I would have considered it more. But for now I really like my mini. But might add a ClamCase Pro for rMini when it comes out.

 

[eastercat]

The external keyboard isn't normally for me, but I can understand why others have it. Getting a keyboard does cross my mind occasionally. It's why I voted "no, but considering it."
If I didn't know any better, I'd think people are taking the keyboard issue too seriously. It's an external accessory. Maybe the equivalent is the car bra. It's not necessary, but the people who have it like using it.
It doesn't matter what Jobs intended (unless he bought your iPad and made you swear on his grave to go keyboard free…but I digress). The tablet is yours and you get to use it in the manner you see fit.

Tl;dr Right now, I don't need it. That may change, depending on my needs in the future.

 

[Krazy Bill]

It's pretty silly to think that a Macbook Air is a viable alternative to an iPad/keyboard combo.

Really? An 11" MBA can completely replace your iPad with very little sacrifice in mobility. And most likely increase your writing productivity. Try that scenario in reverse.

The Macbook Air doesn't have a touchscreen

It has a trackpad and palm rest. Have you seriously used a keyboard with an iPad for any length of time? How's that arm doing? This is a good read on Gorilla Arm and why the writer ditched the iPad and went back to a mac.

and OSX apps are not designed for touch.

Sure they are. You move your finger on the trackpad and "touch" things and tap just like an iPad. (Except you can rest your hands). If you'd get past your anti-trackpad bias you'd see that.

The keyboard on the Air cannot be detached.

That's right. It's always with you. And it folds nicely protecting the display.

if I needed a keyboard with my ipad, I would buy an MacBook Air instead.

That makes two of us.

 

[g0odfr1end102]

I use my iPad for note-taking purposes in class, I'm in college. I personally stick to the onscreen keyboard, does the trick for my needs. I'm however starting to witness more and more fellow students using Bluetooth keyboard, say 1/3.

 

[Klae17]

If you haul bricks a lot, then yes, I would certainly get a truck. I would NOT go through the added expense of adding a trailer which is basically what you guys are doing with your iPad add-ons. Thanks for supporting my argument.

A memory equivalent 128GB iPad Air + keyboard will run you over $900.

Uh... because for the sake of argument, he invented the thing - with all it's inherent limitations. If you don't think Jobs had any influence on what the iPad or iOS is then we need to have another conversation.



The problem is, this "one guy" built his intentions into the device.

You guys crack me up.

We don't carry bricks all the time or write all the time. So no need for a truck.

You're the only one saying memory equivalent. We use 16gbs and so do millions of others.

Where did I say he didn't have influence on the device?

Did he say no you can't use a keyboard with the iPads? He said styluses are ****.

 

[iPodJedi]

I plan on getting a keyboard for my ipad that isn't also a case...probably a folding one for like $30 such as this one-

 

[alhavel]

I use the one that came with my iMac, use a wired one for that, wanted a expandable numerical keypad for numbers. Don’t use it all the time, except when I want to really type, and need it, comes in handy.

 

[xdhd350]

Does it really matter what you call it?

What does "pop it away" mean? So now you have to carry something to store that keyboard in? My daughter has a Logitech magnetic keyboard cover that she removes and loses constantly.

And many here are touting clamshell keyboards as the answer. By definition, that's approaching the characteristics of a laptop to me. (Just a pricier and vastly underpowered version). And they can often double the weight of the iPad. Then we come to the deficiencies of iOS; It's not made to take advantage of those things. You still need to fight gravity and interact with the display. (No arrow keys, no trackpad). BT keyboards for the iPad are afterthoughts, nothing more. The iPad has always been a "consumption" device and I just think it's hilarious when people try to turn it into something even Steve Jobs said it wasn't..

Let me see if I can help you out with your flawed logic. First, you're wrong about the keyboard features and IOS not able to take advantage of them.

My Kensington Folio keyboard DOES have ARROW KEYS and IOS DOES let me use them while writing articles in Word Press or other text editing apps.

Using a BT keyboard removes the on screen keyboard so YOU GAIN valuable display real estate.

You can type faster.

Cut, copy, paste keyboard shortcuts are also supported in IOS.

All the keys are available without having to swtich between letters, numbers, and symbols.

Between my iPhone and iPad, I no longer have to carry a laptop to trade shows for writing articles. Before I leave home, I remove the smart cover, and place the iPad in the Kensington folio and now my trip through TSA and walking the floor all week become much more enjoyable.

Perhaps you should do more research before making stupid comments out of your backside. Your post clearly shows you have no first hand knowledge of what you're ranting about.

 

[Yahooligan]

Really? An 11" MBA can completely replace your iPad with very little sacrifice in mobility. And most likely increase your writing productivity. Try that scenario in reverse.

Where's the MBA with built-in cellular data again? Oh, right...there isn't one. Need a hotspot or USB modem. Strike one.

Where are all the mobile-geared apps for OS X? You know, like GPS nav, EFBs, GPS-enabled social/search apps such as Yelp and Trip Advisor? Ah, right...there aren't any. So you still would need to carry around an iOS device to get apps and functionality not available on a Mac (or whip out the hotspot/USB modem to get some of that functionality via their websites). Strike two.

Hey, how's the battery life on the MBA compared to the iPad? Not as good. Have to carry around a brick to charge it up since you can't charge the MBA using a USB charger. Strike three.

You sure do like to think you know everything and how everything should be used, don't you. Funny how a lot of us with laptops and iPads don't share your opinions. You'd think we might know what works best for ourselves, but I guess not. What would we do without you, Bill?

It has a trackpad and palm rest. Have you seriously used a keyboard with an iPad for any length of time? How's that arm doing? This is a good read on Gorilla Arm and why the writer ditched the iPad and went back to a mac.

That's nice, but again everyone's needs and uses are different. What one person decides doesn't make it true for everyone else. Thankfully at least some of us are able to think for ourselves.

Sure they are. You move your finger on the trackpad and "touch" things and tap just like an iPad. (Except you can rest your hands). If you'd get past your anti-trackpad bias you'd see that.

If you think a trackpad and touchscreen offer the same kind of functionality and interaction...well...I can't really say I'm surprised considering the content of your posts.

That's right. It's always with you. And it folds nicely protecting the display.

And it's extra weight when you don't want or need it, and it doesn't flip around so you can use the MBA as a tablet, and...

That makes two of us.

Good for you, free will and freedom of choice are great, don't you think? Or do you not think?

 

[bri1212]

Really? An 11" MBA can completely replace your iPad with very little sacrifice in mobility. And most likely increase your writing productivity. Try that scenario in reverse.

I have tried that scenario in reverse. Although, I can not say that I write exclusively with my ipad. I almost never use my mac book pro out of necessity, I only use it for writing, if I am there using it for something else ( i.e. warcraft, or photoshop, which still require a computer for the most part).
I can not speak for everyone, but I am not limited in writing by my ipad and a BT keyboard. I type at about 60 WPM on both. I have found no sacrifice in writing on an ipad with a blue tooth keyboard, nor have I felt limited, or otherwise had to sacrifice writing productivity to write on an ipad.

It has a trackpad and palm rest. Have you seriously used a keyboard with an iPad for any length of time? How's that arm doing? This is a good read on Gorilla Arm and why the writer ditched the iPad and went back to a mac.

I have seriously used a BT keyboard with my ipad for a serious length of time, and found no pain or discomfort in doing so. Not sure what was wrong with the writer of the article you referenced, maybe he was holding it wrong.

It seems strange to me when people tell me that I should've gotten a mac book air, instead of an ipad. With an Ipad I have the best of both worlds. I can use the ipad without keyboard, and when a Keyboard is needed, I take it out and use it. I am not limited by the ipad. Perhaps compared to a Macbook Air, it is underpowered, but I am not finding any difficulty in using it, or finding any limitations with it, because, as you say, it is underpowered comparatively. I find the papers that I have written on the ipad compare favorably with the papers that I previously wrote on my mac book pro.

Not really sure what you have against the idea of people using the ipad, as they want. The only limitations I have found with the ipad, is the fact that Blizzard, has not stepped up and ported a Warcraft version for the ipad.

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

Here are a few cheap ones:
Poetic KeyBook Bluetooth Keyboard Case for Apple iPad Air (5th Generation iPad) Black (3 Year Manufacturer Warranty From Poetic)
http://amzn.com/B00EX9J9HE
Aerb® Newest Removable Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Case Auto Sleep Wake for Apple iPad Air iPad 5 W Magnetic Tablet Stand (iPad 5 & iPad Air, White)
http://amzn.com/B00EE1WUK4

And lots more...



New Trent Airbender Air - Wireless Bluetooth Clamshell iPad Keyboard Case. Compatible: iPad Air. (Polycarbonate Case, Matte Finish)
http://amzn.com/B00GP4BVTO

Most protective one:
New Trent Airbender Pro - Rugged: Water, Dirt, Shock Resistant Wireless Bluetooth Clamshell iPad Keyboard Case. Compatible: iPad Air.
http://amzn.com/B00H3OYSHW

 

[mripadmini]

yes i got a bluetooth keyboard for my iPad mini. I have the logitech ultrathin keyboard cover. i got it so it would be more like a laptop to type and do school work on since i ditched my laptop months ago.

 

[severage]

I have a Logitech Ultrathin keyboard. It fits with the smart case and works well when I need to type longer documents. Also love the function and home keys. It looks great too.

Unfortunately, it has no back protection, so as of now, I prefer to keep my iPad in a smart case and bring the keyboard out when I need to type documents.

 

[JoeyCloverfield]

Does iOS take advantage of keyboard shortcuts? Can I raise and lower the volume, switch apps, and/or pan a scroll view (Safari) without touching the screen? What about third-party apps, can they take advantage of keyboard shortcuts? Or is the only benefit of a physical keyboard the fact that its not a virtual keyboard?

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

Does iOS take advantage of keyboard shortcuts? Can I raise and lower the volume, switch apps, and/or pan a scroll view (Safari) without touching the screen? What about third-party apps, can they take advantage of keyboard shortcuts? Or is the only benefit of a physical keyboard the fact that its not a virtual keyboard?

I know you can access multitasking by pressing home button shortcut on the keyboard but IDK if you can enter the app. Also auto correct is disabled for some reason with all bluetooth keyboards.

 

[J&JPolangin]

I have a few standalone keyboards, a cheap keyboard case and a keyboard smart cover...I prefer the keyboard smart cover most of the time.

I've been playing with the new iPad air and rMini for a couple weeks and for those I'd use the standalone keyboards since the new dimensions of iPads wouldn't fit with my other case specific options.