New to iPad...Looking for the Best Keyboard Recommendation...

[ixodes]

that's what I wonder too.. if I ever bought an MBA or an ultrabook, would it make the ipad keyboard combo obsolete for my own personal use

I've tried most of the available ultrabooks, unfortunately none have decent keyboards.

If I were to make a suggestion, all things considered there's only 2 laptops worth buying. Either a 11" or 13" MBA. I've used both ThinkPads & PowerBooks, MacBook Pros for years. ThinkPads had the best keyboards hands down, with Apple a very close second. Recently with Lenovo moving to the same chiclet style keys as Macs & VAIO's , there's no longer a difference between them. Where Apple truly excels is the huge glass trackpads that now come on all MBA / MBP machines.

The 13" MBA is my favorite between the two sizes (I bought them both since I couldn't decide after the in-store experience) the top row of keys being larger. Since it's footprint is just one inch wider & not much deeper, I prefer it over the 11" not to mention the larger display & slightly greater key pitch despite Apples specs saying they're the same. These are the things you notice when you own them both and spend the kind of time it takes to discover the little things.

I've had an unbelievable number of new high quality laptops over the years from most major manufacturers, and what it's afforded me is the depth of experience to truly appreciate the overall excellence of the 13" MBA. It's as much about what it doesn't have (minor annoyances) as what it does have.

 

[JoelBC]

After trying literally all of the latest & "best" keyboards for my iPad 3, my favorite is the 11" MBA.

Yes, I know...

And I am being serious.

I've given the keyboards to family members & now use my iPad by itself as a recreational web surfing device.

For everything else, I'm too spoiled by the stellar keyboards Apple equips their laptops with. Therefore I'd much rather use my 11" MBA, or my 13" MBA, or my.... well you get the picture.

That's my take on it

ixodes:

After two days with my iPad I am unfortunately in agreement...I believe that the iPad is little more than an e-mail, e-reader, mobile information provider, mobile movie/music player (gym or traveling) and web browsing device...

I am disappointed / upset by this as I wanted the iPad to be so much more...

I now need to decide whether to get a MBA (when a retina display versions becomes available) or an ultrabook...the MBA has the partial advantage of the Mac eco-system (I say partial because I will NOT trust the cloud with anything other than music and photos) and the cons of the Windows --> Mac transition...the ultrabook has the advantage of Windows which I know inside and out...


Joel

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that's what I wonder too.. if I ever bought an MBA or an ultrabook, would it make the ipad keyboard combo obsolete for my own personal use

I would think that the answer to that would be YES...I will try using the iPad / keyboard combo for the next week or so but will likely be taking the keyboard back to Apple within the 2 week return period...


Joel

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I've tried most of the available ultrabooks, unfortunately none have decent keyboards.

If I were to make a suggestion, all things considered there's only 2 laptops worth buying. Either a 11" or 13" MBA. I've used both ThinkPads & PowerBooks, MacBook Pros for years. ThinkPads had the best keyboards hands down, with Apple a very close second. Recently with Lenovo moving to the same chiclet style keys as Macs & VAIO's , there's no longer a difference between them. Where Apple truly excels is the huge glass trackpads that now come on all MBA / MBP machines.

The 13" MBA is my favorite between the two sizes (I bought them both since I couldn't decide after the in-store experience) the top row of keys being larger. Since it's footprint is just one inch wider & not much deeper, I prefer it over the 11" not to mention the larger display & slightly greater key pitch despite Apples specs saying they're the same. These are the things you notice when you own them both and spend the kind of time it takes to discover the little things.

I've had an unbelievable number of new high quality laptops over the years from most major manufacturers, and what it's afforded me is the depth of experience to truly appreciate the overall excellence of the 13" MBA. It's as much about what it doesn't have (minor annoyances) as what it does have.

Two related points that might be of interest...

1. 11" is too small for me...I prefer more screen real estate...

2. I have not used them all but the new Asus ultrabook is very nice and very slim...


Joel

 

[ElDogman]

ixodes:

After two days with my iPad I am unfortunately in agreement...I believe that the iPad is little more than an e-mail, e-reader, mobile information provider, mobile movie/music player (gym or traveling) and web browsing device...

I am disappointed / upset by this as I wanted the iPad to be so much more...

I now need to decide whether to get a MBA (when a retina display versions becomes available) or an ultrabook...the MBA has the partial advantage of the Mac eco-system (I say partial because I will NOT trust the cloud with anything other than music and photos) and the cons of the Windows --> Mac transition...the ultrabook has the advantage of Windows which I know inside and out...


Joel

----------



I would think that the answer to that would be YES...I will try using the iPad / keyboard combo for the next week or so but will likely be taking the keyboard back to Apple within the 2 week return period...


Joel

tell me what you end up doing after the next week, i'm interested in your overall thoughts in the end.

I certainly enjoy using the iPad for certain things, but for others, I definitely prefer a notebook. i hated lugging my 7 pound 15.4" dell and am happy with my ipad..but in the end i'll probably end up lugging the ipad, and some 3 pound notebook.

as for Windows alternatives.. yeah I'm also waiting for retina displays to come on the MBA (but even if it did, it might be expensive like the MBP pro). So far I think this new Asus Zenbook model has the highest PPI with its 1080p screen (the only one so far), other wise everyone else has a low resolution. Outside of the zenbook and MBA, the only other interesting ultrabook is the samsung 9 series and the Lenovo X1 carbon.

 

[JoelBC]

tell me what you end up doing after the next week, i'm interested in your overall thoughts in the end.

I certainly enjoy using the iPad for certain things, but for others, I definitely prefer a notebook. i hated lugging my 7 pound 15.4" dell and am happy with my ipad..but in the end i'll probably end up lugging the ipad, and some 3 pound notebook.

Will do...in the case I forget just bump this thread and I will respond...

With that, I suspect that I will always carry a MBA / ultrabook with me except when traveling for the weekend, etc. in which case I will take my iPad and keyboard with me with remote access to my MBA / ultrabook....

as for Windows alternatives.. yeah I'm also waiting for retina displays to come on the MBA (but even if it did, it might be expensive like the MBP pro). So far I think this new Asus Zenbook model has the highest PPI with its 1080p screen (the only one so far), other wise everyone else has a low resolution. Outside of the zenbook and MBA, the only other interesting ultrabook is the samsung 9 series and the Lenovo X1 carbon.

Agree again...

 

[Abazigal]

For me, the decision to take an iPad over the MacBook was a no-brainer (at the time anyways). As an elementary school teacher, I had plans to use my iPad in the classroom in conjunction with an apple tv ( which had recently only just reached singapore). I already have an iMac at home which I share with my dad, and a school- issued laptop for work-related purposes. A 3rd pc would be overkill. So far in my line of work, the iPad is proving to be way more versatile than a normal laptop.

I just couldn't justify blowing another 1k on a new laptop, so I went with a bluetooth keyboard because I still appreciate having a physical keyboard to type on from time to time.

 

[ixodes]

Some further thoughts...

The only reason I brought up the 11" MBP is it's the closest display size vs the iPad.

Personally, I'm enjoying my 13" MBA, I carry it every single day, except the four work days I bring my maxed out BTO 15" MBP.

Since I enjoy carrying both my Android & iPhones, MBA, and a few other tech essentials I use either a backpack, messenger bag, or musett. I'm a bag addict, having a compact or medium size depending on what I choose to carry makes it easy & quite enjoyable. Also I found that if one has a selection of bags, I don't tend to overload them.

Timbuk 2, Crumpler, & Chrome offer some great choices as well as the option to have one custom built to your specs. A high quality bag has saved me the few times I've dropped them.

 

[jimenez1410]

how much? is it on sale? maybe i'll stop by before it closes.

Apologies for the delay. It was not on sale. It was mispriced and got for $60 (had a $5 reward too).