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iPad Pro Writers, bloggers and novelists - How do you find the Apple Smart Keyboard?

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Orton99

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 4, 2014
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As the title states, how do people find the Apple Smart Keyboard for their usage? In particular, when compared to something such as a Macbook. Whether you use it for simply managing social media, blog content writing or even extended stories and novels.

Like many (?), I am currently debating whether to go iPP 12.9 or 9.7. If the 12.9's keyboard can compete with more traditional options, it may be a better option, as I find myself more in iOS. As opposed to getting a 9.7 to be used as a supplementary device to my 13" MBP. I've also heard that some people prefer using iOS for writing as they can focus more?

Anyway, I would love to hear your opinons and stories, whether for the 12.9 or 9.7. I don't post much, but I absolutely love coming to these forums to read about other's experiences.

Thanks!
 
I've been using the 12.9" Smart Keyboard and have found it to be very comfortable to use. While it's not the same as my MacBook Pro keyboard apart from one thing I've had no issues (and that was the placement of the | key which threw me today, but I have a British layout on my Mac and the US Smart Keyboard). The travel is low but real, and whilst it was loud to start with my typing has adjusted and I'm pretty certain it's much quieter now.
 
I didn't get the Smart Keyboard, but I'm a slow typist, and at this point I type as fast on the on screen keyboard as on a physical keyboard. For me, the bigger screen on the 12.9 iPP is the absolute game changer. It's made it possible to switch all my work to the iPad, and keep the iMac just to manage my media collection.
 
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I use the smart keyboard on my 12.9" all the time. The throw of the keys is minimal, but it actually feels better than the keys on the retina Macbook I have -- probably because the textile provides the tension as opposed to the shallow and stiff (to my fingers) butterfly mechanism.

I'm also able type in my lap fairly well. I imagine that the smart keyboard for the 9.7" is less stable because it's a physically smaller base and because it weighs less.

While I haven't used the 9.7" iPP, I used to have an Air 2, and enjoyed it for consumption but found it a bit too small to be productive for long sessions, especially with split view.
 
Although I have had no problems typing on various keyboard covers and cases for the iPad Air 2 (9.7), typing on the 12.9 Smart Keyboard took a little getting used to because it has the spacing of my iMac keyboard but psychologically, I was expecting the compactness of the 9.7 keyboards.

For those who like mechanical keyboards (I don't... I've used them out of necessity for over 30 years) the smart keyboard will take a lot to get accustomed to.

The more I use the ASK (Apple Smart Keyboard) the more I like it. I can type faster with less effort than traditional keyboards.
 
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I find the Smart Keyboard really good to type on, especially when compared with my previous Logitech Keys to Go.
 
I think the keys take some getting used to, honestly I didn't like the size of the keyboard for the 9.7 iPad Pro, I prefer the bigger one, but at the same time I am not really loving the keyboard yet.
 
Orton99 said:
As the title states, how do people find the Apple Smart Keyboard for their usage? In particular, when compared to something such as a Macbook. Whether you use it for simply managing social media, blog content writing or even extended stories and novels.

Like many (?), I am currently debating whether to go iPP 12.9 or 9.7. If the 12.9's keyboard can compete with more traditional options, it may be a better option, as I find myself more in iOS. As opposed to getting a 9.7 to be used as a supplementary device to my 13" MBP. I've also heard that some people prefer using iOS for writing as they can focus more?

Anyway, I would love to hear your opinons and stories, whether for the 12.9 or 9.7. I don't post much, but I absolutely love coming to these forums to read about other's experiences.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
There's also third party keyboards that people seem to like made by Zagg and Logitch. They'll give you a more traditional typing experience and more screen angles but they're heavier.
 
I actually just gave the 9.7" smart keyboard a shot trying to decide if I wanted a smart cover or the keyboard cover. They keyboard part is surprisingly good. Easily the least error prone hardware keyboard I've used that's aimed to be compact for iPad/tablet use. But I also like to just have the iPad stood up for videos/etc (especially when traveling). The 9.7" version folds to let you do it, but the angle is just too vertical for me. If it wasn't for that, I'd have one in a heartbeat. Otherwise, I'm fine with the Magic Keyboard and a smart cover.
 
I actually just got my SmartKeyboard today and I'm getting used to it slowly but surely. It's different typing on it because they keys are smaller than what I'm used to typing on. However, I love the feel of the keys. They have a nice texture. I think I'll get used to it. I want to start using Day One 2 more frequently.
 
Wow, love these replies thanks. In the end, for many reasons, I have decided to purchase the 9.7 iPP with the smart keyboard! I would have loved to have the 12.9 but it's not quite there for me yet. Still gonna have to use the rMBP for some work.
 
I generally find it in the last place I left it. My mother told me I would find my lost things there, and I have found this to be true in most cases. :D

Actually I like it so much that I bought the Pen & Quill cover so I could use the keyboard without removing the cover.
 
I write a lot and I was skeptical about the Smart Keyboard for the 12.9" model. To my surprise, it's super comfortable to use and I don't see much of a difference from my rMBP. The only annoyance I've noticed is that it's frustrating to use in a dark room. And while it was expensive, I'm happy with it because it doesn't add bulk or too much weight compared to the Logitech keyboard.
 
I have both the 12.9 and the 9.7 Pro models. Only have the smart keyboard for the 12.9 so far and I find it just fine to type on. I have ordered the 9.7 keyboard for travel as I find the larger IPad just a bit less comfortable to carry around (I know, I am totally spoiled.) We'll see if the 9.7 keyboard turns out to be too small for my comfort, but I am not usually too picky.

As I part-time writer, I find the IPads very useful for my work. I write book length manuscripts using Microsoft Word, saving each chapter as a separate file. I use a combination of Evernote, Pocket, and Google Docs to save different types of background and other research as I go along. No problem doing all the writing on the IPad with the smart keyboard, but so far I have also done the final preparations of the manuscript for submission on my laptop to make sure everything is just how the publisher wants it.
 
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Hi Retops, it looks as though you and I share not only similar careers but hardware indecision as well;) -- or maybe we've 'finally made it!' To the point these slabs are truly able to replace our laptops for most tasks while remaining 'mobile'.
I'm curious as to how you feel about the smaller, 9.7" ASK, as I, too, purchased one of each (12.9 in November, the 9.7" impulsively, the day they released;) - my only regret, I love them both!)
I have Pencil. Smart Cover and silicone Apple rear shell, a decent tan, leather Targus case with 360° rotation for the larger iPad and prefer it to the Smart Cover/Silicone.
I've yet to buy a keyboard, as I picked up v2 wireless keyboard and trackpads when they dropped for the MacBook Pro. Didn't realize how easy it would be to transition from laptop to tablet, whenever needed - & neither was 'cheap'.
That said I think I'm ready to buy one for one of the Pros. I'm actually leaning towards the 9.7", as the 12.9" software K/B is so darned good! A massive leap forward in real usability and genuine writing at a decent clip. Hard to toss it, nice to retrieve the real estate. Why are they, literally, the most expensive keyboards on the market?
My son has a mechanical (Razor? I believe? A Christmas gift) that allows incredibly deep macro programming, multi million color backlight & trim with impressive layout and form factor... I paid ten bucks less for it! Lol. Oh well. Must be that 'tactile fabricity' mentioned earlier
J
 
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