iPad users... what do you need to get the best from them?

camf

I’m thinking of going back to using an iPad for writing on the move since my old MacBook Air has reached the end of its working life and, crucially, can’t work Dropbox for me anymore. 

The new iPad 2017 seems like a good value option so I’m wondering if anyone one in here is using one for longer pieces of writing? Do you recommend a keyboard cover, a Bluetooth keyboard or have any other suggestions?

Sorry for such a dull question.

cam f

PC_Dave

Fingers. And WiFi.

skunkwerx

PC_Dave said:

Fingers. And WiFi.

Don’t forget eyesight. Without that its folly. 

snakemanStoo

Electricity is helpful.

BloodEagle

Get a decent case/cover - as someone who dropped and completely smashed the screen of a 2 day old iPad recently I can confirm that it is a profoundly upsetting experience 

TTony

I've tried a few of the keyboard / case combos, and never got on with any of them.  The keyboards tend to be compromised with poor key travel and/or layout so that the whole thing doesn't become too large or heavy.

OK for typing quick emails, but then so is the on screen keyboard.

If I'm going to be writing anything substantial on the iPad, I use a separate BT keyboard (the Apple one).  Its worth the extra hassl eof carrying it for the quality.

camf

Thanks @TTony and @BloodEagle, useful points. The rest of you... straight to your beds and no ice cream or TV for you, you scamps!

sev112

Use the dictation tools, e.g. Siri, or even Dragon app

both very good at learning your voice

spark240

BloodEagle said:

Get a decent case/cover - as someone who dropped and completely smashed the screen of a 2 day old iPad recently I can confirm that it is a proudly upsetting experience 

Need....  I had a decent cover and dropped it...still landed on the corner and smash screen...

randella

Yeah, @TTony is about on the money. I have a new iPad Pro, the biggun, and love it. The keyboard does work (I went for the Logitech one) and for home use it’s replaced my laptop entirely. 

Thing is, it’s not a laptop replacement, if you see what I mean. I write code for a living and the minimum I can tolerate doing a day’s work on is a Lenovo laptop. They really do have excellent keyboards, better than any MacBook for me. 

Best set thing is to try out and see what you like. 

strumjoughlamps

I have the latest Pro 10.5 w/ Apple Keyboard and Pencil, its a pricey set up but I pretty much don’t use anything else now.. music creation, photo editing and all the usual stuff. I get on well with the keyboard, yes it isn’t as good as my (I say my but its more the wife’s now since I got the iPad Pro) but its very usable.

apart from the Pro, KB and Pencil I have(and need) the lightning USB adapter and iCloud storage

Rocker

Impossible for a touch typist to use the keyboard on an iPad for typing lots do text. You need a real keyboard for that.

camf

Yep, thinking about a New iPad 2017, Bluetooth keyboard and a Griffin case. Probably. Pending further research. And what’s cheap. 

grungebob

I just use the standard Apple magic keyboard, it’s the short Bluetooth one without direction arrows etc. Bit of a pain not having home and end buttons but you get used to just touching the screen to sort that bit out. Decent case with stand for the iPad and a protective sleeve that the case and keyboard slide into. 

ThePrettyDamned

For writing, drop box and not much else don't bother. Get a cheap, lightweight laptop. It'll cost a lot less and do the job better than an iPad with a keyboard. The only bad thing would be the screen not being as nice - but if you're only writing, you won't need a qhd display.

stickyfiddle

I absolutely love my 10.5" Pro, but honestly writing would be the one thing I really don't like using it for. YMMV

camf

It’s the battery life of a tablet that appeals. It still seems double what you get on a laptop do you end up with laptop and charger and the weight and space jumps up - and having to be near a power supply. No? 

Wazmeister

Get the ‘Paper’ app and the Apple Pencil.

Truly amazing.

Strangefan

Have you not thought about a high end laptop? I have a new asus and it's got a 12 hour battery life , aluminium body and is light , I'll never go back to a tablet again they're too vulnerable, I dropped my surface pro about a ft and it smashed the screen.

camf

Strangefan said:

Have you not thought about a high end laptop? I have a new asus and it's got a 12 hour battery life , aluminium body and is light , I'll never go back to a tablet again they're too vulnerable, I dropped my surface pro about a ft and it smashed the screen.

I’ll look into this. I hadn’t realised battery life was so good on laptops. I’ve used laptops for years and previously dumped an iPad to go back to a MacBook Air. I was hoping that tablet development had moved in to at least be worth considering. I need to go and have a look at the current iPads and a further ponder. I’m really appreciating all this feedback though. It’s brilliant (mainly!)

Fretwired

I have access to three iPads (personal and business) and do a lot of typing. I have the Apple Wireless Keyboard which is ace - it connects via Bluetooth - and a stand. It all fits in a small bag.