Aple smart keyboard and Pencil can't decide if I should keep them or not

[max2]

I like them but not sure if I use them enough to consider worth it.

How often do you all use them who have the smart keyboard and pencil ?

 

[throAU]

How often i use them has no bearing on how often you use them.

i use the keyboard almost every time i use the ipad
i use the pencil several times a week

I am using the ipad as my primary device for email, note taking, etc.

 

[max2]

How often i use them has no bearing on how often you use them.

i use the keyboard almost every time i use the ipad
i use the pencil several times a week

I am using the ipad as my primary device for email, note taking, etc.

So are you using your iPad Pro right now ?

 

[throAU]

Yes.


I do have a bunch of other stuff running on my workstation though... i have a work desktop with 1 TB SSD, an i7 and 64 GB of ram for “real work” (network simulation and windows SOE testing, etc.), but most of the non-heavy stuff i use the ipad for.

The ipad has replaced my laptop pretty much - no laptop will do what i need to do on the machine above, and the ipad is way better at the stuff i can’t use the desktop for.

In part because of the pencil... i’m not using paper any more whenever i need to take notes, scribble an idea, draw a diagram, etc.

Tip: whenever you reach for a pen and paper, use the ipad notes instead. They can’t get lost, sync everywhere, etc.

 

[max2]

Yes.

Ok thanks what about gaming, word processing, and photo editing? If you do any of those things.

 

[throAU]

Gaming i have a dedicated PC for at home (32 GB, i7, Vega). I do play some ipad games, but not a lot.
Photo editing i use the ipad and procreate or affinity photo
Word processing i dont do much of in my line of work, but most of my typing (emails, notes, some word documents, etc.) i do on the ipad.
Browsing i do on the ipad.
Media consumption (music, video) i use the ipad.

Spreadsheets i use my workstation for.

 

[max2]

Gaming i have a dedicated PC for at home (32 GB, i7, Vega). I do play some ipad games, but not a lot.
Photo editing i use the ipad and procreate or affinity photo
Word processing i dont do much of in my line of work, but most of my typing (emails, notes, some word documents, etc.) i do on the ipad.

Spreadsheets i use my workstation for.

Ok cool thanks. Maybe I need to learn how to use the device that fits the task!

 

[max2]

One more question how do you use the iPad Pro when you have the smart keyboard and pen with you when you don't need them ? Do you keep the smart keyboard connected ?

 

[Newtons Apple]

The keyboard was not even a consideration but I bought the pencil. Can’t find it and do not miss it.

 

[haruhiko]

The Smart Keyboard is the best accessories I bought for my iPad Pros. I have never thought of any other keyboards since then. I used several Logitech Bluetooth keyboards before but they were all not very good.

 

[ejin222]

One more question how do you use the iPad Pro when you have the smart keyboard and pen with you when you don't need them ? Do you keep the smart keyboard connected ?

I use the Logitech Slim Combo. It has a Pencil holder and the keyboard is great. I prefer it over the ASK as it has more functions

 

[canesalato]

I think the Smart Keyboard is not a great keyboard. Furthermore, as iOS has no mouse or trackpad support, the Smart Keyboard forces the user to use the touch screen with the iPad held in a vertical position, which I used to hate with iOS10 and hate even more with iOS11, which features more gestures, a more advanced multi tasking, and drag and drop. Using these features with a vertical screen is really uncomfortable, but that’s just my opinion. I also really don’t like that the angle is fixed.

About the Apple Pencil: I don’t like the charging mechanism and somehow, every time I need it, the battery is ALWAYS empty. Apple solved the charging problems with the AirPods. When I travel, they are protected. Every time I need them, they are always ready with the battery full. For this accessories, battery life is not as important as recharge strategy.
I hope that future iterations of the pencil will follow this trend: sold with a case that charges them when stored and that features a female lightning port. I actually think that will be the case (sorry for the joke). The Airport charging and pairing strategy is just too smart compared to the pencil for them not to update it with feature parity.
As a writing and drawing tool, the pencil is great. I would suggest you find a good deal and buy one, then resell without loosing much money when second generation comes.

 

[mcrmama]

I use my pencil all the time. I have a case with a loop so it is always with me, otherwise I would lose it. I can’t imagine keeping it in a separate case. It charges very quickly when I need to do that. I take notes with it, jot things down, use as a stylus etc.

I have a magic keyboard that I use when needed, have not tried the ASK.

 

[jaybar]

I have the Pencil, Smart Keyboard, Smart Cover and Apple Leather Sleeve. For me, the issue is not how much I use these with my 12.9, but rather will I ever want to use them and not have them when I need them. I rarely use the keyboard. When not in use for an extended period of time, I take it off and store it in the box it came in and put on the Smart Cover. When using the keyboard, if there are relatively brief times I won’t need it, I just fold it back. For me, it’s about flexibility.

 

[chscag]

I have the Smart Keyboard (no need for a Pencil) and if I'm to use my 10.5" iPad Pro in lieu of a notebook computer when I'm out and about, the Smart Keyboard is a must accessory. Perhaps too pricey, but well worth the time it saves rather than using the on screen keyboard.

 

[throAU]

One more question how do you use the iPad Pro when you have the smart keyboard and pen with you when you don't need them ? Do you keep the smart keyboard connected ?

My smart keyboard is permanently connected. i use it as my cover.

As to the ipad having no mouse or trackpad support; yes, it is annoying.

However FAR more annoying is trying to do anything on it when to type you need to use an on screen keyboard which covers half of your screen....

When you don't need to use the smart keyboard it can act as a stand just like the smart cover, and when you fold it back it is flat so the ipad sits flat like it would with the smart cover.

For me, if you want something like a smart cover and also a keyboard the smart keyboard is a no brainer. The only mild annoyance is the bump when it is in the "cover" position, but meh.... i got over it pretty quick. It's a tradeoff i am more than willing to make.

As far as being a keyboard goes, it's actually pretty good to type on. Far better than a lot of PC laptop keyboards in my experience.

 

[rrayborn38]

The 12.9" Smart Keyboard felt way too heavy to me - I ditched it for a lighter, thinner cover. I do most of my typing on my 13" MBP, anyway. The Pencil is OK - but I haven't really incorporated it into my daily usage even after several months.

 

[throAU]

The 12.9" Smart Keyboard felt way too heavy to me - I ditched it for a lighter, thinner cover. I do most of my typing on my 13" MBP, anyway. The Pencil is OK - but I haven't really incorporated it into my daily usage even after several months.

I think the pencil and keyboard are more useful if you’re already attempting to do creative or productive stuff with the ipad. i.e., if you find a need for them, buy them. don’t just buy them, then try figure out what to do with them.

If you have your macbook available then it makes sense to type on that.

But i’ve just stopped carrying my macbook around so much and started using the ipad for most of it.

 

[Cool Pup]

Generally, if you don't use it, you don't need it.

I had a Smart Keyboard I got with my iPad Pro but decided I didn't actually need either of them despite them being pretty cool tech and awesome to have and returned them for now. The money saved and used towards things of actual importance took priority in this instance. When you feel like you need them, they will be there for you to acquire.

 

[ejin222]

I think the pencil and keyboard are more useful if you’re already attempting to do creative or productive stuff with the ipad. i.e., if you find a need for them, buy them. don’t just buy them, then try figure out what to do with them.

If you have your macbook available then it makes sense to type on that.

But i’ve just stopped carrying my macbook around so much and started using the ipad for most of it.

I’ve been using my Pencil more as a pointer for things like text highlighting or cutting. I’m trying to master holding the Pencil while typing so I can skip the step of picking it up, but no luck.