iPad Pro 10.5-inch for university - should I get smart keyboard or just sleeve? (Will get pencil)

[marmiteturkey]

I am afraid that a pencil without case might get damaged (visually at least) and the same goes for the back of the iPad. I care about resale value. I also don't want to spend a lot of money on accessories cause: iPad Pro + keyboard + pencil + pencil leather protection = ... A lot of $$$ which makes me think about getting a macbook 12" instead. (resale value of accessories is...low)

If you’re cash-strapped, there are plenty of ways to protect the iPad that cost less (and do a better job) than the apple sleeve. I would purchase the keyboard and a cheap back cover rather than the sleeve, any day of the week. And the keyboard will hold its value better than the sleeve.

The iPad and the MacBook are different beasts. It’s more than just a cost decision.

 

[marmiteturkey]

Most of the reviews out there are saying that it's effectively full-sized. I had the 12.9in keyboard and it was really, really good (overpriced though), and much more convenient than a separate keyboard (wasn't expecting it to be, but I wouldn't be without one now). My 10.5 w. keyboard arrives today and I'll come back and share thoughts.

So here I am after an hour or two with both and... the 10.5 keys are quite a bit smaller than the 12in. I'm adapting and it's still a great accessory, but at this point I'm quite surprised at how much smaller the keys are than the larger iPad's keyboard.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I'm not sure I would buy an iPad again without a keyboard. The smart keyboard just adds so much to the iPad experience. Easy to set up like a stand for most use, and then whenever a keyboard is needed it's just right there waiting. If I need to the keyboard easily rips away (or folds back) for easy holding.

I bought a refurbished 9.7 Pro a couple months ago for $380, new smart keyboard for $80, so $460 for the whole set, no tax or shipping (eBay). I am very satisfied with my purchase even with the new iPad pro being released. I knew I was as the tail end of the refresh cycle, but my needs are limited and I got it at half the cost of what it would to buy that combination new right now. In fact, for the average person now is a great time to get a fantastic value for the 9.7 pro.

 

[mdwsta4]

I was trying to find a keyboard that attached onto the front of the iPad, but didn't have a bulky rear case. Haven't been able to find one yet. I ended up picking up one of these carrying cases for my Apple keyboard that also acts as a stand. As I don't use a keyboard all the time and don't want the bulk of a case, this option is perfect for me. Throw my keyboard in and go when I need it, have the streamlined case-less iPad when I don't.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K75VY7U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[4389842]

Smart Keyboard without Pencil, unless you're an artist. There isn't really many reasons non-artists would need a pencil. You shouldn't have to write notes anymore, as typing has become the norm.

That is not entirely true: Microsoft OneNote or some of the other apps out there are wonderful for handwriting, even making the writing searchable.

Moreover, I have always found that handwriting notes makes me memorise better, is less taxing when also wanting to listen to the lecturer and allows me to quickly jot down diagrams and such...

 

[alecgold]

What study are you doing/going to do?

Just my 0,02:
I bought the 12.9 for law school with the pencil and the Apple Smart Keyboard.
I need to read about 1500-2500 pages a month, make essays for about 20-40 pages a month and do some other stuff. Certainly no rocket science but the ASK does a good job.
But it is brilliant when it comes to Annotating, highlighting, marking, then the pencil is great!

Apps to look for are GoodNotes, LiquidText, notability, MS office, jump desktop, documents 6/pdf expert 6
If you want to turn your and writing into ASCI, certainly have a look at the (free!) app that is called Nebo and is powered with my script.

The 12,5 is so great I also bought myself a 10.5. I don’t use an MacBook Pro anymore at all. I have a display less MacMini that I jump desktop into when I need to.

 

[4389842]

What study are you doing/going to do?

Apps to look for are GoodNotes, LiquidText, notability, MS office, jump desktop, documents 6/pdf expert 6
If you want to turn your and writing into ASCI, certainly have a look at the (free!) app that is called Nebo and is powered with my script.

Handwriting to text in Nebo is exceptionally good indeed.

However, OneNote is more platform independent/integrates well with Office. It might not feature handwriting to text conversion but it _does_ make your handwriting searchable.

It is debatable but handwriting to text is not as useful as it is cracked up to be since you will most likely need to spend time reformatting a lot while usually, I only use notes to go back to what was said in e.g. a meeting.

 

[alecgold]

It is debatable but handwriting to text is not as useful as it is cracked up to be since you will most likely need to spend time reformatting a lot while usually, I only use notes to go back to what was said in e.g. a meeting.

It’s not for writing essays that I use handwriting, it’s for writing notes during college/class/workgroup. It might be the old, old me, but I do retain information better when I write it down during college.
And it’s not just me, there has been a lot of research into this, but it still is valid: writing helps you retain information better and make better notes for when you study them later on.

 

[UltimateSyn]

10.5" Pro + Smart Keyboard + Leather Sleeve + Pencil = An extremely expensive but magnificent combo

 

[Badrottie]

Just get BOTH sleeve and keyboard for university. I bought Neoprene sleeve, awesome Logitech keyboard AND Finite smart case from eBay. I think you will need Apple Pencil, too.

 

[perezr10]

I have business meetings all the time where I have to choose between taking notes by typing on my laptop or handwriting notes with my iPad Pro. I always go with handwriting on my iPad. It's so much easier to do outlines, insert text, emphasize something with large text or circle something. You can add arrows, drawings, etc. Overall, I find typing to be slower.

My daughter is in college and she only takes her 9.7 iPad Pro with Apple Pencil for class. Since she doesn't use a laptop at all so she keeps the Logitech K480 at her dorm for typing papers. She doesn't like taking a keyboard so she didn't see why she needed to buy the expensive Apple one.

 

[alecgold]

10.5" Pro + Smart Keyboard + Leather Sleeve + Pencil = An extremely expensive but magnificent combo

Very well put.
How is the leather sleeve? I’m really doubting about buying it. It’s the price. But also I often have both the 12.9 and 10.5 with me.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Very well put.
How is the leather sleeve? I’m really doubting about buying it. It’s the price. But also I often have both the 12.9 and 10.5 with me.

Well to be honest, I probably wouldn't have spent my own money on it, but I have a kickass girlfriend who got it for me as an anniversary gift. I questioned its value at first but it seems to be extremely well made, looks awesome, and gives convenient and quick access to the Pencil and iPad at all times. So now after a couple weeks with it I love it.

If you're just using the iPad with no cover, don't bother. It's slightly too loose for a bare iPad, but once it stretched a little to fit my iPad with the Smart Keyboard on, it now has a snug fit yet still allows the iPad to slide in and out easily.

And the Apple logo on the back is a nice touch!

 

[iF34R]

I have the 10.5 and I'm using a smart keyboard, and they slide in real nicely to my leather sleeve. Pencil fits perfectly in the spot with the sleeve. Perfect combo for me. When I'm not using the iPad/Pencil, they are in the sleeve.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

My daughter is in college and she only takes her 9.7 iPad Pro with Apple Pencil for class. Since she doesn't use a laptop at all so she keeps the Logitech K480 at her dorm for typing papers. She doesn't like taking a keyboard so she didn't see why she needed to buy the expensive Apple one.

This would be my suggestion. Amazon is full of cases that will help you not to misplace the Pencil too. You can always get a case for the BT keyboard if you need it down the line. I have a Logitech that allows me to connect it to 3 devices and switch between them.

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

i just got an iPad Pro for my kid attending school next September. I got it now, so that there is time to get really good at it. The Pencil is a key tool on iPads. Notability is a great choice of software, and can take handwriting ad turn it to text.

I think that you will also want a keyboard for doing your larger writing tasks. More iPad apps now support keyboard shortcuts also. Depending on where you will do,that work, get a keyboard cover, or if you mainly write at home, the Logitech Bluetooth multi device Keyboard such as K780 might work for you.

 

[willmtaylor]

i just got an iPad Pro for my kid attending school next September. I got it now, so that there is time to get really good at it. The Pencil is a key tool on iPads. Notability is a great choice of software, and can take handwriting ad turn it to text.

I think that you will also want a keyboard for doing your larger writing tasks. More iPad apps now support keyboard shortcuts also. Depending on where you will do,that work, get a keyboard cover, or if you mainly write at home, the Logitech Bluetooth multi device Keyboard such as K780 might work for you.

Hopefully in the 20 months since asking the question, the OP has found a suitable solution.