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iPad Pro + Smart Keyboard + Spaghetti Arms

B

btownguy

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 18, 2009
545
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I've got an iPad Pro/Smart Keyboard/Apple Pencil combo. I love them. The technology is amazing and the apps are getting better and better. iOS 11 is going to be great. And it's all just going to get better from here.

However.

For "pro" usage, I just cannot accept that touch-first is ever going to be a thing. The mouse is a thing b/c you rest your arms on your desk and tiny wrist movements can cover your entire workspace. As "pro" users, we're not exactly working with jacked delts/tricepts/etc. Let's be honest here...working at a desk and having to continuously reach up and touch the screen is a pain.

Here's hoping iOS 12 will bring bluetooth pointer support. If that happens, there will be zero doubt in my mind that the iPad can/will become a true desktop replacement, even for pros.
 
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Have both. No plans to return the iPad. I guess I'm just looking for some honest discussion as to whether or not we honestly think spending hours at a desk and reaching up to touch the screen every couple of minutes is reasonable. Or do all of those that say iPad is the future really expect that a pointing device is inevitable.
 
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btownguy said:
I've got an iPad Pro/Smart Keyboard/Apple Pencil combo. I love them. The technology is amazing and the apps are getting better and better. iOS 11 is going to be great. And it's all just going to get better from here.

However.

For "pro" usage, I just cannot accept that touch-first is ever going to be a thing. The mouse is a thing b/c you rest your arms on your desk and tiny wrist movements can cover your entire workspace. As "pro" users, we're not exactly working with jacked delts/tricepts/etc. Let's be honest here...working at a desk and having to continuously reach up and touch the screen is a pain.

Here's hoping iOS 12 will bring bluetooth pointer support. If that happens, there will be zero doubt in my mind that the iPad can/will become a true desktop replacement, even for pros.
Click to expand...
Not Ipad can/will become desktop replacement. and the spec not the same.
 
Having worked with iPad as "pro" user (ssh/vim/python coding/Apple office suite), I constantly find myself trying to touch my work laptop screen.

Meaning, that touch-based interface really glues to you, even if you doing "pro" work.

BTW - I have no idea what`s the defenition of pro in your world is, but there are a plethora of different topics here already.
 
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What does that have to with spaghetti arms?

This is why I tell people to have both a macbook and s iPad. Use the device that's the most useful at the moment. I've come to dislike the mouse. Even though you're barely moving your wrist I still find it a hassle to pull the mouse around. I feel more in-control when touching the screen.
 
btownguy said:
For "pro" usage, I just cannot accept that touch-first is ever going to be a thing. The mouse is a thing b/c you rest your arms on your desk and tiny wrist movements can cover your entire workspace.
Click to expand...
Of course. Only ipad idealogues don't get this. ps--love my ipad pro for written notes, sketching and reading. I am not saying that apple needs to make a hybrid device, but the "kinda sorta" compromises of the Smart Cover do not get the job done. If Apple decided to make a true ios hybrid, I think it would be a revolutionary product.
 
Last edited:
TinaBelcher said:
What does that have to with spaghetti arms?

This is why I tell people to have both a macbook and s iPad. Use the device that's the most useful at the moment. I've come to dislike the mouse. Even though you're barely moving your wrist I still find it a hassle to pull the mouse around. I feel more in-control when touching the screen.
Click to expand...
That sounds good in theory, not always ideal in practice. I can be chugging along on my Macbook Air and then attempt to do something where touch makes sense, only to remember that it doesn't have a touchscreen. Other times I'm on my 12.9 Pro w/ASK and plugging away and attempt to do something where a mouse makes sense...and no mouse.

I have found that virtually everyone who has disdain for a mouse on a tablet has never used a mouse on an Android tablet. IMO, Android's support for mice is where iOS needs to be.

The use of a mouse on Android is completely optional. When there's no mouse, there's no mouse pointer. If a mouse is attached but not used, no mouse pointer. As soon as the mouse is moved (if attached), the mouse pointer appears and is functional.

There are no apps on Android that REQUIRE a mouse, but because the underlying Android system supports one, the apps can take advantage of it.

I currently access my iMac remotely using my iPad Pro and the Citrix X1 mouse. It is a fantastic combination and offers a glimpse of what optional mouse support looks and feels like on an iPad.
 
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I find it a bit hard to get used to using the ASK and then reaching out to touch. I'm used to keyboard & mice or just touch, not a mix of both. Just another reason why the ASK is now basically a height stand for when I draw in my lap. I use it very little to type now. I guess I thought I would be doing a lot of writing on the iPP, nope.
 
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I agree that iPad needs the option for using a mouse. I can't stand having to move my arm from typing on the keyboard to then having to move my arm up so I can touch the screen.
 
I think it's passable if you're using Remote Desktop, however it is somewhat inconvenient without a separate mouse - especially for long periods of time... but I don't know that you could really use a mouse in iOS that well
 
Rather than using the smart keyboard with iPad vertical, try using the iPad more horizontal in a slightly propped (aka typing mode) angle and with a separate bluetooth keyboard. Your hands will remain in the horizontal typing plane and keyboard will be close to the iPad so you don't have far to reach. Also, you can use a full sized keyboard, which makes for a nice typing experience.
 
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btownguy said:
For "pro" usage, I just cannot accept that touch-first is ever going to be a thing. The mouse is a thing b/c you rest your arms on your desk and tiny wrist movements can cover your entire workspace. As "pro" users, we're not exactly working with jacked delts/tricepts/etc. Let's be honest here...working at a desk and having to continuously reach up and touch the screen is a pain.
Click to expand...

Some questions:
  • Define what you mean by "pro" usage. What apps are you using?
  • Are you using the iPad in landscape orientation? 10.5" or 12.9"?
  • Can you not touch the screen while leaving your elbows on the table?
 
btownguy said:
For "pro" usage,
Click to expand...
So what is you definition of pro usage?

You really don't define what doesn't work well. The iPad is a tool, like a hammer, or screw driver. I wouldn't take a hammer to do a screw driver's job. This may very well be the case where a laptop or desktop computer is a better fit then an iPad.
 
sparksd said:
I have essential tremors (as does about 7 million other Americans) that makes use of a pencil impossible - I need a mouse so I'll always have a laptop.
Click to expand...

This topic has been pretty much beaten to death in various threads for those who hate or can get by without a mouse and those that think a mouse would make their iPads much more useful (like me who could then carry a single device when I travel). In the end, it's up to Apple.
 
*drags dead horse back into room

I think that this debate is legitimate. Maybe Apple designers read these forums. Regardless, I too struggle with constantly touching the screen (lifting up hands from keyboard to screen). It doesn't seem efficient. I wish, if they don't add mouse support someday, that they add more shortcuts on the keyboard that would help reduce common touch items like app switching, creating new records, navigation within apps and such. I feel like the touch screen is great but not always efficient. AND I don't find the touch screen "precise" as a mouse. I think that keyboard shortcuts can negate the preciseness of the touch. And I think that there is room for Apple to shine up the preciseness of touch.

One area I really hate with touch is selecting text and interacting with it. That would easily be fixed with a mouse interface or some clever shortcuts with the keyboard. Maybe do something like the shortcuts bar that is on the keyboard for the Macbook pro. I think there is room for improvement, just sayin'.
 
jlseattle said:
*drags dead horse back into room

I think that this debate is legitimate. Maybe Apple designers read these forums. Regardless, I too struggle with constantly touching the screen (lifting up hands from keyboard to screen). It doesn't seem efficient. I wish, if they don't add mouse support someday, that they add more shortcuts on the keyboard that would help reduce common touch items like app switching, creating new records, navigation within apps and such. I feel like the touch screen is great but not always efficient. AND I don't find the touch screen "precise" as a mouse. I think that keyboard shortcuts can negate the preciseness of the touch. And I think that there is room for Apple to shine up the preciseness of touch.

One area I really hate with touch is selecting text and interacting with it. That would easily be fixed with a mouse interface or some clever shortcuts with the keyboard. Maybe do something like the shortcuts bar that is on the keyboard for the Macbook pro. I think there is room for improvement, just sayin'.
Click to expand...

Command + Tab does app switching already.. Command + T should open a new tab in safari (not sure what you mean "creating new records"). In app commands to navigate in the app I would think would be up to the developers (hint: hold the command button to see available short cuts in any app).
 
This is where I think Microsoft came up with something really clever when they added Continuum to their mobile devices. I think Android might have something similar too, but basically it turns your mobile device into mouse & keyboard style desktop interface when docked, which ultimately solves the inconvenience of needing to tap a screen when sitting at a desk: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17280/windows-10-mobile-continuum

Since iOS is already fundamentally macOS at its core, I'd like to see Apple come up with something similar. I think it'd be a huge step towards making the iPad a proper laptop/desktop replacement.
 
sracer said:
That sounds good in theory, not always ideal in practice. I can be chugging along on my Macbook Air and then attempt to do something where touch makes sense, only to remember that it doesn't have a touchscreen. Other times I'm on my 12.9 Pro w/ASK and plugging away and attempt to do something where a mouse makes sense...and no mouse.

I have found that virtually everyone who has disdain for a mouse on a tablet has never used a mouse on an Android tablet. IMO, Android's support for mice is where iOS needs to be.

The use of a mouse on Android is completely optional. When there's no mouse, there's no mouse pointer. If a mouse is attached but not used, no mouse pointer. As soon as the mouse is moved (if attached), the mouse pointer appears and is functional.

There are no apps on Android that REQUIRE a mouse, but because the underlying Android system supports one, the apps can take advantage of it.

I currently access my iMac remotely using my iPad Pro and the Citrix X1 mouse. It is a fantastic combination and offers a glimpse of what optional mouse support looks and feels like on an iPad.
Click to expand...
I think you’re hitting the nail on the head here. Providing the option doesn’t seem like a huge hurdle nor does it necessarily have to affect those who don’t want to use a mouse/trackpad.

Meaning, the only reason(s) I can come up with for Apple not including this support have to do with MacBook sales/revenue.
 
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