Pages app - Can it be taken seriously for word processing (e.g. for English essays)?

[Riviera122]

I'm looking at getting some form of computer to use for English essays and long pieces of writing. I want an Apple product, but I am on quite a tight budget.

With the keyboard dock add-on, could the iPad fit the bill for English essays and the like? I would also use it as a browsing device for downstairs, but that's secondary to it's educational purpose for me.

I've also been looking at the Powerbook G4, which is now similar to the iPad's price (second hand). Would that be better suited?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Gerri Shin]

I've written a number of reports with pages on my ipad, the only time I've hit a snag really is when trying to print. You could send it to iWork.com and try to print from there on a public access computer (or a personal one) or you could see if your professor will allow you to submit via email, in which case you can email the documents straight to the prof.

My view, it seems to work just fine for English class.

 

[Riviera122]

I've written a number of reports with pages on my ipad, the only time I've hit a snag really is when trying to print.

Printing isn't a problem for me. I can just E-mail it to myself using the intergrated Mail app.

 

[StopSign24]

I just wrote an essay for my english class last night, it was better than I expected. The only problem that I see is you have to turn it to an upright position to access any options, but if your using an external keyboard that wouldn't be a problem.

 

[infosprt]

The .pdf files created by Pages on the iPad (I don't know about other Apple products) cannot be read on a Windows computer (with Adobe). When you try to display a .pdf emailed from the iPad the text comes out looking like Morse Code. Here is an an example of the problem.

http://www.vpike.mobi/test/files/1273077051.pdf

 

[jimboutilier]

If your projects are not too complex it would work fine.

Things like footnotes, table of contents, repeating header tables, bulleted lists within tables and a lot of other things are not supported though.

For my purposes iPad iwork is pretty useless for my typical technical documents but it's fine for simple things. I also think the lack of menu and formatting options in landscape mode is a deal breaker. But with the keyboard doc that would not be a problem.

 

[danpass]

The .pdf files created by Pages on the iPad (I don't know about other Apple products) cannot be read on a Windows computer. When you try to display a .pdf emailed from the iPad the text comes out looking like Morse Code. Here is an an example of the problem.

http://www.vpike.mobi/test/files/1273077051.pdf

wow

"Cannot extract the embedded font 'RFDMYF+Helvetica'. Some characters may not display or print correctly."

 

[poloponies]

With the keyboard dock add-on, could the iPad fit the bill for English essays and the like?

As a keyboard dock owner, I'd suggest going with the wireless keyboard instead. The dock makes it wholly impractical to toss into a bag and with wireless you can type easily in portrait or landscape mode. Aside from that it's quite nice. I can see getting used to it pretty easily.

 

[markosb]

Its a great way to get the document started. I think for an essay it would work fine, aside from the printing like others have stated.

 

[Riviera122]

As a keyboard dock owner, I'd suggest going with the wireless keyboard instead. The dock makes it wholly impractical to toss into a bag and with wireless you can type easily in portrait or landscape mode.

Well luckily for me I have a huge man-bag, so it should fit without a problem.

 

[AppleSimon]

I took the iPad out tonight with me so I could finally start my assignment. I took my wireless keyboard and it connected via bluetooth very quickly, and using Pages it really was a joy to use. For example, moving back to where you may have made a mistake you can use the arrow keys instead of holding your finger on the screen and sliding which I found pretty useful and quicker.

The on-screen keyboard does disappear but if you press the 'Eject' button then it will appear on-screen again.

The only problem I found was when writing a title I couldn't use a keyboard shortcut for 'Bold' 'Italic' 'Underline', you do have to use the on-screen buttons.

But overall a happy user =]