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Typing on iPad.

newyorksole

newyorksole

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 2, 2008
5,267
6,591
New York.
This has been discussed on a few websites, but how do you guys think this will be? I'm trying to imagine myself typing on it, but can't really get a good image of what it'll be like. Guess I'll just have to wait until April 3!

That seems to be my only concern with iPad though.

And yeah I know that there is a physical keyboard accessory.
 
The only thing that I think will take some getting use to is not being able to rest your fingers on the keys. You will have to hover over the screen because touching = pressing.
 
Other than the select journalists that got to touch the iPad at the keynote unveiling nobody knows.

I personally can't imagine typing anything bigger than an email on it. But I really don't know for sure since I haven't seen one nether less touched one.
 
I've got the Archos 9. It's on-screen keyboard is nothing at all like using a mechanical one. Anyone that believes a touchscreen keyboard can be as easy as using a real keyboard is in for a big surprise. Also remember that the screen isn't big enough to display a full sized set of keys.
 
This is why i think the apple case is really important - it looks like it will put the iPad at the right angle to type on when its in your lap. i think like the iphone it will take a bit of getting used to and trusting that the auto-correction will work.
 
I've imagined it being like typing on my iPhone's keyboard but on a larger scale. Since I'm used to that I think this will be an improvement. In any case I'm waiting till I get it before deciding on whether to get the keyboard/dock.
 
4DThinker said:
I've got the Archos 9. It's on-screen keyboard is nothing at all like using a mechanical one. Anyone that believes a touchscreen keyboard can be as easy as using a real keyboard is in for a big surprise. Also remember that the screen isn't big enough to display a full sized set of keys.
Click to expand...

When place horizontally, the iPad's keys replicate that of a full-sized keyboard. Hopefully that improves typing.
 
I'm not too sanguine about it being a really enjoyable experience, but I'm sure it will be much better than my last (2003-era) tablet PC, where you had to tap each letter out with the stylus on the on-screen keyboard.

The keyboard problem is a tough one to solve in this form factor, so I'm curious to see how usable this will really be.
 
Personally, I have huge hands. Like really.. They're massive. And I've been saying ever since the iPod touch came out that if Apple enlarged it, it would be just my size. So when they announced the iPad with it's enlarged keyboard, I was smitten. I think I'll be able to type on it quite capably. I'm not worried about it at all.
 
4DThinker said:
I've got the Archos 9. It's on-screen keyboard is nothing at all like using a mechanical one. Anyone that believes a touchscreen keyboard can be as easy as using a real keyboard is in for a big surprise. Also remember that the screen isn't big enough to display a full sized set of keys.
Click to expand...

The Archos 9 uses a resistive touch screen, so you really can't compare it at all. Ever since the first time I used my iPod touch, I could never go back to using a resistive screen; they're as good as worthless, especially for rapid inputs like typing. And with Apple's minimalist UI, you can get pretty close to a full-size keyboard with a 10 inch screen. At least it should be closer to full than my 9-inch netbook.

It took very little practice to be able to quickly type out even a lengthy e-mail on my iPod. I imagine having a much bigger keyboard and being able to use more than just two thumbs will only improve things.
 
I think it won't be too hard to type on an ipad, at least after a little practice.

I think the hardest part might be how to position it so you can type on it with two hands. For example, will it stay steady enough on your lap or crossed leg for you to comfortably type with two hands? Or will it be steady when laid down on a flat surface like a table, since it has a slightly curved back?
 
You'll never be able to touch-type on it at the speed you can on a conventional (laptop or desktop) keyboard. But it will be fine for chatting, basic text entry, e-mail, etc. If you plan to use the iPad for really keyboard intensive tasks (notes in class or a meeting, writing long documents) I have to think it makes a lot more sense to get one of the keyboards.
 
Bodhi395 said:
... Or will it be steady when laid down on a flat surface like a table, since it has a slightly curved back?
Click to expand...

That's a good point. I think it'll wobble around since the back has quite a pronounced curve to it. Of course, it needs that - otherwise you wouldn't be able to pick it up off a flat surface (other than with a judiciously applied suction cup :D )

I predict healthy sales of keyboard docks. The whole ensemble's kind-of cute anyway. Like a teeny-tiny iMac.
 
Yeah I ordered the dock and BT keyboard rather than the keyboard dock, to give myself greater placement flexibility. And this mostly for the limited content creating I do vs. content consumption.

I'm not especially worried about the onscreen typing experience. I think, like the iPhone, it's something we'll become quite proficient at - certainly "proficient enough" for what it'll be used for 9x% of the time.
 
aaquib said:
When place horizontally, the iPad's keys replicate that of a full-sized keyboard. Hopefully that improves typing.
Click to expand...
Screen: 9.7" diagonal. 7.76 tall by 5.82 wide. Turn it horizontal for a 7.76" wide keyboard. Even the letters only part of my Apple keyboard is 11" wide. You were fooled by the salesman if you think 7.76" wide is a full sized keyboard
 
4DThinker said:
I've got the Archos 9. It's on-screen keyboard is nothing at all like using a mechanical one. Anyone that believes a touchscreen keyboard can be as easy as using a real keyboard is in for a big surprise.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what was said about the iPhone not having a physical keyboard. If anything, people ended up surprised at how well the touchscreen keyboard worked.

It's not going to be the problem you're making it out to be.
 
aaquib said:
In the iPad video, Scott Forestall states "you have a keyboard that's practically life-sized."
Click to expand...
In other words, not full sized. You folks should draw a 7.76" wide by 5.82 tall rectangle out on a piece of graph paper. Cut it out and lay it atop your current keyboard. It won't be hard to hunt and peck on, but good luck if you actually know how to type. I'm not trying to start any fights here. I just have some practical experience I'm trying to share. My Archos 9's on-screen keyboard is almost exactly the same width full-screen. It is sensitive and auto-correcting. Despite that I quickly reach for my full sized bluetooth keyboard if I have any lengthy typing to do.
 
4DThinker said:
Screen: 9.7" diagonal. 7.76 tall by 5.82 wide. Turn it horizontal for a 7.76" wide keyboard. Even the letters only part of my Apple keyboard is 11" wide. You were fooled by the salesman if you think 7.76" wide is a full sized keyboard
Click to expand...

That's about the same size "keyboard" as the Dell Mini 9, which isn't too bad.
MBP keyboard are a little more than 10 inches in length, but the caps lock and return key are big, unlike the ipad keyboard. So, with slimmed down non-letter keys, the ipad keyboard is comparable to a normal keyboard.
 
I avoid typing on my iPhone like the plague!

Using more than two thumbs on the iPad will be a relief.

However, having to hover ones fingers over the keys to prevent touching may be a challenge!

We will soon find out
 
Alchematron said:
I avoid typing on my iPhone like the plague!

Using more than two thumbs on the iPad will be a relief.

However, having to hover ones fingers over the keys to prevent touching may be a challenge!

We will soon find out
Click to expand...

Ha! That's funny, cuz I am a "one thumb" iPhone typer and I keep thinking about how nice it will be to use two thumbs on the iPad in portrait mode.

I am probably about as obsessed as they come for the iPad but I really think trying to type anything more than emails will not be convenient. And while the keyboard dock will be a necessity for some iPad buyers, I think defeats the purpose of the device.
 
yeah the more I think about it, it will likely be thumb typing in portrait mode for me, I just don't see how two hand typing will be all that great of an experience in landscape mode.

but if it is, then that will be a great surprise
 
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