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All iPads What do you guys use your keyboard for?

K

Kendo

macrumors 68020
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Apr 4, 2011
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I ended up getting a 9th gen iPad and using it with an old Smart Keyboard that I had for my 10.5" Pro. Understand this isn't exactly an M4 Magic Keyboard combo but functionally it is the same. I almost feel like I am forcing myself to use the keyboard when I could just fire up my MacBook next to me and have a better "laptop" experience. I think I'd feel like I wasted money if I ended up getting an 11" or 13" M4 combo and would force myself to use the Magic Keyboard.

Curious in everyone's day to day living, what makes you gravitate toward the iPad and Magic Keyboard combo? When I am in bed, on the toilet, at the gym, I'm using the iPhone for one-handed use. When I need to get serious work done, I fire up the MacBook. When I am in bed but not quite in "almost sleep mode" and I am sitting up in bed, I use the iPad for media consumption. Can't really fit the keyboard and I feel like I'm using it because I bought it with my 10.5" Pro a number of years back and it just sits there.
 
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dotnet said:
I used the iPad on the MKB almost exclusively, rarely resorting to the on-screen keyboard.



That's what I used to do, too. Then I found a MacBook Air that was lighter and thinner and had better battery life, so I switched back to the laptop.
Click to expand...

My laptop is lighter than my 13" + MKB but I also want a tablet while traveling - the iPad covers all my needs/wants.
 
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Generally, my main Mac's desk is my "sit down and type" place, and my iPad is my "walk around and mostly look at things" thing, just as was depicted by Jobs with its introduction.

I might take a keyboard if I needed to sit and write at home (for the purpose of focus), or if I had to travel much at all.
 
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Kendo said:
I think I'd feel like I wasted money if I ended up getting an 11" or 13" M4 combo and would force myself to use the Magic Keyboard.
Click to expand...
When I bought my 1st gen 12” iPad Pro, I also got the Pencil and KB.
Pencil has been used maybe 20 times, KB about 10-12 (in 8 years……🤣)

Annoying thing is I can’t use the Pencil with my M2 ipp (thanks Apple…..🤨)
 
Well, I have a MBP… but I treat it more like a desktop. It’s plugged into a monitor and rarely goes anywhere… while I take the M4 iPad Pro everywhere I go.

And I like this setup because the versality of the iPad… as @sparksd mention we can use as a tablet (annotate with the Apple Pencil) or dock it to MK if I need to do some extensive typing.
 
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MarkC426 said:
When I bought my 1st gen 12” iPad Pro, I also got the Pencil and KB.
Pencil has been used maybe 20 times, KB about 10-12 (in 8 years……🤣)

Annoying thing is I can’t use the Pencil with my M2 ipp (thanks Apple…..🤨)
Click to expand...
Frankly the Smart Keyboard and Pencil that I’ve also used maybe 10-12 times in 7 years with my 10.5 Pro (screen shattered) is the reason I picked up the 9th gen iPad and not the 10th gen for $50 more.

Figured I could re-use my accessories since the 9th gen iPad is just as powerful as some of the older “Pros”.
 
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I’ve got Magic Keyboard for my 11 Pro M4, I had got for my previous 12.9 2018 Pro. I’m writing with the new one this reply. My iPad stay in the MK all the time: so comfortable for streaming and web surfing (I prefer than Smart Folio or similar for the angle you can set), use it to write on the forums but overall for write emails for work, write scientific papers etc. When I want my Ipad in tablet mode I simply detached it and use it naked.
 
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That is indeed a very good question. I bought ( 2 Times ) a Magic Keyboard for m’y iPad Pro. It is so beautiful. But I must say that except on holidays i never use it. If I have serious work I do it on my Mac Studio. If I want to chill I use my iPad without Keyboard and even almost cover! I am sad not to use it moré but it is too bulky
 
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for serious work I prefer my MacBook Pro 14".The main reason being that applications on MacBook have more features (specially microsoft outlook, excel ) and managing multiple windows is far easier on a Mac. I also have an iPad Pro 11" m4 which I use with the logitech combo touch and Apple Pencil pro. I seldom use the logitech combo touch for typing as I find using the mbp is faster in terms of completing work.
 
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I do support for cellular trail cameras in a Facebook group. I haul my iPP 11 w/Magic Keyboard all around my house and to our camp so I can type support answers, text, respond to email, etc.
 
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I used to take my OG iPad to the library with my 4th Gen Apple Wireless Keyboard, to take notes, and write up my references when I was studying. I stopped doing that when I got a MacBook Air.

I love the iPad as an auxiliary device, it’s like an extension of my Mac.
 
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I used mine for getting rid of on eBay. Virtually useless bit of kit and stupid heavy. I just write on the thing now.
 
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I rarely type long documents on my ipad. It’s usually just replying to emails, making posts on social media/forums, browsing the web etc. However, even for those short typing tasks I prefer to use a physical keyboard than the on screen keyboard as it’s much quicker and easier. Typing using the on screen keyboard is cumbersome for me. I use the Magic Keyboard and another big advantage is using the trackpad for navigation, I find it much easier to navigate the ipad with the trackpad pad than using my fingers. I also have an iPad mini, which I use without a keyboard. It’s easier to use the on screen keyboard and navigate because the device is smaller.
 
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Kendo said:
I ended up getting a 9th gen iPad and using it with an old Smart Keyboard that I had for my 10.5" Pro. Understand this isn't exactly an M4 Magic Keyboard combo but functionally it is the same. I almost feel like I am forcing myself to use the keyboard when I could just fire up my MacBook next to me and have a better "laptop" experience. I think I'd feel like I wasted money if I ended up getting an 11" or 13" M4 combo and would force myself to use the Magic Keyboard.

Curious in everyone's day to day living, what makes you gravitate toward the iPad and Magic Keyboard combo? When I am in bed, on the toilet, at the gym, I'm using the iPhone for one-handed use. When I need to get serious work done, I fire up the MacBook. When I am in bed but not quite in "almost sleep mode" and I am sitting up in bed, I use the iPad for media consumption. Can't really fit the keyboard and I feel like I'm using it because I bought it with my 10.5" Pro a number of years back and it just sits there.
Click to expand...
The 9th gen iPad + Apple Smart Keyboard Cover is my favorite combo of any in the iPad lineup.

That is the lightest, thinnest combination that offers a real productivity alternative to a Macbook. I love how easy it is to simply remove the keyboard cover and use the iPad as a tablet. When I'm scrolling through social media or reading email and want to reply, I'll pop the keyboard on and go. I really dislike on-screen keyboards.

I have an M1 Macbook Air and M2 Mac Mini as well, but I find the iPad to be more enjoyable to use in "mobile" settings than the Macbook. I can use it to remotely connect to my work VM (Windows 10) to get work done. I use Jump Desktop to connect to my Mac Mini when I'm out and need to do some "desktop type stuff" while out.

I do a lot of writing, and as a touch-typist, I really appreciate how well it works for writing whenever and wherever inspiration hits.

I've moved on from the 9th gen to the 10th. There is no smart keyboard cover for it. (only the obscenely priced smart keyboard folio that is only $50 less than what 10th iPad itself can be purchased on sale for.)

But I bought this one and it is the closest thing to it at a fraction of the price....
keyboard-case-3.pngkeyboard-case-4.png
 
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I know that a lot of people didn't care for the keyboard, but I use mine with a Logitech Keys To Go & it's primarily used for when I'm traveling. I also used it when I had to go into the office, so I could grab my iPad & keyboard & head down the street for lunch at a park.

In those situations, having something light & small (and with cellular) trumps the advantages of the MacBook (for me). But now that we're remote, I don' use the iPad all that much for anything useful. Still great to watch sports or play a game or whatever, but if I had to give up one of my devices, the iPad would be the first to go.
 
I think the biggest advantage of the iPad + magic keyboard combo is that you have a laptop-style form factor on your desk, while also having the flexility of being able to detach your iPad and walk around with it when you just want a break from your desk. It also doubles as a wireless charger for your iPad, and arguably takes up the least space of all the stand + keyboard combinations I am aware of.
 
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I also thought I'd need it more - and I know that feeling of using it, just because I bought it. :)

I got a logitech folio touch, so it's also a pretty sturdy, although big ipad case. I often have it in my bag but mostly use it for light work while travelling or in meetings at work.

So, it's like having a keyboard when I don't want to take a laptop with me, which is most of the time.
 
I love my mkb with my iPad Pro 11 M4. I use my iPad for 90% of my work as a school administrator. I love the portability and the screen. Most of my work is done on web apps that autosave so I don’t need some massive file system that would be easier to use on a MacBook.
 
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