iPad

[123456]

Do any of you use an iPad when you write? Or do you still use a regular keyboard? I'm just wondering if an iPad would ever be possible or would be very irritating.

[Kiernansmom]

No, I've never used it, but then I've only had it for a few months. I don't think it's that hard to type on the onscreen keyboard, though, so I could see writing on it if necessary. I don't think I'd do it long-term, though.

[janyben]

I saw this awesome thing on TV last week.. I think it was on Oprah, where there is a really good iPad case that is slim but will protect it when dropped, and when you open the case and twist it, it doubles as a keyboard with a holder for the ipad, so it looks like a mini laptop! Some actor had it.. he got it at the Apple store.. might be something worth looking into! I'd get one if I had an iPad!

[mtgywriter]

While I'm having fun with my iPad, I hope the occasion never arises to have to type articles on the device. The keyboard is simply too small for me to maintain the same speed that is possible with a desktop or laptop keyboard.

[wordygirl]

In my experience, the keyboard is fine for searching the internet but not for regular typing. You don't have a full qwerty keyboard (if I remember right you have to switch screens to type most punctuation except a period or comma) but it seems like you should be able to plug a regular keyboard into the USB.

[Kalyko]

There is no way I could write a full article on my iPad; the built in keyboard is just too small. The separate keyboard that you can purchase as an accessory is also small, but is about as wide as the iPad is long. A friend of mine uses the keyboard accessory to type excessively long emails, etc. and loves it. I still prefer a full size keyboard.

[writermomma]

sssshhhh! Don't tell my husband... I still want one! They are just so cool. I prefer my big, old ergonomic keyboard. Maybe, you could use the dragon naturally software with it on those days where you just don't feel like typing.... maybe....

[writermommy]

I don't have an iPad, but I have written full articles on my Blackberry for a few years. It is nice for when we are out as a family or I am at my grandma's house and I have time to kill. If we plan to be gone for more than the evening, I just bring my laptop.

That said, I don't play well with touch screens. Both my mom and DH have touch screen phones and they irritate me to no end (through I would not mind if it had a real keyboard to use) when I have to use them, even to search the Internet. And my mom has one of those big Evo ones, but I still have issues with it. So, I probably couldn't do the same thing with an iPad as I do with a Blackberry unless I plugged a keyboard into it.

[sugarloaf]

I don't have one, but I don't think I would want one either. To me, Apple products always seem too expensive for the type of product you get. Not to mention that I would much rather type on a real keyboard!

[spifty1]

I do loads of blogging with my iPad and it's great most of the time. The great times are counterered by the really frustrating though. One thing that drives me crazy about Wrjting on the iPad is the predictive text which you cannot switch off and will auto correct everything!
Also the screen space when typing in landscape is reduced to a point that would make it difficult to deal with anything but bare text.
Also depending on what sort of writing you do you may struggle to find a writing app that gives you the same capabilities as Word. I personally do lots of blogging and use the Wordpress app and an app called Blogsy to write for my blogs. These work far better than trying to write online, which the iPad struggles with.