The Apple wireless iPad keyboard dock has been designed to make an improvement to one particular aspect of your tablet experience. Inevitably, this aspect is typing, so the main question we need answering is whether this Apple keyboard is actually better than the touchscreen keyboard.
Now, if you're the type of user that will be doing a great deal of typing every day when it comes to using your tablet, it's imperative that you have the most ergonomic and precise means to do so. This is especially the case if you will be using the Pages App frequently to type out lengthy notes, essays or memos. Even if you will only be writing emails and posting the occasional Facebook wall post, you won't want to be having to go through your text having to correct yourself for spelling errors and random auto corrected words.
But why would these typing errors occur in the first place? Surely anyone who is accustomed to using a PC or Mac won't have any problem with touchscreen typing on a tablet? Well, that is what you would expect, but as I'm sure any iPad owner reading this will realize, the touchscreen keyboard can be a little sketchy at times.
If you are typing at a good pace, either because you are on a roll and rapidly typing up a stream of thought, or if you are simply taking down dictated notes as fast as possible, you are often left with a lot of red underlined words. The problem is, when you type quickly on the touchscreen, it can become unresponsive and not actually pick up everything you're entering. This unfortunately leaves you with text that is not cohesive and full of spelling errors, which consequently leaves the text needing a couple of proof readings before you can go ahead and save it.
This is the predominant reason why plenty of tablet users are now looking toward the physical keyboard market to remedy their typing woes. So how does this bluetooth iPad keyboard dock fair?
The Apple wireless iPad keyboard looks fantastic, which seems to be a running theme throughout all of the Apple products with that sleek, thin design in the brushed aluminum. Not only does this material make the bluetooth iPad keyboard look good, but it also ensures that the product can take a lot of abuse. So whether you will be using the case at home or throwing it into your rucksack to use on the go, this keyboard will still work like a charm.
Now, the main aspect of this review is how the use of a physical keyboard is superior to the iPad's touchscreen equivalent. The first point in the physical keyboard's favor is that you cannot accidentally press the wrong key without realizing it. Well, of course you could do this, but the likelihood of not registering that you hit the wrong key is highly reduced purely because you have physical keys in front of you. When you are typing quickly on the touchscreen, you can easily slip up, down or either side of the key you intended to hit, whereas when you're using a genuine set of keys, it's far easier to know that you are being accurate because you can actually feel what you are doing. In this way, your typing will be a far more accurate affair in general.
Since the dock houses the iPad to be used as a screen for your typing purposes, you will have a much larger viewable area since the screen won't be taken up by the touchscreen keyboard popping up. This is a nice little bonus of bluetooth iPad keyboards in general, as they prevent you having to stare over your hands, allowing you to lean back into your chair and not always have to keep up that perfect posture when you type.
For many, the angle at which this dock holds the iPad is just right for composing any text ideas with that slight tilt being more in line with your eye sight. However, for some users that would prefer more or less of an angle, they won't have the option to adjust because of the fixed angle of the iPad dock. I would not say that this is too much of a problem though, as I believe that Apple have found a good middle ground that provides just the right amount of tilt for keeping your screen in view.
Another issue comes in the missing option of displaying your tablet horizontally. For those that won't just be making use of this wireless iPad keyboard to type with, but also want to watch a good movie every now and then, they will have to put up with the portrait presentation. This leaves the Apple wireless iPad keyboard dock as a bit of a specialist peripheral that excels in its typing functionality, but not so much in more recreational functions.
Conveniently, the iPad dock actually connects via USB to your computer or AC adapter, allowing you to charge your tablet through the device without needing to disconnect it. This makes the Apple dock ideal for the user wanting to create a more permanent writing setup at their home or office desk.
This is not to say that the Apple wireless iPad dock is no good for travelling with, as you could easily take it with you for your typing purposes on the train or plane. By setting it up on your personal table, you will instantly be able to type efficiently and fluently on the go and since the keyboard is so slim and light, it will easily slot in amongst your files, books and whatever else you may keep in your rucksack.
All in all, I would recommend this device to any iPad user that regularly blogs, takes notes in class or lectures, writes elaborate emails or does any kind of extended typing with their tablet. It will be of most benefit to those people and less to the users that would prefer a more multi-functional dock that is more focused on recreational tablet use. But if you are a keen typist and writer, then the Apple wireless iPad keyboard dock is a fantastic way to boost your writing efficiency.
Visit iPadBeans for the best deal on the Apple wireless iPad keyboard dock.
