Apple iPad Keyboard Dock Makes Typing Easier
Apple has done it again—revolutionizing the market with a simple, intuitively designed product in a distinctive package that inspires instant loyalty. However, while the iPad can do almost anything, there are a many things it doesn’t do as well as users would like. Typing is one of these things. While we are all used to typing on a screen, most of us feel more comfortable with a regular, full sized keyboard. The Apple iPad Keyboard Dock offers exactly this.
The keyboard dock is similar to any one of the better keyboards on the market. It has deep, springy keys that are comfortable to type on and offer that classic typing experience that many of us long for. It connects easily to the iPad, which sits easily on the device. One thing to note is that the iPad cannot sit on its long size, so you can only type in portrait orientation. This didn’t bother us, but some people may find it unusual, especially if you are used to typing on a widescreen.
One of the biggest advantages to the keyboard dock are the function keys. Instead of the function keys you see at the top of a traditional keyboard (F1, etc), there are function keys with icons representing what the key actually does. This makes it easy to control volume, lock and unlock the iPad, and do other tasks. Because many of us can never remember exactly what function keys perform which tasks, this increases the functionality of the keyboard by a huge measure.
Another huge advantage of the keyboard dock is that it works with all devices running iOS. This wasn’t an intended use for the keyboard dock, but it’s a handy one nonetheless if you prefer a real keyboard to an onscreen one.
Now we get to the drawbacks, and this, like any gadget, has a few. First, you must use the keyboard dock on a desk or table. It simply doesn’t work on your lap. This just plain sucks because it goes against the way most of us use our iPads. Second, the keyboard dock is large, heavy, and too awkwardly shaped to travel well. Because you can only use it on your desk anyway, this probably doesn’t matter… but again, most of us use our iPads on the go.
A last disadvantage is that the keyboard dock doesn’t work with iPad cases, even official Apple ones. Since most of us are protecting our pricey investment with a case—and they are a pain to remove and put back on—this may be a deal breaker. If you are a protective case loyalists, a Bluetooth keyboard makes better sense even if the keyboard isn’t as good.
The keyboard dock is a great idea, but when in use there are certain drawbacks. We can only hope that Apple continues to improve on the design so we can get a product that offers best of all worlds: usability, cool functions, and a friendlier design.