Apple's iPad Keyboard Dock Reviewed
by Anand Lal Shimpi on April 13, 2010 2:35 AM ESTFinal Words
The iPad Keyboard Dock is good at one thing: turning your iPad into a desktop writing station. Think typewriter but with a different sort of multitouch. If the iPad is the perfect computing device for you, the keyboard dock is going to make it that much better. The ergonomics problems of using the iPad at a desk are solved, as are the typing speed issues thanks to Apple's excellent aluminum keyboard design. If the iPad was made for you, the $69 Keyboard Dock will be worth every penny. It'll turn your beloved iPad into a mini iMac Touch.
What it won't do however, is make the iPad any more attractive to you. If you can't deal with the limitations of the platform, the keyboard dock doesn't do you much good. Even if you just hate the idea of a virtual keyboard, the dock won't help much since it's a sort of awkward thing to carry around; not to mention that you need a desk to use it on.
Regardless of what side of the fence you're on, the quirks are annoying. It's great that Apple enabled some keyboard shortcuts (copy/paste/page up/down), but leaving out others (bold, reply) is disappointing. The lack of app switching is irritating but also understandable given the lack of a multitouch way to do the same.
Personally, I like it. It makes the iPad more useful at my desk and I like the ability to quickly pull it off the dock and carry it with me. I just wish you didn't need to take it out of its case all the time. The iPad is still much more portable of a device than a netbook, the keyboard dock just makes it more useful when you're not porting it around.
Like the iPad it pairs with, the Keyboard Dock is a very polarizing device. You'll either love it and think it's worth every penny, or burn all of your black mock turtlenecks in disgust.
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Some1ne - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
If that's the case, then let the websites for REGULAR FOLKS review it. This is a website for TECHIES. I come here for stories and articles that are too technologically oriented for those "regular folks" to care about. In short, I come here for TECHNOLOGY news. And while a review of the iPad itself is justifiable on the grounds that it is a new piece of technology being launched by a major tech company, a review of a $69 keyboard accessory that only works with the iPad is not. There's nothing new or innovative about a dock/keyboard accessory.B3an - Thursday, April 15, 2010 - link
Agree. This type of stuff does not belong on Anand. End of story.Neither does the bias, conveniently missing out the many many shortcomings. Something thats not avoided in reviews for other products, so why let Apple off.
If this dock was made by any other company it would not have been reviewd.
TGressus - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
The positive reviews of the iPad seem to draw the most criticism. I'd like to think it's a reaction to the the stark contrast between what the device really is and what the reviewer wants the device to be, as referred to in earlier replies. It'd be a shame if it's just group think hating.On the topic of the human interface for portable devices, whomever can evolve text input will rule the next wave of tech. We've got to get beyond single character input whatever we do...
nafhan - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
They're marketing the iPad as a second or third computer, and the dock is not portable. So it's really only useful in a location where you are likely to already have your "real" computer. Since the iPad has to be removed from it's protective case to use the dock, it'd be easier to just use your desktop/laptop. This dock is possibly the most useless $70 peripheral ever.Also, if they put the dock connector on a short cable, the dock could be used in either landscape or portrait mode. I guess that would "ruin" the aesthetics, and make the $50, yet to be released, "media and entertainment" dock redundant.
tyusaf - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
After reading all the comments, I'd just like to say, thanks for the review.It contains all the information I need to determine whether I need the keyboard dock or not - which I think was the point of the review. I'd like to think that I'm as techie as Anand, and would have the same issues when using the keyboard - which all contributes to helping me with my purchasing decision.
Cheers
MoreGibberish - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I would think the standard Apple Bluetooth Keyboard plus the Apple or Incase iPad case would be a better option. Either of these two cases prop up your iPad in landscape mode. Plus you can use the keyboard with your mac. On the downside, apps like Pages don't show their formatting toolbar in landscape mode.Griswold - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
"It's great for the basic things: typing, checking email, looking at photos, playing music, browsing the web. These are all things any computer can do, and a netbook can actually do them cheaper. The iPad just does them simpler"And how do these people get their pictures onto the ipad without a card reader slot, usb port or even a camera? I mean, without buying that camera connection kit for another 30-50 bucks?
And here is one you cant answer: My mother would fit the bill perfectly, but she'll never buy this ipad because she cant connect a printer to it. period. Theres three things she does with her computer, in this order:
1. Her correspondence
2. e-mail
3. browse the web
Recently I told her about the WePad. That thing really got all the options the ipad lacks and doesnt use oversized windows or a castrated osx to achieve it. If it delivers on the promise, she might buy that come summer.
strikeback03 - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
Would a bluetooth printer not work?Or just wait for iPad v2 or v3 which might actually include something useful like a USB port.
leaf-eater-dubai - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Hi Anand,your review was great and helped me alot to decide wether I should get an iPad or not!
I do have one question and I would be grateful if anyone could answer this:
Do I need power to operate the keyboard? Will it take the power from the iPad or how will it work? I am a student and I plan on taking this to class.
Thanks!
Anand Lal Shimpi - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
The keyboard dock is powered by the iPad itself :)Take care,
Anand