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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txfeinbergs - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Good god you people sure like to complain for content you aren't paying a cent for and can easily not click the link on. Although I have been coming to the site since I decided to buy my first SSD about 6 months ago, I had to actually register to say thanks for putting up this review after reading all the bashing. I am on the fence about whether to get an ipad so I am looking at the pros and cons of all aspects of the device and accessories. Do I need an Ipad, no. Do I want an ipad. Maybe.jsugai - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
I love the Apple case and was dissapointed it prevented the iPad from fitting into the keyboard dock.Then I had a brilliant idea! Cut the case! I did that, and now it fits! It looks a little ugly, however, it works for me ;).
Now if someone brings out a case with a cut built in, I'm game!
sullrosh - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
does it work with the iphone or ipod touch?rao00010 - Saturday, April 17, 2010 - link
Look at the Home Page - the Apple articles have the most comments. If you don't like it DON'T READ THEM. Stop busting Anand's chops just because he's reviewing what he wants to ON HIS SITE.If all of you hate Apple so much, then why are you reading these reviews and posting on them?
Get a grip.
Jessica - Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - link
If you carefully cut a small area of the Apple iPad cover you dont have to remove it to use the hardware keyboard. Here is a photo story on how I did it.http://picasaweb.google.com/goofy167/ModifyAnIPadC...
BrianAZee - Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - link
They may not be able to incorporate landscape AND portrait in their docking, but I think the portability factor is going to be a big issue for them down the road. I know the iPad is more entertainment focused, but there's a whole market for this in more professionally focused apps, which call for a real live keyboard. Something like what the eee pad has for docking is really slick, where it just converts to a netbook when docked. See here- "http://www.geteeepad.com/eee-pad/tablet-docking-ee...Do you think Apple will jump on that train?
drfaizan - Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - link
iPad built in touch screen keyboard is great i don't think a keyboard is necessary but I read on this site www.ipadkeyboard-dock.com zagg mate keyboard is looks great in images.