Benjamin Levicek In the era of the boom of modern technologies and the efforts of manufacturers to make their devices smaller, but to get the most powerful processors into them, many users have the question whether they should buy a portable laptop or tablet, and what advantages the purchase of an external keyboard would bring them. If you have already decided to invest in an iPad and are wondering if you can work without a keyboard, or if you should rather buy one, this article could tell you a lot.
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The first thing that probably comes to mind when you think of an iPad with a keyboard is Smart Keyboard whether Magic Keyboard from Apple. As far as Smart Keyboard, is offered for all iPads except the iPad mini. Its biggest advantage is its lightness and portability, but unfortunately, it is a relatively malfunctioning device, where some keys often do not work for some users or they bend. With a price tag of 5 CZK, this is definitely not something pleasant.
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Magic Keyboard it's only compatible with the 2020 iPad Air and the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros. It's basically a full-sized keyboard with trackpad that you'll find on newer MacBooks. An inconvenience for user comfort is its thickness and weight - the iPad with this keyboard attached is even slightly heavier than the MacBook Air.
Both keyboards connect via the Smart Connector, just like many other similar third-party products. Thanks to this, you can have a keyboard permanently attached to the iPad, which appears to be almost a full-fledged laptop in a mobile design. In addition, the device is powered directly from the Smart Connector, so you don't have to worry about not being able to write fully in a certain situation. On the other hand, I think it's kind of pointless to use a tablet when you have a keyboard attached to it 24/7. Yes, the benefit is that you can leave the keyboard on the table at any time and just take the tablet in your hand. But then there is another disadvantage of keyboards directly to the iPad - you cannot connect them to any other device. Portable Bluetooth keyboards are far more versatile. If necessary, you can connect them to a computer or smartphone.
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Personally, I think it depends extremely on what you are doing. If you write briefly to e-mails, record simple notes or edit less voluminous tables, you can get the job done with the software keyboard or dictation just as quickly as with the hardware one. However, it is worse when editing more complex texts, writing a seminar paper or formatting. At such a moment, you probably cannot do without an external keyboard. If this is your primary job, I wouldn't be afraid to reach for a keyboard that is connected to the tablet using the Smart Connector.
However, the advantage of tablets in general lies precisely in their portability. I write longer texts quite often, and I usually connect the keyboard. On the other hand, if we have an online class, during which I sometimes write down a note or open a document with a workbook or a worksheet, then in many cases I do not need the keyboard. The same applies, for example, to music editing, and from the experience of my friends, videos as well.
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Is it necessary to get a keyboard for the tablet?
If your primary work tool is a computer and you only plan to consume content on your tablet, investing in a keyboard is probably not worth it. But if the iPad will be a partial or complete replacement for the desktop, it depends extremely on the actions you perform. When you want to be able to connect the keyboard permanently with the certainty that it will not run out of power, reach for one that connects and is powered via the Smart Connector. If you plan to use the keyboard to write longer texts on an iPhone or other devices, and at the same time you don't want to invest large sums in keyboards created directly for the iPad, basically any Bluetooth keyboard that works well for you will suffice.
