pcslookout
Lifer
Is the keyboard or pen worth it?
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iPad Pro 10.5 inch 512 GB - Just got
- Thread starter pcslookout
- Start date
pcslookout
Lifer
What use does the keyboard have when the iPad is on your lap or stomach when laying down ?
None, like any tablet/keyboard combo it needs a flat surface.
The same Pencil would work. And to answer OP, I’d argue that the Pencil is a better thing to get than the keyboard. You can use it to manipulate the screen, not just draw, and that’s just a nice thing to do. Plus if you ever do want to draw (even simple stuff like in notes, or marking up an image/pdf), then now you have an amazing stylus for the job.
The Pencil is better than any other stylus for the iPad Pro. The same cannot be said of the Smart Keyboard.
Oyeve
Lifer
Yeah. I've trie
Yeah, I've tried various kbs for ipads and it just reminds more that it's a tablet and not a laptop.
Commodus
Diamond Member
I'll say this, though: I was trying the official keyboard on the iPad Pro 10.5 and good grief, that little extra width makes all the difference. You can genuinely touch type on this where the 9.7-inch model required more deliberation. No mean feat for a tablet that's so compact.
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Eug
Lifer
I use the ThinkOutside Stowaway Universal Bluetooth folding keyboard with the iPad Air 2 and my iPhone.
Full size keys with proper travel. Bought it off eBay a couple of years ago. Despite being 13 years old now and its being long since discontinued, it's still better than 98% of iPad keyboards out there.
The main drawbacks are that typing numbers require function keys and if you hit the right and left ends too hard you can cause the keyboard to tilt, since the whole keyboard is elevated a few mm off the table as it rests on the central portion.
Full size keys with proper travel. Bought it off eBay a couple of years ago. Despite being 13 years old now and its being long since discontinued, it's still better than 98% of iPad keyboards out there.
The main drawbacks are that typing numbers require function keys and if you hit the right and left ends too hard you can cause the keyboard to tilt, since the whole keyboard is elevated a few mm off the table as it rests on the central portion.
DietDrThunder
Platinum Member
I bought the 10.5 with 256GB , pen, and keyboard. I returned the keyboard after a couple of days. I didn't like the restriction of having the keyboard tied to the iPad.
I then bought the Arteck HB030B Universal Slim Portable Wireless Bluetooth keyboard off of Amazon for $20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X5P8BJO/ref=psdc_11548965011_t1_B00YWLJNPQ If you follow the instructions, you'll have no problem syncing this keyboard to your iPad Pro, and it has been working great for me.
I also bought the Targus VersaVu Classic Case for Apple 10.5 inch iPad Pro from BestBuy for $49.99 plus tax.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/targus-versavu-classic-case-for-apple-10-5-inch-ipad-pro-black/5836009.p?skuId=5836009&ref=199&loc=jo/pTdthTuc&acampID=1&siteID=jo_pTdthTuc-8RLYIq2AEVWj6421alqNQQ
It feels like a very good and protective case. With the iPad Pro in the case, you can rotate the iPad Pro 360 degrees for any viewing angle you want. For typing, I turn the iPad Pro for viewing in Portrait instead of landscape. This case also has a place to store your Apple pen. One thing it needs is a slot for holding the Apple pen charging adapter.
With this case and keyboard combo, I can set my iPad Pro on a shoe box on my kitchen table, closer to eye level, and have the keyboard flat on the kitchen table. Much better for typing than having the case and keyboard combined.
I downloaded Codea ($14.99) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/codea/id439571171?mt=8 to try and do App development on this iPad. Not only was I able to create a test app and run it on the iPad, but it allowed me to export to Xcode format. I was able to then take this Xcode and compile it on a friends Mac with the XCode IDE. I then put the app back on my iPad and it ran perfectly. In my opinion, Apple really needs to release a version of the Xcode IDE for the iPad pro.
I also downloaded the free version of Shapr3D, which outputs medium quality STL files. http://shapr3d.com/ I'm learning the tool to see if I like it, and if so, I will use it for 3D printing. The Shapr3d software is very heavily Apple pen and touch oriented. We'll see if I get any good at it, and at some point in the future, I'll post a photo of what I 3D printed.
Now for gaming. I have to say I'm quite impressed with the performance (but I should expect this since I replaced my old iPad 2 (A5 chip) with the new iPad Pro 10.5" (A10X chip). Playing World of Tanks on the new iPad Pro is awesome. I can actually see grass blades, tree leaves, and an extreme amount of detail now on the different maps (previously most map details were kind of a blur). The 120Hz refresh rate makes the game display smooth as butter. Also, the wireless networking has improved and I no longer experience any lag. My game play with this iPad Pro has improved to the point where I'm now being called out by opponents as being a cheater.
The only thing I feel that is missing is touchpad or mouse support.
If Apple would release a version of it's Xcode IDE for the iPad Pro, this powerful little machine could be the replacement for the low end Macbook Pro.
I can say that this new iPad Pro is expensive, but well worth the money.
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lefenzy
Senior member
Although I don't own an ipad, I can type pretty quickly using the on-screen keyboard. The only trouble is that it takes up screen real estate. The idea of a keyboard that also acts as a cover for the ipad is pretty appealing, but unfortunately the keyboard and the pencil cost so much.
quikah
Diamond Member
But why? what are you gaining by trying to do dev work on an ipad. You save 1lb of weight maybe? You get a worse keyboard, no touchpad, no expandability. Just seems like a dumb proposition.
Oyeve
Lifer
And a tablet os. Useless as a dev laptop.
It’s... high? The 9.7” ipad is 2048x1536, and the 10.5” is higher that that... do you think the 9.7 or 12.9 are fuzzy? I think they’re all roughly the same dpi.
My 2 (non-phone) mobile computing devices are my first gen Pro 12.9 and an Air 2, and I don’t notice any fuzziness. But I use my Pro at arms length, and my Air 2 closer to my face so maybe that’s a thing??
Tegeril
Platinum Member
Some apps were not built in a way that they are properly scalable. They'd probably be even "fuzzier" on the 12.9" iPad Pro. The app is being upscaled from the 9.7" resolution to the 10.5" resolution. This can be resolved and will be over time. All of Apple's native apps should support the native resolution properly for comparison purposes.
This comment on MacRumors visualizes it perfectly: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...new-ipad-pro-10-5-12-9.2051713/#post-24705551 as the status bar adopts the scaling level of the app. A similar effect can also be seen on apps that were never optimized for iPhone 6/6+ and are scaled up versions of the 4" screen size or choosing to run each of those larger phones in their scaled up mode that emulates the size smaller.
This comment on MacRumors visualizes it perfectly: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...new-ipad-pro-10-5-12-9.2051713/#post-24705551 as the status bar adopts the scaling level of the app. A similar effect can also be seen on apps that were never optimized for iPhone 6/6+ and are scaled up versions of the 4" screen size or choosing to run each of those larger phones in their scaled up mode that emulates the size smaller.
lopri
Elite Member
Here is what I am talking about. Fuzzy was a wrong choice of word by me. I should have said that it is not as sharp. (I am one of those people who can tell 1080p and 1440p apart on a 5" smartphone) Like Tegeril says it is as if the fonts are rendered at lower resolution on 3rd party apps like Yandex browser.
Safari:
Yandex:
Safari:
Yandex:
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lopri
Elite Member
Hmm.. so if I am understanding correctly, things on 9.7" iPad (2048x1536) are stretched to fill 10.5" iPad (2224x1668)? That would explain the blurriness that I observe.
[Crowdsourcing] Non-Optimized Content on the new iPad Pro (10.5" + 12.9")
fraz76@Macrumors said:Otherwise apps will work, but with NoUpdadedApp running on ipad 10.5, resolution will be downscaled from native 2224x1668px to 2048x1536px. (You can verify it from iOS status bar clock that begin bigger when is on app running in downscale resolution) As a result the ppi value decreases from the native 264ppi to small and blurry 244ppi
It's not about your vision and I am sure most folks do not notice the difference between 264 PPI and 244 PPI. But I happened to notice a difference and wanted to know if there is a technical explanation for it. It seems like my question has been answered by Tegeril's post above and the Macrumors link.
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darkswordsman17
Lifer
Do you notice the refresh rate changes?
I'm wanting to get one for my Mom since I think an iPad would be good for her (it would serve as her primary computer, which is why I'd want the Pro as it should have better longevity due to better specs; plus the better speakers and better cameras - which she'd actually make use of, both the front and rear). And I want to try out the Pencil to see how I'd like it (so I could compare to Surface line and see which I prefer). The problem is that spec'ed out like I'd prefer (256GB at least, LTE) and add the pencil and a stand/case, its awfully expensive (would be $1000 give or take tax, plus I'd probably opt for Apple Care after spending that much). I think Apple is really ridiculous on prices for their main accessories. Of course they can get away with it, but they should be $50 each at most. And the LTE is a ripoff too ($130 for it is ridiculous, $50 would be plenty generous for Apple).
I'm wanting to get one for my Mom since I think an iPad would be good for her (it would serve as her primary computer, which is why I'd want the Pro as it should have better longevity due to better specs; plus the better speakers and better cameras - which she'd actually make use of, both the front and rear). And I want to try out the Pencil to see how I'd like it (so I could compare to Surface line and see which I prefer). The problem is that spec'ed out like I'd prefer (256GB at least, LTE) and add the pencil and a stand/case, its awfully expensive (would be $1000 give or take tax, plus I'd probably opt for Apple Care after spending that much). I think Apple is really ridiculous on prices for their main accessories. Of course they can get away with it, but they should be $50 each at most. And the LTE is a ripoff too ($130 for it is ridiculous, $50 would be plenty generous for Apple).
#12!
Junior Member
Both iPads are exactly the same 264PPI, some apps - just as when the iPhone 5 dropped, aren't optimized for the new resolutions. And it's VERY few as XCode has long given the ability to Devs to take advantage of independent resolution scaling. Why Facebook doesn't take advantage, we'll never know.
I've still seen apps that aren't 'crisp' on the 7.9" or the 9.7" iPads - lazy development with crappy, low resolution artwork made for the iPhone display doesn't scale up as well as vector art, etc.
I'm sorry it bugs you ... but those considering the new iPads, don't give this thread a second thought
A) it's VERY difficult to 'see', and they all fill the display, no letter boxing as on iPhone apps on iPads, other than obvious toolbars/keyboards and
B) it's so few apps that don't work/scale correctly your workflow may never even bump into an app that's not optimized
Lastly, many continue using older 32bit apps that developers abandoned years ago. Apple is slowly (but surely) ridding the App Store of these apps and entirely in iOS 11 - one of the reasons, they're unable to independently scale between devices. (Plenty other reasons but if the app's been abandoned, you're dealing with more than a crappy looking app!)
Commodus
Diamond Member
I'm the next to get one of the new iPad Pro models. Just a 64GB WiFi version, but that's all I need.
The biggest thing for me is just how ridiculously fast everything feels. The 120Hz helps, for sure, but it just juggles everything with grace. I'm coming from an original iPad Air, but I've used enough iPads in between to know how much of a leap this is.
The other part: iOS 11 really needs to show up yesterday. I'm fine with iOS 10 for the most part, but there's no question that 11 would kick things up a notch for multitasking and overall features.
The biggest thing for me is just how ridiculously fast everything feels. The 120Hz helps, for sure, but it just juggles everything with grace. I'm coming from an original iPad Air, but I've used enough iPads in between to know how much of a leap this is.
The other part: iOS 11 really needs to show up yesterday. I'm fine with iOS 10 for the most part, but there's no question that 11 would kick things up a notch for multitasking and overall features.
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