iPad keyboards - which is the best?

I ask because the Apple keyboard dock is about £50 and that's way too expensive! (That and I don't like that they've fiddled with the placement of some of the symbols.)

So, I was just wondering what everyone else uses, how much it cost and what they thought of it.

Oh, and I have an iPad 1 - I don't like the thinness of the 2s.

~Ken-Ren

I'll take a shot at this since no one else has answered it.

Keyboards for the iPad fall roughly into two categories. The iPad is Bluetooth enabled so every one I've seen (except the dock you mention in your question) is Bluetooth. The dock is direct connect but only works in vertical mode and with the original iPad. To get horizontal use or if you have an iPad 2 (except for a very limited exception) you are looking at either a keyboard that is part of a case, that gives the sense of a small notebook when the ipad is inserted, or a totally external keyboard.

There are a variety of cases with keyboards and the most significant difference is the feel of the keyboard. Unfortunately, that is such a personal preference item that you just have to test out the feel. If you have a BestBuy (or equivelent) or Apple store nearby, most carry one or more of the brands. The one I've seen most is from Targus. I found the feel of the keyboard to be spongy and the keys wobbly in several choices available. They seem to select rubberized keyboards, I think with the idea of protecting the screen when closed. A choice with a more customary feel is made by Zagg, but I only see that on-line. A local librarian dragged me in her office to show me the one she got from Zagg and it felt great and looked great as well. That would be my first choice, but again, it's a personal preference based on wanting horizontal display and a more normal feel to the keyboard.

The other choice is a totally separate keyboard. This pretty much opens you to any Bluetooth keyboard you might prefer. The drawback is that you then have two pieces you are carrying around if you want to go anywhere other than home to write. Microsoft makes a small Bluetooth keyboard that has a nice feel and normal key layout (no number pad) that makes a reasonable compromise, and of course Apple makes it's keyboard. If you go the separate route, my advice is the same as above -- test the feel of the keyboard. Now that you are writing 50,000 words a month, on average, you will want something comfortable to work with in every spare moment. If you've decided to ease back now that November is over, feel is still important.

Two last things. Apple makes a camera attachment cord that I understand gives a USB outlet to the iPad. I've not tried it but would guess you could hook any USB keyboard using it. The power drain would likely require you to recharge more often than otherwise but arguably it's doable.

The other thing is price. You mentioned in your question that fifty pounds was way too high. I have no idea what the currency conversion is to US dollars, but I'm guessing US dollars are not too much higher. Using the US cost of the Apple keyboard as an index, all of the solutions I've seen cost as least as much as the Apple keyboard. The cases all cost more. You might well find a detached Bluetooth keyboard for less, but likely not much less. Your solution might be to look for something used or something on sale after the holidays.

Hope this makes some sense and is of some help.

I use Clamcase's keyboard for my iPad1: www.clamcase.com

I like it because it turns my iPad into a little netbook, but the best part is that the keys are plastic, not silicone. The keys feel like a real computer keyboard. I only had to charge the keyboard once during November. The battery life is awesome!

I wrote my entire NaNo using it this year and am very happy with it. Cons: it's about $100, but I think it's worth the price.

I know this was posted 3 months ago, but in case you're still looking...

I just bought the iPad2 last night and have been researching. Amazon has keyboard cases that start at around $30 US with good reviews -- 4 and 5 stars. Maybe you can find something there...

I have an iPad 1, and the clamcase, and I find that the case adds a LOT of weight and bulk. The keyboard is nice, but I really hate much heavier it makes the whole thing.

I have a regular Apple bluetooth keyboard for my MacBook, and I just bring that with me when I want to write on the iPad. Works great! Only thing is I need to find some sort of stand to prop up the iPad, but that's personal preference.

I'm considering moving to just the glass screen keyboard. I've tried typing with it, and was able to effectively touch type within a few minutes. (New iPad, just acquired).

I am hearing from college profs I know that the "new thing" on campuses across the country is students using iPads *instead* of a regular laptop or desktop, not in conjunction with one. In other words, they're typing their papers and what not on the ipad, and often just using the virtual keys.

I find this interesting. Coupled with my own brief experience, I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be no effective loss of typing speed once I get used to the new format. Much like it takes time to get used to any new keyboard, like when I first went to a chicklet keyboard on a latop instead of the old school ones. If I'm right, then learning to "type on glass" might be the new skill to acquire, since if college students are doing it NOW, then in ten years it will likely be the dominant format for keystroke input.