Great review! Although you forgot to mention the most unfortunately difficult issue that the iPad dock keyboard misses. It is completely useless for using the device in landscape mode for widescreen text input and processing due to the nature of the first-generation iPad hardware lacking a 30-pin serial connector on the horizontal end of its frame.
This was one of my biggest gripes about the first-generation iPad and one of the main points I clearly stated to the press on launch day when they asked me why I wasn't going to purchase one.
It might be helpful to note that the Apple Wireless Keyboard for $69.99 should mitigate the problem, and I would sure hope that it can be used whilst the iPad is facing in landscape mode.
Did you read the review? There's only 3 pages and he mentions the portrait-only mode on the second page.
"And you'll need that case because the iPad keyboard dock only works in portrait mode. If you want to watch a full screen video on the iPad, you'll need the foldable case so you can prop it up in landscape mode."
I've made mention of this too. You might need a stand to WATCH movies in landscape mode? But unless you have the input port along the long side of the device, you won't be able to plug your keyboard in, in landscape mode -- stand or no stand.
There's no real Delete key. Apple's failure to recognize this defect on their laptop & small keyboards is just baffling, year after year. This keyboard has only a Backspace key (mislabeled "Delete"). Every other keyboard, even on the smallest netbook, has a legitimate Delete key.
I looked at this one to see what they'd do with the obviously unnecessary Eject key. Did they finally use this real estate to provide a Delete key? NO! It's a key with a "lock" symbol on it.
Seriously, Apple, wake up. It's just embarrassing at this point.
IMHO Apple is the only one who got it right, I press the key and it DELETES what's back one space. To me the left arrow is the "backspace" If I want to delete the previous character in a Word document I press the key which Windows people think of as the backspace. While it technically go back a space, it deletes the character.
with the use of a ipad stand and if a dock to dock cable could be found, landscape mode could be used while still using the keyboard and charging. First step for me is to find the cable that has the dock connector on both ends :)
He would never do that, sadly he's quite an apple fanboy. Even when he writes an article about something completely different he often cant go long before he mentions apple.
I like your articles Anand, but getting tired of these^ sort of things.
Also am tired of hearing about Apple, 60% of all articles I've read in the last few days have been Apple this, Apple that, Adobe saying Apple should play with itself in the corner.
Not hating on Apple, I just feel the tech world doesn't need every Apdate.
I agree, there is already a ton a apple fan site out there that are more than happy to review every gadget Apple can sell.
Anand, the site is great, we all love the inside view on CPU, the advanced reviews of graphic architecture, don't ruin it with an apple review every day.
The IPad is out, we heard. If anyone was remotely interested in it, I'm pretty sure they found out great alternate sources of information by now.
I can understand that the iPad isn't for everyone, which is why I've continually referred to it as a very polarizing device. Even in the keyboard dock review I mentioned that it's the type of thing that's almost as polarizing. It's going to either make you love your iPad more, or upset you even further. There's not much I can do about that.
My goal has and always will be to provide the same sort of depth to whatever it is we cover - whether it's a new CPU, SSD, motherboard or even an Apple product. I believe Apple users deserve the same depth of content as owners of the rest of the products we review.
But it's not all about Apple. Today alone at the top of the site we've got a new SSD, a thorough look at the Nehalem EX, an update on GeForce GTX 400 availability and some more notebook stuff in addition to the iPad keyboard dock coverage. The accessory wasn't available at launch and after receiving it I thought it might be worthy of a quick review for those who are interested in the iPad, but in no way is it impacting the regular flow of other content on AT.
I was testing SSDs while I wrote up the review last night and am continuing to do so today as well :)
Of course not, but the pros/cons and quirks worth mentioning justify it. Regardless of what we write, we want it to be as thorough as possible. 3 pages is pretty short on AT :)
theres reviewing, and then theres talking up a 'magical' device. When your reviews start talking of the great 'experance' and start to brush aside obivous glareing defects, you move past objective writing into, fanboism.
IMHO the device is less polariising then the reviewers.
Well, for a device like this, the experience is a large part of what will make or break the device. For example, the experience of Windows Mobile on my HTC Diamond for me has overall been pretty bad, something that just specs can't relate. OTOH I have had very few troubles with my Archos 5, while others have numerous complaints. I'm sure both relate to how I use the devices, and what I expect from them.
As a side note, I really like your smartphone coverage Anand. I appreciate the insight into the hardware and the future roadmap for such that is missing from most reviews at cell phone sites.
Thanks for listening to our comments, at least you know how we feel and I'm sure you will keep an eye open for situation like these in the future.
I've always like AT because I felt that it was one of the less biased hardware site on the net. I'd hate to see you fall prey to any kind of fanboyism.
You've seen it in the phone reviews, and you did great by covering all your bases. Maybe you should do the same with tablets?
Guys, let's put things back into perspective. There may be tons of Apple review sites, but it's not a review from Anand himself. That's a huge distinction.
Whether it be a PC, cellphone, gadget or Apple review. I come to Anandtech for the insight that Anand's assemble team of reviewer and more specifically, Anand himself can only give. Anand consistently prove to be very thoughtful and thorough in any of his reviews. He has demonstrated this from the early day and continue to excel at this. So Apple fanboi I may not be, but you can definitely consider me an Anand-fanboi.
Thanks Anand for existing on the internet and answering the questions that I somehow have, but other review sites never seem to address or glance over. That makes your site very relevant, no matter what you decide to review or feature.
I agree with you. I'm not at all an Apple fanboy, but you have to admit that the iPad is really a new kind of device (with the exception of failed and fundamentally flawed old tablets) with a lot of potential. So whoever makes it, Apple or else, it is an hardware event worth this kind of coverage.
And, yeah, I trust enough Anand to give me the best review possible so that I don't have to browse to Apple review sites since I'm not an Apple fanboy, remember?
Maybe the keyboard review could simply have been added as an update to the original article, though.
I think Anand makes it clear in his review that the killer feature in the iPad is the multitouch OS so that the device becomes very portable without the need of a physical keyboard. Nothing like the laptop you show.
Hate to pile on, but I agree with some of the negative reviews given to Anand. It is simply lame to review a Dock/Keyboard even if it is made by Apple.
I like some of the Apple products and do own and like the iPad, however I come to Anandtech for it's excellent objective presentation of all things hardware not unabashed Apple loving.
There are enough Apple adoring sites that will claim that iPad makes a great cup of coffee in the morning and the keyboard can control the launch of the shuttle. Let's not make Anandtech one of those.
Thanks for a great job for the most part. Keep up the good work.
I would have to agree. At the very least this review could have called Apple out over selling a $69 keyboard when for a couple dollars more per-unit they could have included a USB/mini-USB port that would allow users to connect their existing keyboards, and provided a cheap plastic stand to hold the iPad at "optimum typing angle". That would accomplish the same thing, without forcing users who have already paid a premium for access to the device to pay even more for the "privilege" of being able to use a keyboard with it.
Viewed in that light, the keyboard dock really appears as little more than a complete rip-off, and the iPad gives the impression of being designed with exactly this sort of thing in mind. It's like the antithesis for Google's "do no evil" motto.
At first I thought this had to be a joke, then I realized it was an actual review but I ws still half right - it seems like a joke that it was stretched out to 3 pages! ;D
This made me 'lol' though: "For example, if you type netbook the iPad will by default suggest "net book". " What happens if you type 'Adobe Flash'?
Seriously, even within Jobs reality distortion field(tm) down there in Apple-la-la-land they must have heard about netbooks. I mean the guru himself mentioned them. In anger (we dont make netbooks because we dont make crappy devices), but he knows they exist!
All of the issues you brought up in this review will surely be fixed, but of course, only in iPad Keyboard Dock v2 or v3. All who bought it will be required to buy the new version because Apple for some reason released a limited product (Who would have thunk it?).
Anand, please please please put the kool-aid glass down... look at these quotes
"This truly is a computing platform for people who don't really need a computer" what does that even mean? It just sounds so Apple. Nonsense phrase that has no quantifiable meaning, I think most here would agree that we come to this site for quantifiable reviews.
"There are some elements of the whole keyboard dock setup that really do seem like Apple thought of everything." How can you say this at the bottom of a page of limitations and odd behavior?
"It's great that Apple enabled some keyboard shortcuts" these should be functions of the OS, not the keyboard. They really shouldn't have to enable anything at this level. Its not like there are media keys or anything on the keyboard, its pretty much a standard layout.
I can appreciate that you were trying very hard to be objective, but you have bought into the Apple mentality. To anyone who isn't a fanboy, its glaringly obvious and extremely annoying (as you can see from the comments on these posts). All the same, thanks for giving us a glimpse into the iPad and it's usability.
"This truly is a tech website for people who don't really need a tech website, at least not all of the power and capabilities of a full fledged tech website."
Seriously, I had to double check to see if I had accidentally clicked my way to Gizmodo when I saw the front page this morning.
I agree with you on a certain level. The negative seems to be quite easily dismissed. But the touch interface is indeed the good part. It's intuitive and fast. I don't own a single Apple device but the iPhone / iPad interface I tried (my aunt owns an iPhone 3GS) works so much better than my Samsung Star, Windows XP (Acer netbook) and even my desktops Win7. The market this is aimed at do not care if this device is slower than a netbook. They don't care it's too expensive.
You do realise this exact exchange of 'blah fanboi' 'yes fanboi but still valid point' happens on every website where they review Apple products? :)
You tech heads still don't get it. The ipad is for REGULAR FOLKS, not techies. Anand mentioned that he understood it better after a week. This device in CONVENIENT and USABLE, as well as aesthetic and beautiful. Yes, it's too expensive right now, but that will change. This thing is potentially a major paradigm shifter.
Yeah, that seems to be what a lot of people don't get about some products. The issue of value with a pure home consumer oriented product like this is different to that of a business/productivity device and cannot be so easily quantified. Yes, you can get more pixels, GBs or GHz somewhere else I'm sure, but that is not the whole story or reason why the general home user buys something like this.
I can't say I'm sold on this however, especially when you take into account the cost of all the accessories that you will probably need to buy to get the most out of this, as the apparent "fanboy" reviewer pointed out himself in other reviews.
I'll probably do what I did with my smart phone. Wait for Apple to show the way, work out the bugs, get people (users and devs) used to the idea and problems with a tablet and then get the Android version that will come along with more features at a lower price. For what it is, a coffee table/throw in your back back magazine replacement, it's waaaay too expensive for my blood, but these are early adopter times and prices, and if anyone knows how to milk people and use prestige pricing/marketing it's Apple.
You could probably go back it the first iPhone review and find people saying similar sort of things, like it's too expensive and no general consumer will want to pay that much and use it when it can't make phone calls well etc, yet that took off. I expect something similar, but not in quite such an exaggerated way.
The iPad is not for regular folks - at all. Even Steve said it's for use as a second or third computer. The iPad is supposed to fit in between a "real" computer (desktop or laptop) and a smartphone, and the only people I know who have more than one computer are the techie types or those with money to burn. I would wait about a year before recommending the iPad to non-technical types to make sure that it sells well (and will thus be supported for a while), and to see if the HTML5 video situation has improved.
Regular folks that some how have a wireless router in their house but no other computers?
Or regular folks that some how are too stupid to use a regular computer, yet smart enough to use an iPad that without extras (like wireless internet in your house) is useless?
How are these regular folks going to use the iPad without another PC around? This thing almost requires another PC to function.
so please stop with the la-la fantasy Apple Kool-aid, that this device that required another PC to function, is somehow going to be a PC-Lite for people that dont get PC's. Because that line of thinking quite frankly makes you stupid
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
"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.
What if there were some commonly available and widely used port standard that would allow a device such as the iPad to make use of any number of readily available keyboards, mice, printers etc.
Oh wait...
A computer for someone that doesn't need a computer indeed.
I'm not an Apple and I can't see myself ever becoming one but I can see the point, and allure, of several of their devices. It takes a certain kind of user to enjoy an iPhone or Macbook but these devices have their niche well in hand.
I do not get the point of the iPad however.
It combines part mobile device, part media player, part computer and part eReader into a whole that somehow ends up being less than any of the former. And it does this while lacking any unique functionality and 'killer app' of its own.
What's the point?
Even more so when you add a peripheral such as this.
So it's a very limited, shiny and expensive desktop now?
I can build, or buy outright, a device with three times the functionality and power and a multitude of exotic connectivity such as USB, HDMI and card readers for half the price. Likely even less if push comes to shove.
Heck, if I were worried that all the massive functionality and resources available on a real, actual, computer would confuse poor granny I could install any number of dumbed-down-for-the-masses-interfaces on top of the OS to hide it.
I've tried my best but I'm really struggling to see the point of the iPad. To be fair that's not Apple's fault though, while the device could have been so much more I just don't think there's any place for a tablet computer at this time. Regardless of manufacturer, at that.
Because they'd rather be able to force everyone to pay an extra $69 in order to use the only non-bluetooth keyboard that is actually compatible with the device. Because supporting all those other USB keyboards that everyone has lying around would have been too difficult. Because, you know, backwards compatibility and supporting industry standards just isn't cool anymore.
"It's too advanced to be compatible with anything else!"
Just noticed that all the articles that get posted here are tagged.
Given that, how about implementing a feature that allows logged-in users to specify what tags that are/are not interested in seeing. That way, all the users who have no interest in Apple-related reviews don't have to see them at all. Probably the filter would have to be exclusion-based, such that users see everything until they explicitly say "do not show anything with this tag on it", as otherwise introducing new tags becomes problematic.
Should be simple enough to implement. You'd just need a new DB table to store the exception list, a minimal configuration UI to allow users to manage their list (like just a page listing all the tags that exist, with a checkbox next to each one), and some logic to do the filtering. The filtering step is simple enough that it should be doable in javascript (just set 'display: none' on any post which has an excluded tag), which means the server-side performance impact of this change would be negligible.
Anyways, just a thought. If such a feature existed, I would certainly use it to turn off anything with an "Apple" tag. I'm just not interested in such articles.
Thanks for a whole article dedicated to .. well, not very much. If you're going to actually review a keyboard and dock, why don't you get a little more technical with your reader base and supply comparisons such as the quality and size of the keyboard, key depth, key spring responsiveness and the like, instead of spending three pages saying, "It helps typing on a device on which it was terribly difficult to, but ignore the price and other negatives; it's just so cool!"
A little hissing from the line out? Is that acceptable to you now? Few basic keyboard shortcuts?
And is it just me, or is actually reviewing this item seem a little bit over the top? I can't recollect a time when you reviewed my favourite ThinkPad Business Topload Case, or BlackBerry Multimedia Headset. You're actually reviewing a dock accessory, without providing technical details about the keyboard itself, and ignoring or accepting the line out faults and lack of common shortcuts. And you say you like it, no less. Why? Because this one necessary accessory makes using the iPad usable for what you want to do with it?
Have you sold out? Is this meant to be advertising in disguise?
I'm actually posting this because, honestly, I don't know what's going on with my favourite tech site.
My apologies for not going deeper into the keyboard comparison - I just realized I didn't make it clear in the article but the keyboard here is virtually identical to Apple's standard aluminum keyboard, which in my opinion ranks up there with ThinkPad keyboards in terms of typing feel.
I don't believe I ever stated that the hissing from the line out as acceptable, nor the missing keyboard shortcuts. I do like the device as a basic addition to the iPad that simply makes typing easier while at a desk, no more, no less. As I said in the review, it doesn't make the iPad any better for you if you aren't sold on the base product.
No article on AnandTech is ever advertising in disguise. I do not employ any sales people on staff, all ads are handled independently of content by a third party with no access to our editorial calendar. We publish what we want, when we want to :)
As I mentioned before, this article shares the top of the site with a number of other pieces including our Nehalem EX review. It takes no time or focus away from anything else we're working on and simply addresses a portion of our readers who might be interested in such a thing. It's not intended to harm anyone, just give iPad users access to the same sort of content we provide elsewhere :)
I hate to say this, but this isn't the norm in terms of your standard articles. Open up your Opteron and Nehalem EX review and put these two articles side by side: the differences are clear. There is clear and evident bias in the Apple article write-up, and none detectable for Intel/AMD. There are facts laid out for your readers concerning the new chips, and feelings concerning your new Apple iPad. The iPad just feels right? Why run SAP benchmarks at all? We could say this Opteron feels good and be done with it.
There were numbers on your original iPad review itself, mixed in with your feelings. The feelings? They rubbed me the wrong way, but at least you catered in part to your primary (or did that change along the line?) audience with some benchmarking. This review doesn't cater to people who want to know the technical details. It tells me what I already know from the specifications. It doesn't dig to see what the cause of the line out issue is. Is this a standard Anandtech review or a blog?
I doubt I am in the minority on this site hoping for real meat in technical excellence. I have no qualms with Apple content -- I simply want it to be as technical as everything else, not just feel-good stuff. I don't want to know that "it just works," I want to know that you broke it down to show us this UI design is efficient, snappier, or what have you. Sure, add in that you like it, but I want to know why.
And that's what I come to this site for: the why. Why is this new chip doing better? Why should I opt for multiple rails on my power supply? Why is a monolithic chip design not the way to go? And then yes, I want to see the numbers as support for those statements.
I am upset, I admit. Heck, upset enough to rant twice, but at least we know it wasn't a temporary feeling. I am but a single reader, and I've been here for the last ten years (give or take) now. I read every article here, and I expect the majority of Anandtech's core fanbase (because that's what we are!) does. Yes, you've helped some fellow on his quest to purchase an iPad, but what about us folk that don't care to purchase, but still want to know every technical detail? Is your title now meaningless?
"Anandtech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News."
I need more analysis. I need data. I need the why. No one else does it -- or at least I'd given up on them when they demonstrated clear bias. Don't let the magic of Apple mar your methods; it's what's kept me here all this time.
I totally agree that this belongs in the blog section. At least there used to be one; is there still a place for Anandtech writer blogs? It's not on the top bar.
As if the iPad wasn't dumb enough, this keyboard took it to a new level of dumb. It forces 768x1024 res (that's less width than 800x600!). The first picture on the Final Words page makes it look like text is too small to read (and this is a "desktop writing station"??). You can't adjust the angle, and there's no portability, so why would anyone write on this thing at home as opposed to using their main rig? Hmmm, do I write on low profile keys and a 9.7" screen, or a real keyboard and a 30" screen. That is a real tough call. And it must be used on a desk since there's no way you could balance this on your lap or on a bed...but you can with laptops!
This thing doesn't even have a USB port, so good luck with transferring files. If I hand my iPad friend a flash stick, what does he have to do--use a desktop PC along with iTunes?
In a sense, iPad is to laptops as Segway is to bicycles. It's about versatility, cost, practicality, and novelty.
I do believe there's a difference between our Apple coverage and something like a CPU article. The OS is much more closed, the company less willing to give us access to engineers (believe me, we try).
The trick to reviews like the iPad, Nexus One or other more consumer facing devices is to balance the user experience (feelings as you put it) with scientific benchmarking. That's why those reviews read differently than actual component reviews which are much further away from the user experience side of the spectrum.
Ultimately this is a keyboard, so the review leans more towards the user experience side rather than quantitative benchmarking.
There's a balance that must be struck for every type of review, but I'd argue that it's a moving target. As you pointed out, discussing user experience in an Opteron review doesn't make sense - but it does in a SSD vs. HDD article and user experience matters even more when you're talking about a smartphone, or something like the iPad.
This review is for users who've already decided upon the iPad as a platform they're interested in, it's not for everyone but it wasn't positioned as such either. I believe we provided the analysis and data you're looking for in the iPad review itself, this was simply something for those users who liked what they saw.
I agree there's a difference between your Apple coverage and your CPU article. However, the comparison you make is that, similar to SSDs/HDDs, it's about the user experience. User experience is not undefinable, hence why we can break it down to see the how and why, and the relevant benchmarks that give a good indication of how much a product can be appreciated.
It's not magical. It's definable, and therefore testable.
I implore you, hold Apple in the same light. Define what that user experience special sauce is, break it down and attack it, whether it be consistency, fade timings or pre-cached user operation paths. I've already heard Apple's line of, "it just works." I come to Anandtech to know more.
As an aside, though, I wanted to say I appreciate your willingness to come out and butt heads with me. I sincerely hope my criticism is taken as constructive and doesn't come across as abrasive. And as always, I look forward to reading more of your articles.
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.
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?
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.
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...
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.
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AuDioFreaK39 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Anand,Great review! Although you forgot to mention the most unfortunately difficult issue that the iPad dock keyboard misses. It is completely useless for using the device in landscape mode for widescreen text input and processing due to the nature of the first-generation iPad hardware lacking a 30-pin serial connector on the horizontal end of its frame.
This was one of my biggest gripes about the first-generation iPad and one of the main points I clearly stated to the press on launch day when they asked me why I wasn't going to purchase one.
It might be helpful to note that the Apple Wireless Keyboard for $69.99 should mitigate the problem, and I would sure hope that it can be used whilst the iPad is facing in landscape mode.
7Enigma - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Did you read the review? There's only 3 pages and he mentions the portrait-only mode on the second page."And you'll need that case because the iPad keyboard dock only works in portrait mode. If you want to watch a full screen video on the iPad, you'll need the foldable case so you can prop it up in landscape mode."
vol7ron - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I've made mention of this too. You might need a stand to WATCH movies in landscape mode? But unless you have the input port along the long side of the device, you won't be able to plug your keyboard in, in landscape mode -- stand or no stand.melgross - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
And who are you ? Why would the press care about anything you have to say? Why should we?Stokestack - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
There's no real Delete key. Apple's failure to recognize this defect on their laptop & small keyboards is just baffling, year after year. This keyboard has only a Backspace key (mislabeled "Delete"). Every other keyboard, even on the smallest netbook, has a legitimate Delete key.I looked at this one to see what they'd do with the obviously unnecessary Eject key. Did they finally use this real estate to provide a Delete key? NO! It's a key with a "lock" symbol on it.
Seriously, Apple, wake up. It's just embarrassing at this point.
QueBert - Sunday, April 25, 2010 - link
IMHO Apple is the only one who got it right, I press the key and it DELETES what's back one space. To me the left arrow is the "backspace" If I want to delete the previous character in a Word document I press the key which Windows people think of as the backspace. While it technically go back a space, it deletes the character.dworko - Thursday, May 6, 2010 - link
with the use of a ipad stand and if a dock to dock cable could be found, landscape mode could be used while still using the keyboard and charging. First step for me is to find the cable that has the dock connector on both ends :)damianrobertjones - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I now expect Anand to review all peripherals for all new tablets.Thank you for reviewing a 'dock'.
B3an - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
He would never do that, sadly he's quite an apple fanboy. Even when he writes an article about something completely different he often cant go long before he mentions apple.I like your articles Anand, but getting tired of these^ sort of things.
jasperjones - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
+1I'm starting to feel like I'm reading reviews by David Pogue here.
pullmyfoot - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
+24 articles in one week, (four!) devoted to the wonderful iPad.
wizzlewiz - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Also am tired of hearing about Apple, 60% of all articles I've read in the last few days have been Apple this, Apple that, Adobe saying Apple should play with itself in the corner.Not hating on Apple, I just feel the tech world doesn't need every Apdate.
PsychoPif - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I agree, there is already a ton a apple fan site out there that are more than happy to review every gadget Apple can sell.Anand, the site is great, we all love the inside view on CPU, the advanced reviews of graphic architecture, don't ruin it with an apple review every day.
The IPad is out, we heard. If anyone was remotely interested in it, I'm pretty sure they found out great alternate sources of information by now.
Griswold - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
And if you thought it will die down now, you need to think again!June/July is iPhone HD time! Duck and cover, for the reviews will be flying at you from every direction, also here at AT!
Anand Lal Shimpi - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I can understand that the iPad isn't for everyone, which is why I've continually referred to it as a very polarizing device. Even in the keyboard dock review I mentioned that it's the type of thing that's almost as polarizing. It's going to either make you love your iPad more, or upset you even further. There's not much I can do about that.My goal has and always will be to provide the same sort of depth to whatever it is we cover - whether it's a new CPU, SSD, motherboard or even an Apple product. I believe Apple users deserve the same depth of content as owners of the rest of the products we review.
But it's not all about Apple. Today alone at the top of the site we've got a new SSD, a thorough look at the Nehalem EX, an update on GeForce GTX 400 availability and some more notebook stuff in addition to the iPad keyboard dock coverage. The accessory wasn't available at launch and after receiving it I thought it might be worthy of a quick review for those who are interested in the iPad, but in no way is it impacting the regular flow of other content on AT.
I was testing SSDs while I wrote up the review last night and am continuing to do so today as well :)
Take care,
Anand
MadMan007 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
"iPad, but in no way is it impacting the regular flow of other content on AT"I see what you did there -_o
manicfreak - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Is an Apple dock really that sophisticated that it needs 3 pages to explain what it does?Anand Lal Shimpi - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Of course not, but the pros/cons and quirks worth mentioning justify it. Regardless of what we write, we want it to be as thorough as possible. 3 pages is pretty short on AT :)Take care,
Anand
michal1980 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
theres reviewing, and then theres talking up a 'magical' device. When your reviews start talking of the great 'experance' and start to brush aside obivous glareing defects, you move past objective writing into, fanboism.IMHO the device is less polariising then the reviewers.
strikeback03 - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
Well, for a device like this, the experience is a large part of what will make or break the device. For example, the experience of Windows Mobile on my HTC Diamond for me has overall been pretty bad, something that just specs can't relate. OTOH I have had very few troubles with my Archos 5, while others have numerous complaints. I'm sure both relate to how I use the devices, and what I expect from them.As a side note, I really like your smartphone coverage Anand. I appreciate the insight into the hardware and the future roadmap for such that is missing from most reviews at cell phone sites.
PsychoPif - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
Thanks for listening to our comments, at least you know how we feel and I'm sure you will keep an eye open for situation like these in the future.I've always like AT because I felt that it was one of the less biased hardware site on the net. I'd hate to see you fall prey to any kind of fanboyism.
You've seen it in the phone reviews, and you did great by covering all your bases. Maybe you should do the same with tablets?
Dazex - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
Guys, let's put things back into perspective. There may be tons of Apple review sites, but it's not a review from Anand himself. That's a huge distinction.Whether it be a PC, cellphone, gadget or Apple review. I come to Anandtech for the insight that Anand's assemble team of reviewer and more specifically, Anand himself can only give. Anand consistently prove to be very thoughtful and thorough in any of his reviews. He has demonstrated this from the early day and continue to excel at this. So Apple fanboi I may not be, but you can definitely consider me an Anand-fanboi.
Thanks Anand for existing on the internet and answering the questions that I somehow have, but other review sites never seem to address or glance over. That makes your site very relevant, no matter what you decide to review or feature.
pzkfwg - Thursday, April 15, 2010 - link
I agree with you. I'm not at all an Apple fanboy, but you have to admit that the iPad is really a new kind of device (with the exception of failed and fundamentally flawed old tablets) with a lot of potential. So whoever makes it, Apple or else, it is an hardware event worth this kind of coverage.And, yeah, I trust enough Anand to give me the best review possible so that I don't have to browse to Apple review sites since I'm not an Apple fanboy, remember?
Maybe the keyboard review could simply have been added as an update to the original article, though.
TheHolyLancer - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
esp when there is this:http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AS5738PG-6306-15-6-Inch...
radeon 4570 + c2d + touchscreen + full size keyboard
if you want ipad + dock, may i suggest this thing instead? less battery for sure, but you can play MW2 or BC2 on it without issues.
pzkfwg - Thursday, April 15, 2010 - link
I think Anand makes it clear in his review that the killer feature in the iPad is the multitouch OS so that the device becomes very portable without the need of a physical keyboard. Nothing like the laptop you show.smajid2004 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Hate to pile on, but I agree with some of the negative reviews given to Anand. It is simply lame to review a Dock/Keyboard even if it is made by Apple.I like some of the Apple products and do own and like the iPad, however I come to Anandtech for it's excellent objective presentation of all things hardware not unabashed Apple loving.
There are enough Apple adoring sites that will claim that iPad makes a great cup of coffee in the morning and the keyboard can control the launch of the shuttle. Let's not make Anandtech one of those.
Thanks for a great job for the most part. Keep up the good work.
Some1ne - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
I would have to agree. At the very least this review could have called Apple out over selling a $69 keyboard when for a couple dollars more per-unit they could have included a USB/mini-USB port that would allow users to connect their existing keyboards, and provided a cheap plastic stand to hold the iPad at "optimum typing angle". That would accomplish the same thing, without forcing users who have already paid a premium for access to the device to pay even more for the "privilege" of being able to use a keyboard with it.Viewed in that light, the keyboard dock really appears as little more than a complete rip-off, and the iPad gives the impression of being designed with exactly this sort of thing in mind. It's like the antithesis for Google's "do no evil" motto.
MadMan007 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
At first I thought this had to be a joke, then I realized it was an actual review but I ws still half right - it seems like a joke that it was stretched out to 3 pages! ;DThis made me 'lol' though: "For example, if you type netbook the iPad will by default suggest "net book". " What happens if you type 'Adobe Flash'?
Griswold - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
It will suggest "go to hell".Seriously, even within Jobs reality distortion field(tm) down there in Apple-la-la-land they must have heard about netbooks. I mean the guru himself mentioned them. In anger (we dont make netbooks because we dont make crappy devices), but he knows they exist!
piroroadkill - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
We get it, it's a large iPod touch that is bad at almost everything, and certainly worse than a netbook, and worse value.No-one cares
nycromes - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
All of the issues you brought up in this review will surely be fixed, but of course, only in iPad Keyboard Dock v2 or v3. All who bought it will be required to buy the new version because Apple for some reason released a limited product (Who would have thunk it?).Anand, please please please put the kool-aid glass down... look at these quotes
"This truly is a computing platform for people who don't really need a computer" what does that even mean? It just sounds so Apple. Nonsense phrase that has no quantifiable meaning, I think most here would agree that we come to this site for quantifiable reviews.
"There are some elements of the whole keyboard dock setup that really do seem like Apple thought of everything." How can you say this at the bottom of a page of limitations and odd behavior?
"It's great that Apple enabled some keyboard shortcuts" these should be functions of the OS, not the keyboard. They really shouldn't have to enable anything at this level. Its not like there are media keys or anything on the keyboard, its pretty much a standard layout.
I can appreciate that you were trying very hard to be objective, but you have bought into the Apple mentality. To anyone who isn't a fanboy, its glaringly obvious and extremely annoying (as you can see from the comments on these posts). All the same, thanks for giving us a glimpse into the iPad and it's usability.
streak24 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Here, let me fix that one sentence for Anand..."This truly is a tech website for people who don't really need a tech website, at least not all of the power and capabilities of a full fledged tech website."
Seriously, I had to double check to see if I had accidentally clicked my way to Gizmodo when I saw the front page this morning.
/sigh
snoozemode - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Acer Aspire 1820PT. I say no more.http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/acer-aspire-182...
michal1980 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
after reading both of these pad 'reviews'Negatives get brushed away under the rug, the postives get blown up like a hot air balloon.
So its more expensive, slower, and does less then a netbook. But you can touch it. OMG. Change your panties there wet all the way over here.
Just like a middle school girl when she hears Justin Bieber (had to google thisguy).
Herald85 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Nice Subject ;pI agree with you on a certain level. The negative seems to be quite easily dismissed. But the touch interface is indeed the good part. It's intuitive and fast. I don't own a single Apple device but the iPhone / iPad interface I tried (my aunt owns an iPhone 3GS) works so much better than my Samsung Star, Windows XP (Acer netbook) and even my desktops Win7. The market this is aimed at do not care if this device is slower than a netbook. They don't care it's too expensive.
You do realise this exact exchange of 'blah fanboi' 'yes fanboi but still valid point' happens on every website where they review Apple products? :)
Sunsmasher - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
You tech heads still don't get it.The ipad is for REGULAR FOLKS, not techies.
Anand mentioned that he understood it better after a week.
This device in CONVENIENT and USABLE, as well as aesthetic and beautiful.
Yes, it's too expensive right now, but that will change.
This thing is potentially a major paradigm shifter.
Aloonatic - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Yeah, that seems to be what a lot of people don't get about some products. The issue of value with a pure home consumer oriented product like this is different to that of a business/productivity device and cannot be so easily quantified. Yes, you can get more pixels, GBs or GHz somewhere else I'm sure, but that is not the whole story or reason why the general home user buys something like this.I can't say I'm sold on this however, especially when you take into account the cost of all the accessories that you will probably need to buy to get the most out of this, as the apparent "fanboy" reviewer pointed out himself in other reviews.
I'll probably do what I did with my smart phone. Wait for Apple to show the way, work out the bugs, get people (users and devs) used to the idea and problems with a tablet and then get the Android version that will come along with more features at a lower price. For what it is, a coffee table/throw in your back back magazine replacement, it's waaaay too expensive for my blood, but these are early adopter times and prices, and if anyone knows how to milk people and use prestige pricing/marketing it's Apple.
You could probably go back it the first iPhone review and find people saying similar sort of things, like it's too expensive and no general consumer will want to pay that much and use it when it can't make phone calls well etc, yet that took off. I expect something similar, but not in quite such an exaggerated way.
cfaalm - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Change? I wouldn't hold my breath for any Apple price cuts, especially on their "Precious".I think Apple should also sell a special no buttons iPad mouse for $69 LOL
nafhan - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
The iPad is not for regular folks - at all. Even Steve said it's for use as a second or third computer. The iPad is supposed to fit in between a "real" computer (desktop or laptop) and a smartphone, and the only people I know who have more than one computer are the techie types or those with money to burn.I would wait about a year before recommending the iPad to non-technical types to make sure that it sells well (and will thus be supported for a while), and to see if the HTML5 video situation has improved.
michal1980 - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
How is it for regular folks?Regular folks that some how have a wireless router in their house but no other computers?
Or regular folks that some how are too stupid to use a regular computer, yet smart enough to use an iPad that without extras (like wireless internet in your house) is useless?
How are these regular folks going to use the iPad without another PC around? This thing almost requires another PC to function.
so please stop with the la-la fantasy Apple Kool-aid, that this device that required another PC to function, is somehow going to be a PC-Lite for people that dont get PC's. Because that line of thinking quite frankly makes you stupid
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
Exodite - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
What if there were some commonly available and widely used port standard that would allow a device such as the iPad to make use of any number of readily available keyboards, mice, printers etc.Oh wait...
A computer for someone that doesn't need a computer indeed.
I'm not an Apple and I can't see myself ever becoming one but I can see the point, and allure, of several of their devices. It takes a certain kind of user to enjoy an iPhone or Macbook but these devices have their niche well in hand.
I do not get the point of the iPad however.
It combines part mobile device, part media player, part computer and part eReader into a whole that somehow ends up being less than any of the former. And it does this while lacking any unique functionality and 'killer app' of its own.
What's the point?
Even more so when you add a peripheral such as this.
So it's a very limited, shiny and expensive desktop now?
I can build, or buy outright, a device with three times the functionality and power and a multitude of exotic connectivity such as USB, HDMI and card readers for half the price. Likely even less if push comes to shove.
Heck, if I were worried that all the massive functionality and resources available on a real, actual, computer would confuse poor granny I could install any number of dumbed-down-for-the-masses-interfaces on top of the OS to hide it.
I've tried my best but I'm really struggling to see the point of the iPad. To be fair that's not Apple's fault though, while the device could have been so much more I just don't think there's any place for a tablet computer at this time. Regardless of manufacturer, at that.
hughlle - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
all this for a keyboard. makes you wonder why companies don't just add a keyboard into the thing as standard. wait.Some1ne - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Because they'd rather be able to force everyone to pay an extra $69 in order to use the only non-bluetooth keyboard that is actually compatible with the device. Because supporting all those other USB keyboards that everyone has lying around would have been too difficult. Because, you know, backwards compatibility and supporting industry standards just isn't cool anymore."It's too advanced to be compatible with anything else!"
Some1ne - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Just noticed that all the articles that get posted here are tagged.Given that, how about implementing a feature that allows logged-in users to specify what tags that are/are not interested in seeing. That way, all the users who have no interest in Apple-related reviews don't have to see them at all. Probably the filter would have to be exclusion-based, such that users see everything until they explicitly say "do not show anything with this tag on it", as otherwise introducing new tags becomes problematic.
Should be simple enough to implement. You'd just need a new DB table to store the exception list, a minimal configuration UI to allow users to manage their list (like just a page listing all the tags that exist, with a checkbox next to each one), and some logic to do the filtering. The filtering step is simple enough that it should be doable in javascript (just set 'display: none' on any post which has an excluded tag), which means the server-side performance impact of this change would be negligible.
Anyways, just a thought. If such a feature existed, I would certainly use it to turn off anything with an "Apple" tag. I'm just not interested in such articles.
Hsuku - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
Thanks for a whole article dedicated to .. well, not very much. If you're going to actually review a keyboard and dock, why don't you get a little more technical with your reader base and supply comparisons such as the quality and size of the keyboard, key depth, key spring responsiveness and the like, instead of spending three pages saying, "It helps typing on a device on which it was terribly difficult to, but ignore the price and other negatives; it's just so cool!"A little hissing from the line out? Is that acceptable to you now? Few basic keyboard shortcuts?
And is it just me, or is actually reviewing this item seem a little bit over the top? I can't recollect a time when you reviewed my favourite ThinkPad Business Topload Case, or BlackBerry Multimedia Headset. You're actually reviewing a dock accessory, without providing technical details about the keyboard itself, and ignoring or accepting the line out faults and lack of common shortcuts. And you say you like it, no less. Why? Because this one necessary accessory makes using the iPad usable for what you want to do with it?
Have you sold out? Is this meant to be advertising in disguise?
I'm actually posting this because, honestly, I don't know what's going on with my favourite tech site.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - link
My apologies for not going deeper into the keyboard comparison - I just realized I didn't make it clear in the article but the keyboard here is virtually identical to Apple's standard aluminum keyboard, which in my opinion ranks up there with ThinkPad keyboards in terms of typing feel.I don't believe I ever stated that the hissing from the line out as acceptable, nor the missing keyboard shortcuts. I do like the device as a basic addition to the iPad that simply makes typing easier while at a desk, no more, no less. As I said in the review, it doesn't make the iPad any better for you if you aren't sold on the base product.
No article on AnandTech is ever advertising in disguise. I do not employ any sales people on staff, all ads are handled independently of content by a third party with no access to our editorial calendar. We publish what we want, when we want to :)
As I mentioned before, this article shares the top of the site with a number of other pieces including our Nehalem EX review. It takes no time or focus away from anything else we're working on and simply addresses a portion of our readers who might be interested in such a thing. It's not intended to harm anyone, just give iPad users access to the same sort of content we provide elsewhere :)
Take care,
Anand
Hsuku - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
I hate to say this, but this isn't the norm in terms of your standard articles. Open up your Opteron and Nehalem EX review and put these two articles side by side: the differences are clear. There is clear and evident bias in the Apple article write-up, and none detectable for Intel/AMD. There are facts laid out for your readers concerning the new chips, and feelings concerning your new Apple iPad. The iPad just feels right? Why run SAP benchmarks at all? We could say this Opteron feels good and be done with it.There were numbers on your original iPad review itself, mixed in with your feelings. The feelings? They rubbed me the wrong way, but at least you catered in part to your primary (or did that change along the line?) audience with some benchmarking. This review doesn't cater to people who want to know the technical details. It tells me what I already know from the specifications. It doesn't dig to see what the cause of the line out issue is. Is this a standard Anandtech review or a blog?
I doubt I am in the minority on this site hoping for real meat in technical excellence. I have no qualms with Apple content -- I simply want it to be as technical as everything else, not just feel-good stuff. I don't want to know that "it just works," I want to know that you broke it down to show us this UI design is efficient, snappier, or what have you. Sure, add in that you like it, but I want to know why.
And that's what I come to this site for: the why. Why is this new chip doing better? Why should I opt for multiple rails on my power supply? Why is a monolithic chip design not the way to go? And then yes, I want to see the numbers as support for those statements.
I am upset, I admit. Heck, upset enough to rant twice, but at least we know it wasn't a temporary feeling. I am but a single reader, and I've been here for the last ten years (give or take) now. I read every article here, and I expect the majority of Anandtech's core fanbase (because that's what we are!) does. Yes, you've helped some fellow on his quest to purchase an iPad, but what about us folk that don't care to purchase, but still want to know every technical detail? Is your title now meaningless?
"Anandtech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News."
I need more analysis. I need data. I need the why. No one else does it -- or at least I'd given up on them when they demonstrated clear bias. Don't let the magic of Apple mar your methods; it's what's kept me here all this time.
AnnonymousCoward - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - link
I totally agree that this belongs in the blog section. At least there used to be one; is there still a place for Anandtech writer blogs? It's not on the top bar.As if the iPad wasn't dumb enough, this keyboard took it to a new level of dumb. It forces 768x1024 res (that's less width than 800x600!). The first picture on the Final Words page makes it look like text is too small to read (and this is a "desktop writing station"??). You can't adjust the angle, and there's no portability, so why would anyone write on this thing at home as opposed to using their main rig? Hmmm, do I write on low profile keys and a 9.7" screen, or a real keyboard and a 30" screen. That is a real tough call. And it must be used on a desk since there's no way you could balance this on your lap or on a bed...but you can with laptops!
This thing doesn't even have a USB port, so good luck with transferring files. If I hand my iPad friend a flash stick, what does he have to do--use a desktop PC along with iTunes?
In a sense, iPad is to laptops as Segway is to bicycles. It's about versatility, cost, practicality, and novelty.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Thursday, April 15, 2010 - link
I do believe there's a difference between our Apple coverage and something like a CPU article. The OS is much more closed, the company less willing to give us access to engineers (believe me, we try).The trick to reviews like the iPad, Nexus One or other more consumer facing devices is to balance the user experience (feelings as you put it) with scientific benchmarking. That's why those reviews read differently than actual component reviews which are much further away from the user experience side of the spectrum.
Ultimately this is a keyboard, so the review leans more towards the user experience side rather than quantitative benchmarking.
There's a balance that must be struck for every type of review, but I'd argue that it's a moving target. As you pointed out, discussing user experience in an Opteron review doesn't make sense - but it does in a SSD vs. HDD article and user experience matters even more when you're talking about a smartphone, or something like the iPad.
This review is for users who've already decided upon the iPad as a platform they're interested in, it's not for everyone but it wasn't positioned as such either. I believe we provided the analysis and data you're looking for in the iPad review itself, this was simply something for those users who liked what they saw.
Take care,
Anand
Hsuku - Friday, April 16, 2010 - link
I agree there's a difference between your Apple coverage and your CPU article. However, the comparison you make is that, similar to SSDs/HDDs, it's about the user experience. User experience is not undefinable, hence why we can break it down to see the how and why, and the relevant benchmarks that give a good indication of how much a product can be appreciated.It's not magical. It's definable, and therefore testable.
I implore you, hold Apple in the same light. Define what that user experience special sauce is, break it down and attack it, whether it be consistency, fade timings or pre-cached user operation paths. I've already heard Apple's line of, "it just works." I come to Anandtech to know more.
As an aside, though, I wanted to say I appreciate your willingness to come out and butt heads with me. I sincerely hope my criticism is taken as constructive and doesn't come across as abrasive. And as always, I look forward to reading more of your articles.
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.