Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro • Hacker News Board

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#41

Post by mark_l_watson » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:32 AM UTC

jpalomaki wrote: post #24

IMHO: The Macbook (the small one, that was killed) made more sense than these iPad + keyboard attachments. You had a one, slim package that was easy to use on lap and carry around with one hand (even if open). It was able to run normal software, there was no need to resort to hacking to do for example software development. The negative thing with Macbook was the price point. It was a bit expensive to have as a second…

I agree, the discontinued MacBook is perfect for light weight travel and coding. I left mine at home for two weeks of holiday travel because I am only working on a book right now. The Apple keyboard is light weight and travels well with an iPad Pro.

BTW I could not find the weight of these trackpad keyboards, and I looked. Weight is an important feature and should be listed.

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#42

Post by jmercouris » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:34 AM UTC

m_mueller wrote: post #16

Eric_WVGG wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t see the connection between Apple releasing laptops with ARM and Apple releasing laptops with iOS. I do wish they’d do more with the smart connectors...

availability of compatible apps I think is an argument for iOS on ARM laptops.

iOS apps could very easily run on macOS with a thin compatibility layer. The CPU architecture is not related.

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#43

Post by vmurthy » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:35 AM UTC

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #11

vmurthy wrote: post #4

As someone suffering from RSI, I’d buy this in an instant if it worked with MacBook Pro and connects wirelessly (so that I can rest the keyboard on my lap). Promising !

Would the Logitech K810 fit the bill, or are you specifically looking for something that would magnetically attach to an iPad but still be able to detach and connect to other devices?

I don’t use my iPad much so that doesn’t matter. Thank you for the suggestion of k810. I’ll check it out !

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#44

Post by vmurthy » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:36 AM UTC

earenndil wrote: post #31

vmurthy wrote: post #4

As someone suffering from RSI, I’d buy this in an instant if it worked with MacBook Pro and connects wirelessly (so that I can rest the keyboard on my lap). Promising !

If you have RSI, you would probably be better served by a bowl keyboard like a kinesis or a maltron; or, at least, a split keyboard like an ergodox.

It’s been sometime since I last checked out either but the last time I checked they were all wired and Windows specific? I know I can re-map keys and all that but was holding out mainly because I need to keep the keyboard on my lap.

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#45

Post by k_sze » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 9:38 AM UTC

Their keyboards for Microsoft Surface Pros also make them interesting alternatives to Surface Book and Surface Laptop.

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#46

Post by _ph_ » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 10:04 AM UTC

Looks very nice. And shows us, that Apple wouldn't need to bring out a separate ARM powered MacBook. If they wanted, they could have effectively had an ARM powered laptop years ago. Just by unshackeling the software of the iPads they make. My iPad Pro would be a great laptop for me, except for the limitations of the software. Proper mouse support for applications which require it would be one thing. The other would be dropping limitations about what kind of Apps are allowed on the machine the other. I fully support that Apps are sandboxed and plain MacOS would not be an ideal fit for a tablet, which is mostly operated by touch. But that doesn't mean that applications like tmux aren't allowed in a sandbox. Or full IDEs.

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#47

Post by SmellyGeekBoy » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 10:13 AM UTC

camillomiller wrote: post #34

jpalomaki wrote: post #24

IMHO: The Macbook (the small one, that was killed) made more sense than these iPad + keyboard attachments. You had a one, slim package that was easy to use on lap and carry around with one hand (even if open). It was able to run normal software, there was no need to resort to hacking to do for example software development. The negative thing with Macbook was the price point. It was a bit expensive to have as a second…

Have you ever tried to process RAW pictures (including pictures from Hasselblad and Fuji medium format cameras, or Canon and Sony full frame cameras) and/or edit 4K 60p video on a MacBook? Well, me neither, because it's simply impossible. Surprisingly enough, that's what I do on a regular basis on an iPad Pro. The power of the ARM setup on that machine is unbelievable. So, there you go, that's single-handedly a reaso…

FWIW I was processing RAW pictures on a Core 2 Duo Mac Mini 10 years ago, so I don't believe this is "simply impossible" on any modern Mac.

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#48

Post by skocznymroczny » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 10:32 AM UTC

earenndil wrote: post #31

vmurthy wrote: post #4

As someone suffering from RSI, I’d buy this in an instant if it worked with MacBook Pro and connects wirelessly (so that I can rest the keyboard on my lap). Promising !

If you have RSI, you would probably be better served by a bowl keyboard like a kinesis or a maltron; or, at least, a split keyboard like an ergodox.

These keyboards look like they have very long travel times, it looks like just asking for RSI

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#49

Post by t0mas88 » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 10:54 AM UTC

jpalomaki wrote: post #24

IMHO: The Macbook (the small one, that was killed) made more sense than these iPad + keyboard attachments. You had a one, slim package that was easy to use on lap and carry around with one hand (even if open). It was able to run normal software, there was no need to resort to hacking to do for example software development. The negative thing with Macbook was the price point. It was a bit expensive to have as a second…

I never used the old MacBook, long time Linux and Windows user. But then I started using an iPad for flying (was mandatory, no other platform provided), now an iPad Pro. First I used it only for flightplanning with the official apps, but since I have a keyboard for it I no longer bring a laptop and just use the iPad Pro + keyboard as my "computer" when in a hotel as well.

90% of normal people usage works fine. For coding I use remote desktop to AWS, it's actually nicer to work with than the average laptop because you get so much more CPU power and bandwidth.

Re: Keyboard with Trackpad for iPad Pro

#50

Post by Mindwipe » Fri, Jan 03, 2020, 11:17 AM UTC

jpalomaki wrote: post #24

IMHO: The Macbook (the small one, that was killed) made more sense than these iPad + keyboard attachments. You had a one, slim package that was easy to use on lap and carry around with one hand (even if open). It was able to run normal software, there was no need to resort to hacking to do for example software development. The negative thing with Macbook was the price point. It was a bit expensive to have as a second…

Well, the other issue is that the Macbook was bad for document reading. I ended up carrying round it and an iPad a fair amount of the time.

I still think hinged convertables can work even if a lot of the industrial design on existing models sucks.