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Great review. Needless to say, buying an iPad is much like buying a house. It is not the mortgage that kills you, it is the hardware needed to hang the drapes.

I know that I will get the keyboard for home and one for the office. I was just thinking that some day, we will be able to visit our local libraries and coffee shops and there they will be. Hmm. Sounds like a business opportunity doesn't it.

Is there a case containing this keyboard and the iPad?

Does the keyboard dock work with the iPhone? Same dock, same OS; I'd love to be able to type longer messages on the phone.

I think I would prefer the standard dock with a wireless keyboard.

I'm wondering if this is a better choice than a standard dock + bluetooth keyboard? I'm imagining my workspace and thinking I might like to have the iPad standing abit further back from me...

Any thoughts on the advantage/disadvantages of this v the keyboard + dock combo?

Would be interesting to do a comparison of this to getting an Apple bluetooth keyboard.
Advantages of bluetooth keyboard:
1. Lighter
2. Easier to transport (doesn't have that awkward bit that looks like it could snap off in your bag)
3. Ergonomic (can position it anywhere from a foot away to your lap)
4. Can use it as a remote control (e.g. for iTunes while iPad is displaying album art in a dock)
5. Can also use it with your desktop/laptop
Disadvantages:
1. You'll need a case/stand (you'll probably want one anyway)
2. Depending on 1., it will cost more
3. Batteries will run out
4. Doesn't include all the keyboard shortcuts (or does it?)
5. Doesn't have an audio port

Ps. When I put in this post and pressed submit, then it asks me to log in.. when I do I lose the post I typed!

Would someone be able to post a pic of the function keys for brightness and volume? Are they the same as the other Apple keyboards?

This won't work with the current iPhone, but I'm really hoping for something like this with the next iPhone OS!

The most interesting comment was the one about having to move back and forth from keyboard to screen.

Is the iPad+Keyboard Dock combo a pointer to future iMacs and maybe even lap-pads? Maybe this is Apple both (a) doing research for touch-screen iMacs; and ( getting us all used to the idea of using keyboard+screen together?

I've been very curious about the problem with "Gorilla Arm" when using a keyboard and a dock. Holding your arm up in the air repeatedly over a long period of time is probably going to be very tiring. It seems that this touchscreen problem is just as much of an issue with the iPad as with previous upright touch screens.

Anyone with an iPad, keyboard and dock want to comment?

May seem like a dumb question but when you are using the keyboard, either the dock or a bluetooth one, does the virtual keyboard still appear on the screen? Also will the function keys on my Apple bluetooth keyboard correspond with the ones on the dock, i.e. the home key? Thanks for the review.

I find myself wanting a mouse when I use a keyboard with the iPad ... Old habit I have to break I guess

tony_d,

No, according to one review I read, the virtual keyboard automatically disappears if you turn on your Bluetooth keyboard and reappears if you turn off the BT keyboard.

I passed on the keyboard dock and went with the wireless keyboard and the charging dock. This allows me to use the keyboard ergonomically at my desk, and put the iPad at eye level where it belongs; ergonomics I have been missing since moving to laptops. And it is a nice keyboard.