Just wondering what people have used for travel (and writing).
Just to explain. I use Scrivener 3 on my laptop for most writing. I also have Scrivener on my iPad - which is great for writing in bed or at a cafe. But I also realise that the IOS version is cut down and lacks a few features. Not sure I could use it all the time - but great for the continuation of a project and then coming back to the full version.
But I was wondering what people use for long term travel ? Do they use a laptop ( I’m thinking MacBook Air ) or an iPad with a keyboard ( which is more versatile for travel - drawing, photos etc).
What this effectively means for a writer is whether one is using the full version of Scrivener (the laptop) or the cut down version (the iPad).
Anyone had this decision to make and what did they go with ? Has anyone tried the iPad (with the IOS version) for long term travel ? Interested to hear thoughts on anyone who has tried it.
No decision req’d. Both.
The issue is not “long term” v “short term” travel. It’s what I expect to “do” while travelling. I expect to work on my Scrivener projects without messing about–MacBook. And I expect to write in the hotel’s coffee shop occasionally–iPad/iPhone.
There is your answer.
The iPad version has a very different workflow.
MBA every time. Found I couldn’t really get on with the iOS version, as what I was doing required features of the full version. And, for me, MBA is as portable as iPad + keyboard.
Mark
Thanks for all the feed back. Just interested to hear peoples opinions on what option they took.
Really depends on what kind of writing you’re doing on those travels. The last time I was traveling for a week or so, I was able to get by just fine with my 9th gen iPad and Apple’s old Smart Keyboard. I love that set up for library, train, coffee shop, note taking on the road, and short term travel because it fits in a small laptop bag and is so lightweight compared to my 15" MacBook Air.
But then, I’m one of the oddballs who actually prefer the iOS version of Scrivener, because it happens to suit my limited needs – writing journalistic stories that typically involve just a few research docs – without the complexity of the Mac version.
As much as I love its streamlined simplicity, though I wouldn’t have wanted to use that set up when working on, say, my book, unless it was just touching up a chapter or two. Nor would I want to use that set up for weeks of writing, primarily because the screen size is just too cramped when displaying research notes and the doc I’m writing side by side.
Also, as much as I like the Smart Keyboard (RIP) for its quiet, solid typing feel and slimness, it’s still inferior to a MacBook keyboard for extended typing over days or weeks. And any better iPad keyboard, such as the Magic Keyboard or a good separate BT keyboard, combined with the size and weight of the iPad, pretty much vitiates its portability advantage. Might as well bring my MacBook.
Actually, I’d hoped to switch entirely to iPad/Scrivener iOS, and then just plug the iPad into my external display when using it at home. But several developments changed my mind. Apple’s M series chips gave MacBooks equal battery life to iPads. The advent of an affordable large screen Air (M2) works much better for my aging eyes than the iPad’s 10 or 11 inch screen, provides a superior typing experience than any iPad keyboard, and allows me to comfortably Scrive away from my desk. (The 13" iPad is just too big and spendy for extended reading, which is what I use the iPad for 95% of the time.) And it turned out I needed a MacBook for another app (Final Draft) anyway. So now I take the iPad and keyboard for short stints of writing/editing/notetaking on the road, and use the MacBook at home (plugged into external display when at desk) and when traveling for more than a few days.
In fact, I’m using the MacBook so much more these days that I’m actually about to trade in my old iPad (too little storage, RAM and battery life these days) for a new iPad Mini, which I hope will handle my limited mobile Scrivening, while being much lighter and wieldier for reading and streaming. When I do need to use it for short mobile writing stints. I’ll bring my trusty old Apple Wireless Keyboard with a case stand, which combo is still much lighter and smaller than my MacBook. That’s the plan, anyway! I’ll have a couple weeks to test it out before the return window closes.