My preferred way of writing has been for years an iPad and an external keyboard. Ergonomically, it is a fantastic setup, with the screen set wherever you feel more comfortable, and the keyboard at the right position.
But now I need a new iPad. And I need a few new apps. But if they exist on the iPad, they are worse than on the Mac. And very often they don’t exist.
So, I’m tempted by the MacBook Neo as a satellite position, with the iPad mini reserved to the cases where I can move really light (summer incoming, my preferred public park – here am I!).
Just wondering: would you use a laptop with an external keyboard? I’ve done it forever, when I used a MacBook Pro as my main computer. But here I’m talking about a secondary workplace, a corner on the kitchen table, the small desk in the bedroom.
Does a MacBook with an external wireless keyboard feel like an iPad – just with a bigger stand? Or does it feel like an obscene crook?
I use a MBP with external keyboard when in my office, otherwise just the laptop keyboard.
The NEO would be an excellent laptop with Scrivener.
My office is still several months from completion, so it’s all laptop work. (The highest point in the pic with a large window overlooking the bush to distract me from writing)
In a disaster, the skip-bin driver drove over the NBN (fibre) pit and damaged it, so I’m in an indeterminable length queue for Telstra to replace it. It’s an old asbestos pit so special handling team which has a loooooong queue.
I’m with RuffPub - I use a big ‘ole mechanical keyboard with my MBP when in the office and just the MBP otherwise. I almost always use a wireless logitech mouse both in the office and otherwise (I’m not a fan of trackpads).
They are starting to make really nice laptop stands that are really portable. Like small, full-length pencil case size that can be used to prop up a tablet or laptop as you need. I’ve had a few and have found the all metal ones work the best.
What programs do you need that are not very good on iPadOS?
The Neo will likely be a really solid choice, and it is likely on par or cheaper than a new iPad even without adding a keyboard. It may have some horsepower problems for some things, but if you are used to what apps are available on iPadOS it shouldn’t be too bad. Another plus for the Neo is a somewhat new feature in Tahoe, and that is the ability to make use of installed iPhone and iPad apps via mirroring.
All that said…. There are a number of micro-keyboards hitting the market now that are actually somewhat useful to writers. Things like the flat folding keyboars or this new one I just bought to play around with that is roughly the size of my phone! I bring it up because if you want to keep on with the 7” iPad form factor there are tiny keyboards that might be a good fit too.
What do you mean by this:
What apps do you need that you don’t currently have?
That’s really interesting. I have to look for them. (At home, I keep my old MacBook Pro, now used as a terminal for the main Mac, on a big, bulky one).
Mostly Scrivener, Dorico and Logic. They are all available on the iPad, but they are reduced versions, sometimes with very big omissions (full screen in Scrivener, advanced notation in Dorico, access to sound libraries in Logic).
I own one, and have owned a bunch during the years (starting with the first one I used with the Treo…). After some adaptation, the modern ones actually do work. And they are not worse than the one integrated in my MacBook Pro 13” of 2015.
Some specialized apps don’t exist on the iPad. InDesign is the most famous one. But I also need some music app, like Open Music or Sequenza, that are not, and will never be ported to the iPad.
I use s wireless external keyboard and mouse with my MacBook Pros (slowly shifting from an older one to a newer one) and my Mac Studio. Same keyboard, switched with bluetooth. The latency is good enough for writing (for sure) and my audio and video work (almost all of the time). I like that I can either close my laptops and drive a bigger monitor or can raise up the laptops while using a separate keyboard so I don’t stay all hunched over. I’ve tried semi-mini keyboards and will use them if I really have to, but I prefer full size. I’ve been using a Logitech MX keyboard and mouse for about six years now. I like them. MX for Creatives
And ya, the Neo is intriguing. I’d think Logic will be your main app that will most tax a Neo (like if you want to do a lot of effects and instruments). But poke around Gearspace, Reddit, and elsewhere to see if the Neo is working for musicians.
