OPINIONwould require a fundamental rethinking of the iPad’s
input and navigation, and the only way to really do
it right is to treat it like Microsoft’s Surface. Yes, the
keyboard/trackpad is an optional accessory, but you
really need one. By adding a trackpad, the Smart
Keyboard becomes the primary method of operation.
It’s no longer a tablet, it’s a 2-in-1.
The problem is, you still have all of the limitations of
an iPad, just in the body of a laptop. When you sit down
with a Surface, you’re getting a truly portable hybrid
Windows 10 machine, but an iPad with a trackpad is...
what? It’s an iPad with a trackpad. Unless Apple has
plans to dramatically overhaul its capabilities – and
I can’t imagine it does – a trackpad doesn’t make
the iPad any more of a productivity device. At best it
makes selecting text a little easier.The iPad keyboard is
perfectly fine the way it isOPINION
wouldrequireafundamentalrethinkingoftheiPad’s
inputandnavigation,andtheonlywaytoreallydo
itrightistotreatitlikeMicrosoft’sSurface.Yes,the
keyboard/trackpadisanoptionalaccessory,butyou
reallyneedone.Byaddingatrackpad,theSmart
Keyboardbecomestheprimarymethodofoperation.
It’snolongeratablet,it’sa2-in-1.
Theproblemis,youstillhaveallofthelimitationsof
aniPad,justinthebodyofalaptop.Whenyousitdown
withaSurface,you’regettingatrulyportablehybrid
Windows 10 machine,butaniPadwithatrackpadis...
what?It’saniPadwithatrackpad.UnlessApplehas
planstodramaticallyoverhaulitscapabilities–and
Ican’timagineitdoes–atrackpaddoesn’tmake
theiPadanymoreofaproductivitydevice.Atbestit
makes selectingtextalittleeasier.The iPad keyboard is
perfectly fine the way it is