Completely agree on the Apple Magic Keyboard. I said many times it was too expensive, a separate bluetooth keyboard and a nice (and not expensive) stand from Amazon would do fine. And fine it was, although a bit of a nuisance when travelling. The one day I got the Magic Keyboard, thought I could send it back if I really wasn’t happy. Huh! They’ll have to extract it from my cold, dead fingers. Nothing else will ever do. I have the 12.9 Pro (2018). I’d buy the same again.
The Magic Keyboard isn't too unwieldy on the 12.9? I miss my 2015 12.9 iPad Pro but I've come to love the 11-inch and the Magic Keyboard on it feels just so very right that I can't imagine a larger one being as good. Delighted that it is, though.
@@WilliamGallagher Well, I haven’t tried the 11 inch iPad so I can’t say. I was fortunate to be working for a company that were willing to provide me with the 12.9 and give it to me when I retired. I added the keyboard myself after that. It’s big, no question, but in use it is lovely and the advantage is that the 12.9 iPad is only a fraction smaller than a MacBook Air screen. I have a MacMini, but with the improvements in iPadOS (since v14 and even more so with v15) I use the iPad with keyboard for at least 95% of my work. In fact I get a bit frustrated when for one reason or another I have to use the Mac! By the way, I only came across your channel very recently and really enjoy your style.
@@WilliamGallagher You’re welcome. Apple is rumoured to be unveiling a 9th Generation iPad tonight at 6pm! Be sure to check in and perhaps a comments video on its suitability for us writers, though I imagine already that the specs and suitability will be extremely similar to the 8th generation.
@@jackbrooks1252 You bet: tomorrow night's 58keys will be all about everything Apple launches that's useful for us as writers. And throughout the event, I'll be writing for AppleInsider.com covering it as it happens. It'll be more general - you and I know that all Apple gear is really made for writers, but AppleInsider is convinced other people like them too.
Thank you. I got a new iPad Pro 12.9 (256 GB) and the magic keyboard. OMG, I love it. It’s more fun to write on and easier to carry than my MacBook Pro. Best Buy has 12 months no interest. Worth every penny!!! Also, in the US, we can use our phones as a hotshot to connect our iPad. No need for cellular. Save your money for the magic keyboard. You will love it!
Oh, now, I envy you the 12.9-inch model. Except as soon as I type that, I realise I wouldn't want to give up my 11-inch. Hmm. That's new: I appear to want both!
Thank you! I'm using a regular iPad (32GB) for writing with a non Apple external keyboard and I'm really doing fine. I have my kindle on it too, and a bunch of social apps like RUclips, Twitch, Telegram, some streaming apps and others I use for planning. I'm really satisfied with it so far ^_^
Excellent. I forgot about Kindle: the book I showed was from Apple Books and it was very nice but I also have Kindle on there and read a huge amount on it. Love this stuff, don't you?
J D - the premiere ended before I could reply to your comment. I am so with you on hotspots and tethering: I use it all the time for work, plus once I was away somewhere and watched several episodes of Pointless, streamed from the BBC iPlayer, before my phone company started asking for more cash.
I went for the smaller pro because I didn’t want it to be too heavy (I tend to walk around and work and hold and support it in a range of positions). I also edit videos and do some graphics hence the pro. Big memory is nice too. I tend to dictate then edit but wow dictation has become incredibly unreliable since the lockdowns began!
I bought the m2 12.9 iPad Pro. I really love it. I am glad that I’ve purchased it. I’ve moved back to my MacBook for writing. The text selection is so bad that it slows me down significantly. I also would like to buy more iPads in different sizes.
I just bought the iPad Pro 11" for work, which includes writing, but also lecturing and a little bit of software development. Wifey has gone with the iPad Air (mainly for the colour options). The Magic Keyboard really is exceptional, it unfolds in no time, and has a responsiveness and feel that you would expect from a laptop. Granted, it is a little on the heavy side, but for good reason; without that weight, it wouldn't be able to support the iPad as well, and using the Magic Keyboard I can write on my lap, something I can't do with other keyboards. One note, if you also have an iPhone, then you can set up seamless internet connectivity using the iPhone when no WiFi signal is available (even though I bought the cellular version, mainly for the esim when I'm abroad). Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
That iPhone connection is exactly what I do, too. I've friends who love having cellular on the iPad but for me, it's an expensive distraction. I'd rather write on the iPad and then use the tethering to the iPhone when I need to. Got to say I'm with your wife about the colours: I strongly considered the Air for lots of reasons, but that was one of them.
So much to like about this video. :) It is interesting how subjective the iPad is. With it being capable of so many things on the go, it is far more about how you use it than "This is faster." Perhaps my timing was off, but I ended up getting the 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 with 1TB of storage right at the end of last year. It was refurbished, and on sale, so a big savings. And it is wonderful! Even though I missed out on M1, I will use it for several years to come. It's very easy to type on the screen, although I have a cheap Bluetooth keyboard from Amazon. The Magic Keyboard is very seductive, but that price is a hard commitment to make. I congratulate you on getting one. The green monster of jealousy is on my shoulder. :) Very much enjoyed the outdoor setting, but no tea and biscuits? Those might not go together when making a video. Speaking of video, which device was it shot on? The quality is excellent.
Oh, but now I envy you having the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. I've come round to the 11-inch but for so long I missed that extra room. Thank you about the quality: it was shot on the same iPhone 12 Pro I have usually been using. But it did look better than usual; I think this is Apple's way of telling me to get out more.
Great vid! I’ve just bought the new 12.9 iPad Pro and I’ll be getting the magic keyboard for Xmas (48 hours to go). I’ve been writing on a MacBook Air for the last 5 years and I’m happy with the new purchase (although vellum will still be the reason I keep my Mac) Great vid 👍
Thank you. I'm very curious to know how you get on with that larger Magic Keyboard: would you let me know? I used to have a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 2015 one, and I still sometimes miss that size but the 11-inch iPad Pro and the accompanying 11-inch version of the Magic Keyboard is so good.
@@WilliamGallagher Unrelated question. Now that the iPad Air has the m1 would you say it justifies the savings, especially because you can also use the magic keyboard and still come in under the iPad Pro with the magic keyboard? And further would you reconsider the base iPad now that it starts at 64GB? Both make a new value proposition just since this video premiered. Would your recommendations shift with the new features in mind?
@@ghost-user559 The one thing that doesn't seem to change too much is that the iPad Air always remains the sweet spot in the range. Right now I think it's particularly good and enough so that I wouldn't think of the regular iPad. Although the greater storage is tempting, yes.
@@ghost-user559 Sorry, I was certain I replied to this earlier but RUclips says I haven't. Right now yes, I would very much recommend the iPad Air over the iPad Pro - and the iPad. That increased storage not he regular iPad is tempting, but the Air seems to always be in the sweet spot for price and features and performance. Right now, it seems even more so.
@@WilliamGallagher Thank you very much for your suggestions. That is what I did previously with the iPad Air 2, but after 8 years I wanted to be sure it was still the best sweet spot for the price. Yes it’s very strange because I can see your responses from my notifications, however I too have phantom comments that I send that only I and the recipient can see. It seems to be the case that they are occasionally arbitrarily censoring people’s comments from showing up on many comment threads now, and the comments get “disappeared” not long after they post. I frequently get notifications about ghosts of comments that suddenly vanish when I click them. It’s all a bit Orwellian. But I am certainly the trouble maker of the two of us, I cannot imagine giving advice on iPad models for writers from ones garden is particularly seditious, neither for Google nor for the crown. Rather sensitive algorithm these days. Thank you for your time and advice. You have an excellent channel.
In 2022, they brought out the m1 iPad Air 10.9 inches. It's £200 cheaper than the m2 iPad Pro 10.9 inches. I am looking to get an m1 iPad Air (256gb) to do all my writing on because if I get an iPad Pro, it would be too close to the new Macbook Pro I hope to get in a few years' time. Hopefully, this powerful iPad Air will take some of the burdens off my 2015 MacBook Pro so that my Mac lasts just a few extra years.
That’s exactly the same thinking I went through, with the sole difference that when I was pondering, there wasn’t a 14-inch MacBook Pro. Now there is and I bought one, I wouldn’t have also bought the iPad Pro. Except I’m so very glad I did because I’m writing on it now and I love this iPad Pro. Plus today Apple announced that Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are coming to the iPad: I know for certain they will work with my 11-inch iPad Pro so I feel better in my decision. Although I’m pretty sure they’ll work on your iPad Air too, so you’re still ahead of me there.
@@WilliamGallagher As it happens, I ended up going with the m2 11 inch iPad Pro rather than the m1 iPad Air. I have a mid-2015 15 inch MacBook Pro that is still working and is currently in for a battery change. The specialist in the Apple Store advised me that me, before he saw that the battery was swollen, that it would last me another 3 to 4 years. I ended up getting the more powerful iPad Pro to take more load from my eight year old MacBook Pro and also because I wanted to have 512gb. I am primarily a writer but in the future I would like to directly launch a RUclips channel from the iPad itself. As someone who owns Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro X on my Mac already, the iPad apps announcement came one day after I got my 11 inch iPad Pro, so it was almost fate in a way. Though I may still consider Luma Fusion as my video editor for the iPad as that is a £30 fee to own it and another £20 to have the ability to export to Final Cut Pro on my MacBook Pro. Now I have no computer (as it’s in for repair) but I do finally have an iPad to which I can connect my external hard drive/usb sticks to. As someone who is coming from an 12.9 inch 1st gen iPad Pro, I thought that the size would be difficult to adjust to, but I love it (finally I have the option both for my iPad to be my laptop and to be my e-reader!). By the way, if your 11 inch iPad Pro or you 14-inch MacBook Pro seems a little small, did you know that both devices now have native support to connect to an external monitor?
I can tell you that LumaFusion is excellent. I’ve only made very short videos with it and I truly went wide-eyed with excitement when I learned about Final Cut Pro coming to the iPad so clearly I’m not wedded to Luma. I utterly cherish FCP on the Mac so, no question, I’m subscribing on the iPad and I will definitely make a few 58keys episodes entirely on my iPad. As for the size, I’m torn: I’ve got used to it but the moment I read about FCP I found myself looking up the prices of 12.9-inch ones. External monitors don’t do it for me with the iPad because wherever I’ve got an external monitor with me, I’ve got a Mac too.
@@WilliamGallagher Thank you for such a glowing review for the LumaFusion app. I have seen someone maintaining their RUclips channel with editing videos on this app and then creating animations in Procreate and Lightroom to create thumbnails. Now if FCP can offer all of those features in on package it may be worth my while. I am just concerned that if they introduce a subscription model for FCP on the iPad then they will make FCP on the Mac that I have already paid for, subscription based too. Did you know that word on the street is that you can export your project from FCP on the iPad to FCP on the Mac but not the other way around? Are apple trying to tell us something here? As for upgrading to the 12.9 inch m2 iPad Pro now, well, it would make a lot of sense if it were you only device, but seeing as you also have a 14 inch MacBook Pro (if I am not mistaken from your videos). Wouldn’t the bigger iPad be too similar in size to your MacBook? Also I thought this might be interesting to tell you, but did you know that the value of your apple device goes down in value every two months according to apple. This may be something you wish to consider if you are looking to trade in your current 11 inch iPad Pro for a new 12.9 inch one.
@@mercedesgalindo4277 Thanks. I did take a look at the trade-in value on my 11-inch iPad Pro and it was risible, so I am less keen to buy now. I did hear about not being able to take a project back from the Mac to the iPad, but had you heard that FCP for iPad also can’t use external drives? I have a 1TB external that I was planning to use for it but can’t, at least not yet. This could be a big deal: I don’t have a lot of space on my iPad Pro and FCP projects always seem to balloon in size.
After watching this video twice, I wanted to say for multi tasking, I expect to open a word processing app/dictionary and timer. I want to start out with just writing but I'm hoping to move most of my processes to the iPad (In the future) Not sure which is better: The Air or The regular IPad? I'm thinking in terms of long term use and budget.
Right now, the iPad Air is the best deal overall: the regular iPad is remarkably good, but the Air is noticeably faster and because it has the same M1 processor as the more expensive iPad Pro, it's likely to last you longer. I bought the 11-inch iPad Pro last year and I am very happy with it, but if the current iPad Air had been available then, I would undoubtedly have got that instead.
It might not be totally inline with iPad for Writer's, but since the iPad mini, has Center Stage, what do you think of it for RUclips content creation? With the larger screen size, wide-angle lens, and 12MP camera, seems like it work well. As most people have an iPhone, it's probably not too high a consideration. Just strikes me the iPad mini would fit into that category pretty nicely. Might be an overlooked talent.
That is a very good point. My only hesitation is that there is a difference between front and back cameras; I used to film on the front camera of my iPhone 12 Pro so that I could use the screen for notes or a script. I've switched to using Filmic Pro with the rear camera, now on iPhone 13 Pro, and I'm seeing sharper footage. But I do have to think about framing and Center Stage would remove that. Except the lighting would have to be just right. Well, it wouldn't, but you'd want it to be. Clever: I hadn't thought of this at all.
Hi William, great video! I had a question regarding which device you use more for writing; your iPad Pro or your Mac? I have been predominantly writing on my MacBook using scrivener, and last month a friend lent me his iPad 10.5” to try out (the base model iPad you talk about here). The iPad had a Logitech Folio keyboard case-which was a dream to type on!-and as result I found myself only using the iPad for the few weeks I had it. As my MacBook is now quite old, I’ve decided to finally replace my sluggish MacBook -Admittedly using my friends iPad helped push this decision along! I’ve set my focus on the iPad Pro 11” (or Air), and the MacBook Air (base model). The issue though is that I find myself torn; since two devices are so similarly priced when you include the ipad magic keyboard. As my primary use case is writing, with media consumption a 2nd; I was curious if you still find yourself mostly using your iPad, or if you still do a large portion of writing on a Mac. And if you use the Mac more, is it because your Mac can do some things your iPad can’t? Or in reverse do you use the iPad more now because it’s convenient; easier to pickup, and take wherever around the house. I will be purchasing the Magic Keyboard whether I get the 11” Air or Pro. I tried it out at the Apple Store, and you are correct -it is a fantastic accessory! Thanks and enjoy your day!
I'm surprised how much I've had to think about this: it should have been an easy answer because, by volume, the greatest amount of writing I do is on my Mac. But since I got an 11-inch iPad Pro, and that glorious keyboard, I've found myself heading off into quiet corners to get things written. Except I can tell you this: I am planning to get a MacBook Pro at some point. That is chiefly so that I can run my entire business everywhere, but purely from thinking about this answer to you, I realise I do prefer the Mac. Macs can do more, but iPads are very handy and can be made to do a lot. I'm not helping here, am I? Ultimately, you will get more done on a Mac, I think. And the MacBook Air is so light it's pretty much as portable as an iPad. I do just love how you can snatch the iPad Pro off the Magic Keyboard and read on it. Would you mind telling me what you decide to do? I'm terribly curious, I've been pondering this all morning.
@@WilliamGallagher Definitely, I will report back once I make a decision this week. Thank you for the reply, it actually has been helpful. As much as I love the idea that the iPad can be snatched from the keyboard, ultimately I feel I may be held back by the software limitations.
Many people were disappointed when the latest iPad Pro models didn’t get the ability to run Mac apps like Final Cut Pro. I’m fine with the Mac and the iPad being different; I like their differences. But then I have them both so I can afford to be fine with them.
I am looking at the 10.2 iPad 9th generation iPad to use for writing my first book. Would you feel it would be good to use? If not I would have to save up but it would really just be for writing. Thank you
It's a fine machine. I'd want you to get some kind of external keyboard for it instead of typing on the glass, though. You can very well type on the glass screen and I have written thousands of words that way, but it is slower and harder, so for a book I'd want a proper keyboard. If I hadn't wanted to use my iPad for other things, like audio and video editing, I'd have gone for that same one.
Hello sir, I know I’m late to the video with this comment and i don’t really expect you to reply back. However, is the ipad version of scrivener editable with its themes?(the colors and pictures that you can customize)? I got to know of its customizable features that are apparently on the mac and wondered if the same thing applies to its ipad version. Thank you so much already!!
I'm afraid not, there doesn't seem to be an equivalent themes feature on the iPad. I've not tried them on the Mac and it didn't occur to me to check them out on the iPad before. That's such a shame. There is a kind of theme with dark mode and light mode, plus you can do some small adjustments to how things look, but not anywhere near the same level as on the Mac.
It is definitely expensive, but it is definitely excellent -- if you have the iPad Air 4th generation, the most recent one, released a year ago. I have used a few case-keyboard combinations and it's just about infinitely better than any of those. I've also used completely separate external keyboards and those are hard to beat for typing quality and cost. But yes, once I got over the ouch of paying out for the Magic Keyboard, I am constantly, repeatedly glad that I did.
Good. I hope you like it as much as I do. And I expect you will: it really took typing one single sentence on one in the Apple Store to convince me to buy.
I have disability in my right arm following bout with Covid19 in 2020. My laptop is now just too heavy for me to sit up in bed and write on. Been pretty much bedridden since COVID19 so I've gotten used to writing with my stylus on my Samsung phone in Word. But working on 2nd book & ready to get invest in an etablet or ipad. Will tellbu, I bought Apple Ipad way back in 2016 and just hated it. I found it difficult to learn how to use and it was so heavy. I WANT TO INVEST IN a tablet or ipad that has WORD, is light weight, has stylus & keyboard that can be unattached. And...as a 58 yr old writer, I need a device with small learning curve. I don't want something lije REMARKABLE as I need to research as I write so need search engine. Please ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS? PLEASE HELP. Need to order something ASAP. MANY THANKS.
If you hate iPads but like your Samsung phone, isn't a Samsung tablet the obvious choice? I know nothing about them at all, so sorry if that's a daft suggestion.
As a freelance copywriter mostly working on my 13” MacBook M1 Pro in my small studio apartment, I’m considering an iPad as a second screen via Sidecar. I’m not planning to draw, edit videos or even type on it. I do want to use it for Netflix and RUclips when I’m staying at my parents. Other than that, it would primarily be the second screen for my MacBook Pro. With this in mind, would you advise me to choose the basic iPad or is the bigger and better screen of the iPad Pro 12.9 worth the extra €600 investment?
I suspect that once you've got it, you will find yourself using the iPad more than you expect. But even so, the regular one is an excellent buy. I have the 11-inch iPad Pro and if I were buying today, I suspect I'd go for the iPad Air but I do use my iPads for work on their own more than with a MacBook. Do think about the other advantages of the iPad Pro, such as the speed and how the M1 processor means they are likely to have a longer useful life. But then I suggest you also take a little time to think about it because it's highly likely that new iPads are coming later this month. It might be that it's just the iPad Pro lineup being updated, not the regular iPad, but I don't know.
@@WilliamGallagher Yesterday I bought the iPad 12.9” M1 Pro 5G cellular. For only 969 euro. On top of that the seller sold me the iPad 9th generation for 319 euro, which I gifted to my sister. Both iPads were still sealed. I couldn’t be a happier bloke. The 12.9” works remarkably well with my 13” MacBook M1 Pro through universal control. I already sense it will significantly improve my workflow. Thanks so much for your insights.
@@HatovimLeTayis Those are such good prices, that's remarkable. I wish you and your sister joy of them both. And I will be quite a bit jealous of your 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Nice California job tray in the closing seconds. I don't know how I missed that before. When I was a young lad of 12 years, I got a little side income from printing tickets for school events. I had a Kelsey 5x8 Excelsior my Dad found at a garage sale. I loved that press. I still have it, but it could stand restoration. Back then I could set movable type with my eyes shut. Regarding iPads, there's another value gained from adding one to the fleet. I like to tune and alter photographs, nearly always for good and not evil. Usually, anyway. An iPad in Sidecar mode with an Apple Pencil is a slick way to make really precise masks. Your presentations are always most enjoyable.
You’ve done EVERYTHING. I’ve played with type but never actually needed to use it. So to me it’s art more than a tool. In the lobby of the Los Angeles Times there is a copy of their last page set in type and it is a thing of beauty.
Completely agree on the Apple Magic Keyboard. I said many times it was too expensive, a separate bluetooth keyboard and a nice (and not expensive) stand from Amazon would do fine. And fine it was, although a bit of a nuisance when travelling. The one day I got the Magic Keyboard, thought I could send it back if I really wasn’t happy. Huh! They’ll have to extract it from my cold, dead fingers. Nothing else will ever do. I have the 12.9 Pro (2018). I’d buy the same again.
The Magic Keyboard isn't too unwieldy on the 12.9? I miss my 2015 12.9 iPad Pro but I've come to love the 11-inch and the Magic Keyboard on it feels just so very right that I can't imagine a larger one being as good. Delighted that it is, though.
@@WilliamGallagher Well, I haven’t tried the 11 inch iPad so I can’t say. I was fortunate to be working for a company that were willing to provide me with the 12.9 and give it to me when I retired. I added the keyboard myself after that. It’s big, no question, but in use it is lovely and the advantage is that the 12.9 iPad is only a fraction smaller than a MacBook Air screen. I have a MacMini, but with the improvements in iPadOS (since v14 and even more so with v15) I use the iPad with keyboard for at least 95% of my work. In fact I get a bit frustrated when for one reason or another I have to use the Mac! By the way, I only came across your channel very recently and really enjoy your style.
I found this gentleman delightful.
Thank you, that's a lovely thing to say,.
@@WilliamGallagher You’re welcome. Apple is rumoured to be unveiling a 9th Generation iPad tonight at 6pm! Be sure to check in and perhaps a comments video on its suitability for us writers, though I imagine already that the specs and suitability will be extremely similar to the 8th generation.
@@jackbrooks1252 You bet: tomorrow night's 58keys will be all about everything Apple launches that's useful for us as writers. And throughout the event, I'll be writing for AppleInsider.com covering it as it happens. It'll be more general - you and I know that all Apple gear is really made for writers, but AppleInsider is convinced other people like them too.
@@WilliamGallagher I will be sure to stop by tomorrow night then. See you there.
I bought the air4 with magic keyboard. I giggle like a child when I use it. Makes me so happy.
I don't know how this stuff does that to us, but I can't remember the last time I heard a PC user being delighted about their computer.
Thank you. I got a new iPad Pro 12.9 (256 GB) and the magic keyboard. OMG, I love it. It’s more fun to write on and easier to carry than my MacBook Pro. Best Buy has 12 months no interest. Worth every penny!!! Also, in the US, we can use our phones as a hotshot to connect our iPad. No need for cellular. Save your money for the magic keyboard. You will love it!
Oh, now, I envy you the 12.9-inch model. Except as soon as I type that, I realise I wouldn't want to give up my 11-inch. Hmm. That's new: I appear to want both!
Thank you! I'm using a regular iPad (32GB) for writing with a non Apple external keyboard and I'm really doing fine. I have my kindle on it too, and a bunch of social apps like RUclips, Twitch, Telegram, some streaming apps and others I use for planning. I'm really satisfied with it so far ^_^
Excellent. I forgot about Kindle: the book I showed was from Apple Books and it was very nice but I also have Kindle on there and read a huge amount on it. Love this stuff, don't you?
Thank you for this comment. I have been trying to find something on whether or not the regular ipad would be sufficient and at 32gb.
This is the best video I’ve seen on the subject. Informative and very thorough. Thank you so much!
Thank you very much.
J D - the premiere ended before I could reply to your comment. I am so with you on hotspots and tethering: I use it all the time for work, plus once I was away somewhere and watched several episodes of Pointless, streamed from the BBC iPlayer, before my phone company started asking for more cash.
I went for the smaller pro because I didn’t want it to be too heavy (I tend to walk around and work and hold and support it in a range of positions). I also edit videos and do some graphics hence the pro. Big memory is nice too. I tend to dictate then edit but wow dictation has become incredibly unreliable since the lockdowns began!
That's so interesting, I didn't know that: presumably lots of people dictating so the servers are overloaded. But I have no idea how it works.
You got me in “you scrubbed too far wind back”
Thank you. Is it awful of me to say I made myself laugh when I thought of that? Yes, it is. So I won't say it.
iPad Air M1 and Magic Keyboard for me. Great video!
If I were buying today, that's exactly the iPad I'd get too. Tremendous value, isn't it?
I bought the m2 12.9 iPad Pro. I really love it. I am glad that I’ve purchased it. I’ve moved back to my MacBook for writing. The text selection is so bad that it slows me down significantly. I also would like to buy more iPads in different sizes.
I envy you the 12.9, even though the 11 is more often a more practical size for me.
So helpful, thank you!!
My pleasure, thanks for commenting.
I just bought the iPad Pro 11" for work, which includes writing, but also lecturing and a little bit of software development. Wifey has gone with the iPad Air (mainly for the colour options). The Magic Keyboard really is exceptional, it unfolds in no time, and has a responsiveness and feel that you would expect from a laptop. Granted, it is a little on the heavy side, but for good reason; without that weight, it wouldn't be able to support the iPad as well, and using the Magic Keyboard I can write on my lap, something I can't do with other keyboards. One note, if you also have an iPhone, then you can set up seamless internet connectivity using the iPhone when no WiFi signal is available (even though I bought the cellular version, mainly for the esim when I'm abroad). Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
That iPhone connection is exactly what I do, too. I've friends who love having cellular on the iPad but for me, it's an expensive distraction. I'd rather write on the iPad and then use the tethering to the iPhone when I need to. Got to say I'm with your wife about the colours: I strongly considered the Air for lots of reasons, but that was one of them.
So much to like about this video. :)
It is interesting how subjective the iPad is. With it being capable of so many things on the go, it is far more about how you use it than "This is faster."
Perhaps my timing was off, but I ended up getting the 2020 iPad Pro 12.9 with 1TB of storage right at the end of last year. It was refurbished, and on sale, so a big savings. And it is wonderful! Even though I missed out on M1, I will use it for several years to come. It's very easy to type on the screen, although I have a cheap Bluetooth keyboard from Amazon.
The Magic Keyboard is very seductive, but that price is a hard commitment to make. I congratulate you on getting one. The green monster of jealousy is on my shoulder. :)
Very much enjoyed the outdoor setting, but no tea and biscuits? Those might not go together when making a video.
Speaking of video, which device was it shot on? The quality is excellent.
Oh, but now I envy you having the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. I've come round to the 11-inch but for so long I missed that extra room. Thank you about the quality: it was shot on the same iPhone 12 Pro I have usually been using. But it did look better than usual; I think this is Apple's way of telling me to get out more.
Great video
Thank you.
Great vid! I’ve just bought the new 12.9 iPad Pro and I’ll be getting the magic keyboard for Xmas (48 hours to go). I’ve been writing on a MacBook Air for the last 5 years and I’m happy with the new purchase (although vellum will still be the reason I keep my Mac)
Great vid 👍
Thank you. I'm very curious to know how you get on with that larger Magic Keyboard: would you let me know? I used to have a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 2015 one, and I still sometimes miss that size but the 11-inch iPad Pro and the accompanying 11-inch version of the Magic Keyboard is so good.
@@WilliamGallagher Unrelated question. Now that the iPad Air has the m1 would you say it justifies the savings, especially because you can also use the magic keyboard and still come in under the iPad Pro with the magic keyboard?
And further would you reconsider the base iPad now that it starts at 64GB?
Both make a new value proposition just since this video premiered.
Would your recommendations shift with the new features in mind?
@@ghost-user559 The one thing that doesn't seem to change too much is that the iPad Air always remains the sweet spot in the range. Right now I think it's particularly good and enough so that I wouldn't think of the regular iPad. Although the greater storage is tempting, yes.
@@ghost-user559 Sorry, I was certain I replied to this earlier but RUclips says I haven't. Right now yes, I would very much recommend the iPad Air over the iPad Pro - and the iPad. That increased storage not he regular iPad is tempting, but the Air seems to always be in the sweet spot for price and features and performance. Right now, it seems even more so.
@@WilliamGallagher Thank you very much for your suggestions. That is what I did previously with the iPad Air 2, but after 8 years I wanted to be sure it was still the best sweet spot for the price.
Yes it’s very strange because I can see your responses from my notifications, however I too have phantom comments that I send that only I and the recipient can see.
It seems to be the case that they are occasionally arbitrarily censoring people’s comments from showing up on many comment threads now, and the comments get “disappeared” not long after they post. I frequently get notifications about ghosts of comments that suddenly vanish when I click them.
It’s all a bit Orwellian. But I am certainly the trouble maker of the two of us, I cannot imagine giving advice on iPad models for writers from ones garden is particularly seditious, neither for Google nor for the crown.
Rather sensitive algorithm these days. Thank you for your time and advice. You have an excellent channel.
In 2022, they brought out the m1 iPad Air 10.9 inches. It's £200 cheaper than the m2 iPad Pro 10.9 inches. I am looking to get an m1 iPad Air (256gb) to do all my writing on because if I get an iPad Pro, it would be too close to the new Macbook Pro I hope to get in a few years' time. Hopefully, this powerful iPad Air will take some of the burdens off my 2015 MacBook Pro so that my Mac lasts just a few extra years.
That’s exactly the same thinking I went through, with the sole difference that when I was pondering, there wasn’t a 14-inch MacBook Pro. Now there is and I bought one, I wouldn’t have also bought the iPad Pro. Except I’m so very glad I did because I’m writing on it now and I love this iPad Pro. Plus today Apple announced that Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are coming to the iPad: I know for certain they will work with my 11-inch iPad Pro so I feel better in my decision. Although I’m pretty sure they’ll work on your iPad Air too, so you’re still ahead of me there.
@@WilliamGallagher As it happens, I ended up going with the m2 11 inch iPad Pro rather than the m1 iPad Air. I have a mid-2015 15 inch MacBook Pro that is still working and is currently in for a battery change. The specialist in the Apple Store advised me that me, before he saw that the battery was swollen, that it would last me another 3 to 4 years. I ended up getting the more powerful iPad Pro to take more load from my eight year old MacBook Pro and also because I wanted to have 512gb. I am primarily a writer but in the future I would like to directly launch a RUclips channel from the iPad itself. As someone who owns Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro X on my Mac already, the iPad apps announcement came one day after I got my 11 inch iPad Pro, so it was almost fate in a way. Though I may still consider Luma Fusion as my video editor for the iPad as that is a £30 fee to own it and another £20 to have the ability to export to Final Cut Pro on my MacBook Pro. Now I have no computer (as it’s in for repair) but I do finally have an iPad to which I can connect my external hard drive/usb sticks to. As someone who is coming from an 12.9 inch 1st gen iPad Pro, I thought that the size would be difficult to adjust to, but I love it (finally I have the option both for my iPad to be my laptop and to be my e-reader!). By the way, if your 11 inch iPad Pro or you 14-inch MacBook Pro seems a little small, did you know that both devices now have native support to connect to an external monitor?
I can tell you that LumaFusion is excellent. I’ve only made very short videos with it and I truly went wide-eyed with excitement when I learned about Final Cut Pro coming to the iPad so clearly I’m not wedded to Luma. I utterly cherish FCP on the Mac so, no question, I’m subscribing on the iPad and I will definitely make a few 58keys episodes entirely on my iPad. As for the size, I’m torn: I’ve got used to it but the moment I read about FCP I found myself looking up the prices of 12.9-inch ones. External monitors don’t do it for me with the iPad because wherever I’ve got an external monitor with me, I’ve got a Mac too.
@@WilliamGallagher Thank you for such a glowing review for the LumaFusion app. I have seen someone maintaining their RUclips channel with editing videos on this app and then creating animations in Procreate and Lightroom to create thumbnails. Now if FCP can offer all of those features in on package it may be worth my while. I am just concerned that if they introduce a subscription model for FCP on the iPad then they will make FCP on the Mac that I have already paid for, subscription based too. Did you know that word on the street is that you can export your project from FCP on the iPad to FCP on the Mac but not the other way around? Are apple trying to tell us something here? As for upgrading to the 12.9 inch m2 iPad Pro now, well, it would make a lot of sense if it were you only device, but seeing as you also have a 14 inch MacBook Pro (if I am not mistaken from your videos). Wouldn’t the bigger iPad be too similar in size to your MacBook? Also I thought this might be interesting to tell you, but did you know that the value of your apple device goes down in value every two months according to apple. This may be something you wish to consider if you are looking to trade in your current 11 inch iPad Pro for a new 12.9 inch one.
@@mercedesgalindo4277 Thanks. I did take a look at the trade-in value on my 11-inch iPad Pro and it was risible, so I am less keen to buy now. I did hear about not being able to take a project back from the Mac to the iPad, but had you heard that FCP for iPad also can’t use external drives? I have a 1TB external that I was planning to use for it but can’t, at least not yet. This could be a big deal: I don’t have a lot of space on my iPad Pro and FCP projects always seem to balloon in size.
After watching this video twice, I wanted to say for multi tasking, I expect to open a word processing app/dictionary and timer. I want to start out with just writing but I'm hoping to move most of my processes to the iPad (In the future) Not sure which is better: The Air or The regular IPad?
I'm thinking in terms of long term use and budget.
Right now, the iPad Air is the best deal overall: the regular iPad is remarkably good, but the Air is noticeably faster and because it has the same M1 processor as the more expensive iPad Pro, it's likely to last you longer. I bought the 11-inch iPad Pro last year and I am very happy with it, but if the current iPad Air had been available then, I would undoubtedly have got that instead.
@@WilliamGallagher Thank you very much.
It might not be totally inline with iPad for Writer's, but since the iPad mini, has Center Stage, what do you think of it for RUclips content creation? With the larger screen size, wide-angle lens, and 12MP camera, seems like it work well. As most people have an iPhone, it's probably not too high a consideration.
Just strikes me the iPad mini would fit into that category pretty nicely. Might be an overlooked talent.
That is a very good point. My only hesitation is that there is a difference between front and back cameras; I used to film on the front camera of my iPhone 12 Pro so that I could use the screen for notes or a script. I've switched to using Filmic Pro with the rear camera, now on iPhone 13 Pro, and I'm seeing sharper footage. But I do have to think about framing and Center Stage would remove that. Except the lighting would have to be just right. Well, it wouldn't, but you'd want it to be. Clever: I hadn't thought of this at all.
Brilliant
Thank you.
Hi William, great video! I had a question regarding which device you use more for writing; your iPad Pro or your Mac?
I have been predominantly writing on my MacBook using scrivener, and last month a friend lent me his iPad 10.5” to try out (the base model iPad you talk about here). The iPad had a Logitech Folio keyboard case-which was a dream to type on!-and as result I found myself only using the iPad for the few weeks I had it.
As my MacBook is now quite old, I’ve decided to finally replace my sluggish MacBook -Admittedly using my friends iPad helped push this decision along!
I’ve set my focus on the iPad Pro 11” (or Air), and the MacBook Air (base model). The issue though is that I find myself torn; since two devices are so similarly priced when you include the ipad magic keyboard.
As my primary use case is writing, with media consumption a 2nd; I was curious if you still find yourself mostly using your iPad, or if you still do a large portion of writing on a Mac. And if you use the Mac more, is it because your Mac can do some things your iPad can’t? Or in reverse do you use the iPad more now because it’s convenient; easier to pickup, and take wherever around the house.
I will be purchasing the Magic Keyboard whether I get the 11” Air or Pro. I tried it out at the Apple Store, and you are correct -it is a fantastic accessory! Thanks and enjoy your day!
I'm surprised how much I've had to think about this: it should have been an easy answer because, by volume, the greatest amount of writing I do is on my Mac. But since I got an 11-inch iPad Pro, and that glorious keyboard, I've found myself heading off into quiet corners to get things written. Except I can tell you this: I am planning to get a MacBook Pro at some point. That is chiefly so that I can run my entire business everywhere, but purely from thinking about this answer to you, I realise I do prefer the Mac. Macs can do more, but iPads are very handy and can be made to do a lot. I'm not helping here, am I? Ultimately, you will get more done on a Mac, I think. And the MacBook Air is so light it's pretty much as portable as an iPad. I do just love how you can snatch the iPad Pro off the Magic Keyboard and read on it. Would you mind telling me what you decide to do? I'm terribly curious, I've been pondering this all morning.
@@WilliamGallagher Definitely, I will report back once I make a decision this week. Thank you for the reply, it actually has been helpful. As much as I love the idea that the iPad can be snatched from the keyboard, ultimately I feel I may be held back by the software limitations.
Many people were disappointed when the latest iPad Pro models didn’t get the ability to run Mac apps like Final Cut Pro. I’m fine with the Mac and the iPad being different; I like their differences. But then I have them both so I can afford to be fine with them.
I am looking at the 10.2 iPad 9th generation iPad to use for writing my first book. Would you feel it would be good to use? If not I would have to save up but it would really just be for writing. Thank you
It's a fine machine. I'd want you to get some kind of external keyboard for it instead of typing on the glass, though. You can very well type on the glass screen and I have written thousands of words that way, but it is slower and harder, so for a book I'd want a proper keyboard. If I hadn't wanted to use my iPad for other things, like audio and video editing, I'd have gone for that same one.
Hello sir, I know I’m late to the video with this comment and i don’t really expect you to reply back. However, is the ipad version of scrivener editable with its themes?(the colors and pictures that you can customize)? I got to know of its customizable features that are apparently on the mac and wondered if the same thing applies to its ipad version. Thank you so much already!!
I'm afraid not, there doesn't seem to be an equivalent themes feature on the iPad. I've not tried them on the Mac and it didn't occur to me to check them out on the iPad before. That's such a shame. There is a kind of theme with dark mode and light mode, plus you can do some small adjustments to how things look, but not anywhere near the same level as on the Mac.
@@WilliamGallagher Thank you! That does clear up a lot of things for me
i have an ipad air 64gb, should i upgrade and would you recommend i get the magic keyboard for writing effeciency
It is definitely expensive, but it is definitely excellent -- if you have the iPad Air 4th generation, the most recent one, released a year ago. I have used a few case-keyboard combinations and it's just about infinitely better than any of those. I've also used completely separate external keyboards and those are hard to beat for typing quality and cost. But yes, once I got over the ouch of paying out for the Magic Keyboard, I am constantly, repeatedly glad that I did.
@@WilliamGallagher Thank you sir for your answer. appreciate it. i will definitely be getting the magic keyboard :)
Good. I hope you like it as much as I do. And I expect you will: it really took typing one single sentence on one in the Apple Store to convince me to buy.
I have disability in my right arm following bout with Covid19 in 2020. My laptop is now just too heavy for me to sit up in bed and write on. Been pretty much bedridden since COVID19 so I've gotten used to writing with my stylus on my Samsung phone in Word. But working on 2nd book & ready to get invest in an etablet or ipad. Will tellbu, I bought Apple Ipad way back in 2016 and just hated it. I found it difficult to learn how to use and it was so heavy.
I WANT TO INVEST IN a tablet or ipad that has WORD, is light weight, has stylus & keyboard that can be unattached. And...as a 58 yr old writer, I need a device with small learning curve. I don't want something lije REMARKABLE as I need to research as I write so need search engine.
Please ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS? PLEASE HELP. Need to order something ASAP.
MANY THANKS.
If you hate iPads but like your Samsung phone, isn't a Samsung tablet the obvious choice? I know nothing about them at all, so sorry if that's a daft suggestion.
Dear ol' Gallagher, once again, you've delighted us with your babbles for an unconscionable 22 minutes and 45 seconds.
Unconscionable? Unconscionable? I'll have you know it is entirely conscionable! Wait, is that even a real word? Thanks.
As a freelance copywriter mostly working on my 13” MacBook M1 Pro in my small studio apartment, I’m considering an iPad as a second screen via Sidecar. I’m not planning to draw, edit videos or even type on it. I do want to use it for Netflix and RUclips when I’m staying at my parents. Other than that, it would primarily be the second screen for my MacBook Pro. With this in mind, would you advise me to choose the basic iPad or is the bigger and better screen of the iPad Pro 12.9 worth the extra €600 investment?
I suspect that once you've got it, you will find yourself using the iPad more than you expect. But even so, the regular one is an excellent buy. I have the 11-inch iPad Pro and if I were buying today, I suspect I'd go for the iPad Air but I do use my iPads for work on their own more than with a MacBook. Do think about the other advantages of the iPad Pro, such as the speed and how the M1 processor means they are likely to have a longer useful life. But then I suggest you also take a little time to think about it because it's highly likely that new iPads are coming later this month. It might be that it's just the iPad Pro lineup being updated, not the regular iPad, but I don't know.
@@WilliamGallagher Yesterday I bought the iPad 12.9” M1 Pro 5G cellular. For only 969 euro. On top of that the seller sold me the iPad 9th generation for 319 euro, which I gifted to my sister. Both iPads were still sealed. I couldn’t be a happier bloke.
The 12.9” works remarkably well with my 13” MacBook M1 Pro through universal control. I already sense it will significantly improve my workflow.
Thanks so much for your insights.
@@HatovimLeTayis Those are such good prices, that's remarkable. I wish you and your sister joy of them both. And I will be quite a bit jealous of your 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Nice California job tray in the closing seconds. I don't know how I missed that before.
When I was a young lad of 12 years, I got a little side income from printing tickets for school events. I had a Kelsey 5x8 Excelsior my Dad found at a garage sale. I loved that press. I still have it, but it could stand restoration. Back then I could set movable type with my eyes shut.
Regarding iPads, there's another value gained from adding one to the fleet. I like to tune and alter photographs, nearly always for good and not evil. Usually, anyway.
An iPad in Sidecar mode with an Apple Pencil is a slick way to make really precise masks.
Your presentations are always most enjoyable.
You’ve done EVERYTHING. I’ve played with type but never actually needed to use it. So to me it’s art more than a tool. In the lobby of the Los Angeles Times there is a copy of their last page set in type and it is a thing of beauty.