Can You Write On An iPad?

The answer is yes, you can write on an iPad. But do you really want to? That is the question you should be asking yourself. That’s the question I ask myself every day.

My laptop died and so I got an iPad instead, thinking I would be able to write like normal. At first, I defended the iPad saying that I can write with it like everybody else. But I was sadly mistaken.

At least this is the case for me.

If I can solve a few issues, the iPad would be the perfect writing machine. Who knows, by the time you read this, I may have already solved it.

Let’s look at some of my dilemmas.

KEYBOARD CHOICES

When it comes to keyboard choice, the iPad has a few options.

I have a 12.9 inch iPad pro, so it’s rather big. I like it being big because I can see what I’m writing, but I seldom get to write on it because the keyboard is not economic.

Firstly, don’t ever think that you can use the onscreen keyboard to write a book. That would be insane. Rather, you must have an attached keyboard to do your best work.

You can pluck away at the on-screen keyboard if you want, but at that rate it would take you a week to write one short article.

I purchased the magnetic smart keyboard with fabric keys, and I like the keyboard, but it doesn’t sit on my lap very well.

I find that I have to use a more stable device on my lap, and then put my iPad on top of that if I want to write while on the couch watching TV.

That’s a huge inconvenience for me, especially when I’m used to writing on a more sturdy laptop.

I have also tried to connect a magic Bluetooth keyboard to my iPad, and that works, but you still have to have some sort of stabilization unit on your lap to write properly.

The lack of a mouse is also an issue even though you can touch the screen to move things around. I actually like the touch screen feature, but when you write on an iPad, you either have to use an apple pencil to pinpoint your mistakes and change them, or touch the screen.

When you touch the screen, your arm gets tired and for me it just doesn’t work very well to write that way. Though I like using the iPad like a notebook for editing.

I might solve all these iPad writing problems before you even get to read this, but for now it’s important to point out that writing on the iPad isn’t as easy as it is on a laptop.

Unless… unless you turn your iPad into a laptop. There are many different types of cases that you can buy to turn you iPad into a laptop. All you have to do is insert your iPad into the case no matter what size it is, and away you go. It functions as a laptop and looks like one too.

You can even connect a Bluetooth wireless mouse now.

I just have to go get me one.

APPS VS FULL SIZE DESKTOPS

When you write on an iPad you have to use an app instead of specific software like Microsoft Word. If you have a subscription to Microsoft Word, you’ll be able to use the Microsoft Word app on your iPad.

However, if you have only purchased a one-time license for your desktop, you can’t use the app on a 12.9 inch iPad. It won’t let you login at all. That’s a bummer.

Other apps will work for writing on the iPad, but for me, the feel is not the same as a laptop or desktop when it comes to writing. It feels different because the screen is small, and the functionality is not the same.

When I try to write on WordPress with my iPad, I am limited when it comes to editing. You can get the WordPress app but I find that it doesn’t connect properly with all my sites. Some sites work, but some don’t.

That’s frustrating to me when I just want to edit on my iPad. I have also found that when I use the WordPress app to edit, my work doesn’t always save. If my editing work doesn’t save, or I don’t trust it, I won’t be using my iPad to write.

Once again, this is just my experience. If you have experienced something else other than what I have, I’d love to hear about it, but for now, I just wanted to point out the difficulties that I’ve had trying to use my iPad to write.

It seems, with the iPad, I have limited function with websites and apps when writing.

When I write on a desktop, all that goes away. Although the convenience of relaxing on the couch, or taking your writing with you, does not exist when you strictly right on a desktop.

Finally, the major difference between an iPad and a desktop for app functionality is the touch screen. I love being able to touch my screen while writing. But if it has to be the only way to move things around, it gets to be quite cumbersome.

You need a keyboard with an iPad, as well as a mouse.

SIZE MATTERS

Size does matter when you write on an iPad. It’s all about whether or not you can see the words that you’re typing. If your screen is too small you won’t be using your iPad to write very much.

At least that’s the way it is for me.

I bought a Mac desktop for the simple reason that the screen is humongous. As I get older my eyesight isn’t like it used to be, so bigger is always better when it comes to words.

I’ve had a 9.7 inch iPad before I had a 12.9 inch iPad. I couldn’t write on the little one no matter how hard I tried, even though I had a smart keyboard.

Now that I have a 12.9 inch iPad, and a bigger keyboard, I do a little bit more writing on it, but I still prefer my desktop computer for writing.

When it comes to Microsoft word, they don’t consider a 12.9 inch iPad a tablet. I purchased a single Microsoft word license for my desktop, but cannot use the app because my 12.9 inch iPad is the same size as a lot of laptops and does not qualify for the free options on the app.

That shouldn’t be the case because a tablet is a tablet, and completely different from a laptop. But Microsoft Word doesn’t see it that way I guess. I understand why. I just don’t like it.

iPAD WRITING SOFTWARE

In a nutshell, I’ll just list off the different iPad writing software that is available:

·      Microsoft Word

·      Google Docs

·      Pages

·      iA Writer

·      Ultsses

·      Scrivener

·      Evernote

PROS AND CONS

The pros and cons of using the iPad to write is completely up to the writer. For all intents and purposes, I compiled a list of my pros and cons and you can compare them to your own.

Pros

·      Portability

·      Touch screen

·      Bluetooth accessories

·      Multiple keyboard options

·      Multiple writing apps

·      Assorted sizes

·      Apple dictation

·      Apple pencil

·      Laptop-looking cases

·      Addition of Bluetooth mouse

·      No trackpad

Cons

·      No trackpad

·      Wobbly

·      Limitations with apps

·      Limitations with websites

As you can see, there are pros and cons when using the iPad for writing. It’s important to remember that everybody’s experience will be different.

My suggestion is to just try it. If you are considering using an iPad like a laptop to write your book, you may or may not be disappointed.

Try it out for yourself, and see what you think.

Happy writing!

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