After the release of iPadOS 13.4, iPad officially supports mouse operation, and then with the keyboard, iPad finally became a "computer". This article will talk about my experience with this "computer".
Equipment List
- iPad 2017
- Logitech K480 keyboard
- Logitech Pebble Pebble Mouse
iPad
The iPad was bought on the Double Eleven in 2017, mainly for entertainment. Occasionally, it also handles work emails when there is no computer. Before upgrading iPadOS 13.4, it is not supported to connect a mouse. The gap between the overall experience and the computer is still relatively large. Yes, so entertainment is the mainstay.
The battery is still very powerful. Although it has been used for more than two years, there are still more than 10% of the power left in the movie for six or seven hours. It is regrettable that "Apple Pencil" is not supported, but it is okay. I just want to experience the feeling of drawing with strokes, which is not just needed.
keyboard
The keyboard is Logitech's K480 Bluetooth keyboard, compatible with Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, integrated stand, battery can be used for two years, dial seamlessly switch between three devices.
Purchase address: Logitech K480 keyboard
mouse
The mouse is a Logitech Pebble cobblestone mouse, which supports Bluetooth and USB connection. The battery can be used for one and a half years, which is very suitable for the keyboard.
Purchase address: Logitech Pebble Pebble Mouse
Conversion line
At the beginning, I was thinking of buying a lighting to USB conversion cable, and then connected the wired keyboard and mouse, so that I can use my existing wired keyboard and mouse, but it feels too troublesome, Imagine, a The iPad is connected to a conversion cable, and the conversion cable is connected to a wired keyboard and mouse, and the feeling of "mobile office" and "wireless" disappears instantly.
So in the end, I didn't buy a conversion cable. I bought the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse directly. In one step, there was no "line" interference. It was very convenient to move and use the device. The actual use later proved my choice.
User experience
Device connection
First, make sure that the iPad has been upgraded to at least iPadOS 13.4.0. You can view the current system version through "Settings-General-About This Machine-Software Version"; Second, turn on Bluetooth and turn on the Bluetooth switch through "Settings-Bluetooth" That's it.
Take out the battery seal on the back of the K480 keyboard, turn on the switch on the right side of the back, and then press the "i" button on the upper right corner of the keyboard for 3 seconds. After the indicator light flashes, go to the Bluetooth settings of the iPad and click the "Keyboard K480" device to connect. Just confirm the pairing.
Remove the battery seal on the front of the Pebble mouse, turn on the switch on the back, after the indicator flashes, click the button below the indicator to switch the indicator to "blue" flashing, then go to the Bluetooth settings of the iPad and click "Logitech Pebble" device to connect , Just confirm the pairing.
Keyboard usage
This K480 keyboard is really good value for money:
- Compatible with iPadOS is very good, F1 to F12 correspond to the shortcut keys of iPad: return to the desktop, search, screenshots, etc.
- The keystroke is long, it feels like a mechanical keyboard when pressed, and the typing experience is very good.
- There is a card slot for iPad or mobile phone above the keyboard, and the viewing angle is very good.
- Three devices can be connected at the same time, and the device can be switched by the knob on the upper left side.
When I first started, I was still searching for how to use the mouse to return to the desktop and other operations, but when I found the shortcut keys on the keyboard, it was like finding a new continent and pressing a button can do it. Move the mouse. The functions of returning to the desktop, calling out recent tasks, searching, screenshots, etc. can all be realized with one click, and the efficiency is doubled.
Regarding the connection of three devices at the same time, I personally connect the iPad and mobile phone at the same time, and the frequency of use is also very low, but it is always a icing on the cake.
In addition, press the cmd key (that is, the alt key) in the application to display the shortcut key prompt of the current application, for example in Safari:
The only disadvantage is that the keyboard is heavier. It is the heaviest in the Logitech K series, reaching 1kg, which is two pounds. However, this only disadvantage guarantees that the iPad placed in the card slot can be reclined steadily. Finally, it is not easy to find a defect, and it is not easy to vomit. Of course, unless you have to go out with the keyboard every day, then this is indeed a disadvantage.
For more keyboard instructions, please see: " Logitech Bluetooth Multifunction Keyboard K480 User Guide ".
Mouse use
Unlike the mouse cursor on a computer, the mouse cursor on the iPad is a small circle, similar to the touch area of a finger. It doesn't feel like controlling a mouse, but more like controlling a "finger."
After the mouse is connected for the first time, if you are not used to the cursor's moving speed or scrolling direction, you can open "Settings-General-Trackpad and Mouse" to adjust:
The mouse click also has the following functions:
- Click the APP icon, the selected icon will be enlarged, and the corresponding shortcut operation will appear when you right-click.
- In the non-desktop state, you can call out the dock when the mouse is down, and return to the desktop when you are down again.
- Click the battery icon in the upper right corner to open the control center.
- Clicking the time in the upper left corner will open the notification center.
- It is consistent with computer mouse in text editing or table operation.
Using a third-party mouse, the basic mouse functions can be completed, but when scrolling the wheel up and down the page, it is not smooth, or does not follow the hand, there is a gap with the operation on the computer. Apple ’s wonderfully controlled mouse or touchpad is very smooth when scrolling, and supports gesture operations, which can be said to be a combination of touch screen and mouse. For a detailed comparison of a third-party mouse and an Apple mouse, you can watch the video of Weibusi " Weibosi Quick Experience of an iPadOS External Bluetooth Device ".
to sum up
After the iPadOS was updated to 13.4, it fully supports the operation of the mouse. With the keyboard, there is a notebook-like operating experience. For a company such as Apple, which is more conservative in terms of system openness, it can be said to be a great improvement. It also shows that the iPad is gradually becoming a production tool, and Apple is also trying to make the iPad production tool more efficient.
However, after all, it is a newly released function. Some third-party applications have not kept up with the adaptation. For example, Taobao and Xiaohongshu do not support horizontal screen. Some click effects will appear as a cursor during text editing and input to the keyboard. The optimization is not particularly good, of course, these applications are born for finger touch, so they always feel strange to adapt to the keyboard and mouse. However, I believe that in the near future, Apple and third-party applications will slowly find a balance point. Eventually, the iPad will truly become a device comparable to the computer, as Apple ’s advertising slogan says "your next computer." , Why is it a computer? "
To me, the iPad was initially just an entertainment tool, but the addition of the keyboard and mouse is fully capable of writing articles or consulting materials, but it is not yet possible to complete more professional tasks such as programming. A huge improvement. When I typed the text on the iPad through the keyboard, the computer-like input experience made me feel very excited, and also made me feel that the iPad in my hand was "reborn".
Admittedly, performance and volume are still entangled for a long time. Lightweight text or graphic editing of the iPad is fully competent. More professional work still requires a laptop or desktop computer. It can be done, but any device has its own advantages in different scenarios, depending on your needs.
The above is my experience with iPadOS 13.4 and keyboard and mouse. If you have an iPad, I recommend you to experience it.
Finally, take a group photo:
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