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I've had my iPad for over a month and one of the things that I had been trying to do is get one of my Bluetooth keyboards to work with it. The sad fact was that neither of the two were going to work with my iPad. So I decided to try the iPad Keyboard Dock, but the question you  might be asking is: Do I need one at all?

First, let's talk keyboards. Apple says that most Bluetooth keyboards will work with the iPad. Most. My Apple one was too old (the original white wireless keyboards don't work with iPads) and my third party keyboard wouldn't go through the pairing sequence correctly, so I was pretty much out of luck unless I got something new.

Apple provides two options for iPads, one is the Apple Wireless Keyboard (the new skinny aluminum ones that come with iMacs) the other is the iPad Keyboard Dock. The keyboard dock doesn't need any additional batteries and can serve as a charging dock (the port is in the back). You slide your iPad in vertically (portrait mode), and that's pretty much it. The keyboard will just work. The keyboard dock has a few special keys just for the iPad (home key, lock, search button), but otherwise it looks (and is about the same size) as the Apple Wireless Keyboard.

There's a catch: you can't have you iPad in a case and have it in the keyboard dock.

This is what got me.I used the keyboard for a little while and really liked the key feel. Being able to type on the keyboard and use Pages, Mail, etc was awesome.

But...

I felt that pulling my iPad out of my case every time would risk it wearing out. The Apple iPad Case is pretty sturdy, but I think over time I'd risk ripping it. So the Keyboard Dock went back and I exchanged it for the Wireless keyboard (which is $10 cheaper btw). Yep the right choice. In fact I'm writing this post in Pages for iPad and the keyboard. So the question is: do you really need a keyboard for you iPad?

Certainly not, but it's certainly helpful.

With the right case, the Apple one for example, the on-screen keyboard is perfectly acceptable (especially in landscape mode). There is the idea that an iPad can serve as an alternate laptop and with a hardware keyboard that is certainly a possibility. How am I going to use it? Well if I want to head out to sit at a coffee shop to read, etc ... tossing the light and compact keyboard is not a stretch. I could easily work here on my iPad on basic writing.

Bottom line: If you have a newer Bluetooth keyboard around, it might work with your iPad so try it. If you don't have a case for your iPad (and don't plan on getting one) the Keyboard Dock is a good option. If you have a case and want a more flexible option (the Keyboard Dock only works in portrait mode remember and you can use the Apple Wireless Keyboard with other computers), the Apple Wireless Keyboard is a no-miss choice.