The minimum you’ve forked out (or are planning to fork out) for the Apple iPad is $499, so paying out for accessories on top of that might sting a little.
To try and help you decide what’s actually worth spending extra money on, we’ve taken a look at the official accessories available from Apple. It’s up to you whether or not you really need them.
Whether you’re hoping to watch iPad movies on your big screen TV, type with a full-size keyboard, or transfer your pics to your ‘Pad on the go, read on for the accessories you may want to invest in.
The iPad Keyboard Dock
Overview
How Much? $69
When’s It Due? Late April
Apple pitches the Keyboard Dock as a “useful home base” for your iPad. The aluminum keyboard is attached to a dock for syncing and charging your new device via USB hook-up with your computer.
Verdict
Although the iPad’s lack of multi-tasking makes it unlikely to replace the laptop altogether, Apple is offering a special version of iWork for the device. So if you do hope to get all productive on your iPad, the software’s there for you, and you may want a physical keyboard for extended periods of typing. As well as a full-size, familiar Apple keyboard, this offers shortcut keys keys to the home screen, search, display settings, picture frame mode and screen lock. However, be aware that due to where the dock connector is on the iPad, it can only be used in portrait mode.
If you plan to do any kind of typing on your iPad that’s longer than a tweet or search term, then $70 for this keyboard is going to seem like money well spent in the long run, even though it may hurt a little as you swipe the plastic at the point of purchase.
The iPad Dock
Overview
How Much? $29
When’s It Due? April 3
With the iPad Dock, you get easy access to a dock connector port for syncing or charging, and an audio line out for connecting to powered speakers.
Verdict
If you like to securely dock-and-charge rather than balance your iPad on your desk and hope no one trips over the wire, this might be a good option for you. The dock doubles as a stand, so you can use the iPad as a digital photo frame while charging, for example.
In addition to a line out for audio (cable not included) the dock boasts another standard connector that will work with the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter and the iPad Camera Connection Kit. As the iPad works with Bluetooth keyboards, this accessory (along with your existing keyboard) offers a cheaper way of re-creating the Keyboard Dock above.
The iPad Camera Connection Kit
Overview
How Much? $29
When’s It Due? Late April
The iPad Camera Connection Kit lets you hook up a camera to your iPad via USB or transfer photo and video content onto it directly from an SD card.
Verdict
The iPad has no USB ports. If you want to use that lovely 9.7-inch display to show off your fantastic photos and home movie footage, this $29 accessory is going to be a must-have.
The kit offers two elements — the first is a USB interface for cameras and camcorders that will allow you to send content to your iPad (note that a USB cable is not included). The second is an SD card reader. Either interface will automatically open up the Photos app on the iPad, and unless someone comes up with a (hacked) workaround, they can only be used to get photo and video files onto your Apple device. Support for RAW files might well make this a pro-snapper’s favorite way to quickly view images on a larger screen while out and about.
The iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter
Overview
How Much? $29
When’s It Due? April 3
This will get your iPad content onto any big screen that uses a VGA connector, such as a TV, monitor or projector.
Verdict
If you’re planning on wowing the board with an iPad-based presentation (iWork for iPad offers a special version of Keynote) then this little gadget is going to be a must. Just be sure your presentation, slideshow, or video is formatted for landscape, as this is the only option for big screen display.
Incidentally, initial reports suggest Keynote works really well on the iPad. That’s where the goodness stops though, as you can’t project or display Safari on the big screen, so there’s no way to turn your giant plasma into an Internet display, for example. In addition, the old-fashioned VGA connection won’t stream modern HDCP-protected content (such as iTunes HD movies, for example) which is a bit of a problem if you were hoping to pay good money for films in iTunes, stick them on your iPad, and hook it up to the big screen.
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Tags: apple, Apple iPad, gadgets, ipad, ipad accessories, tech
