Keyboard Performance: iPad Versus Netbook

Abstract

This study evaluated performance and subjective perceptions of three keyboard styles: the iPad soft keyboard (in both landscape and portrait orientation), as well as a Acer netbook keyboard. Sixteen participants (8 touchscreen phone users, 8 physical keyboard phone users) provided measures of hand anthropometry and performed phrase typing tasks on each of the keyboards. Results indicated that, while participants had roughly 20 WPM faster typing speeds with the netbook, overall satisfaction (SUS) scores indicate a slight preference for the iPad in landscape orientation. Overall, fewer errors were made on the iPad in portrait orientation. There were no significant differences for any of the measures due to reported touchscreen use. Surprisingly, there were no significant differences between the iPad in landscape or portrait orientation in terms of WPM and AdjWPM.