[gmichnikov]

> It's just so hard to discount the functionality of a real keyboard in any school where typing (and consequently writing) matters.

Not to mention only having to charge one device (laptop) instead of two devices (keyboard, iPad), and not having to deal with any bluetooth connectivity issues with the keyboard.

My experience as a teacher, first in a school with iPads and now in a school with laptops, as that iPads are generally viewed as toys and laptops are generally viewed as work tools. I would never recommend that any middle school or high school buy iPads.

Having said that, I would love to hear about any notably positive experiences other teachers here have had with either iPads or laptops in class (email in profile).