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I think using iPad or other tablets is very comfortable but when you have to write long texts/emails/documents, then it becomes a serious nuance. I wonder if anyone could suggest any good technique/practice to write long texts on tables while laying down at sofa/bed.

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Get something like Dragon Dictation or other Dictation software. – Nunoxic Apr 7 '12 at 8:43

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up vote 7 down vote accepted

You just shouldn't do this. Couple of points:

  • Writing on tablets isn't great anyway - you would be much better served with a proper keyboard.
  • If you are writing for lengthy periods of time, get yourself a proper seat and a desk adjusted to your measurements, a screen which is clear and height adjustable and even then you should take regular breaks to avoid strain.
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up vote 0 down vote

Get an external keyboard for your tablet.

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and how can I write then while at the bed? – flow Apr 6 '12 at 18:08
@flow: Depends a lot on how you sit or lie. I found promising results via Google. Maybe you need a bed-desk. Or a mount so it's over your head. – Jonta Apr 6 '12 at 19:30
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What do you mean bu "promising results"? Couldy you share them with us.? – flow Apr 6 '12 at 19:39
@jonta, I have tried an adjustable bed-desk, and it's work well when I am sitting up in bed. My problem is for some reason I get my best ideas when I am lying prone on my stomach, and have tried to figure out how to capture them. A keyboard is awkward because I have to lift my head too much and it strains my neck, and I can't maintain that position very long. – tcrosley Apr 6 '12 at 20:53
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@flow: This? news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20048304-1.html - One of many when searching for things like "tablet over head mount". – Jonta Apr 8 '12 at 17:01
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up vote 3 down vote

I won't write long texts with my tablet (I have the Asus Transformer with the dock). But why not trying out a speech-to-text application? This might turn out very well.

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up vote 0 down vote

I've never had a tablet, but I use a Laidback laptop stand for typing on my laptop in bed or on the couch and I can't recommend it enough.

Two links giving multiple similar solutions, some of which may work better for a tablet: http://www.pbcentral.com/columns/hildreth_moore/beddesks.shtml
http://techytechygeekygeeky.com/i-want-to-use-my-laptop-while-lying-down.htm

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up vote 1 down vote

My problem is for some reason I get my best ideas when I am lying prone on my stomach, and have tried to figure out how to capture them. A keyboard is awkward because I have to lift my head too much and it strains my neck, and I can't maintain that position very long. – tcrosley Apr 6 at 20:53

@tcrosley, have you considered something like the headrest on a massage table? It has a hole in it through which you can see when you are lying face down. Also, on some massage tables you have a flat surface at the knee level (knee level of the person giving massage). Perhaps this can be used to keep your keyboard. Another possibility to consider is to use a massage chair where you sit with your chest against the back of the chair. You would be leaning forward against the chair and you can use another table with an appropriate height to keep your tablet. Just a few thoughts.

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These are all interesting suggestions (and for this reason I think the post should be left as an answer, otherwise it would just be dialogue back and forth between us and better suited as comments). I had thought of the massage table (I have a monthly membership at a massage franchise so I am quite familiar with them). However hanging my arms down below the table to operate the keyboard is very uncomfortable for me. The "backwards" massage chair is something I hadn't considered, have to think about that. – tcrosley May 1 '12 at 21:32

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