The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2022 - 35

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for most interpreters, we've
already narrowed the choice
to the mid-sized options: the
10.2 " iPad or 10.9 " iPad Air.
Is Wi-Fi Enough?
When purchasing an iPad,
you'll need to choose
between Wi-Fi-only and
cellular models. The cellular
model isn't cheap. In
addition to a higher initial
cost ($130 to $200 more),
you'll also need a monthly
cellular internet (or pay-asyou-go)
plan.
This one is an easy call:
you don't need cellular. Since
you can set up a personal
hotspot on your phone and
connect to it when you're on
the go, there's no need to
pay extra!
Features
iPads offer a range of
features, such as the camera,
connectivity, and display.
But to be completely honest,
if you're buying a new iPad
primarily for interpreting,
these features don't matter
all that much.
For starters, all iPad
cameras feature at least an
8 megapixel sensor, which
is more than enough for
our purposes. (We're not
professional photographers
or videographers.) Also,
although iPads come with
either a USB-C connector
or Apple's proprietary
Lightning port, it's easy
enough to buy the right
cables and adapters for
your tablet. Finally, displays
across the entire iPad lineup
deliver a crisp, clear image.
In short, the main features
on all iPads are sufficiently
robust for interpreters!
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Storage
You can never have enough
storage, and if you use your
tablet for other purposes,
like storing lots of movies
or photos, you've probably
run out of memory before.
I always recommend
splurging here. Get as much
storage as you can afford
and don't go below 128 GB
of capacity. Your future self
will thank you.
Stylus
A stylus unlocks the ability
to take consecutive notes
and annotate speeches,
presentations, and other
documents. Although you
can purchase inexpensive
non-Apple keyboards
and styluses, I strongly
recommend you pick
up an Apple Pencil and
Apple keyboard. Both pair
seamlessly with your device
and offer an all-around
excellent experience.
While the secondgeneration
Apple Pencil
($129) offers more bells and
whistles-wireless charging,
a magnet to attach to your
iPad, nicer handling, and
a programmable virtual
button-the first-generation
Pencil ($99) also works well.
Since each iPad only supports
one of the two options, just
pick the stylus that pairs
with your device.
Keyboard
Sure, you can enter text
by tapping away on the
screen or by dictating, but
ultimately a keyboard is
still the quickest way to
type a long email, fire off
an online search, or control
your device with keyboard
shortcuts. A keyboard will
also free up screen real
estate since it makes the
software keyboard obsolete!
Here, too, choose the
keyboard that goes with
your device. The standard
iPad works with the Smart
Keyboard ($159), while the
iPad Air and Pro pair with
either the Smart Keyboard
Folio ($179-$199) or
Magic Keyboard ($299$349).
All Apple keyboards
now feature the Smart
Connector, which is better
and more reliable than a
Bluetooth keyboard. (Note
that there's currently no
Apple keyboard specifically
designed for the Mini.)
Which iPad for
Interpreting?
Until a few years ago, I
always recommended the
iPad Pro, which was the only
model that worked with
an Apple Pencil. But that
setup cost a pretty penny.
Thankfully, the 10.2 " iPad
now offers all the features
most interpreters need.
It's the perfect balance of
size, weight, and features,
while still coming in at a
reasonable price point ($479
for 256 GB). Pick up the
Apple Pencil ($99) and Smart
Keyboard ($159) for a bestin-class
experience.
Although the iPad Air also
ticks all my boxes for size
and weight, it's significantly
more expensive ($649
for 256 GB), plus you'll
need to purchase a slightly
more expensive Pencil and
Keyboard. And the benefits
are limited: a slightly larger
screen, slightly thinner
and lighter device, and a
more powerful processor.
The 10.2 " iPad offers much
better value and will do just
about everything the average
interpreter needs. Unless
you're planning to edit a ton
of videos on your tablet, you
don't need the Pro or Air.
In short, if you're in the
market for a new iPad, pick
up the 10.2 " iPad with an
Apple Pencil and Smart
Keyboard, and, if possible,
256 GB of storage. You'll get
the best form factor and most
bang for your buck, without
breaking the bank!
Josh
Goldsmith
is a translator
and interpreter
accredited
by the United Nations and
European Union working
from Spanish, French, Italian,
Portuguese, and Catalan
into English. A passionate
educator, he splits his
time between interpreting,
researching, and teaching
language professionals to
make the most of technology.
He is the founder and
chief educational officer
of techforword. He shares
tips about technology,
translation, and interpreting
through conferences and
workshops, academic
articles, as co-host of the
Innovation in Translation and
Innovation in Interpreting
Summits, and at techforword
insiders, the online
community for tech-savvy
language professionals.
josh@techforword.com
If you have any ideas and/
or suggestions regarding
helpful resources or tools you
would like to see featured,
please e-mail Jost Zetzsche
at jzetzsche@international
writers.com.
American Translators Association 35
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The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2022

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