Can I use the pencil as my mouse

You're welcome. I know there are other keyboards you can use. I'd ask at the Apple Store exactly which ones are compatable.

After two and a half years with a iPad I don't see the need for an external keyboard. I was going to buy a keyboard when I first got m iPad then decided to wait one month before getting it. Needless to say I never went back for the keyboard.

If I was going to do the amount of typing you mentioned I'd see if I could pair a full size keyboard with the Pro. I only tried the Pro once and it seemed the keyboard is closer in size to a laptop which I don't care for then a full size keyboard.

bobseufert wrote:

If you never used a iPad learn how to use it as a iPad wih a touch screen instead of a computer with a Pencil subbing for a mouse. After a day of practice you'll wonder why they ever invented mice.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? [ hint: the "ideas" Computer_mouse#History (1941*trackball) v. Touchscreen#History (1965) ]

Precision* = pixel v. 16X16 pixel

* the Pencil (or any stylus) solves the dilemma

The iPad would work much better if:

1. It worked with a mouse.

2. It supported external drives directly instead of a wifi connection and then a ANOTHER app to see the files on the wifi drive. We get a Finder like app in the 2017 upgrade to iOS. By the way, the Finder IS an application.

But I do admit that if want to play a piece of music on my terabyte harddrive the wifi connection is handy since I need the lightening connector to run my DAC/headphone amp.

But:

1. You can use wired, USB keyboards with the camera connection kit.

2. You can USB flash drives designed to be plugged into the Lightning port but I think they need a supporting app also.

3. You can use other USB devices with the camera connection if they do not draw over 100mA or if you use the newer, USB 3 camera connection kit that has a power line connection to charge the iPad.

4. You can use external DAC/amps to play HD, FLAC, DSD music using the camera connection kit.

5. You can your iPad as an ADDITIONAL monitor on your laptop or desktop, Mac or Windows. It will support extended desktop using a third party app. I use Duet but there is another good app that escapes me.

6. You can't use an another external monitor in extended desktop mode but it is plug and play to a tv or projector in duplication mode (mirroring). You need an appropriate lightening connector.

Now the pencil is trickier. How it works depends on the application.

1. It works ALMOST as well as a mouse when you use the iPad as an external monitor on your Mac. OS/X is now touch screen enabled using Duet at least on my MacBook Pro Retina.

2. In Numbers the pencil works like a pointing device but not quite the same as a mouse but wonderfully better than your finger.

3. In Excel the pencil works like a pencil or a pen or a marker so don't touch the spreadsheet! I don't know how to change the mode from pencil to pointer and back.

4. It works better than my finger in normal iOS usage.

Hope this helps.

The link is at the top of your thread:

Use Apple Pencil with iPad Pro

The link is right above th title to your question. Now it's down here.

Use Apple Pencil with iPad Pro - Apple Support

builderbob66 wrote:

I Would like to use a mouse with my new iPad pro

The iPad Pro doesn't work with a mouse, like a computer. Not clear what you mean by using the pencil "as my mouse."

You can use the Apple Pencil with an iPad Pro.

All iPads (including the iPad Pro) are designed to work well using your finger(s) to control it.

Yes, it can perform the functions of your finger. Did you read the article that led you here?

Remember, the Pencil works only with the iPad Pro - no other iPad models or iOS devices.

If you never used a iPad learn how to use it as a iPad wih a touch screen instead of a computer with a Pencil subbing for a mouse. After a day of practice you'll wonder why they ever invented mice.