For the most part you probably won’t need to use a stylus with your iPad. However, if you’re sketching, drawing or using a handwriting-recognition app like WritePad (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/writepad/id293033512?mt=8), you will need one.
Just Mobile (http://www.just-mobile.com) offers the US$19.95 sculpted-from-aluminum AluPen for just that purpose.
It’s described as a chunky pencil-shaped stylus designed to offer precise control over your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. That’s an apt description, but I find the AluPen a bit too chunky. The nub of it — made of soft rubber — is just a bit too big for my tastes. I prefer a leaner, more svelte stylus, such as the $14.95 Pogo Stylus (http://tenonedesign.com/stylus.php). Also, the Pogo has a built-on pocket clip, which helps prevent it from getting lost. The AluPen has no such clip.
If, however, you have big fingers and just want a stylus to help you use the on-screen keyboard, surf the web, respond to email, etc., the AluPen may serve you well. Also, according to the folks at Just Mobile it works with all iPad and iPhone apps.
Macsimum rating: 6 out of 10
— Dennis Sellers