There is always plenty of arguing as to which type of input method is the best, some prefer the virtual keyboard, others prefer a hardware QWERTY keyboard, some need the full sized keyboard that comes with a laptop or desktop computer and some cannot live without the standard pen and paper. I would say that it all depends on the situation, but in terms of a mobile device such as a phone — I prefer a virtual keyboard like that on the iPhone.

But this test is a little different. I should also first state that while interesting the test was seemingly about as unscientific as could be. That said, the results are still interesting to see.

Anyway, one enterprising individual decided to take a “221-word passage” and see which method would allow him to write (or type) all 221 words the quickest. The test used pen & paper, a full-sized QWERTY keyboard, Apple Newton MessagePad 2100, Palm Vx, Palm Treo 650 and the iPhone 3G. And despite only being able to type 68 words per minute on a regular QWERTY, that was still the fasted method.

Surprisingly though, the iPhone and the Palm Treo were pretty close, with the pen and paper method not that far behind them. Not surprisingly, the Newton MessagePad and Palm Vx (with its Graffiti input system) were a distant last.

All in all, this was an interesting read, but I like the fact that he still had a Newton MessagePad kicking around. But really when I say like that means I am jealous because I had a really nice Newton setup myself and decided to sell it a few years back.

[Phil Gyford via Gizmodo]