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kp98077

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 26, 2010
4,312
2,764
Whistler, BC
Wondering how many are actually using their 2021 12.9” with just the Apple cover or another cover keeping it as thin and lightweight as possible? I feel the 12.9 with the magic keyboard is a beast and not very portable. Any tips or trick?
 

Mr.Blacky

Cancelled
Jul 31, 2016
1,880
2,583
I do.
Would never buy a Magic Keyboard (or something alike) for my iPad. If I type long texts, I just use the keyboard from my Mac. Additionally, I much prefer portrait orientation when viewing/writing a text document.
 

Kiimora

macrumors 65816
Sep 11, 2014
1,342
647
London UK
I am using mine as a tablet for now, I have a snug Vaja Case sleeve + pencil loop on order and a silicon back cover to go with that.

In the interim I use my M1 on an iPad stand at the desk or placed on a cushion elsewhere.

The MKB is heavy without a doubt however I plan to get it for my use case. As regards portability, it will be desk bound for a while. So when not on the stand or MKB, the silicon back cover protects it for casual use.
 

foldpages

macrumors regular
Oct 22, 2014
129
160
United States
I bought the new Magic Keyboard but ended up returning it because of that same reason. The iPad Pro 12.9 with magic keyboard just gets very bulky and heavy. You are better off getting a base M1 MBA along with a base 12.9 IPP. I now use my IPP with the Apple folio which significantly reduces weight and bulk. The touchscreen is fine for short typing, but the Magic Keyboard does improve upon that experience.
 

Ludatyk

macrumors 603
May 27, 2012
5,965
5,133
Texas
Wondering of the apple folio would be any good ? I want light …..
I would recommend finding a 3rd party Folio case... it provides the same functionality for an inexpensive cost.
I feel the 12.9 with the magic keyboard is a beast and not very portable. Any tips or trick?I
Well, I surely don't speak for everyone. But in most case... MK tends to be docked on the table, ready to be used whenever at the desk/table. While grabbing a Folio case for all other purposes... that's been my use case. But I substitute a MK with a dock and Bluetooth keyboard.
 
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DoubleFlyaway

macrumors 68000
Nov 16, 2017
1,620
2,526
Tbh, I didn’t know it could be folded it back…
No, you can’t. I’m just saying you wouldn’t really want it to bc it wouldn’t be leaving to use. Even something like the last version of Logitech in the 11 inch. You could fold it back, but not that nice an experience.
 

benobi

macrumors regular
Dec 4, 2016
104
136
This is my first iPad since the ill-fated iPad 3 retina. I am really enjoying using the 12.9 in tablet mode with an ESR magnetic folio from Amazon. While it felt large at first, I actually find myself preferring the size to the 11" in tablet mode (so much so that I returned the 11"). I actually found it more comfortable to use while sitting on the couch or laying in bed. Due to the larger size, I can rest it on my lap or chest in portrait mode and have most of the screen still be quite close to my face. If I need to do any typing I can flip it into landscape mode and have a full-sized onscreen keyboard. With the 11", I found it a bit too small to rest and still engage with. The smaller keyboard also lead to many typos. For me, the 12.9" with folio has really been the perfect size. The folio is nice to quickly prop up on a table to watch or read, while still being thin and light. Highly recommend it!
 

gsal

macrumors regular
Jun 1, 2019
137
231
I use my iPad 90% of the time either on my lap, placed on the sofa or on a desk. Hardly ever use it handheld for long periods of time. This was also the case when I had the 11” iPad Pro.

When i do want to hand hold the iPad, i just pull it away from my MKB and use it naked. Lighter than having a folio case attached to it.

For my use case, the MKB is what makes having the iPad Pro worth it. It was the missing link, adding so much value to the usability of the iPad.
 
Last edited:

fwmireault

macrumors 68020
Jul 4, 2019
2,288
9,705
Montréal, Canada
Wondering how many are actually using their 2021 12.9” with just the Apple cover or another cover keeping it as thin and lightweight as possible? I feel the 12.9 with the magic keyboard is a beast and not very portable. Any tips or trick?
I use both and alternate. I agree that a 12.9 with magic keyboard can be cumbersome. I love to be able to alternate easily between magic keyboard and Smart Cover, depending when I want more of a tablet or a laptop
 

kp98077

macrumors 601
Original poster
Oct 26, 2010
4,312
2,764
Whistler, BC
This is my first iPad since the ill-fated iPad 3 retina. I am really enjoying using the 12.9 in tablet mode with an ESR magnetic folio from Amazon. While it felt large at first, I actually find myself preferring the size to the 11" in tablet mode (so much so that I returned the 11"). I actually found it more comfortable to use while sitting on the couch or laying in bed. Due to the larger size, I can rest it on my lap or chest in portrait mode and have most of the screen still be quite close to my face. If I need to do any typing I can flip it into landscape mode and have a full-sized onscreen keyboard. With the 11", I found it a bit too small to rest and still engage with. The smaller keyboard also lead to many typos. For me, the 12.9" with folio has really been the perfect size. The folio is nice to quickly prop up on a table to watch or read, while still being thin and light. Highly recommend it!
yeah can kinda see your point on this one...
 

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,669
52,496
In a van down by the river
I don't have the new iPad. I did get the Magic Keyboard for my 2020 iPad Pro and don't find it really heavy. It does add a little bulk, though. Moving forward, I probably won't get another Magic Keyboard unless I can find it on sale.
 
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DoubleFlyaway

macrumors 68000
Nov 16, 2017
1,620
2,526
I don't have the new iPad. I did get the Magic Keyboard for my 2020 iPad Pro and don't find it really heavy. It does add a little bulk, though. Moving forward, I probably won't get another Magic Keyboard unless I can find it on sale.
eBay open box!! I bought one at retail for my 12.9 when it first came out, but I just picked one up for like 150 on eBay for my 11 and it arrived today in perfect condition. Also recently picked up a couple 20 and 30 dollar Apple magic folios that way.
 

Jamacfer

macrumors 6502
Sep 3, 2015
292
272
京都市
Just a question: do you use the iPad 12,9” along the MK instead of a Mac? I ask this because for about a year I had a 12.9" iPad along with the Magic Keyboard but I actually used the tablet without a keyboard 99% of the time since when I needed a physical keyboard I preferred to use the Mac. On the go the iPad + MK combination was too heavy so in the end I decided to sell both the 12.9” iPad and the MK to buy an 11" one to use only as a tablet and use the Mac as a desktop computer.
 
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