iPad Pro Apple needs to fix the Magic Keyboard

[Rogifan]

I use my iPad Pro a lot in bed and on my couch/ottoman in my family room. The keyboard does not lay flat and the iPad easily tips backwards. I know I’m not the first to point this out but it is quite annoying. Did anyone at Apple test using the iPad with Magic Keyboard on a non hard surface like a bed or couch? it sure doesn’t seem like it. The previous keyboard didn’t have this issue.

 

[Shirasaki]

Well seems like a major oversight if you ask me.
maybe Apple doesn't want iPad to be tilted this far backward.
One way for them to mitigate the issue is adding more weight to the keyboard so gravity center is a bit better placed.

 

[Delarock]

i used it especially at table but on uneven surface it is quite annoying.…. i think for bed usage is macbook bettter choice.

 

[Rogifan]

Well seems like a major oversight if you ask me.
maybe Apple doesn't want iPad to be tilted this far backward.
One way for them to mitigate the issue is adding more weight to the keyboard so gravity center is a bit better placed.

I do sometimes tilt the screen forward and it helps a bit but I prefer it back. The previous keyboard was better in that respect.

 

[snipr125]

On a hard flat surface like a table it sits fine, but as soon as you put it on something soft like a couch it tilts back. Makes it even more annoying when charging through the MKB usbc port as the connector gets bent. Apart from this though the new MKB is a joy to use and looks/feels great.

 

[VineRider]

I have experienced the same thing with my 11" M4 and the Magic Keyboard. The weight distribution is not optimal for lap use or on a soft surface as pointed out here. I don't use the keyboard often, but this is a bit of a distraction.

I mainly got the keyboard so that when I travel I can use the iPad and not take my MacBook....it's very good for this kind of use, but for heavy use I prefer the laptop as it's bigger and the weight distribution is much better.

 

[MacsomJRR]

Interesting you didn't see that with the previous keyboard. Obviously it's a very top heavy situation with all the internals being in the iPad sitting above the keyboard. I feel like I had a similar feel with the first version but can't remember. Still a pretty solid trade off to just pop is easily off of the keyboard to do some reading.

 

[Analog Kid]

The tradeoff would be more weight, or a smaller keyboard so the iPad center of mass could be moved forward. Personally I like it how it is because weight is a critical factor for me and I only use it on tables of various sorts. Might be worth looking at one of the various 3rd party cases if you have different needs.

 

[Rogifan]

The tradeoff would be more weight, or a smaller keyboard so the iPad center of mass could be moved forward. Personally I like it how it is because weight is a critical factor for me and I only use it on tables of various sorts. Might be worth looking at one of the various 3rd party cases if you have different needs.

I like everything else about the keyboard. I can live with it but I hope it’s something they fix in future versions.

 

[Matcha]

Unfortunately, this issue affects the 13", but I haven't experienced it with the 11” even with tapping or forcing it forward.

 

[klasma]

One reason for this is the new row of function keys, which requires the screen to be a bit further back.

There aren’t a lot of ways to fix this:

Make the keyboard heavier. Worse mobility.

Make the screen angle steeper. Worse ergonomics.

Add a kickstand. Best solution, but Apple probably thinks that’s inelegant.

 

[TechnoMonk]

iPad is top heavy, I love using it on couch lounging back. Not best for flat surface but great for couch and bed. I hated MBA being flat when sitting on a couch. iPad Pro is at a perfect angle in lap. If you want to lay it flat on bed, probably just use a MBA. iPad Pro gravity will always be an issue.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Don’t flex the iPad all the way back as shown. Make sure the iPad is more straight up and down and it will do much better. I agree with you, though. I use my keyboard in the manner spoken and I also use a laptop sleeve underneath, which provides added stability where the keyboard doesn’t sway back and forth or bounce.

 

[code-m]

Better and affordable option available, that’s what I did? Apple option is little too late and overpriced.

 

[subjonas]

I think I would actually prefer that to the old Magic Keyboard’s limited viewing angle, as long as it doesn’t tip over completely. I have the old MK and I’m always frustrated I can’t lean the screen back further. At least one of my hands are almost always resting on the keyboard anyway.

 

[Sami13496]

It seems they just had to make compromises. Adding weight would have been against the idea of portability.

 

[Rradcircless]

One way for them to mitigate the issue is adding more weight to the keyboard so gravity center is a bit better placed.

Since the iPad is lighter now, a heavier base wouldn’t make the overall iPad and case so heavy.

 

[yabeweb]

Only way they can fix that is by adding more weight, and I sure they do not want to do that.
For me it’s a minor issue but I can see being a problem for many.

My only issue with the MK is that the port on it can serve only for charging, should have been expanded to accept had ans so on.

 

[yabeweb]

Better and affordable option available, that’s what I did? Apple option is little too late and overpriced.

Overpriced? Hell yes, better options, I guess it depends.
For me the MK is be best of the pack, I had the old one and now got the one for the 11 M4 and I am in love with this thing.
Could be better? Sure, especially for the price, but it’s a hard one to beat in the market.

 

[Jacquesass]

This sounds like an opportunity for a third-party accessory-maker: a weighted base that attaches to the bottom of the MKB and fixes the weight distribution. You could use this around the house, but leave it at home when you travel and weight is an issue.

 

[stocklen]

simple really.

The Magic Keyboard works only on flat firm surfaces. Fine. Expensive and restricted use cases... but fine.

There are plenty of alternatives such as Logitech's that use a kickstand that eliminates the issue.

 

[Dukat]

The magic keyboard is the reason I haven’t upgraded to the new iPad.
Been using the smart keyboard on several generations of iPad’s and it’s superb. Yes it doesn’t have the touchpad or nice keys but it doesn’t fall over backwards either.

The magic keyboard is great for turning the iPad into a laptop but the iPad is a terrible laptop. It’s made to be a touch device and the high position the magic keyboard put’s the display into makes for uncomfortable and fatiguing touch use.

Very disappointed they stopped selling the smart keyboard for the new models.
Logitech’s solution is not good as it requires far too much space behind the iPad, smart keyboard was perfect.

 

[Reverend Benny]

Combo Touch Keyboard Case for iPad Pro | Logitech

www.logitech.com

Then your baby is protected even of you don't use the keyboard and has a built in stand.

 

[Shirasaki]

Since the iPad is lighter now, a heavier base wouldn’t make the overall iPad and case so heavy.

My current M1 iPad Pro + MKB total weight is 1.075KG, not too bad for the versatility it offers.
I don’t think I will mind too much if the MKB weights a bit more, both for 11” version and 13” version.

 

[msackey]

As I understand, the reason this is happening is because of the need to accommodate the function keys which means the iPad is positioned more back when it's opened. That's the reason why the first version of the iPad Magic Keyboard didn't exhibit this: it sat more forward of the keyboard which also meant less space beneath the iPad for function keys. It's a compromise.