iPad Pro Did anyone else feel the magic Keyboard did not meet their expectations for 11 inch iPad Pro users

[the future]

There's a distinct lack of imagination among some posters as to how the magic keyboard could be better.

Yes, it has to be bottom heavy to balance the iPad's weight as it's currently designed. That doesn't mean it HAS TO BE DESIGNED THAT WAY.

Just watch the Verge's review and look at how the Surface Pro X works.

The Magic Keyboard turns the iPad Pro into something that resembles a laptop

It’s what we’ve all been asking for — for better or worse.

www.theverge.com

I find the integrated kickstand and resulting full keyboard cover with trackpad that doesn't require an entire piece for the back to be much more preferable.

A kickstand is crap for using the device on the lap, though.

 

[muzzy996]

A kickstand is crap for using the device on the lap, though.

Yup, it’s just a matter of choice based on one’s needs. To me I can see the magic keyboard ticking many of the boxes for a lot of people, I’m just not one of them.

 

[gsal]

I prefer the MK implementation. With the Surface Laptop, it’s like you’re building a house of cards and is not lap friendly.

Pros and cons to both approaches but I do prefer the simplicity of the MK. My only major complaint is the missing function row.

I was initially against the idea of the MK as it doesn’t fold back, but I’m slowly coming around to the idea of detaching the iPad when wanting to use in tablet mode.

 

[omelet1978]

My only complaint is that it does not have a function row.

Beyond that I believe it makes it the best iPad it can be right now, but I've been down the road of trying to replace my MacBook with an iPad and every time there are just certain things you can do better on the MacBook. I travel for work though and am going to continue using the MacBook at home and the iPad with the Magic Keyboard (arriving sometime in the next week) when I'm on the road.

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I am very excited as this is going to check almost every box for me. I actually prefer to detach when using in "tablet" mode, so this solution appears to work great for that. Can't wait to get mine tomorrow.

 

[1rottenapple]

It really does seem like it compromises the tablet usage of the iPad too much. I expect not to like it very much ... but hey, that’s what a good return policy is for, right?

Lol yah I know. I’ll try it out

Devils Advocate:
The Smart Cover allows a tablet to get “A laptop experience” without compromising the tablet experience.
The Magic Keyboard allows a tablet to get “A laptop experience” but compromises the tablet experience.

Not trying to argue but there is validity in disappointment. Not because of unfulfilled expectations, but because Apple was already so close with the Smart Cover that this could be perceived as a step back.

true. The Smart Keyboard was pretty good on my 12.. There’s some flaws for sure. But I could live without backlighting if it had a track pad. I would love it if they can do a trackpad on the Smart Keyboard.
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well my friend, I think people like you are exactly the reason Apple still updates and sells the Smart Keyboard folio. We all have different needs
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Consumer: “Make it lighter!”

apple: “ok here you go”

Consumer: “Crap it’s always tipping over! And feels bad quality!”

Apple: “Well how do you think we make it lighter? Alter the laws of physics?”

Consumer: “...ok just make it heavier. God damn why did you ever listen to me”

I didn’t think about weight as important to keep the tablet secure and prevent tipping over so that’s a good point. You can’t fool physics.

 

[nrvna76]

I don’t even have an iPad Pro, but I know this keyboard is intriguing to me and makes me question whether I want one or not, even more than I used to. Lol, exactly what Apple is hoping for. I’d use the keyboard as more of a dock at a desk that’s plugged in most of the time and can charge the iPad. As a bonus, you can also take it with you, but it’s not quite as portable as other options.

 

[muzzy996]

I don’t even have an iPad Pro, but I know this keyboard is intriguing to me and makes me question whether I want one or not, even more than I used to. Lol, exactly what Apple is hoping for. I’d use the keyboard as more of a dock at a desk that’s plugged in most of the time and can charge the iPad. As a bonus, you can also take it with you, but it’s not quite as portable as other options.

My thoughts too except it would have been nice if one could have done more with the USB-C port on the keyboard itself. From what I understand, if I wanted my desktop workspace to include external peripherals I’d still have to plug those into the side of the iPP rather than the port on the Magic Keyboard. That’s unfortunate.

 

[sparksd]

My thoughts too except it would have been nice if one could have done more with the USB-C port on the keyboard itself. From what I understand, if I wanted my desktop workspace to include external peripherals I’d still have to plug those into the side of the iPP rather than the port on the Magic Keyboard. That’s unfortunate.

Right. The keyboard port is for charging only.

 

[dotnet]

I’m a 12.9” user, but if I may put in my 2 cents...

I ordered the magic keyboard because it looked super cool in the introduction video, and seemed like what I’ve always wanted in a keyboard. Now, that I’ve been using it for a couple of days I must say that it far exceeds my expectations. It is just insanely great, and opens up a whole new dimension to the iPad Pro.

Due to soaring MBP prices here in AU I’ve been hanging on to my mid-2014 model, but I’ve been worrying about the day it dies or becomes unusable for my work. I’ve been on the fence about the iPad Pro as alternative, but took the plunge earlier this month. A lot of things work well, but many are awkward. Luckily, the things that don’t work at all (ripping CDs or DVDs for example) are not required for my work.

This keyboard changes the balance in favour of the iPad Pro so much so that I haven’t touched the MBP for the whole two days, and worked solely off the iPad. I shall keep an eye on that, but right now I can’t think of anything that would give me trouble.

The difference it makes to using Blink alone (a terminal app with SSH and Mosh support) is something to behold. Safari is a breeze now. But on top of the convenience of having a keyboard and trackpad, this thing is also very comfortable and versatile to use, quite unlike the countless wobbly, flop-around and kick-stand contraptions out there. This iPad-keyboard combo is a rigid as a MacBook.

A couple of things I found missing that Apple should add:
- a keyboard backlight control for the Control Center
- double-tap+hold+drag, like on the Mac (where it’s an accessibility setting)

 

[dotnet]

Looks like Gruber loves it, too

 

[mpetrides]

I can’t wait until my MK arrives on Thursday. I’ve read all the reviews and watched every video I can find about the MK and all they have done is ramp up my anticipation.

I’m currently using the Smart Keyboard Folio (SKF) with my 12.9 inch IPP. While it’s OK, I find it awkward to type on it while sitting on the couch with my legs on the coffee table enjoying the fireplace. I think the floating display of the MK will improve the feel for this use and that would be a plus.

But the main draws of the MK for me are the trackpad and the backlit keys. When iPad OS came out, I purchased a Magic Mouse 2 to use with my IPP but have found it intolerably laggy at times, presumably due to BT lag. Hopefully the fact that the trackpad on the MK is hardwired to the iPad will solve this issue. And the backlit keys will certainly be a boon in a dark room.

My big concern had been that I use my IPP fairly often for handwritten note-taking and was concerned about scratching the back by laying it down unprotected on a table or desk. However, I just watched a YouTube video by iJustine that allayed this fear with two suggestions. First, if you take the iPad off the MK and want a soft place to rest it on, just close the keyboard and use the top of it as a pad for the iPad. This actually appears to be marginally quicker than flipping the SKF over on itself for writing/drawing on the iPad. Second, if you leave the iPad attached to the Magic Keyboard, you can simply flip the whole thing over so that the keyboard is perpendicular to the desktop and poof, you have a stable drawing/writing surface that sort of resembles a drafting table.* (A little hard to describe—watch the video!)

So, there appear to be two very viable alternatives that are at least as easy and safe as flipping the SKF over to lie the iPad flat for writing. Sounds like that limitation will be a non-issue for me.

*This works with the SKF too. I’m amazed I never thought of it before and have never seen it suggested before.

 

[canyonblue737]

Like many here I was super psych about the magic Keyboard. It fixes the annoying things about the Smart Keyboard, like the skin cover, lack of backlight (annoying to use at night), lack of mouse pad, typing experience was mushy. On the surface it looks almost perfect! The floating design is classic Apple.
But man was I disappointed when I heard about the weight. It doubles the weight of the 11 in! And I think the part that rule bums me out is it does flip all the way back so you really can’t use your tablet without taking it off the keyboard case. What a bummer.

it’s essential a laptop replacement if you use it with the keyboard and along it comes the weight. I can see this would be suitable for a 12 in iPad that hardly moves around but in the 11 where I use it all over the house it misses the mark.

A lot going on in your comment so let's hit the points one by one...

1. I have used a Smart Keyboard Folio for years. At first I hated the typing action but in time I grew used to it, I feel the key action is "ok" for the most part. It isn't great. I'm not sure getting it to light up as designed would be possible.

2. I too was hoping for everything you were but I think the best we could have hoped for to get close to your suggestion is the way the Surface Pro thin keyboard is designed. It has real keys, maybe not great ones like the Magic Keyboard, but maybe halfway between the MK and Smart Keyboard. It also has a trackpad, is thin, and folds behind the Surface tablet. How does it do this? Well it magnetically hinges to the front bottom lip of the Surface so it sticks out further and the Surface itself stands using an integrated fold out stand. Works ok but kickstands suck for your lap. I don't see a way you can make a design like this using the iPad as currently designed, it would require a new iPad design and major rethink. Look at a Smart Folio, when it slots into a lip there is no room to add space for a trackpad, it won't fit in the size constraint of the dimensions of the case. It MUST float up to work like the MK and to float up it pushes the iPad back and further from the keys and trackpad. This changes the entire center of gravity and makes it very top heavy and would tip something light like a Smart Folio right over, hence the added weight. You also need added weight to provide strength and rigidity to the magnetic attachment and hinge... if that wasn't ROCK solid a lot of $1000+ iPads would be crashing to the ground right about now.

3. Basically Apple had to make a choice... they couldn't fit a trackpad into a Smart Folio like keyboard so they decided to just keep both and let you choose. If light weight and folding the case back on itself is the priority then you must choose the Smart Folio and when you need to do a heavy amount of typing you could always pair it with a Magic Trackpad or a small bluetooth mouse which are fairly easy to bring when traveling. If on the other hand you mainly extensively use your iPad for typing, typing, and more typing OR you mostly use your iPad at home the MK is probably fairly ideal. You get a world class keyboard, backlighting, and adjustable screen tilt with an always available built in trackpad and when you need to use the iPad as a tablet on lesser occasions you can just pull it off and leave the keyboard behind on your desk. Likely fairly safe at home.

There is no one way to have it all... the closest to what you describe again is the surface pro keyboard and i encourage you to check it out, but it is a master of none... it still isn't a great keyboard to type on, i don't think it is backlight, its a bit heavier than the smart folio keyboard BUT it is still much lighter than MK, folds back on itself, and has a trackpad. to do it though and make on like that for the iPad would require a significant redesign of the iPad including an integrated kickstand to the iPad, which of course then makes the iPad thicker and heavier too...

This is why Apple and their engineers get paid the big bucks... to try to solve these impossible problems, and for now this is the best answer...

 

[1rottenapple]

A lot going on in your comment so let's hit the points one by one...

1. I have used a Smart Keyboard Folio for years. At first I hated the typing action but in time I grew used to it, I feel the key action is "ok" for the most part. It isn't great. I'm not sure getting it to light up as designed would be possible.

2. I too was hoping for everything you were but I think the best we could have hoped for to get close to your suggestion is the way the Surface Pro thin keyboard is designed. It has real keys, maybe not great ones like the Magic Keyboard, but maybe halfway between the MK and Smart Keyboard. It also has a trackpad, is thin, and folds behind the Surface tablet. How does it do this? Well it magnetically hinges to the front bottom lip of the Surface so it sticks out further and the Surface itself stands using an integrated fold out stand. Works ok but kickstands suck for your lap. I don't see a way you can make a design like this using the iPad as currently designed, it would require a new iPad design and major rethink. Look at a Smart Folio, when it slots into a lip there is no room to add space for a trackpad, it won't fit in the size constraint of the dimensions of the case. It MUST float up to work like the MK and to float up it pushes the iPad back and further from the keys and trackpad. This changes the entire center of gravity and makes it very top heavy and would tip something light like a Smart Folio right over, hence the added weight. You also need added weight to provide strength and rigidity to the magnetic attachment and hinge... if that wasn't ROCK solid a lot of $1000+ iPads would be crashing to the ground right about now.

3. Basically Apple had to make a choice... they couldn't fit a trackpad into a Smart Folio like keyboard so they decided to just keep both and let you choose. If light weight and folding the case back on itself is the priority then you must choose the Smart Folio and when you need to do a heavy amount of typing you could always pair it with a Magic Trackpad or a small bluetooth mouse which are fairly easy to bring when traveling. If on the other hand you mainly extensively use your iPad for typing, typing, and more typing OR you mostly use your iPad at home the MK is probably fairly ideal. You get a world class keyboard, backlighting, and adjustable screen tilt with an always available built in trackpad and when you need to use the iPad as a tablet on lesser occasions you can just pull it off and leave the keyboard behind on your desk. Likely fairly safe at home.

There is no one way to have it all... the closest to what you describe again is the surface pro keyboard and i encourage you to check it out, but it is a master of none... it still isn't a great keyboard to type on, i don't think it is backlight, its a bit heavier than the smart folio keyboard BUT it is still much lighter than MK, folds back on itself, and has a trackpad. to do it though and make on like that for the iPad would require a significant redesign of the iPad including an integrated kickstand to the iPad, which of course then makes the iPad thicker and heavier too...

This is why Apple and their engineers get paid the big bucks... to try to solve these impossible problems, and for now this is the best answer...

Ya great post. I agree my mom has a surface pro and it tries to be everything but doesn’t truly excel at anything imho. Again my opinion hope I don’t rule anyone up. It’s an ok laptop on a desk, poor laptop on the lap, drawing mode isn’t too good. tablet mode is not great. Maybe it’s improve. Hers is a 3 yrs old model. it is also true about the weight. I think it needed to be heavy for stability. Can’t fool physics.

 

[RevTEG]

I can’t wait until my MK arrives on Thursday. I’ve read all the reviews and watched every video I can find about the MK and all they have done is ramp up my anticipation.

I’m currently using the Smart Keyboard Folio (SKF) with my 12.9 inch IPP. While it’s OK, I find it awkward to type on it while sitting on the couch with my legs on the coffee table enjoying the fireplace. I think the floating display of the MK will improve the feel for this use and that would be a plus.

But the main draws of the MK for me are the trackpad and the backlit keys. When iPad OS came out, I purchased a Magic Mouse 2 to use with my IPP but have found it intolerably laggy at times, presumably due to BT lag. Hopefully the fact that the trackpad on the MK is hardwired to the iPad will solve this issue. And the backlit keys will certainly be a boon in a dark room.

My big concern had been that I use my IPP fairly often for handwritten note-taking and was concerned about scratching the back by laying it down unprotected on a table or desk. However, I just watched a YouTube video by iJustine that allayed this fear with two suggestions. First, if you take the iPad off the MK and want a soft place to rest it on, just close the keyboard and use the top of it as a pad for the iPad. This actually appears to be marginally quicker than flipping the SKF over on itself for writing/drawing on the iPad. Second, if you leave the iPad attached to the Magic Keyboard, you can simply flip the whole thing over so that the keyboard is perpendicular to the desktop and poof, you have a stable drawing/writing surface that sort of resembles a drafting table.* (A little hard to describe—watch the video!)

So, there appear to be two very viable alternatives that are at least as easy and safe as flipping the SKF over to lie the iPad flat for writing. Sounds like that limitation will be a non-issue for me.

*This works with the SKF too. I’m amazed I never thought of it before and have never seen it suggested before.

I use my IPP 12.9 for note taking as well. I have a gen 2 switchEasy coverbuddy laying around that I’m going to test with the MK later today when it arrives. That might work for you as well. I don’t work for them/have zero connection to them. It worked Pretty well with my ASK. There were a few drawbacks though.

 

[jerryk]

For me it was the inability to fold it back like my current Folio Keyboard that sealed the deal. The Magic Keyboard is somewhere on the way, but I won't even open it.