iPad Pro Do you really need a keyboard?

[MacMan2013]

Depends what you use your iPad for really. If you are like me and generally use it for reading, listening, playing games, looking at news, emails, things where you don't need to type much if at all, then no. If you are using it to write a book or prepare reports, then unless you are going to dictate everything you need a keyboard. Or just switch to your Mac for lengthy typing.

 

[StaceyMJ86]

I love my Brydge keyboard on my 12.9 iPad Pro. I’m always typing something, so it’s faster and easier for me to use the keyboard that doubles as a case vs the onscreen keyboard. My keyboard also resembles a laptop, which is what I was in the market for when it came to searching for keyboard. Plus it’s easier to type when I’m on social media with the Brydge keyboard.

 

[ilikewhey]

MKB has been a joy on my 12.9 5th gen. Can't imagine using it without it..

MKB adds so much weight though 😭

i'm constantly switching from the MKD to my 20 bucks folio case i got off amazon when i take my ipad on the go.

 

[iPadified]

No physical keyboard for me. I actually like typing on screen keyboard except that it leaves very little space on the screen for the text.

 

[Stiksi]

Pro tip, any bluetooth keyboard works with the iPad. No need to pay hundreds for the iPad-specific keyboard. I’m using an old Apple bluetooth keyboard that came with a mac and it also works great with my Microsoft Surface. And it’s light as a feather and super thin, so I can just chuck it in the bag and not worry about adding weight or bulk.

 

[darngooddesign]

MKB adds so much weight though 😭

i'm constantly switching from the MKD to my 20 bucks folio case i got off amazon when i take my ipad on the go.

There are lighter weight keyboards without trackpads.

 

[Surfsalot]

Never ever use them, tried but no like.

 

[nburwell]

I do a lot of typing on my IPP during the day as I use it in conjunction with my work laptop while working from home. At night is when I use it as a traditional tablet since I remove the iPad from the MK and have it sit on my lap while I browse the internet or stream shows/films.

I will say, if I didn’t work from home and was in the office instead, I probably would not have bought the MK. Even though it’s certainly overpriced (and I got it at a discount), it still gets use pretty much everyday.

 

[Zazoh]

saw an employee in Apple Store one time typing on iPad keyboard very fast. He said he forced himself and it took a few months.

I use an external Mac keyboard when I have more than occasional typing to do. But with predictive typing and dictation I should just practice more.

 

[one more]

I personally do not and am very happy with on-screen keyboard that I can use in three different languages and layouts. However, I type mostly shortish notes and emails, as opposed to pages and pages of text.

Otherwise the typing position and key feedback of the “normal” physical keyboard is way better if long writing is your thing, IMO.

 

[ssledoux]

Well, I got my Magic Keyboard for my new Air today, and it is such a game changer for me. I loved it on both my iPPs, so I knew I wanted one - am thankful to have gotten one on here in new condition for a great price. I’ve been waiting patiently, but am SO happy to be typing on it right now!

 

[spiderman0616]

If I were buying a larger screen iPad right now, I'd buy the latest Air and a smart cover and no keyboard. When I needed a larger display, keyboard, and mouse I'd use it just like I use my current mini and plug into my desktop station. And it would be even better because my mini doesn't support full screen external display.

I had the 12.9" Pro with Magic Keyboard for over a year. It was very chunky and heavy and I ended up not super loving it. Moving from that setup to the original M1 MacBook Air felt like heaven.

 

[ssledoux]

If I were buying a larger screen iPad right now, I'd buy the latest Air and a smart cover and no keyboard. When I needed a larger display, keyboard, and mouse I'd use it just like I use my current mini and plug into my desktop station. And it would be even better because my mini doesn't support full screen external display.

I had the 12.9" Pro with Magic Keyboard for over a year. It was very chunky and heavy and I ended up not super loving it. Moving from that setup to the original M1 MacBook Air felt like heaven.

The air is a really sweet spot size-wise, and I haven’t missed a pro feature so far. Of course, getting an iMac again satisfied that urge for more screen!

 

[sracer]

I was going through a cabinet in my office where I have all sorts of covers and cases for my devices and discovered that I still had the Apple Smart Keyboard Cover for the 12.9 iPad Pro I had years ago. Although I have the Smart Keyboard Cover for my 9th gen iPad, I tried the 12.9 version with it... the pogo pins line up and the keyboard works.

I don't know how often I'll use it, but it's nice to know that I have a highly portable option for a larger keyboard. 😁

 

[msackey]

Seems that writing with the Apple Pencil and converting it into regular computer text works pretty sweet.

It doesn't work reliably or easy enough for me. It is pretty good for short note taking such as making annotations on books and PDFs, but to write say a long email or take down any writing of length, it's much easier to do so with a keyboard. Not just easier; flows smoother.

I do use the pencil when marking up ebooks or writing short notes. But anything that involves long descriptions including my own diary entries or academic jottings, it's the keyboard I'd use.

 

[Wokis]

I wouldn’t call an Apple Pencil scribble feature good enough vs typing on a keyboard. There is just no way. Maybe if you don’t have to write much in one go. I get flashbacks from school where we still wrote all exams by hand. The horror!

Bought the “whats a computer” origami keyboard for my 10.5” IPP and it has been lightly used to put it mildly. Thus, I regret that purchase pretty bad. Few are the times where I wouldn’t rather type on my macbook.

If you’re all about that hybrid lifestyle and your app ecosystem is ipad friendly, consider a keyboard. Else, the ipad does work as a tablet as well. I feel pretty much like an outlier but I have neither pencil nor keyboard for my IPP 12.9” and I don’t plan on buying them.

 

[thmsnt]

I love the Magic Keyboard on my M2 12.9. Typing this comment on it right now. Hands-down the best accessory you can get for the iPad Pro, IMO.

 

[scorpio vega]

As a huge fan of the surface, I feel like I definitely need a keyboard as it is essentially another laptop and it doesn’t function as well for productivity without.

With an iPad I don’t feel it is necessary. That’s the Beauty of iPadOS

 

[nStyle]

At first when I seen the MKB announced for the 12.9” iPad Pro I thought that was the most redundant thing to ever happen and why wouldn’t you just use a laptop?

Well I was wrong, two years of owning this setup and going back to a laptop feels ancient. I still use the touch screen a lot too.

 

[stanza.richi]

Sometimes I use my 12.9” with MK, sometimes without it and with Apple Pencil or with finger. Magnets make really ease to do this switch

(not a fan of bulky case or case at all, I prefer my devices caseless).

 

[Soondae]

Yes I need that keyboard on my iPad Pro, I replaced my MacBook on account of it.

 

[doolar]

I will continue to praise the Keyboard Folio for anyone not needing the trackpad and backlit keyboard. It also folds back so you can keep it on while using the iPad as a tablet.

It’s lightweight almost the same as a normal non keyboard folio, which makes it great for travel etc.

I love the keyboard folio for my 11” 2018 IPP, I hope Apple will continue to offer it for coming IPP´s.

 

[Abazigal]

I will continue to praise the Keyboard Folio for anyone not needing the trackpad and backlit keyboard. It also folds back so you can keep it on while using the iPad as a tablet.

It’s lightweight almost the same as a normal non keyboard folio, which makes it great for travel etc.

I love the keyboard folio for my 11” 2018 IPP, I hope Apple will continue to offer it for coming IPP´s.

Amen. That's the reason I returned my Magic Keyboard and went back to the Smart Keyboard as well. 😛

 

[The Game 161]

magic keyboard for 12.9 ipad pro is very good. I still prefer the feel of a laptop though certainly on the lap. That said it's comfortable to use. Wish the MK on ipad pro was slightly bigger though

 

[Greenmeenie]

Even tho my iPad Pro has replaced my laptop, I never got the keyboard. I much prefer typing on the virtual keyboard or writing with the apple pencil.