Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

key1115

Suspended
Original poster
Nov 15, 2024
2
0
Just wondering, does anyone here the Magic Keyboard? Is it worth the price? I’m thinking about getting one but wanted to get some opinions first.Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Just wondering, does anyone here the Magic Keyboard? Is it worth the price? I’m thinking about getting one but wanted to get some opinions first.Thanks!
I use it, it’s definitely overpriced for what it does, and yet, there really isn’t anything quite like it if you value its unique selling points enough.

1) The use of magnets makes it easy to attach and detach from your iPad, which is useful if you constantly switch cases. I alternate the use of the Magic Keyboard with the Magic folio and TineeOwl kickstand and simply using my iPad naked.

2) The Magic Keyboard comes with an additional charging port. This allows it to double as a charging stand. You can simply attach your iPad to the Magic Keyboard and it will start charging without you needing to plug in another usb c cable to your iPad. Or it frees up the usb port for another accessory like a portable drive.

3) I see constant comparisons between it and the Logitech keyboard folio, and having tried both, I don’t find them comparable at all. The Apple Magic Keyboard takes up less room, the keyboard and trackpad do legitimacy feel nicer to use (for me), and it feels more stable on the lap. Plus the points already mentioned above.

The downside is that the Magic Keyboard cannot be folded on its back (I miss the Smart Keyboard Folio already), it is heavy (because of the need to make the base stable), and well, it’s pricey. But I understand and appreciate the design considerations that went into the Magic Keyboard, and you won’t find a more integrated solution anywhere else.
 
Just wondering, does anyone here the Magic Keyboard? Is it worth the price? I’m thinking about getting one but wanted to get some opinions first.Thanks!

I use the MKB with my M4 13" and it's on 99% of the time and I love it. "Worth" is subjective but for me it is worth it - I readily bought the new one when I upgraded from the M1 12.9".
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aka757 and key1115
I just got it for my M4 13” two days ago and I truly enjoy it. Overpriced, yes. I gave my son my M2 11” and Magic Keyboard and this is new one is a nice improvement.
 
I will echo everyone else’s sentiment here. It is definitely overpriced (although it does go on sale fairly often from other retailers), but other keyboard cases just don’t compare. I loved the previous gen magic keyboards, and Apple just improved on the design with the M4 models with the solid state trackpad and function row. Highly recommend if you are wanting a laptop-like experience, although if it isn’t urgent you might want to wait for a sale on Amazon / Best Buy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teralpar
I also use one for my iPad Pro M4. Pricy, but it doubles the value of the iPad for me.
With this MKB the iPad is definitly a replacement of my macbook pro; + i have a touchscreeen and a pencil to do handwriting or drawing too which the macbook can not offer.

So in ma eyes totally worth the money overall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teralpar
I made the mistake of buying THREE different third-party keyboard/cases, none worked. That was a lot more expensive than just going with the MK from the get-go.
Don’t Botch it up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teralpar
Bought MK for my previous 12.9 2018 iPP with a huge discount at the time, bought full price for my new iPP 11 M4. In my opinion the best option on the market despite the high price.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jason_crypto
Yep, totally agree with everyone—it’s overpriced, but honestly worth it. I’m using it with my M4 iPad Pro and a CoverBuddy case. Sure, it’s a bit heavy, but I still carry it in my backpack every day.

It’s not for everyone, especially if you care a lot about the weight, but for me, I don’t think I could ever go back to a regular laptop now.
 
It’s overpriced but at the same time worth it. You get an extra charging port, it just works like a charm, compared to Bluetooth options that are buggy and laggy at times. The only real competition is the Logitech combo case but you lose the charging port but get more flexibility and protection on the iPad
 
  • Like
Reactions: stanza.richi
Same as above, been using the 11” for 2 weeks, overpriced but it’s great, saved me buying a MacBook so guess there is that.
Still have to 8th Jan to return though.
Have tried to get one cheaper but no luck yet.

The Logitech is a dog imo, too bulky and cheap in comparison.
 
I made the mistake of buying THREE different third-party keyboard/cases, none worked. That was a lot more expensive than just going with the MK from the get-go.
Don’t Botch it up.

Which brands did you try? I’ve got MK* for my Air, but I’d like to get another one with more protection for traveling.

* It’s so good (and so expensive). One of the best purchases I’ve ever made. The keyboard changed the way I use my Air, it gets much more use with MK.
 
Which brands did you try?
First was a "Brydge" (?) (it was a common word with a y replacing the i, don't think they're in business anymore), it worked well but the hinges cracked and then broke completely after just enough weeks I couldn't return it; then the Logitech, with a squirrelly trackpad and could not set on my lap (sent it back) and the third didn't work at all and wouldn't refund me (can't remember the name, no doubt a chinese fly-by-night). I learned my lesson.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Schrödinger’s
First was a "Brydge" (?) (it was a common word with a y replacing the i, don't think they're in business anymore), it worked well but the hinges cracked and then broke completely after just enough weeks I couldn't return it; then the Logitech, with a squirrelly trackpad and could not set on my lap (sent it back) and the third didn't work at all and wouldn't refund me (can't remember the name, no doubt a chinese fly-by-night). I learned my lesson.
I have a Brydge keyboard with my 6th gen 12.9 iPad Pro, and I love it over the MK. It feels more like a laptop replacement than the MK and I’ve been using that as my case and keyboard since last year. When it’s time to upgrade, I no doubt will have to use the MK as Brydge is out of business.
 
I think it depends on what other devices you have - especially if you have a recent MacBook Air. I’ve had the MK on previous iPads and found it to be the nicest iPad typing experience by far.

However since I own a MBA, realistically I would use that over my iPad with a MK for any tasks involving typing/spreadsheets etc, so too often the MK stayed in a drawer. So since I upgraded my iPad to M4 11” I have settled for a cheaper keyboard case to use in a pinch or the *very* rare occasion I NEED to use an iPad/keyboard over a MBA.

I couldn't even justify the MK in terms of ‘travelling light’ as there’s barely any difference in weight and my MBA is thinner than the IPP+MK.

That said, the new design is really nice so I can totally see the appeal!
 
The MKB is definitely overpriced, but I use my for my 11” M2 iPad Pro everyday. For me, it’s been easily worth the purchase (though I bought it “refurbished” from Amazon).

It just all depends on if the OP can justify the cost of the MKB in relation to their usage.
 
The MKB is definitely overpriced, but I use my for my 11” M2 iPad Pro everyday. For me, it’s been easily worth the purchase (though I bought it “refurbished” from Amazon).

Overpriced it is, but if it gets use, definitely worth the price. My MKB gets used every day, many times 😃

It just all depends on if the OP can justify the cost of the MKB in relation to their usage.

That’s true. But as I wrote, MKB changed my usage pattern completely, and iPad is my favourite :apple: device now. When purchasing MKB, I was like ”Meh, let’s see how many times MKB gets used. I’ll probably return it.” I had iPP with folio before, and that combo didn’t get much use. That’s the reason I was so doubtful. One can just give MKB a try, and be happily surprised!
 
As others have said - it’s overpriced but there is no direct competition!

When I bought my 2020 iPad I got it with a MK and it opened up its capabilities and meant I could now use it as a laptop replacement (not something I had considered previously). So when I bought my 13” M4 there was no way I was getting it without a MK. The newer MK is better than the previous version, I particularly like (and use) the function keys more than I thought I would.
 
I prefer and got way more use with my 11” m4 with the folio, so returned the MGK.
 
I prefer and got way more use with my 11” m4 with the folio, so returned the MGK.
yeah same. It is convenient sometimes, but on the 11” it’s too cramped for typing longer than 5-10 minutes for me. I like a separate keyboard for that work and the on screen keyboard for short one-off emails or input.

Now if I had a 13”, I think the MK makes more sense, but I like the smaller form for iPadie things - reading and drawing.

I’m still of the camp that the iPad sucks as a laptop. I’ll just go on my Mac for that work.
 
  • Like
Reactions: elmoss
I have a love — mostly hate relationship with my Magic Keyboard. This is one of Apple’s worst accessories, but the downside is, there’s no alternatives that work any better.

It just functions — weird.

My fingers continually hit the bottom of the iPad while typing. The trackpad pointer doesn’t always react properly when clicking on something. The little correction pop up at the bottom gets in the way sometimes. I’m continually clicking things I didn’t mean to click because the trackpad is too sensitive. Sometimes using my finger on the screen is a more trusted way of interacting with the UI — which takes away the whole point of the trackpad. Also, the trackpad is mechanical instead of haptic. You have to take the entire iPad off if you want to use it as a tablet, negating the security of a case. When connected to a video screen, you can’t have both images on the screen and the iPad at the same time — or use a separate interface such as video navigation on iPad screen with the full screen video on the other.

It’s just a mess. I keep waiting on a new version that works better, but it seems Apple has forgotten about this accessory.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.