You can’t lay it flat without a case due to the camera bump.
The lack of being able to fold behind certainly puts me off the new case.
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Resolved Does the new Magic Keyboard fold back?
- Thread starter kht410
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The lack of being able to fold behind certainly puts me off the new case.
There’s still options out there of you want something different - both Apple and Microsoft have taken different approaches to this challenge which shows there’s no magic answer here. With the form factor they’re never going to please everybody with a single product.
if they’d gone for an updated smart folio with a trackpad, there would be no backlighting and it wouldn’t be great on the lap. But you could fold the case back on itself which seems to be the main criticism about the functionality of this one - although ironically I think most people also complained that they didn’t like folding the smart folio back on itself either.
That product still exists though if you want something lightweight. Although it only has a couple of viewing angles.
Brydge keyboards also exist if you want something which is traditionally more like a laptop in form factor. But you need to remove the iPad which isn’t quick due to their clever hinge mechanism.
The new Logitech keyboard and trackpad cover looks very nice - exactly like the Surface approach with a kickstand and is significantly cheaper - I think that’s a very important product for Apple as it gives you a very affordable laptop-like product.
i just seen the Magic Keyboard as a new type of product - its a docking station for your iPad or makes it in to a laptop-type product with some of the limitations of them. But you can also remove the iPad instantly and use it as a traditional tablet.
Of course, you can also just use it with any case and your current keyboard & trackpad. So it’s not like options are limited if you do want to use your iPad as your main device now.
Comparing the weight of the Magic keyboard & iPad Pro to the MacBook Air is a bit reductive if you prefer to/can work on iOS.
I thought it was very interesting to see this product launched alongside the new Air, when its the iPad Pro which is faster (higher single core performance than any Mac laptop at the moment right?), has no thermal issues, a better screen, FaceID, a much better front-facing camera and is arguably more adaptable to a number of different use-cases.
if they’d gone for an updated smart folio with a trackpad, there would be no backlighting and it wouldn’t be great on the lap. But you could fold the case back on itself which seems to be the main criticism about the functionality of this one - although ironically I think most people also complained that they didn’t like folding the smart folio back on itself either.
That product still exists though if you want something lightweight. Although it only has a couple of viewing angles.
Brydge keyboards also exist if you want something which is traditionally more like a laptop in form factor. But you need to remove the iPad which isn’t quick due to their clever hinge mechanism.
The new Logitech keyboard and trackpad cover looks very nice - exactly like the Surface approach with a kickstand and is significantly cheaper - I think that’s a very important product for Apple as it gives you a very affordable laptop-like product.
i just seen the Magic Keyboard as a new type of product - its a docking station for your iPad or makes it in to a laptop-type product with some of the limitations of them. But you can also remove the iPad instantly and use it as a traditional tablet.
Of course, you can also just use it with any case and your current keyboard & trackpad. So it’s not like options are limited if you do want to use your iPad as your main device now.
Comparing the weight of the Magic keyboard & iPad Pro to the MacBook Air is a bit reductive if you prefer to/can work on iOS.
I thought it was very interesting to see this product launched alongside the new Air, when its the iPad Pro which is faster (higher single core performance than any Mac laptop at the moment right?), has no thermal issues, a better screen, FaceID, a much better front-facing camera and is arguably more adaptable to a number of different use-cases.
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Having a stand on the iPad itself makes it not very lap friendly - this solution looks much better - fine with the weight of this solution
Kinda disappointed all that thickness added didn’t include an independent battery for the backlit keyboard. It would have been a nice touch and a great excuse for the added weight
Idk not that impressed, I was on the fence when ordering due to the price but ordered anyways. Illl wait and see how it feels in real world use and if it’s really a must have accessory or just a $350 nice to have. That price still kills me 😵
Idk not that impressed, I was on the fence when ordering due to the price but ordered anyways. Illl wait and see how it feels in real world use and if it’s really a must have accessory or just a $350 nice to have. That price still kills me 😵
Ya me too. It’s not for my use case since I use mine as an 11 inch tablet for entertainment and writing. Not typing.
Was really excited by the new keyboard as I often use my ipad as a MBP replacement. But quite disappointed with the product that Apple have released. This really should have been able to replace my Smart Keyboard and I am sure they could have come up with a mechanism to allow it to fold back fully to use in portrait mode. I travel a lot, cycle to work, use trains and planes (prior to Covid-19 crisis), as well as using my ipad all over the house, in bed, in the kitchen when cooking etc etc. Landscape is very useful for work and general internet browsing, emails but not so good when taking notes and reading books and magazines. Having a case that only really gives me a track pad but removes the portrait mode is, IMO, an unfair trade off. I am sure many people can make this fit their work flow and lifestyle but I will have to wait for the next version. Real shame as I was really looking forward to this.
I actually never liked the way the Smart Keyboard folded back. The exposed keys in the back always felt strange and unwieldy. From the videos I’ve seen, removing the iPad from the Magic Keyboard looks really quick and easy. You’d still be able to use portrait mode but without the keys protruding from the back.
Yeah but would have to open case, remove ipad, then put the case away in my bag and then bring it back out and reattach the ipad if, lets say, I want to send a quick email or edit a document, then unattach ipad, put keyboard away in bag etc. Would work fine at a desk but often that is not the case when traveling. Trying to keep things simple rather than make them more complicated. I do agree that the keys folded back feel a bit wierd but that never impacted on function and I’ve done a lot of notes taking in portrait mode with the keyboard folded back. Quickly being able to close it and protect the screen after is also very helpful.
I agree...having to keep up the constant attaching/reattaching of the case every time you want to use the iPad in Portrait mode would get annoying quickly. It would just be another thing I’d be constantly searching for around the house (ie like car keys)....okay, where did I leave the keyboard case.
I can see the appeal for this case...especially for someone who’s looking to turn the iPad into a quasi laptop replacement. But for those that use the iPad in portrait mode a lot too (ie lying on the couch surfing, Youtube,etc..).....this is where things get complicated.
There must not be an easy solution to this (ie a slim keyboard case for the current design of the iPad that folds back without exposing the keys)...or someone (is 3rd party) would have come up with it. Perhaps when Apple moved the smart connector to the rear of the iPad, made it tough design such a product 🤷🏼♂️.
To me, the most elegant solution that I’ve seen/used was the Smart Keyboard cover for the 10.5 IPP (is my previous iPad). I wish they could create a case like this for the current iPads for those that want a slim, light case that is also versatile. But with the smart connector being in its current placement....I don’t know if it’s possible. To me, this case had a lot of pros and after having used it for 2 1/2 yrs...an only one “major” con:
Pros:
- Design: Sleek and elegant (IMHO) - Hard to distinguish from a regular Smart Cover...at a glance.
- Weight: Very light and adds almost no bulk.
- Folding back: keys not exposed when folding back for use in portrait mode.
- No back cover: To me this is a pro...keeps the iPad light. No scratches on my 10.5 IPP after 2 1/2 yrs of use.
- Keyboard: Functional for those who don’t spend all day typing on an iPad keyboard. I like the keyboard feel myself.
- Material: Exterior material same as Smart Cover/Smart Folio...much better (IMHO) than the exterior material used on the Smart Keyboard Folio or Magic Keyboard...as it has the same exterior material as the SKF. Personally, I hate the look and feel of the exterior material used on the SKF.
- Unreliable: I’ve had two of those cases and both experienced the same issues. Constantly loses connection to the iPad requiring detaching/reattaching. Repeating letters or symbols at random...requiring detaching/reattaching. First one finally stopped working as the above mentioned problems continued to worsen. Second one started exhibiting the same issues shortly after Purchase.
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That is exactly my use case. I like to use the iPad naked for extended reading, but I like to have the keyboard with me all the time in case I have to write an email — or a comment on MacRumors! To me, the iPad is a mobile device, not a desktop device. I don’t like what this keyboard reveals about how Apple thinks about the iPad. I fear they are moving it away from a mobile device towards a “real” computer.
I actually love what this keyboard reveals about their vision of the ipad, which is essentially a modular computer.
I’m guessing if the hinge was designed to fold all the way back, it would have made it inherently weaker or more difficult/bulky to engineer? I’m sure there will be an engineer around who can offer an opinion...
To be fair, nothing in the promo video suggested otherwise - which is probably why they made a thing of it being shown either in the Magic Keyboard case or out of it.
Again, I guess it depends on your use case. For me, its going to be used in the case when I’d traditionally be using a laptop. So when I’m not ”working” I will just remove it and use it with no case or put it in a smart folio. I don’t think there will be much snapping on/snapping off during a normal day.
To be fair, nothing in the promo video suggested otherwise - which is probably why they made a thing of it being shown either in the Magic Keyboard case or out of it.
Again, I guess it depends on your use case. For me, its going to be used in the case when I’d traditionally be using a laptop. So when I’m not ”working” I will just remove it and use it with no case or put it in a smart folio. I don’t think there will be much snapping on/snapping off during a normal day.
IMO that is more a software rather than hardware issue. I still need my MBP to run pretty much every commercial stats package and although they have made big improvements with multitasking it is still much easier on a MBP. Don’t get me wrong, I can easily go weeks without needing to open my MBP but until all the software is available on the IPad I will always need a secondary computer.
I had been thinking all along that this would fold back. I am glad I didn't order now.
I am surprised they didn't come up with some sort of solution for it to possibly fold in where the back of the iPad body would sit flat against the keyboard. I use my iPad too much back and forth between keyboard and writing. I am on the road and very mobile. I go into a project and work out drawings and layouts, go sit in the office, type out a report, go back out to another section, draw, and back and forth. I use the cover to protect it when I am not using it, and open and close it.
Looks like I am going to stick with my Keyboard folio, I have never been unhappy with it, I just thought this would be an improvement over that. As far as feeling the keys when it is folded back, this is something I got used to quick.
Hopefully they keep working on this design, they are getting there.
I am surprised they didn't come up with some sort of solution for it to possibly fold in where the back of the iPad body would sit flat against the keyboard. I use my iPad too much back and forth between keyboard and writing. I am on the road and very mobile. I go into a project and work out drawings and layouts, go sit in the office, type out a report, go back out to another section, draw, and back and forth. I use the cover to protect it when I am not using it, and open and close it.
Looks like I am going to stick with my Keyboard folio, I have never been unhappy with it, I just thought this would be an improvement over that. As far as feeling the keys when it is folded back, this is something I got used to quick.
Hopefully they keep working on this design, they are getting there.
But what if you use the iPad while walking around a lot and using the Apple Pencil? Would be a clumsy setup keeping the case under your arm and swapping back and forth adding and removing it from under the arm.
The Keyboard folio design would had been so great.
Based on my experience with the Smart Keyboard, I fear that camera bump will mangle the finish on the £350 magic keyboard in a matter of weeks.
I guess I don't see many scenarios in which you can't just put the keyboard case down while you're walking around. I assume you have in mind a work setting in which you need to walk around showing your work to others or doing a presentation. Again, you just leave the case behind at your desk or inside your bag while you're doing that.
I think the keyboard case already comes into contact with far greater dangers than the iPad camera bump.
Obviously there's never going to be a perfect solution for every use case. When it comes to 2-in-1 modular devices, that's just the reality of it. I don't think we'll ever get a seamless innovation that checks every box and I've owned every type of them.
- Windows/Chrome laptops with 360 hinges - Pretty neat party trick, but you will also have clackity keys in the back while you hold the device in tablet mode. Too heavy for tablet use.
- Surface Pro - Great kickstand that provides every possible angle you could want, but doesn't do well on the lap and takes up a lot of desk space.
- Surface Book - Easily remove the screen portion with a press of a button and flip it over for presentation or drawing mode, but has that large gap in the hinge. Very heavy in clamshell mode.
- Smart Folio Keyboard - Light and keeps the iPad easy to use even when connected but that convenience comes at the cost of features like quality keyboard, trackpad, additional ports, etc.
I’m in a lot of basements and building exteriors. Nowhere to put it down. The Keyboard folio ends up being that perfect solution. I was just hoping for that folio case with backlit keyboard and usb charging.
This one seems more of a leave it on my desk most of the time type of product.
I’m leaning towards just sticking with the Smart keyboard folio as well....although still undecided. I got a great deal on an open box in pristine condition for $145. I don’t love the SKF. But, I do think it’s a solid product with just a couple of negatives: Very boring utilitarian style, exterior material, keys not backlit and it’s not great to use in portrait mode with the cover folded back (although at least it can be used this way In a pinch). Color options would be nice!
However, I did order the Magic case and I’ll try it on my 11 inch IPP when it arrives this week. The weight of the case and the use of the same substandard (IMO) exterior material along with the price/value of the Magic case would be the main reasons for me choosing just sticking with the SKF. Although the trackpad and extra charging ports are big draws for the Magic case.
if I do decide to go with the Magic case....definitely will have a Smart Folio as well for times when I want to use in portrait mode, use the pencil or just lighten the load or shrink the footprint (ie when using on a plane for entertainment). I just don’t like using the IPP case less...it’s too slippery and tough to hold that way...IMO!
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Just got mine today and it's so much nicer in real life than the pictures. A massive, gargantuan step up from the old folio.
If you flip the iPad upside down so the keyboard is up in the air and the iPad is flat with its back on the table, it works great for drawing.
If you flip the iPad upside down so the keyboard is up in the air and the iPad is flat with its back on the table, it works great for drawing.
Ah, the first person to realise the solution, well done that man.
Cant wait to try mine when it. Arrives this afternoon
It's a thing of beauty. I actually like how heavy it is as it just feels so robust and sturdy and I think I'll use my iPad much more "as Jobs intended" e.g. naked now as it's so easy to pull it off.
One thing that will take time to get used to is how loud the trackpad click is. It's so loud compared to any Apple trackpad I've used in my life. I may consider enabling Tap to Click which I've never done before. Or I'll try and get used to the sound!
When flip up / drawing position, if you apply pressure specially on the top screen, will it fall flat easily?
Also what size is your iPad?
This video shows the hinge doesn’t handle pressure well (12.9”)
I was hoping the 11” would be sturdier at this position due to less weight to support.
Thanks in advance 😃