iPad Pro Feedback on New iPad Magic Keyboard

[Grobaouche]

A quick feedback on my recent purchase of the new Magic Keyboard (along with a new 11’ OLED iPad Pro), coming from the previous one (paired with an 2018 11’ iPad Pro).

Pros :
- The new one feels great with the aluminium material, it is a tiny bit thinner and lighter.
- The typing experience is roughly the same in my opinion.
- The function keys are a great addition, especially the « esc » and screen brightness keys.
- The external covering seems a bit smoother to the touch, but maybe it is just because it is brand new compared to my previous one.
- The hinge is the right amount of stiff, maybe on the stiffer side, and locks very well one fully open with the screen tilted.

Cons :
- It feels less stable when completely open with the screen tilted, as seen in some video on YT, so when using the palm rest you can feel sometimes the keyboard moving just a bit by pressing it down, as the hinge does not fully contact with the surface to help the balance and stability.
- The hinge does a bit a tiny squeaky sound when being opened and especially when closing for fully open and tilted position, something I did not have on my previous one. Not an issue but quite annoying given the price and the nice materials used.

Overall very nice keyboard evolution, some better aspects, some tiny downgrades, depends on where you put your priorities.

Any thoughts or similar experiences ?

 

[sparksd]

I have it for the 13" Pro, upgrade from the 2021 M1 12.9. I really like the new keyboard - lighter weight, function keys, larger trackpad, and aluminum material all really standing out.

 

[Isengardtom]

I like it a lot too. Only downside for me is it's not as easy to open and can slide a bit, especially on a glass surface like my terrace table for example

But otherwise great - Also like the new folio for when the iPad is not on the keyboard

 

[Grobaouche]

Ah yes I agree, a bit more difficult to open !
No little squeaky sound when closing it from fully open ?

 

[sparksd]

Ah yes I agree, a bit more difficult to open !
No little squeaky sound when closing it from fully open ?

No squeaks here.

 

[Isengardtom]

No squeaks here either.

 

[ndouglas]

I agree with pretty much all of the above, it was an expensive purchase for basically the pleasure of an Esc key…. and the whole top row is welcome, but it’ll take more time for my muscle memory to un-learn the touch-screen habits of using the top right to adjust brightness, and to remember that I do have an Esc key! sigh. Other things that stand out to me are:

-as noted harder to open, not a huge issue but still…
-makes ipad less stable (not drastically but…), harder to set down w/o it falling backwards

-just noticed for the first time the “lock” button at the top right of the keyboard… neat! another thing to train myself to remember it’s there, not really needed for my use case, but… cool i guess


Overall I used the last one enough for almost 3 years to make it worth it, but, eh, $300 or $100 a year for 3 years… 🤗🤨

 

[sparksd]

I agree with pretty much all of the above, it was an expensive purchase for basically the pleasure of an Esc key…. and the whole top row is welcome, but it’ll take more time for my muscle memory to un-learn the touch-screen habits of using the top right to adjust brightness, and to remember that I do have an Esc key! sigh. Other things that stand out to me are:

-as noted harder to open, not a huge issue but still…
-makes ipad less stable (not drastically but…), harder to set down w/o it falling backwards

-just noticed for the first time the “lock” button at the top right of the keyboard… neat! another thing to train myself to remember it’s there, not really needed for my use case, but… cool i guess


Overall I used the last one enough for almost 3 years to make it worth it, but, eh, $300 or $100 a year for 3 years… 🤗🤨

That lock button is a favorite for me - quick and easier than grasping the iPad and hitting the iPad power button.

 

[PamLurie]

I think my iPad is the first one that was 12.9", my keyboard is from Brookstone. I haven't used it all that much through the years, so didn't look at replacing it. Then I was in the hospital for a month and that thing became worth its wait in gold. But before I jump into a new one with both feet, I want to hold one in my hands and look at the keyboard, and I can't do that right this minute so I am reading along avidly here. Just wanted to say thank you to all of you for the conversations.

 

[Simmias]

I didn’t like the original magic keyboard and still don’t like this one. Too heavy. Too thick. Too mushy. Too wobbly. Too expensive.

 

[eba]

Stupid question maybe, but what does the Esc key actually do?

 

[swelliott]

Stupid question maybe, but what does the Esc key actually do?

It triggers ‘cancel’ actions in well-coded software, and pops the video player out of full screen mode (for two examples).

Also - hinge squeak just began yesterday for me. No change in the perfect level of hinge stiffness/resistance, though.

 

[GDF]

I really like the new Magic Keyboard too. Only improvement I would suggest is better material on the back and bottom. Think that part gets dirty to easily and also wears down over time, if it is like my last Magic Keyboard.

 

[Kahnforever]

It’s sick. Too expensive but otherwise, sick.

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

I also appreciated the edges of the aluminum palm rest, which are much less sharp compared to MacBooks.

Squeaky sounds should not be there.

 

[mpetrides]

That lock button is a favorite for me - quick and easier than grasping the iPad and hitting the iPad power button.

Alas, I have hit it inadvertently twice already, locking my iPad when all I really wanted was to delete a character or two from something I was typing. Not a big deal, just a minor nuisance for someone who is a touch typist.

 

[Grobaouche]

I have ordered a new one, received today, less if none squeaky sounds from the hinge, will see in a couple of days, I will send back to other one as I am still in the 14 days window.

 

[Apple_Robert]

In regards to the MKB, can you tap the escape key to exit full screen video like you would on the Mac?

 

[sparksd]

13" Pro + MKB - I hit the escape key in full screen mode and the video fully closed on Apple TV+ & nPlayer. It had no effect in Netflix app.

 

[richpjr]

I agree with most of the reviews on the MKB - love everything about it except the wobble, which is not a big concern to me as the majority of my use with it is on a desk.

 

[Apple_Robert]

13" Pro + MKB - I hit the escape key in full screen mode and the video fully closed on Apple TV+ & nPlayer. It had no effect in Netflix app.

Thanks for the reply. What about when viewing video in Safari (such as YouTube) Have you found any Mac keyboard shortcuts that carry over to the MKB?

 

[sparksd]

Thanks for the reply. What about when viewing video in Safari (such as YouTube) Have you found any Mac keyboard shortcuts that carry over to the MKB?

YouTube in Safari: When playback is in full screen and I hit esc, the video closes to normal size mode and continues to play. Don't know about other shortcuts - I don't own a Mac.

 

[Apple_Robert]

YouTube in Safari: When playback is in full screen and I hit esc, the video closes to normal size mode and continues to play. Don't know about other shortcuts - I don't own a Mac.

Thank you for taking the time.

 

[sparksd]

Thank you for taking the time.

Not a problem, glad to assist. Any other things you want tried, fire away - helps me learn new things.

 

[Zapdoc]

Not a problem, glad to assist. Any other things you want tried, fire away - helps me learn new things.

How do you delete a letter or two in middle of a word. I have been using the backspace key but this deleted mor egg than I need /want ?