Gurman: New Magic Keyboard for iPad to Feature Aluminum Top Case

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

A Revamped Magic Keyboard 🎹 with a larger trackpad. Does it meet your needs?

 

[TheNewLou]

With the way incomes are diverging in the US, having no-expense-barred status products like an iPad with a gorgeous keyboard is just that—a status play.

This is for executives, status-seekers, & movie stars. This is their Tesla Roadster or GMC Hummer.

Bring on the iPad Ultra!

 

[trifero]

You can add anything you want. Will NEVER be a laptop, less can do what a laptop can.

 

[coachgq]

These keyboards are already the price of a base iPad itself, just cannot justify the expense.

I finally “got” that after 2 years of using the M1 12.9 pro as my main computer. Found myself not being able to complete some simple tasks that o could on a regular laptop so I sold my heavy iPad and Magic Keyboard and ended up with thought to buy a used M2 air 13 inch. The screen was nice but found the switch worth it to me.

 

[yabeweb]

Now it just needs an OS that makes productivity on the ipad more laptop-like. I mean, you can polish a t*** forever, but it‘s still a t****. €369 for a keyboard is just ridiculously expensive.

(for the record, I love my ipad for surfing the net and watching movies on the go, but every time I try to do some more serious work on it other than editing photos with the apple pen, it takes me at least five times as long as when I‘m on a productive OS)

That’s because you want to do stuff the “traditional OS way”, embrace a new workflow and it will be as productive as when you are on a computer.

 

[Nozuka]

I remember when i got the Magic Keyboard for my Pro i actually preferred using the device with it.
And then i realized, that a Macbook Air is better for my needs and sold it.

 

[satchmo]

A 13” MacBook Air and 10th gen iPad combo is currently only $100 more than a 12” iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard.

You’d get MacOS and iOS if needed.

 

[Macalicious2011]

So Apple has found a way to hike prices again.

This is the single reason why I am no longer excited about the release of new apple products. Almost all include a price hike

I now prefer buying 1-2 year old apple products for best value.

 

[ttyRazor]

This thing is going to be as heavy as a brick.

It’ll have to be to keep the whole thing from tipping it over, assuming “more laptop-like” means a regular hinge.

 

[ndouglas]

I don’t like the exorbitant price but, I’m in the market for a new one. It’s been about 2 years and I could keep this one but I don’t like how it gets more chipped away at the edges. If the new one is sturdier it’ll be worth it for me, even this one is still worth it for the use I get out of it. Before it, I spent many months with the also-nice wireless keyboard that comes with iMacs, it’s good but the convenience of being able to so quickly fold this “magic” one up when finished is a significant upgrade.

Sent on my not-Magic but Useful “Magic Keyboard”

 

[Royksöpp]

You can add all the bells and whistles you want, it’s all cancelled out because of iPadOS.

 

[rumz]

Give me media/function keys and an ESC key; I’ll be happy.

Exactly this. I’ve never wanted a larger trackpad, but frequently wish I had these keys.

 

[fw85]

People complain with no macOS available for the iPad, but if Apple were to make that available, I bet people would go complaining once again how sht a desktop operating system is in a touch-first device.

Look no further than the "popularity" of Windows touch screen laptops.

 

[THE VATICANTS]

Just don't get it......I've given up on iPadOS and the great potential the iPad actually could have been. iPads are the prefect example where Cook just doesn't get it....

 

[heretiq]

I have the magic keyboard for my ipad pro and honestly I think I wasted my money. I mostly use the pro on the go or sitting somewhere and just interneting lol. I rarely use it at a table to be able to use the keyboard.


James

Agree. I purchased the Magic Keyboard and love the design; but find that the overall experience is inferior to both the naked iPad Pro and to my MacBook Pro.

I think it’s because the iPad is a touch-optimized device (hardware and software) and the added weight and keyboard transforms it into something (a) different than what it was designed for and (b) less than what we want it to be.

I would buy a keyboard-less Magic Keyboard to use as an iPad stand though — the way the iPad just floats is magical for person-person collaboration and kiosk-like use cases.

 

[heretiq]

Just don't get it......I've given up on iPadOS and the great potential the iPad actually could have been. iPads are the prefect example where Cook just doesn't get it....

I think iPads provide an example of what happens when users disregard what a device was actually designed and optimized for, then expect and insist that it behave the way they would have designed it.

 

[Bodhitree]

Small steps bringing the form factor closer to a laptop is not going to make it into a laptop.

I use my ipad just for foruming and media consumption on the couch and in bed.

 

[gusping]

Found an Apppe employee

That’s because you want to do stuff the “traditional OS way”, embrace a new workflow and it will be as productive as when you are on a computer.

 

[Mr. Dee]

They should use the TouchBar 13 inch MacBook Pro bottom case and throw in a could USB C ports.

 

[swiftapplefan]

Time for macOS as a dual boot option on the Pro. No excuses now, not with an M3 chip and 16gb RAM

OMG! That’s what I was trying to say! With the improved efficiency of the m3, why not include macOS? Also the schedule: iPad Pro in Spring, macOS for it in June! Or even if not full-fledged macOS, at least a light version of it with an iOS skin! DMG, Better Finder, Menu Bar, Desktop… basically Apple DeX.

 

[swiftapplefan]

And give us some function keys!

 

[BuffaloTF]

Give me media/function keys and an ESC key; I’ll be happy.

I’d also love some Cmd commands… if I could choose only 1… Cmd+Q would be the one.

 

[Pakaku]

This is unnecessary. I can see why the trackpad might grow, but an aluminum keyboard? Who wants a potentially heavier keyboard. This thing is already heavier than a MacBook Air.

You need the weight in order to keep the base stable while the iPad is balancing above it. There's already metal inside the base to do that, so changing the exterior to aluminum probably wouldn't change much in terms of weight. The bigger concern IMO would be keeping the iPad screen safe.

 

[BigDO]

I have the magic keyboard for my ipad pro and honestly I think I wasted my money. I mostly use the pro on the go or sitting somewhere and just interneting lol. I rarely use it at a table to be able to use the keyboard.


James

Same. Once the honeymoon period was over, I realized that it is really heavy to carry around, and if I’m sitting at the table I may as well open my laptop.

 

[sherwinzadeh]

I think Apple needs to make a big U-turn and focus on making the iPad a great TABLET. This means:
1. Make it much lighter. It needs to be comfortable to hold in one hand for a longer period of time. Get rid of the bulky cameras, no one cares.
2. Pencil needs to really improve so I want to use it over paper. Right now I don't.
3. Make it much brighter so it's actually usable outdoors

I purchased the Magic Keyboard when it came out but it really doesn't replace a laptop -- Just get a MacBook Air already... they run iPad and iPhone apps too now and costs about the same.