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

Newtons Apple

Suspended
Original poster
Mar 12, 2014
22,757
15,254
Jacksonville, Florida
Just thinking about getting the type cover. Will it just replace the silicone cover on the front of my 9.7 and I can still use the Apple silicone back cover.

Does this work well? I know no one knows but hoping it will also work with the new iPad Pro2 when they release it.

Thanks

MODS: Please move if you feel the need to accessories for ipad
 

Mathias Denichi

macrumors 6502
Jun 21, 2013
454
637
I bought and returned it 3 hours later. I did not like the 9.7 version of the Smart Keyboard vs the 12.9 one I had for a year and a half.

The top row of keys are way off from where a standard keyboard should be, such as the "W" key being way off to the left and not above the "S" key. I was constantly having to look at my fingers, messing up, and I refuse to accept that as a product from Apple at a $149 price point. The 12.9 version, however, is great, just needs few improvements.

I'd just keep the Smart Cover, and type vertically with two thumbs like I do with my iPhone; the advantage of the 9.7 in size.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newtons Apple

rldunn

macrumors member
Feb 27, 2010
87
59
Ann Arbor, MI
I bought the smart keyboard for my 9.7 when I was at the Apple store for something else, fully expecting to not like it (it's ugly and more bulky than the regular cover) and return it. Then, I found that I really liked it, so I decided to keep it and swap it out with my silicone cover depending on my needs each day. The smart keyboard has been on my iPad every day since and I've never used the regular cover again.

It's not perfect and I don't use it every day (actually, far from it), but it's so convenient when I need it and not a big deal when I don't. When I'm just reading, I detach it and lay it next to me, but I put it back on when I'm done.

One big surprise to me is how much stable it is holding the iPad vertically, which I use quite a bit. I say this after having many iPads with regular covers over the years - it's just much more stable with the smart keyboard cover.
 

neutrino23

macrumors 68000
Feb 14, 2003
1,881
391
SF Bay area
If you don't do a lot of typing an alternative idea is to use the Nebo app. It does a remarkably good job of handwriting or printing recognition.
 

Cosmo M3

macrumors 6502
Sep 4, 2010
436
434
It's not as bad as most people think, although I use my 12.9 iPad Pro with the keyboard moreso than the 9.7 iPad Pro.
 

shyam09

macrumors 68020
Oct 31, 2010
2,247
2,507
If you don't do a lot of typing an alternative idea is to use the Nebo app. It does a remarkably good job of handwriting or printing recognition.
That looks very intriguing. I'm going to try keeping it in the back of my head if I ever get an iPad Pro or Surface Pro
 

GoldfishRT

macrumors 6502a
Jul 24, 2014
611
350
Somewhere
I have zero issues with the 9.7 Smart Keyboard. I'm maybe 5% slower than with a full size on it now? And that's mostly due to how it feels for extended typing sessions. For burst typing, like writing on forums or Twitter for instance, it's more than acceptable. It's pretty well the reason I use my iPad as much as I do these days.

And I love the fabric feeling.
 

lax28

macrumors 6502
Sep 28, 2014
279
157
New Jersey
For my 9.7, I am a big fan of the keys to go keyboard, it is easy to carry, adds no more weight then having the apple smart cover, also includes functions keys. It easily fits in the sleeve I carry my iPad in, so I have it with me when I need it. I do use it on my 12.9 also, but needs to be re-paired, would be nice if the newer ones allowed to be paired with multiple devices.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.