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DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
Hi there and welcome to MacRumors. You will easily be able to use the new iPad as your laptop replacement for your uses. As for the size, that is subjective. I have the M1 iPad Pro 11, and I use it to run my real estate businesses. It is big enough but still super portable. I use a Logitech Combo Touch for my keyboard case for mobile purposes and love it. The neat thing is now that iPadOS 16 is out, you can use the M series iPads with an external monitor, mouse/touchpad, and keyboard for a desktop setup. I use a Magic Touchpad because it just feels natural to control a touch device with a touch device. Have fun with your new iPad, and come here often.

View attachment 2184997 View attachment 2184998

I've had the keyboard for 12 days now. Loving it but I'll admit that I don't care for the extra weight when the ipad is just used as an ipad. The extra weight is noticable over my thin ESR TPU case. It goes from a 1lb device in the hand to a 2lb device in the hand. If money was no issue and I was rich, I would have two ipads, one that has the touch combo live on it and the other with my other super thin case used as a tablet only. Constantly putting on and removing cases ain’t for me. Plus it ruins them quicker as they stretch and won’t fit as good.
 

FletchTopper

macrumors newbie
Apr 5, 2023
15
18
I've had the keyboard for 12 days now. Loving it but I'll admit that I don't care for the extra weight when the ipad is just used as an ipad. The extra weight is noticable over my thin ESR TPU case. It goes from a 1lb device in the hand to a 2lb device in the hand. If money was no issue and I was rich, I would have two ipads, one that has the touch combo live on it and the other with my other super thin case used as a tablet only. Constantly putting on and removing cases ain’t for me. Plus it ruins them quicker as they stretch and won’t fit as good.
While money isn't quite not an issue, I do have a very good condition iPad Air 2 I'm considering keeping around for my heavy-lifting streaming priorities (mainly the amount of sports I consume) as to not kill my new device's battery as quickly
 

Surfsalot

Suspended
Mar 18, 2023
2,049
2,028
I've had the keyboard for 12 days now. Loving it but I'll admit that I don't care for the extra weight when the ipad is just used as an ipad. The extra weight is noticable over my thin ESR TPU case. It goes from a 1lb device in the hand to a 2lb device in the hand. If money was no issue and I was rich, I would have two ipads, one that has the touch combo live on it and the other with my other super thin case used as a tablet only. Constantly putting on and removing cases ain’t for me. Plus it ruins them quicker as they stretch and won’t fit as good.
that's where the Magic Keyboard wins
 

DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
While money isn't quite not an issue, I do have a very good condition iPad Air 2 I'm considering keeping around for my heavy-lifting streaming priorities (mainly the amount of sports I consume) as to not kill my new device's battery as quickly

There's always a use for older ipads. I personally wouldn't spend top dollar on a newer ipad for just streaming.
 
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sparksd

macrumors G4
Jun 7, 2015
10,006
34,343
Seattle WA
Magic keyboard is overpriced though and no protection without the magic keyboard. Some have said on Reddit that the magnet is too strong on the magic keyboard that some have had to use a hammer to knock the keyboard off the ipad.

I'd call total BS on the hammer, especially on Reddit. I have the MKB and there is no way that the magnets are that strong. I also use a PITAKA back cover on my M1 12.9 with the MKB to provide some protection when taken off the keyboard - it even works with a full TORRO magnetic case if I want more.
 

teh_hunterer

macrumors 65816
Jul 1, 2021
1,231
1,672
Magic keyboard is overpriced though and no protection without the magic keyboard. Some have said on Reddit that the magnet is too strong on the magic keyboard that some have had to use a hammer to knock the keyboard off the ipad.
Lmao what? That is 1000% bs.
 
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DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
I'd call total BS on the hammer, especially on Reddit. I have the MKB and there is no way that the magnets are that strong. I also use a PITAKA back cover on my M1 12.9 with the MKB to provide some protection when taken off the keyboard - it even works with a full TORRO magnetic case if I want more.
That’s what I read awhile back, didn’t know if it was true that people were hitting their iPads with hammers. I looked up that PITAKA case, what makes it worth $100CAD. Wow. The Magic Keyboard has only two positions for the angle tilt, huge downfall. I’ve never seen the Magic Keyboard in person but the price is a huge turn off.
 

Surfsalot

Suspended
Mar 18, 2023
2,049
2,028
That’s what I read awhile back, didn’t know if it was true that people were hitting their iPads with hammers. I looked up that PITAKA case, what makes it worth $100CAD. Wow. The Magic Keyboard has only two positions for the angle tilt, huge downfall. I’ve never seen the Magic Keyboard in person but the price is a huge turn off.
Nothing beats first hand experience, let us know when you try one.
 

bondr006

macrumors 68030
Jun 8, 2010
2,907
16,826
Cary, NC - My Name is Rob Bond
Nothing beats first hand experience, let us know when you try one.
My first hand personal experience is, I tried both the Magic Keyboard and the Logitech Combo Touch when I first got my M1 iPad Pro 11 back in Nov 2021. I returned the MKB and have been using the LCT ever since with no regrets and no intensions of ever getting a MKB.

I have had my Logitech Combo Touch for well over a year now and still love it. It is standing up well to a lot of use. Has fully protected my iPad Pro from three drops now without a mark or malfunction on the LCT. It may weigh a little more than the MKB, but that is no issue for me, as it is built tough and fully protects my iPad.

Like the Magic Keyboard, the LCT has the smart connector so you do not have to worry about charging it, or having to depend on a Bluetooth connection. It easily detaches from the keyboard while still giving my iPad protection and a fully adjustable kickstand.

The typing experience is A#1, and the bigger multitouch trackpad has all the gestures we Apple folk are used too. It is smooth, and clicks anywhere on the trackpad. I have not experienced any hiccups with the trackpad or keyboard. I cannot understand why Apple would put such a small trackpad on the MKB, and no shortcut keys either. For the higher price, you would expect a superior product and user experience. But just the opposite is true. In this case, you definitely get less and pay more.

Don't get me wrong. I love Apple and the hardware products they make but you can find just as good if not better accessories for less elsewhere. IMO, the LCT is a better product for less $$ than the MKB.

Things I would miss if I had to give up the LCT.

1. Protection on all the edges.
2. Being able to remove the backlit keyboard and still have iPad protected in a case with an adjustable kickstand.
3. The larger, multi touch click anywhere track pad. It's frigging amazing.
4. The material the MKB is made of splits, rips, smudges and marks up easily. The LCT material is tough and does not.
5. And last but not least, the really convenient full row of iPadOS shortcut keys, which the MKB does not have.

I would not hesitate recommending the LCT to anyone looking for a great keyboard case for their iPad Pro. I have not had anything but a good experience with it, and many other Logitech products for over two decades.
 
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DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
Nothing beats first hand experience, let us know when you try one.

Ha funny you mention it, I was actually checking out more reviews on the MKB last night and I actually want to check it out today. I want to see if the typing experience is truly that good and if it's that much better than on the Combo Touch. I still have two days left to return the Combo Touch if I do like the MKB better.

I can't get over that price though. But one thing that I like better on the MKB is how you adjust the tilt angle. It looks better and easier to adjust it from the front on the MKB versus a kickstand on the back.
 

DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
My first hand personal experience is, I tried both the Magic Keyboard and the Logitech Combo Touch when I first got my M1 iPad Pro 11 back in Nov 2021. I returned the MKB and have been using the LCT ever since with no regrets and no intensions of ever getting a MKB.

I have had my Logitech Combo Touch for well over a year now and still love it. It is standing up well to a lot of use. Has fully protected my iPad Pro from three drops now without a mark or malfunction on the LCT. It may weigh a little more than the MKB, but that is no issue for me, as it built tough and fully protects my iPad.

Like the Magic Keyboard, the LCT has the smart connector so you do not have to worry about charging it, or having to depend on a Bluetooth connection. It easily detaches from the keyboard while still giving my iPad protection and a fully adjustable kickstand.

The typing experience is A#1, and the bigger multitouch trackpad has all the gestures we Apple folk are used too. It is smooth, and clicks anywhere on the trackpad. I have not experienced any hiccups with the trackpad or keyboard. I cannot understand why Apple would put such a small trackpad on the MKB, and no shortcut keys either. For the higher price, you would expect a superior product and user experience. But just the opposite is true. In this case, you definitely get less and pay more.

Don't get me wrong. I love Apple and the hardware products they make but you can find just as good if not better accessories for less elsewhere. IMO, the LCT is a better product for less $$ than the MKB.

Things I would miss if I had to give up the LCT.

1. Protection on all the edges.
2. Being able to remove the backlit keyboard and still have iPad protected in a case with an adjustable kickstand.
3. The larger, multi touch click anywhere track pad. It's frigging amazing.
4. The material the MKB is made of splits, rips, smudges and marks up easily. The LCT material is tough and does not.
5. And last but not least, the really convenient full row of iPadOS shortcut keys, which the MKB does not have.

I would not hesitate recommending the LCT to anyone looking for a great keyboard case for their iPad Pro. I have not had anything but a good experience with it, and many other Logitech products for over two decades.

I have heard of the MKB getting fingerprints and oils easily and it's not easy to clean off but haven't heard about the material ripping, is it that bad? Skins would prevent the fingerprints (but again it just drives up the total cost) whereas the Combo Touch material is great and doesn't collect fingerprints at all.

I would love to try the Brydge Max+ though, very nice price but it's very heavy and it's a bluetooth connection vs smart connector so you will have to wait a couple secs for it to pair each time. This and the weight are kind of a deal breaker to me.
 

sparksd

macrumors G4
Jun 7, 2015
10,006
34,343
Seattle WA
Ha funny you mention it, I was actually checking out more reviews on the MKB last night and I actually want to check it out today. I want to see if the typing experience is truly that good and if it's that much better than on the Combo Touch. I still have two days left to return the Combo Touch if I do like the MKB better.

I can't get over that price though. But one thing that I like better on the MKB is how you adjust the tilt angle. It looks better and easier to adjust it from the front on the MKB versus a kickstand on the back.

I have both the MKB and the Combo Touch for my M1 12.9. The Logi has irritated me with the stretched covering over the speakers (apparently fixed in newer versions) and I have come to really like the MKB. But it is grossly overpriced (the Apple way).
 

DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
I have both the MKB and the Combo Touch for my M1 12.9. The Logi has irritated me with the stretched covering over the speakers (apparently fixed in newer versions) and I have come to really like the MKB. But it is grossly overpriced (the Apple way).

I'm super hesitant now checking out the magic keyboard after hearing about the long term wear on it and seeing threads like this. Unacceptable for such a costly keyboard.


I really really like the combo touch (I have the newer version without the cutouts for the speakers). The keyboard is built better than Surface Pro type covers and the typing experience on it is 95% as good as the Type cover. MKB has it's own set of benefits but the material long term does concern me. Even if I put skins on it, if it frays from the egdes and corners, a skin won't do anything to prevent that. I also got my combo touch at $50CAD off regular price so it's basically half the cost of a MKB with skins.
 

sparksd

macrumors G4
Jun 7, 2015
10,006
34,343
Seattle WA
I'm super hesitant now checking out the magic keyboard after hearing about the long term wear on it and seeing threads like this. Unacceptable for such a costly keyboard.


I really really like the combo touch (I have the newer version without the cutouts for the speakers). The keyboard is built better than Surface Pro type covers and the typing experience on it is 95% as good as the Type cover. MKB has it's own set of benefits but the material long term does concern me. Even if I put skins on it, if it frays from the egdes and corners, a skin won't do anything to prevent that. I also got my combo touch at $50CAD off regular price so it's basically half the cost of a MKB with skins.

If I had gotten a newer version of the Combo Touch, I likely would have stuck with it - the edge bulge on mine became atrocious. I've had the MKB for 6 months now and can't see any wear at all on it.
 
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papbot

macrumors 68020
May 19, 2015
2,307
1,078
I'm super hesitant now checking out the magic keyboard after hearing about the long term wear on it and seeing threads like this. Unacceptable for such a costly keyboard.
I’ve had mine for 3 years now, whenever the first one was released, and have virtually no wear on it. It’s currently on my M2 12.9 iPP. I do have a skin on the surface that sits on whatever I have the ipad and case sitting on. I’ve not used the included sections of the skin on the palm rest areas but if I were concerned about those spots in particular I could dig them out and put them on. We all use them differently so wear will not be the same for everyone. But I’ve been very happy with mine.
 
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DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
If I had gotten a newer version of the Combo Touch, I likely would have stuck with it - the edge bulge on mine became atrocious. I've had the MKB for 6 months now and can't see any wear at all on it.
What made you get the MKB? I made sure to get the newer version of the combo touch. It being $50 off was a bonus too. I almost wonder if these people who have wear on theirs has been throwing their MKBs down the stairs and letting their pets pee on it.
 

DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Feb 4, 2022
865
946
I’ve had mine for 3 years now, whenever the first one was released, and have virtually no wear on it. It’s currently on my M2 12.9 iPP. I do have a skin on the surface that sits on whatever I have the ipad and case sitting on. I’ve not used the included sections of the skin on the palm rest areas but if I were concerned about those spots in particular I could dig them out and put them on. We all use them differently so wear will not be the same for everyone. But I’ve been very happy with mine.
What color do you have? I'm not sure if my Best Buy has them on demo or not. Want to see how the keys feel and if they're as good as people say (like desktop keys). The white MKB is stunning. But I always get black because it won't show oil stains or food stains. I wouldn't want one without a skin as it looks pretty greasy after a few hours with no skins.
 

sparksd

macrumors G4
Jun 7, 2015
10,006
34,343
Seattle WA
What made you get the MKB? I made sure to get the newer version of the combo touch. It being $50 off was a bonus too. I almost wonder if these people who have wear on theirs has been throwing their MKBs down the stairs and letting their pets pee on it.

Combination of irritation at the Combo I had, no knowledge that they were fixing the problem, too much money in my pocket, and a curiosity about how the MKB would be. I'm a retired s/w & h/w engineer and these things are basically my toys - I don't need any of them. I bought the MKB from Amazon and was planning to return it if I didn't like it but ended up liking it a lot. I find the charge port on the MKB to be real handy/convenient.
 
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Surfsalot

Suspended
Mar 18, 2023
2,049
2,028
So where are you seeing the new version of the Logitech combo, every where I look has the version with the rubber sides.
 

papbot

macrumors 68020
May 19, 2015
2,307
1,078
The white MKB is stunning. But I always get black because it won't show oil stains or food stains. I wouldn't want one without a skin as it looks pretty greasy after a few hours with no skins.
Mine is black. I believe that was the only color when it was originally released. I wouldn’t get a white simply because Ive had other devices, cases, etc. that were made of softer materials similar to the MKB and they always looked dull and grey after a time. The MKB might not suffer from that but I wouldnt want to take the chance. I also had seen any number of reports from people who had the white version about some issue with auto brightness or some other screen issue. I think it was due to reflection from the white surface. But the keys are excellent, perhaps not identical to a laptop keyboard but very pleasing nonetheless.
 

prospervic

macrumors 65816
Aug 2, 2007
1,154
1,433
NYC
I’ve never seen the Magic Keyboard in person but the price is a huge turn off.
Don't listen to stupid stories on Reddit. Go see the Magic Keyboard for yourself. As for price, there are many available (including brand new, sealed) for lower prices on eBay and refurbished models on Amazon.
 

Abazigal

Contributor
Jul 18, 2011
20,395
23,898
Singapore
If money wasn't an issue, I wouldn't mind having both the smart and Magic Keyboard for my iPad Pro. The magic keyboard will be a dock at my desk (since it supports passthrough charging). Then when I want to go out, switch to the Smart Keyboard (for the weight and ability to fold back on itself).

Overkill, yes, but one can dream. 😬
 
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