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iPad Pro iPad Pro 11 M4: Smart Folio or Magic Keyboard or Both

Which one should I keep?

  • Smart Folio

    Votes: 20 15.7%

  • iPad Magic Keyboard

    Votes: 23 18.1%

  • Both

    Votes: 58 45.7%

  • See Results

    Votes: 26 20.5%
  • Total voters
    127
  • Poll closed .
prospervic said:
Then get a 3rd party folio. Not as nice as Apple’s, but you can find them as low as $20 which makes them fine for occasional use.
Click to expand...
Of course. If I needed a folio, then I would do that. But the MK suits me right now.
 
leperry said:
Of course. If I needed a folio, then I would do that. But the MK suits me right now.
Click to expand...
I’m sure. But I’ve found there are times when it’s nice to just carry a VERY slim and light device with me. (Full disclosure: after months of practice I’ve gotten very good at typing on the software keyboard.)
 
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Buy 6 of each, keep the spares in the closest for when the fabric starts shredding on the magic keyboard. Then throw it out and onto the next one.
 
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bluegt said:
Keyboard is fantastic, but it weighs a ton. Depends on your use case.

At work, I keep my Keyboard attached. If I’m out for leisure, then a Smart Folio is better to reduce weight and bulk.

Personally, I’m going for the Pitaka MagEZ for the iPad M4 this time around.
Click to expand...
Why the Pitaka? Is it good quality?
 
on my M1 I was always Magic keyboard only but I really enjoy the folio With the different viewing angles. I’ll probably use the keyboard a bit less than before but I would still vote both
 
Smart Folio for me. For my primary content consumption use I want my iPad as light and simple as possible. And when I do want to use a keyboard, I want something a little more substantial than MK so out comes my MX Keys Mini.

That said, have anyone tried one of these?
https://us.targus.com/products/ergonomic-foldable-bluetooth-antimicrobial-keyboard-akf003us

I wonder how these will work as a backup keyboard that I can always keep in my sling. MX Keys usually comes with me only when typing is expected.
 
I have both, but would like my folio keyboard back. I write a lot with the pencil, but sometimes want to type. On screen isn’t my thing, so the folio was a nice midway in weight, typing and cover.
But alas, Apple doesn’t want my money 🙃
 
Would get rid of both and buy a logitech combo touch.

But if you must keep one, I would keep the magic keyboard. Cant stand the fabric coating on the folio keyboard.
 
I also have both. I like being able to use my iPad as a tablet with the Smart Folio and then put it in the keyboard for more extensive typing tasks, remote accessing my iMac, etc. The magnetic covers are so easy to swap between (although they don’t offer protection of the sides).
 
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im planning to upgrade my iPad 10.5 pro finally .thinking of getting a iPad Air 11 M2. so is the Smart Keyboard Folio compatible? I cant add it as a keyboard accessory while checking out.it shows only Magic Keyboard which is useless to me.
 
rachislenska said:
im planning to upgrade my iPad 10.5 pro finally .thinking of getting a iPad Air 11 M2. so is the Smart Keyboard Folio compatible? I cant add it as a keyboard accessory while checking out.it shows only Magic Keyboard which is useless to me.
Click to expand...

Looks like it’s sold out on the US Apple Store ATM. Maybe that’s why you can’t add it? It’s in stock in the US on Amazon and is currently $50 off.
 
Hi All,

I am pretty new here. Mods feel free to move this to a more appropriate place if needed.

I have a random question about the M4 11 inch and the MKB case.

I have a trivial gripe about my M2 11 inch and MKB case that I can’t stand and am curious if there is any change with M4 11 inch and MKB.

My gripe: M2 11 inch and MKB case when used in my lap with case “fully open” will slightly tilt away from me causing the front of the keyboard to lift up which necessitates slight continuous downward pressure from my wrists to keep keyboard flush against my lap. I know this is very trivial but I spend way too much time on a plane and the natural angle of my lap causes a slight decline and then this tilt.

Question: Does the lower weight of the M4 11 inch and/or redesign of the MKB mitigate this at all? Can anyone test for me and report back?

I’d appreciate it very much!

Sincerely,

An overtired frequent flyer
 
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purdue1014 said:
Question: Does the lower weight of the M4 11 inch and/or redesign of the MKB mitigate this at all? Can anyone test for me and report back?
Click to expand...

As a fellow frequent flyer… I know exactly what you mean, and it’s definitely still there. The (slight) extra weight of the keyboard helps a bit but it’s not a total cure.
 
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DeepSix said:
Buy 6 of each, keep the spares in the closest for when the fabric starts shredding on the magic keyboard. Then throw it out and onto the next one.
Click to expand...
My fabric took 5 years to shed… so this approach will make sure your iPad lasts 60 years (6 of each x 2 x 5 year life).
 
purdue1014 said:
I know this is very trivial but I spend way too much time on a plane and the natural angle of my lap causes a slight decline and then this tilt.
Click to expand...

Why wouldn’t you place the iPad on the tray tablet while flying?

To answer you question, the iPad is still unstable on the lap with the new keyboard, it is very slightly better but still a problem.
 
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eklynx said:
I miss the Smart Keyboard Folio. I don't need a trackpad as it's a touch screen, and the magic keyboard is really bulky and doesn't fully open in a 'tablet' configuration. But I still want a keyboard.
Click to expand...
This. Miss it soooo much
 
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bluegt said:
My fabric took 5 years to shed… so this approach will make sure your iPad lasts 60 years (6 of each x 2 x 5 year life).
Click to expand...
The fabric on my Smart Keyboard was coming apart at the seams roughly a year in. I doubt I would be so unlucky as to get 3 lemons in a row, but that's also why I stopped getting them, much as I loved how they work with my 2018 iPad Pro.
 
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Abazigal said:
The fabric on my Smart Keyboard was coming apart at the seams roughly a year in. I doubt I would be so unlucky as to get 3 lemons in a row, but that's also why I stopped getting them, much as I loved how they work with my 2018 iPad Pro.
Click to expand...
Curious, do you open and close very very often, is your bag made of rough materials, do you work in a dusty/dirty/dry environment?

my 2018 one got bubbles months in but that was due to water/sticking, but no peeling/rips for a few years.

I wonder if the recent models are at all improved… I’m going to be annoyed when my $400 MKB starts to have this issue!
 
bluegt said:
Curious, do you open and close very very often, is your bag made of rough materials, do you work in a dusty/dirty/dry environment?

my 2018 one got bubbles months in but that was due to water/sticking, but no peeling/rips for a few years.

I wonder if the recent models are at all improved… I’m going to be annoyed when my $400 MKB starts to have this issue!
Click to expand...

I definitely open and close my Smart Keyboard countless times a day. I am a teacher, so standard classroom environment. My bag is those typical backpack with 2 sleeves for laptop and tablet.

It’s possibly the way I handle it (faced similar issues with this roughly 1 year in as well).

amzn.asia

JETech Magnetic Case for iPad Pro 11 Inch (2022/2021/2020/2018 Model), and iPad Air 5/4 (10.9-Inch 2022/2020), Support Pencil 2nd Gen Charging, Magnetic Attachment (Black)

Designed for iPad Air 5th/4th Generation (10.9-inch 2022/2020) and iPad Pro 11-inch (2021/2020/2018 Released Edge to Edge Liquid Retina Display). Fit iPad Models: A2759 A2435 A2761 A2762 A2588 A2589 A2591 A2324 A2072 A2316 A2325 A2377 A2301 A2459 A2460 A2228 A2068 A2230 A2231 A1980 A2013 A1934 A1...
amzn.asia

Let’s see how my Smart Folio fares. Maybe I should sign up for AppleCare…
 
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